Should We Say Black Or African American?
DaeQuan Morrison, FCLC ’20, prefers the term “black.” (SAMUEL MCHALE/ THE OBSERVER)
October 14, 2016
“What’s the difference between Black and African-American?” This question first popped into my head in my first semester of community college. I was enrolled in a class called “Current Issues in America,” where we had the liberty to speak our minds. One of my peers, whose views weren’t always popular amongst our class, felt the need to get something off her chest. The topic of the class discussion was race, and she had some concerns to bring to light.
“I don’t like being called African-American,” she said. As she was black, this raised some eyebrows. “If I have no African descent, then why call me African-American?” My classmate explained that her ancestry traced back to Haiti and that she was offended when people referred to her as African-American. It left me thinking, is this a common feeling throughout the community as a whole?
There are two questions that must be addressed before we can come to a conclusion. The first is, didn’t all black people originate from Africa? The second is, if there is a difference between the two, is it offensive to use the two terms interchangeably?
Let’s dive into the origins of black people. Before the Atlantic Slave Trade, in which black people were taken from Africa and traded throughout the Americas, there were no blacks in either continents. They were enslaved and kept in chains for 246 years, before gaining their freedom through the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865. After, they were subjected to systemic oppression that is still felt today.
For centuries, the term “Negro” was widely used to describe a black citizen until the peak of the Civil Rights movement, when the term “Black American” came into use. According to DifferenceBetween.com, “The term ‘Black American’ is generally used for people who have slave ancestors. These people may not have any close association with Africa or with recent immigrants.” The website also says that the terms also “refers to those who have emigrated from the Caribbean.” On the other hand, the website defines the term “African-American” as “a term that is widely used to describe all people with an African ancestry. In using ‘African American’ there is no distinction between immigrants from Ghana or Haiti or the other Caribbean islands.”
One of the most popular terms that came from the Civil Rights movement was “Black Power.” Thanks to Stokely Carmichael and Willie Ricks, the term became a symbol of hope and strength for the community at large. Black became the umbrella term for everyone in the community, whether you were directly from Africa, Haiti, Jamaica, or South America.
In an article written about Barack Obama’s first Presidential campaign in 2008, Gary Younge sought to uncover if black people felt Obama was “black enough” to effectively represent Blacks in the White House. He explained the difference but while explaining he said something that stuck with me because of its importance. Younge said, “All African-Americans are black; but not all black Americans are African Americans.”
In “Black American or African American?” Melody McCloud efers to herself as a Black American, while referring to Barack Obama as an African American. McCloud states that, for her, it’s not right to use these terms synonymously. “If you were born in New York, fine; but New York is in America, not Nigeria or Nairobi. If you were born in Kentucky, that’s not Kenya, and Boston isn’t in Botswana,” she says. Melody states that Barack Obama is certainly African-American because “he is a first-line descendant of an African father and an American mother.”
She doesn’t mean that she doesn’t claim African descent. She says that she’s an American. “Did my ancient African ancestors come to America by force over 400 years ago?” she asks. “Absolutely,” she proclaims, “And it was an atrocious crime of mammoth proportions. But since then, all of my ancestors were born on American soil. They worked this soil. Their blood, sweat and tears watered this soil, and I was born on this soil.” She states, “I’m an American. A Black American. Period.”
The same sense of Black pride can be felt on our own campus. Fordham Lincoln Center’s Black Student Alliance is an incredible group of people with informed opinions on this subject. Most spoke on personal experiences and feelings that helped me see things from a different perspective. One student said she felt that using African-American synonymously with Black is presumptuous. When she said this, the whole room concurred.
When someone calls a person African-American, they assume that person has African lineage. Black, with a capital B, doesn’t mean that those in the community wish to disconnect themselves from their past. They embrace it, but they want to be able to embrace the culture of their immediate ancestors. To borrow the perspective of the extraordinary Maya Angelou, “For Africa to me…is more than a glamorous fact. It is a historical truth. No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place.”
