My African-American classmates used to tease me for being African – Efia Odo

Ghanaian reality TV star Efia Odo added her voice to Davido’s recent statement about the perception of African identity abroad.

Davido stated in a podcast conversation that a decade ago, it wasn’t socially acceptable to claim Nigerian nationality, with many Africans instead falsely claiming Jamaican heritage.

“10 years ago, it wasn’t cool to tell your friend you’re from Nigeria. Africans used to lie that they’re from Jamaica” Davido said.

Efia Odo echoed this sentiment, sharing a tweet recounting personal experiences of being teased for African heritage in junior high school and feeling compelled to fabricate Jamaican roots to avoid being ridiculed.

“When I was in junior high school, my African-American classmates used to tease me for being African. They used to call me names like African booty scratcher so I would lie and say I’m half Jamaican. Sad but true” She wrote.

When I was in junior high school, my African-American classmates used to tease me for being African. They used to call me names like African booty scratcher so I would lie and say I’m half Jamaican. Sad but true https://t.co/4iSGv22H7c

— EFIAODO (@Efiaodo1) April 26, 2024

Efia Odo, born, Andrea Owusu, hails from Juabeng, a town in the Ashanti region. Raised in Ghana, she later moved to the United States at age 5 where she pursued her education and later worked as an assistant nurse.