Our "research" revealed that the term, Afropolitan was popularized by Nigerian/Ghanaian writer Taiye Selasi who referred to Afropolitans as usually being multilingual Africans of various ethnicities, living around the world who are said to be Africans of the world.
Taiye says, "what most typifies the Afropolitan consciousness is the refusal to oversimplify; the effort to understand what is ailing in Africa alongside the desire to honour what is wonderful [and] unique. Rather than essentializing the geographical entity, we seek to comprehend the cultural complexity; to honor the intellectual and spiritual legacy; and to sustain our parents’ cultures.” Very profound!
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| Awesome pic of Taiye (courtesy Twittturr) |
Afropolitans are usually said to be young, intelligent and politically aware, who has roots in the continent and is interested in making a difference in the mother land. Taiye says being Afropolitan was a response to being asked "where are you from?" Taiye was born in Britain but grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts, although she's Ghanaian/Nigerian.
Living in Canada, we get the "where are you from?" question a lot and it honestly confuses a lot of people when we tell them where we're from . See, Tonye (Pearlle's techie) and Boma (madame editor) are Nigerian, who have lived in Botswana and the United States and currently live in Canada. Three of our contributors, Bernice, Michelle and Faith are also Nigerian and have lived in Botswana and the Marshall Islands before relocating to Canada, where they currently reside. Safe to say, there are a few Afropolitans in the house, here at Pearlle.
Living in Canada, we get the "where are you from?" question a lot and it honestly confuses a lot of people when we tell them where we're from . See, Tonye (Pearlle's techie) and Boma (madame editor) are Nigerian, who have lived in Botswana and the United States and currently live in Canada. Three of our contributors, Bernice, Michelle and Faith are also Nigerian and have lived in Botswana and the Marshall Islands before relocating to Canada, where they currently reside. Safe to say, there are a few Afropolitans in the house, here at Pearlle.
Check Taiye out on Twitter for more Afropolitan awesomeness! Her first novel "Ghana Must Go" is out in bookstores, check on it!!