Sarvapalaka-Sean • Jun 27, 2023 at 3:58 am
I will take all the names they called our ancestors. Looks like they trying to e-race something
Em • Jun 25, 2022 at 3:26 am
We should say Black American
Wade A. B. • Jul 5, 2022 at 8:59 am
I am not black nor African American I am Moroccan ie Moor, it’s a nationality not a color. This shouldn’t be up for debate. Either your illiterate or have a mind of a child to think your nothing but a color. Europe doesn’t mean Caucasian and Americans are of COPPER tone skine, I can’t go to Japan and say I’m Japanese? You can’t trade or buy a nationality this is why the word black is pushed so hard, to keep you away from collectively can’t claim your birth right land inheritance
Alulkoy_805 • May 22, 2021 at 4:33 pm
European and African Americans also known as White and Black Americans are American by Nationality only, Native, Indigenous, Aboriginal Americans are Americans by race due to tens of thousands of years of genetic isolation before the invasion of foreigners of European, African and Asian descent. Charles Darwin said that the great race maker was isolation. 400 hundred years of European and African habitation doesn’t make one indigenous or aboriginal magically. Native Americans have had everything taken from them, their lands, health, ancestors, culture, and now you have African American descendants of Slaves trying to rewrite history and take whatever else they have left. The one thing that help the Native people survive their ethnic cleansing and genocide was culture, identity and history. Now you have African Americans ridiculously trying to steal their identity as indigenous American people. They have no indigenous culture, languages, or ancient land base, but use memes and outdated hyperdiffusionist garbage from 19th century European race Science. The Abocentric black Americans try to rewrite history, a very documented one at that, to try and write themselves in as indigenous, while erasing actual Native Americans. They are so deluded they accuse the whole world and actual indigenous people of hiding their supposed glorious history, where they are indigenous to the world. They use out of Africa (even though it was hypothesized by white men) and used it to say that they are the only descendants of these ancient migrants to take credit for every Non-Black civilization thru out the world, even though they themselves didn’t leave Africa until they were taken by Europeans as slaves. There is literally zero evidence that their were Black Africans in America before the Native Americans, and before the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. No ancient Crops , Diseases, skeletons, dna, languages, and no oral or written history by actual Native American. The attack the actual descendants of the people who have been truly erased from the American mainstream, who have no media or political platform or power. While African America has untold Media, and political power and presence in mainstream. You hear nothing about Native Men and women when they are murdered by the cops. Their identity and Culture theft of everything Native American is another form of genocide perpetrated by African American grifters, and cultural appropriators! They are also demanding lands from the Native American Landback movement, even though they are not entitled to Native land. They are jealous of Native Americans, who have a strong culture, when all they have is a Blackwashed European culture. Go learn your African roots and history and keep your paws of The birthright of the ethnic indigenous identity and culture of Americas. You are not Native and you were not ‘here before Columbus’!!
StopcallingmeAfricanAmerican • Jul 25, 2022 at 7:16 pm
Yet, you allow whites to become 5 dollar Indians. Many black Americans have native American ancestry. You’re like many native
Americans who practice anti black racism to appease whites. Remember Thanksgiving and how it was rewritten from being a massacre to your ancestors and the white man sitting at a table eating turkey.
Darryl Thompson • Apr 11, 2021 at 7:40 pm
I arrived to this party late but:
McCloud (Irish Slave Owner surname) says she is not an African-American:
“I’m an American. A Black American. Period.”
