This weekends BAM festival in Brooklyn reminded us why we, as Nigerian-American’s  dislike the word  “Afrocentric” 

After the Kehinde Wiley exhibit (see previous post) we made it  over to Ashland Place and Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn for BAM. 

We were already on a cultural overload after the exhibit but this was on a whole other level. It was cool but we literally weren’t ready for what we experienced. LOL

Now before we begin this convo I would just like to quickly define Afrocentric:

AFROCENTRIC

1

:  centered on or derived from Africa or the Africans

With that being said, we love and respect all aspects of Africa and people who embrace the content. However, most African’s dislike the term “Afrocentric ” because we do not identify with it. If you are African,  can you also be Afrocentric? Or do the two things goes hand in hand ? Throughout the BAM Festival my sister and I wish we wore shirts that read, “Please do not try to sell or market anything Afrocentric to us”. Don’t get us wrong, the festival was very family friendly and fun but it wasn’t African to us.

For many African’s who know exactly where they are from ,events like BAM can turn the term “Afrocentric” into an action verb. . We understand that knowing exactly where you are from in Africa is a privilege. However, if you are going to try to celebrate and educate people about African culture make sure it is not watered down. The Afrocentric lifestyle allows the continent of  Africa to seem like a huge buffet.  Trying to sell products to an African from an Afrocentric platform, at times, can be insulting.  Africa is a continent not a a country . People from East Africa dress differently than this from Central Africa or West Africa.

Even though many of the vendors were from different parts of the Diaspora. A lot  of the vendors had similar pieces on their tables. As potential customers we found that to be questionable . One buy one each vendor told us their pieces were made by them or made in Africa. If someone is interested in purchasing  a piece from your table, do not insult our intellect by trying to sell us what you think we want to hear. This was a hug selling point we think many vendors at BAM took advantage of and most consumers at BAM . May customers did not know any better to question their antics . Even though many of the vendors at BAM were Caribbean or of African descent,  many seemed aware of the “Afrocentric” traffic that was walking through the festival.  We found most of the experience humorous.

One Caribbean lady tired to sell African print pants, that she claimed was African  to my sister for $100 dollars. She claimed the pants were made in Africa. I mean I don’t know about you this defiantly seemed like the ultimate “come-up ” for the vendors. My sister and I knew all too well that most items were over priced. If we really wanted to , we could go get clothes made cheaper by one of our aunts. So we just said no thank you and left respectfully.Unfortunately, many do not have that option.

Even though there were many really cute outfits and accessories, we noticed that most of the vendors were selling  a lot of the same merchandise. We noticed that Ethiopians or Eritreans weren’t out  there selling  anything because they usually don’t believe in mass producing their cultural to sell to the  masses. For many of the vendors BAM was the perfect place to be for people who identify with the word Afrocentric. But my sister and I were hip to the ‘Come-Up” . Vendors knew most consumers attending BAM didn’t have the connect to  a specific culture…like us,and find the same pieces they we saw at BAM  for free in their mother and father’s closet LOL.

By the end of the festival, it seemed as if black people have created their own African culture. It felt like an you can eat buffet know best for its good music, art, food, clothing, furniture, and accessories.  As if the whole continent of Africa has a distinct look. A word based on what is being seen/heard with their eyes to be African, as if the whole continent of Africa has s distinct  specific look.

1)What is your name?

2)Where are you from?

2) Where is this item from and did you make it ?

3) What is the history behind this item .

If the vendor can successfully  answer most of questions you are asking, you are taking a step in the right direction. The next time you buy something that is  “African” don’t allow someone to call it Afrocentric, correct them and tell them exactly where it is from. This may help educate others and help people learn that African is not a country it is a continent with different people and cultures. Simply wearing the clothing doesn’t make you conscious.