SomaliNet Forums

Identity is a contested term but what does it mean to be Somali these days in the Western World? This is an issue that many of our young people have grappled with and I think most young Somalis in the West face similar identity issues on a daily occurrence that affect our daily thoughts and actions!

Many of us live in multicultural societies represented by a diverse and mosaic set of identities but it’s difficult to create 'our' own distinct identity amongst already established cultures. Many of you will agree this failure to create a single Somali identity has induced a lot of problems for our young people who are surrounded by more influential cultures around whether it be it ‘hip-hop’ ‘Islamic’ ‘African’ ‘Arab’ or even ‘Western’ identities, even though Somali culture is influenced by these cultures!

This has led to many self-hating people in our community. In fact, there are more self-hating Somalis than in most other communities. These people are quick to deny their sense of self and often have an inferiority complex. This has had a disastrous consequence for the already strained Somali identity. Gone are the days when a big forehead and being skinny or wearing a penguin style hijab and having a limited grasp of English were key features that identified a Somalis from amongst the crowd.

Many of those who self-hating are discovering new ways to turn their backs on being Somali! And are instead banking on new lifestyles that are detrimental to our very existence. This brain flight has been caused by our own apathy and indifference.

Please dispel the misconceptions on Somali culture and do you best to rescue any self-hating Somali in our midst from losing their rightful and deserved place in the world.

What can you do to help?

Mentor young people
Celebrate Somali cultural heritage
Promote and foster an appreciation of Somali History
Explain the complex issues affecting Somalis

Thanks! your efforts are appreciated!

God Bless

Well why are you susrprised? This is what usually happens to individuals from war ravaged countries. The Children of Israel had a huge inferiority complex before Musa (as) came to rescue them, obviously because they had no country and were enslaved, same with African Americans who have identity issues. Somalis too. So what did all these have in common? They all had NO country.

What is the solution?

Fix the country called Somalia. Then they can actually say they have a country.

In my opinion insulting your people on a public medium (youtube) is much worse than being a 'self hating Somali'. So ask yourself questions before you make your next video.

RuralMan08 wrote:Well why are you susrprised? This is what usually happens to individuals from war ravaged countries. The Children of Israel had a huge inferiority complex before Musa (as) came to rescue them, obviously because they had no country and were enslaved, same with African Americans who have identity issues. Somalis too. So what did all these have in common? They all had NO country.

What is the solution?

Fix the country called Somalia. Then they can actually say they have a country.

You cant compare African Americans and Somali. These people were enslaved and their sense of self was totally removed by being forced to become part of American culture and identity, despite there being inherent contridication in this. Somalis on the other hand are people who have a strong culture and a history of having freedoms.

Any ways, the point that I am trying to make is: there are many Somali people who hate being Somali. and not having a country is not a good even excuse.

God Bless

*Nobleman* wrote:In my opinion insulting your people on a public medium (youtube) is much worse than being a 'self hating Somali'. So ask yourself questions before you make your next video.

Insulting people and creating a public debate on issues affecting the community are two different things.

God Bless

marcasmith where did you go with your videos?

saxiboow, I had to stop making those videos. it got a little too much. I was attacked and insulted a few times only because I was expressing my opinions. I realised, I couldn't make any more videos.

Good Bless

Last month I met a guy from the UK who was some kind of corporate expat here in Dubai for some big time consultancy firm. The guy acted so white it was unbelievable. Because he clearly looked Somali and his last name was Jama I asked whether he was Somali. He acted so strange and tried ditching the question. I never met such a strange Somali in my entire life.

marcassmith wrote:Identity is a contested term but what does it mean to be Somali these days in the Western World? This is an issue that many of our young people have grappled with and I think most young Somalis in the West face similar identity issues on a daily occurrence that affect our daily thoughts and actions!

Many of us live in multicultural societies represented by a diverse and mosaic set of identities but it’s difficult to create 'our' own distinct identity amongst already established cultures. Many of you will agree this failure to create a single Somali identity has induced a lot of problems for our young people who are surrounded by more influential cultures around whether it be it ‘hip-hop’ ‘Islamic’ ‘African’ ‘Arab’ or even ‘Western’ identities, even though Somali culture is influenced by these cultures!

This has led to many self-hating people in our community. In fact, there are more self-hating Somalis than in most other communities. These people are quick to deny their sense of self and often have an inferiority complex. This has had a disastrous consequence for the already strained Somali identity. Gone are the days when a big forehead and being skinny or wearing a penguin style hijab and having a limited grasp of English were key features that identified a Somalis from amongst the crowd.

Many of those who self-hating are discovering new ways to turn their backs on being Somali! And are instead banking on new lifestyles that are detrimental to our very existence. This brain flight has been caused by our own apathy and indifference.

Please dispel the misconceptions on Somali culture and do you best to rescue any self-hating Somali in our midst from losing their rightful and deserved place in the world.

What can you do to help?

Mentor young people
Celebrate Somali cultural heritage
Promote and foster an appreciation of Somali History
Explain the complex issues affecting Somalis

Thanks! your efforts are appreciated!

God Bless

Somalis in the west have serious identity issues they dont want to be called black because of the nagitive stereotypes that come aglong with the race but after spending time here they start to realize they are black Africans its

big example is Crazy Cat Lady

dawwa9 wrote:Last month I met a guy from the UK who was some kind of corporate expat here in Dubai for some big time consultancy firm. The guy acted so white it was unbelievable. Because he clearly looked Somali and his last name was Jama I asked whether he was Somali. He acted so strange and tried ditching the question. I never met such a strange Somali in my entire life.

I dont blame him, why would any 1 wana associate with zoolians

Very INTRESTING ARTICLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's new TREND among MARYOOLEY SELF-HATING saying 'Wallaahi Soomaalidaan waa DAD LIITA oo JAAHILIIN ah'


Be PROUD to be SOMALi....XUMAANTEED iyo SAMAANTEED Soomaali baad tahay !!!!!



...I am the MASTER of my CHEST; i am the CAPTAIN of my FIST !!!!!!!!!!



Daanyeer BEATING his CHEST for being PROUD SOMALI !!!!!!!!!

Oxy- wrote:

dawwa9 wrote:Last month I met a guy from the UK who was some kind of corporate expat here in Dubai for some big time consultancy firm. The guy acted so white it was unbelievable. Because he clearly looked Somali and his last name was Jama I asked whether he was Somali. He acted so strange and tried ditching the question. I never met such a strange Somali in my entire life.

I dont blame him, why would any 1 wana associate with zoolians

People like you are self haters, you need to stop fighting what you and be proud to be somali. No matter how hard you try to be White, Arab or even black, you'll never be truly accepted. they will also see you as a somali man just as we see other people who try to be Somalis as non-Somali. embrace what you are and be proud. even if its difficult to find goodness in being somalis, there is no need to call our people zoomalian.

If it was up to me, I would organise a cultural orientation programme for those who are not comfortable in their own skin.

I thank Allah that i am Somali.

God Bless

marcassmith wrote:Gone are the days when a big forehead and being skinny or wearing a penguin style hijab and having a limited grasp of English were key features that identified a Somalis from amongst the crowd.

Lol, Oh no! How awful.

We are better off as Somalis with such people. Let the insecure self hating type die off by assimilating into the cultures of their host countries.