Burna Boy Says ‘There Are Still Such People Who Would Prefer We Stay Divided & Conquered’ While Reacting To Criticism Received After Giving His Opinion About The African Diaspora

Burna Boy Says ‘There Are Still Such People Who Would Prefer We Stay Divided & Conquered’ While Reacting To Criticism Received After Giving His Opinion About The African Diaspora

Nigerian artist Burna Boy has more to say about the unity of Black people after receiving backlash online.

The “Last Last” singer expressed his disappointment after a conversation he had about unifying the African diaspora drew criticism from online users.

Burna Boy

Judging from Burna Boy‘s recent Instagram post, it seems some people were offended by his recent comments about Black Americans. The musician, real name Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, was asked why he feels reconnecting people affected by the African diaspora is so important. In response, the 31-year-old juxtaposed the struggles of Black Americans to the perceived experience of other minority Americans, such as Asian and Italians. He explained:

“Why do you think the Chinese American has their respect, and they don’t go through the things that African Americans go through? Even though they might go through their struggles,”

"Why is it important that the diaspora come home?"

Burna Boy: pic.twitter.com/YUP5W5BYIG

— @????????????? (@OneJoblessBoy) March 17, 2023

Continuing:

“Because the Chinese American has a base. He actually knows where he’s from in China….Italian Americans…they know the first person in their family to come to America…the same goes for everyone else except the African American….how can they be on the same field?”

Burna Boy

While the singer’s intentions may have been good, some social media users clearly felt the comments were out of line. Many began rebutting and condemning Burna Boy’s comments, writing things such as:

“Africans don’t even have a home base that’s why they flee all over the globe to live as economic refugees. My home base and motherland is Arkansas America. Focus on uniting your tribes and leave us alone”

And:

“It’s interesting when Africans puff out their chest not realizing their borders were created by those same colonizers. Do YOU know where you’re actually from”

With others adding:

Reacting to the responses, Burna Boy took to his social media, seemingly believing that his message was misconstrued. The musician shamed those he feels would rather “stay divided,” and further clarified that his point is about unity and not division, writing:

“Its sad to see that in 2023 there are still such people who would prefer we stay divided and conquered. maybe it’s my accent or something but I never said you are African and not American. I also did not say African is part of Heaven. You deserve all the Land and reparations you want from America and I’m 100% in support of that. All I’ve ever done is try to make you understand that you have African too that loves you and I believe coming together as brothers and sisters is the only way forward for US black people worldwide. You work against the progress of our people worldwide if your goal is to keep us divided”

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments section!