Why do people change once they come to America?

I am from West Africa. One thing I have noticed is when many Africans come here they change completely. I am not saying all of them but many. By that I mean they change the way they talk, act and dress. Many begin sagging their pants, cursing, using the “N” “B” “F” word in every other sentence.

I had some friends from my country in high school. They had just come from Ghana. When I first met them they were talking properly and dressing decent. After a few weeks in this country, they began sagging their pants, joining gangs, things like that. I’ve been here for 22 yrs but I try to stick with my upbringings. I live in the Bronx, New York, and many give the excuse that they act this way because that is what they see around them. I live in these same neighborhoods but choose not to behave in that manner. Most people here call me an Oreo, white boy in a black boys body, things like that.

Many times I can not hang around some of my own people due to the way they act. Most of my friends are from different parts of the world. They always tell me if they never met me they would assume that all Africans are the same way. It’s wrong for them to think all of us act the same way. However at the same time I do not blame them.

Does anyone experience this with people from their own country.