It offends her to be called “African” American. The ignorance she exhibits is a direct consequence of centuries of Slavery and the constant brain-washing and degradation that comes with it. In order to ensure obedience and prevent uprisings the Slave Owners beat the African identity out of the ENSLAVED AFRICANS and replaced it with the ignorance, and self-loathing that still exists in the majority of “Black” americans, and the ones who still see themselves as “N****rs”. Whether its in their music, language of addressing each other or other forms of communications, always they and anyone who looks like them is a “N****r” because that’s what the “good” white folk has told them for HUNDREDS of years. So, of course it makes TOTAL sense that Ms McCloud (of non-Irish descent) who thinks her ancestors originated in Haiti and that is the beginning of her ancestral linage (lacking the education or intelligence to understand Africans were brought to Haiti in bondage FROM African). Ms McCloud doesn’t realize that she is odds-on-favorite to be of the Yorubu tribe of West Africa as well as a mix of other West African tribes, and that despite the indiscretions of the “Massa” and his poor trash hired hands her DNA harbors little to no “Neanderthal” traces.
What is unique to the descendants of the Africans taken from Africa centuries ago is “we” have undergone HUNDREDS of years of teaching that the White man/woman is always right and must be imitated. Even in this forum every comment was framed from the point-of-view of a white man’s teaching – because lacking our original (true) identity and culture all we have is what the white man/woman has taught us (far more filth than good). Only one commentator actually took the time to seek to regain knowledge of self by learning his true roots (ONE!!!). I also wanted to know my true identity so I used DNA and traced my ethnicity to Africa: 99.7% Yoruba, and 0.3% Fulani – all on my mother’s side. So, by actual DNA I am Yoruba – not “black” and most definitely not “N****r” nor do I call anyone who looks like me that word because that is the White Man’s word for SLAVE. Somehow the “BLACKS” don’t get that!? Especially the Black Rappers (YBN – how can you be a Boss Slave???).
So funny its SAD the Spanish-speaking slave runners word for black is “Negra” which Southerners called “Negro”. So moving from Negro to Black is a distinction without a difference – except to the ignorant unwashed masses.
The true damage of the Alantic Slave Trade is that it destroyed the identity of millions of people and it persists to this very day (Ms McCloud is a case in point).
True identity was replaced with a sad sick 3rd hand hand-me-down identity crafted to further the isolation and dispair intended to keep a race enslaved.
No truer words have ever been spoken: “The mind is a terrible thing to waste…”.
StopcallingmeAfricanAmerican • Jul 25, 2022 at 7:19 pm
I’m a Black American or foundational black American. Many of us want to do away with the term African American.
Emmanuel Amoah Gogo • Feb 28, 2021 at 10:13 pm
To make things a bit easier, let’s answer this question. If a Caucasian American born of 2 Caucasian parents claim to be Native American, will that be true or false? Am black. If I live in a country of Caucasian origin and I was born there by two black people, can I claim to be a Caucasian? I hope we have all not forgotten Rachel Dolezal? I rest my case. Let’s continue. By the way this is a great article to let us know how differently(TRUE NOT FAKE) people of African descent want to be identified. I for one, respect how they want to be identified so I will tread cautiously to know how a person wants to be addressed by asking politely so that I don’t offend them.
Emmanuel Amoah Gogo • Feb 28, 2021 at 8:24 pm
To make things a bit easier, let’s answer this question. If a Caucasian American born of 2 Caucasian parents claim to be Native Americans? Am black. If I live in a country of Caucasian origin and I was born there by two black people, can I claim to be a Caucasian. I hope we have all not forgotten Rachel Dolezal. I rest my case.
Emmanuel Amoah Gogo • Feb 28, 2021 at 7:52 pm
Many have stated that WHITE South Africans are Africans or should I say people of African DESCENT. Please that is a BIG misinformation. Those WHITE South Africans’ forefathers colonized Black South Africans till WHITE South Africans claimed South Africa a sovereign State within the British Empire. That is due to Union Act 1934. To cut long story short. WHITE South Africans ruled Black South Africans who were the owners of the land under Apartheid system of governance. That ended just recently April 27, 1994. I thought they will pack up and leave. They are shamefully staying on the land. South Africa has ever since had Black Presidents. Ladies and Gentlemen, They stole South Africa but couldn’t steal the black blood neither the black skin color. Don’t trust the WHITE South African if he or she tells you that he or she is a person of African DESCENT. That is a BIG FALSEHOOD. Let’s get this straight and continue with the issue under discussion. I just want to correct that falsehood WHITE South Africans are propagating. They do that out of shame of how their immediate forefathers treated Mandela and the other freedom fighters before Apartheid in South Africa ended.
