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.
I think it would be far better if all this PC had started with American African or American Italian or American Irish....putting who you are at this moment first and who your ancestors were second.
I think it would be far better if all this PC had started with American African or American Italian or American Irish....putting who you are at this moment first and who your ancestors were second.
My skin is dark brown, I am caucasian american. BUT when I wake up with a black woman by my side I, feel black as black. And she feels white as white.
In other wordfs, these racial. terns in Amereica do not mean much. They are NOT cut and dried.
We are ALL black, we are ALL white, We are ALL yellow, brown, Red,black and white....AND our color changes every time we love someone, hear music,speak a different language or eat ethnic based cuisine.Thats just the way America is.
All this racial categorization of Americans is just CRAP. It is untrue. It is the liberal fascist Obama lie.We are Americans and by in large , tend to like and love each other.
And illegal immigrants should NOT be here. They need to be sent home.
Exactly! WHen Lloyd Marcus tours with the Tea Party Express, he always starts out my saying “I am not an African America! My name is Lloyd Marcus - American.”
I agree.. Folks always ask me to identify and I always say the same.. Deep Southern American. I can be any race I wanted, but for what purpose? I could definitely go Faux- ahauntus. I would have a hard time passing for black, but it is in there. I am the very definition of melting pot AMERICAN. I cannot understand how this comes up in everyday conversations, who cares? What purpose does it serve, other than to divide me from my fellow Americans. I do identify more strongly as a Southerner, it encourages folks to stay out of my business.
Me, I'm an Appalachian-American.
Nigeria is in Africa but “Nigras” were here.
Yes, the signs I saw said colored.
Oh, yes. They used to give certificates of “purity.” Saint Teresa of Avila had Jewish forebears, which was one reason why she came under investigation. I pity the inquisitor who dared match wits with her.
Around 1850, “white”meant WASP. Southern white Americans were mainly English, Welsh, Scots-Irish. “White” usually did not include German-speakers or French nor Irish-Catholics. Racism was just getting a firm foothold in our consciousness.
And a Cuban and a Puerto Rican, a Haitian, a Jamaican, and a Dominican “of color,” have different outlooks.
Well I wasn’t going to make it personal but I’m Coloradan-American. ;^)
Now there is a straight line that is rich in potential humorous comebacks.
"Lorda Mercy, ah nevah thought ah'd see da day!"
"Hungry! Let's go get some fried chicken."
"Free at last! Free at last!"
Might also get confused with Jimbobwean-Americans for guys from south of the Mason-Dixon line.
You are right, my FRiend. In a world where all is an illusion nothing could be more superficial than the pigmentation of one’s skin.
Amen!
We spent the 1960s / 1970s being TAUGHT to call them “Black”. I’m up for changing my lingo once per lifetime.
Dont’ then change the lingo one more time to “African American” because you somehow don’t like the last label you chose.
Plus: “African American” is just a mechanism for the Balkanization of America. Black people are just as American as White people or (relatively speaking) Brown people, or Kardashians with a really good tan! Bloody hell, people, we’re just talking about relatively light reflectivity. Get over it!
Gene-pools are funny thing. My sister and I have indian ancestery, but I look white and she looks like a full-blood. Fact is the most Indians are mixed race, and have been for a couple of hundred years. Puerto Rican families may have one child who is blond and another who looks black. My daughter is also a”throw-back,”but has that color that might best be described as the universal blend. This race thing pains me. To hell with it.
You’re an American just like me even though our colors may be different. The people who use the term African American are implying they don’t believe people with dark complexions belong here even if their ancestors arrived centuries ago.
In my youth in the South, “Black” was very offensive. “Nigra” was the normal way “Negro” was pronounced. “Colored” was considered polite by white and ....well, Colored folk.
“African” was probably as offensive as “Black”.
Me? I’m an American who lives in a tanish-redish hide, when it’s not muddy or sunburned. In the winter, it gets a bit pale.
Right now, my miniscule Cherokee and Blackfoot blood is showing.
No, I’m not running for Senator from Massachusetts or for a Harvard faculty position.
“In my youth in the South, “Black” was very offensive. “Nigra” was the normal way “Negro” “
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Good to have a fellow southerner chime in.
The Yankees on this thread seem to have many misconceptions.
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