Content creator Meka Mo is arguing that Black American culture is the dominant cultural force shaping life in New York City.
In an Instagram clip posted to her account @mekasocial, which has since gone viral, Meka Mo introduced a scrapped video series she called “the cultures that run New York,” before making a provocative observation about assimilation in America’s largest city.
“When you come to America, you need to assimilate,” she said. “Now there’s two Americas to assimilate to. There’s Black America and then there’s white America.”
She continued: “For some odd reason, when people come here, they assimilate to Black American culture.”
The video quickly spread across social media platforms, generating heated reactions about race, immigration, appropriation, and the global reach of Black American cultural influence.
Meka Mo pointed to examples she says reflect the widespread adoption of Black cultural aesthetics and language across ethnic and racial groups in New York City, referencing hip hop, streetwear, slang, fashion, and music.
“That’s why you got these Albanians, these Puerto Ricans, these Habibis saying the N-word for no reason,” she said. “That’s why you got all these Jewish rappers. That’s why you got white women with bamboo earrings.”
She argued that Black American culture has become the unofficial social language of urban America, particularly in immigrant-heavy cities like New York.
The commentary also touched on tensions surrounding cultural consumption and racism.
“Keep in mind they’re all still racist,” she added. “Still racist, still acting like that. It’s hilarious.”
The remarks sparked intense debate online, with some users praising her analysis of Black cultural dominance in entertainment, fashion, and youth identity, while others criticized her generalizations about immigrant communities and race relations.
Cultural scholars have long noted the worldwide influence of Black American culture, particularly through genres such as jazz, hip hop, R&B, and street fashion. New York City, widely recognized as the birthplace of hip hop, has historically served as a cultural crossroads where immigrant communities interact with Black American traditions and language.
The discussion also reflects broader national conversations about cultural appropriation, assimilation, and the visibility of Black contributions to American identity.
Meka Mo ended the video by teasing future commentary focused on Caribbean communities in New York, writing in the caption: “Do you want to hear more about the Cultures that run NYC?”
As reactions continue pouring in online, the clip has become another flashpoint in ongoing debates over who shapes American culture, and who gets credit for it.
