Burna Boy to African Americans: Don’t work against our people’s progress

Burna Boy says coming together in unity is the only way forward for Africans all over the world. 

The singer recently spoke about African Americans and the need for them to visit Africa to understand their identities in a video interview.

Burna Boy also insinuated that some African Americans don’t know where they come from and where to go if they choose to return.

“Why do you think Chinese-Americans have their respect and don’t go through the things that African Americans go through,” he said.

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

Burna Boy: pic.twitter.com/YUP5W5BYIG

— 🐬 @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) March 17, 2023

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“The Chinese American has a base, he knows he’s from China. Italian Americans know where their grandparents came from in Italy.

“They know the first person from their family to come to America to start that line… same goes to everyone else except the African Americans.”

His remark attracted controversy on social media.

But in an Instagram post on Sunday, the Grammy-winning star clarified his initial comment.

Burna Boy said although black people in America deserve all they have worked for over there, they should also understand that “you have Africa too that loves you.”

He also called on black Americans to “not work against the progress of our people.”

“It’s sad to see that in 2023 there are still such black people who would prefer we stay divided and conquered,” he wrote.

“Maybe it’s my accent or something, but I never said you’re African and not American. I also did not say Africa 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 Africa 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.”