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Let me put the record straight.
Preface: Somalinimo at it’s core is embracing our culture, lineage, language, our people. It’s being dependent on each other and rejecting outside influence unless we deem something to be in our benefit. This isn’t bc we’re ‘special’/‘superior’
Preface: Somalinimo at it’s core is embracing our culture, lineage, language, our people. It’s being dependent on each other and rejecting outside influence unless we deem something to be in our benefit. This isn’t bc we’re ‘special’/‘superior’
It’s because we fought off being controlled time and time again (until the french/Brit/italian alliance).The world today isn’t the world our ancestors lived in but their lessons are still passed to us just in fewer words. So we may not understand why we’re taught certain things
Or we might consider them outdated. However, considering the state of our country and how many of our issues stem from abandoning our core values, is it such a terrible thing to want the return to these values? We believe no one will help Somalia unless it’s in their interests.
1) Rejecting the Black identity is rejecting an identity we didn’t create, a culture we didn’t contribute to. Somalis are fragmented within themselves, in fact, most ‘black’ communities are, so what use is having a collective term? Imagine gluing a plate smashed into smithereens
The black identity has a different meaning depending on where you are. It simply does not just refer to skin tone. My identity should not have a different meaning based on where I am.
There are many values we differ on, and homogenising the cultures of hundreds of ethnicities is quite frankly sad. But I can only speak for my own, and I hate that I am expected to put my identity under an umbrella whose meaning is constanly
Yes, racism affects us all and a united front is needed. This doesn’t have to be done under one name tho. It’s doesn’t have to require relegating or homogenising my culture. We’re different communities with a shared problem. We don’t need a shared identity just for this.
2) We’re not Arab either. The Black and Arab identity are not mutually exclusive nor do we have to pick one. We share ties with many through history and religion. This doesn’t make them exempt from criticism but I also will not crucify them unless I feel that I need to.
Being in the Arab league doesn’t mean we’re Arab. It is an alliance that we deem beneficial. It also doesn’t veto our membership in the African Union.
3) Somalia is a ‘sh-thole’ but it’s our sh-thole. Insulting my motherland will never reduce my pride by even an atom’s worth. I acknowledge we’re not as developed, we have a ton of problems but I’m still proud of who I am. There’s nothing anyone can do/say to change that.
So imagine how bemused I become when I hear people call Somali ‘self-haters’. Even worse, when their excuse for this is not accepting the black identity.
So in conclusion, Somalis were never begs, aren’t begs, will never be begs. Our culture is not xenophobic or racist although some members can be. My pride isn’t dependent on my country’s success or adjacency to another group. If you made it this far 
