Posted on 06/18/2012 9:13:49 PM PDT by nickcarraway
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AFRICAN AMERICAN? SHAHIDA MUHAMMAD SAYS THE 'POLITICALLY CORRECT' TERM DOESN'T SAY ENOUGH
What does it mean to be African American? This is a question that is quietly resurfacing in Black discourse, due to the fact that many of our people are rejecting the term as a means of identification. While African American still manages to be socially accepted, it seems many privately take issue with the term. I’ll admit, I’m one of those people. I have never truly felt connected to 'African American,' yet have never felt compelled to argue my standpoint publicly because our discussions on identity tend to be dividing and non-productive. However, I believe it’s a topic worth re-examining, as the term has been the questionable dashiki in the room for quite some time.
I have never been offended by the use of 'African American,' but personally there a few reasons I don’t particularly like the term. I have used it in my writing when making efforts to be politically correct, or as an alternative reference to Black people. Yet I have always viewed it as just that: a politically correct alternative to Black. Never something I whole-heartedly embraced. I have checked it on applications, but never used it to self-identify in real-life. It has always felt forced, redundant, and quite frankly, inaccurate. Using the term 'African American' feels like using Kente cloth made in China trying desperately to authenticate myself. In theory I know where I'm from, but in actuality I wasn’t made there.
I’m very much aware that my ancestors were from Africa, and in no way would I want to distance myself from that fact. From an early age my family taught me the painful context of our history in this country, and also that our history as a people did not begin solely with slavery. We come from great peoples and civilizations, and it’s something that has always given me a sense of pride and dignity. However, knowing all of this, there is still no way to pinpoint exactly where my African ancestors came from. Therefore, I have no direct lineage, specific heritage, language or traditions to lay claim to. I see 'African American' as both ambiguous and limiting at the same time. It’s an ethno-cultural term that has become synonymous with race and “regular Black folks.” It’s used exclusively in reference to Black people in the U.S. who are descendants of the Transatlantic slave trade, yet excludes anyone who is an African immigrant or first-generation citizen--who in my opinion would be most fitting of the title. African American is also very vague and simplified. Africa is a vast continent, made up of various nations, cultures, languages, traditions, etc. So to associate myself namely with the continent, without a specific point of reference, doesn’t bring me any closer to my roots, yet it subtly reinforces the misconception that Africa is a simplistic, homogeneous land.
as Black in terms of race, American (by default) in terms of nationality; always keeping in mind that my ancestry ties me to Africa and the original peoples of this earth. To me, Black unites us beyond our various geographic locations, nationalities or cultures; whereas we can all say we are Black, connected and proud.
white folks from Zimbabwe are African Americans to me...
Did the S.I. do that kind of checking? I thought it was only checks for recent moriscos and marannos
As another poster pointed out, recent migrants from Africa know their origin, so someone from SA would know if they are Xhosa or Zulu etc.
For example, I've seen it used to describe blacks living in other countries who have never stepped foot in America.
Another example is the usage of "African American" to describe a trait, when it isn't established at all whether the person or item associated with that trait is American (an "African American hair was found at the crime scene" -- as if the hair has an American flag attached to it).
Another thing -- don't call someone an African-American unless you're sure they want to be called that. I know a lot of black immigrants from the West Indies who are offended by the term. Many will tell you with gusto that an African-American is someone who came from some African country and immigrated to the USA.
When I was in high school we had an exchange student from the Faroe Islands visit us and my mother asked him if there were any colored people who lived there? Without missing a beat he said, “Yeah, we’re all white”
Caucasoid skin color varies considerably from pale, freckled Irish to black Dravidians
“your race would be Caucasian”
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I certainly know what my race is, and the features.
Perhaps for you I should have worded it “white, as in caucasion”, instead of “white, or Caucasian”, meaning white, or in other words, Caucasian.
you are wrong -- you forget the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Ethiopia. Granted, both of them were not Negroid in origin but the Egyptians were ruled by Nubians in the 7th century BC and Ethiopians are a mixture of Semites and one race of Africans, while the Ethiopians speak an Afro-Asiatic language like the Berbers or Copts.
White folks from Zimbabwe are African Americans to me…Shouldn’t they be called American Africans??
Caribbean folks have their own strong, distinct culture.
“I am ‘me’. Child of God. FREE to choose”
That what Elizabeth Warren said!
FROM: @ShahidaAtLarge
http://shahidaatlarge.tumblr.com/
Writer.
Editor.
Stylish.
Introspective.
Muslim.
Veintitrés.
This is where I post my article, thoughts & Such . Enjoy!
Happy Birthday Minister Farrakhan!
"The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan turns 79 today. You would never think so because his mind is sharper than many people half his age, and because he never stops working in the cause of Islam (which is peace: freedom, justice and equality). If you don’t know who this man is, I suggest you learn. He has spent over 50 years fighting for our people and for the betterment of humanity. He has touched so many lives all over the world, from various religions and walks of life. His works, life, character and beauty show that he is truly the Man of God in our midst.
Minister Farrakhan, I thank Allah for you and all that you continue to do.
Happy Birthday!
Thanks nickcarraway.
We have a very dear friend of the family....he is the only TRUE African American I know. He is a white Dr. He immigrated here from Africa many years ago and is a US citizen. So, he’s not only he an african american, he is white AND jewish!
As far as Nigra is concerned, it obviously is derived from negro with a “nig” thrown in for good measure.
“Not to dispute what you said, but if colored was the most polite I don’t know why negro was used quite often in the names of black organizations.”
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Might I remind you of the NAACP?
Is there a more prominent black organization?
I suspect “negro” became more prominent in later years.
Remember, my parents were from Atlanta, and I grew up in Memphis.
We actually considered “negro” to be more condescending
then “colored”, and most blacks that I knew also used the term colored.
I failed to mention that “colored” was most always the designated signage for negros.
I can not recall ever seeing a segregation sign that said “negro”.
Very well said.
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