African Americans, both U.S. and foreign born, confront multidimensional problems that range from prejudicial perceptions to illusory generalizations. For many foreign-born African American males, problems include difficulty adjusting to a new cultural environment, xenophobia, and miscategorization. Despite such problems, they are able to succeed and excel in their chosen professions. In this article, case studies are used to reveal how foreign-born African American males turn barriers into opportunities. Additionally, the authors discuss implicit and explicit motivational factors that assist them in maximizing their fullest potential in mainstream American society.
The study examined the influence of radio in shaping public perception of Lagos State’s Mega City Project. The study population was drawn from the residents of Ikeja and Surulere local government areas of the State. Lagos State is the most populated city in Nigeria, estimated at about 23 million people. To be amongst the countries of the world that are termed as mega cities, a mega city project was commenced in 1999 in Lagos. The project is ongoing. The study aimed to ascertain the level of exposure to the radio medium by residents of Ikeja and Surulere local government areas; determine the frequency of exposure of the residents to reports on the Lagos Mega City Project; and ascertain the views of the residents concerning the Project. Theoretical leanings of the study centred on two theories of the mass media: Agenda Setting and Developmental Media. The research method adopted was a survey using a questionnaire. Purposive sampling was used to sample 100 respondents from the local government areas, which had a return rate of 99%. The data gathered and analysed showed that the majority of the respondents listened to the radio (76.8%) while the others (23.2%) responded otherwise. Also, a higher percentage of respondents listened to the radio occasionally (32.6%) compared to the other respondents. In terms of awareness of the Lagos Mega City Project, 73.7% of the respondents reported being aware while 25.3% were unaware. Radio was the medium through which the respondents received information on the Project (32.9%). The majority of the respondents (67.1%) perceived the Project as a welcome development, 8.2% did not like the Project and 19.2% were indifferent towards it. In terms of understanding the project, 70.3% of the respondents said they had an understanding of the project, but 16.2% did not and 13.5% were indifferent. The findings revealed that radio is a veritable medium of communication and that the audience is aware of the mega city project and have a good understanding of the Project by the government. The article recommended that the government should intensify awareness using various means of communication at the grassroots, lend priority to feedbacks from citizens on how the project affects them and to partner with foreign investors to achieve the mega city dream.
Some aspiring African students prefer to travel “abroad” or overseas for example, the United States, Canada, Germany, France, and other developed countries to further their careers. This was a common practice for well-to-do families. To be more specific, some rich families in Nigeria tend to overlook higher institutions in their country. In my case, my dad inspired me, many decades ago, about travelling overseas to study. I was probably 12 years old when he hinted to me that his wish was for me to study overseas even though he did not mention any particular country. Ever since my dad indicated that desire, I accepted his wish until it came into fruition 20 years later. Specifically, in August 1979, I began my journey to the United States of America. However, while in the foreign land many African students confront multidimensional problems that range from prejudicial perceptions to illusory generalizations. For many Africans, problems include difficulty adjusting to a new cultural environment, xenophobia, misrepresentation, and miscategorization. Despite such problems, they are able to succeed and excel in their chosen professions. In this article, I discuss my experiences while maneuvering the treacherous terrain of America’s Colleges/School of Education.
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