neil • Feb 27, 2021 at 5:12 am
emmjay….I’m sorry to single you out, but you are incorrect. firstly. As a person I have the right, you have they right, s/he, they have the right to identify themselves however they want to be identified. I find it hypocritical than you’d like to be identified as such and have people agree and abide by it, while you simultaneously direct others not to do so. This is the antithesis of inclusiveness and self expression.
secondly, by your own theory, if he doesn’t have darker skin and looks white he isn’t African. I would really love to see the reaction you’d get from people who have darker skin but aren’t considered black by modern identifying systems in countries like: Egypt, Morocco, Libya etc, all African, all indigenous and all non black by definition, but not white by definition. your thoughts are oppressive and you solely cannot claim to be African and hold sole possession of it.
the skin tones should be defined unilaterally, globally through the United Nations, and Skin tones names should only be used when necessary. for example, descriptions and identifiers for science and study, crime or missing person, etc….example, what did the person look like that stole your bag…..s/he was 5.8 lighter skin tone. wavy hair etc….
this sense of multi national identity is silly. as if it makes you more special than the next to be from two places. I am a US citizen.
Alex • Feb 23, 2021 at 5:46 pm
I love how some around here just decide to feel offended on behaf of African people been generalized into a continental pool when they call themselves Americans knowing America is actually a continent.
I leave that thought on you guys and here I am, writing from Mexico city.
Sincerely yours.
An American.
Randy Griffin • Feb 7, 2021 at 6:59 pm
I am still confused as to what the proper terminology is that I should use when referencing black people in general in America. Randy Griffin
Daryl Givon Taylor • Jul 25, 2022 at 7:23 pm
Black is the proper term.
Carolyn D Thompson • Feb 1, 2021 at 10:08 pm
I consider myself as an American because my mother, father, grandparents, great-grandparents and their parents were born in America. My history and culture comes from this land, it doesn’t matter if a percentage of my DNA is African, French, Irish, or Philippian, I am still a natural born American. My ancestors have lived and died in this land for 402 years, this is my country. I don’t embrace the term African American because it’s not true, I don’t know much about the Continent of Africa, just things that I have learned while dabbing in Anthropology and that is the extent of my knowledge. It doesn’t offend me to be called a Black American or an American of Color but I do find it offensive to be referred to as African American, it feel as though the origin of my birth is being stripped away and I have no country.
Rotimi Onayemi • Jan 23, 2021 at 5:43 pm
Becuse Africa is POOR. Why? I’m An african in current parlance if your skin is dark. Everyone of African descent today try to distance themselves from Africa and any connotation of ‘Africa’ in their written or legal identity- even if people with dark skins were in The Anericas before The TransAtlanric Skave Trade.
What a shame to people of African descent by themselves on others of dark skins in Poorer countries like Haiti or Nigeria?
European Anericans make European countries VISA FREE to The USA but not a SINGLE African Country is VIsa Free to the Unuted States. What a shame on our collective. Why call yourself Black when There are 1billion Black people like you on African soil.
From a Distance by Bette Midler
All I wanna say is they don’t care about us – Wacko Jacko
ime prezime • Jan 18, 2021 at 1:58 pm
the problem here, as usual, is that united statesians think they are entitled to define who is what.
first off — you are no more »americans« than colombians, uruguayans, brazilians, mexicans cubans, or anybody else from the two continents. hijacking the term »american« to use it synonymously for united statesians is highly offensive but consistent with the imperialist and culturally ignorant tradition of the usa. once you start accepting this truth, we can talk. until then, this is just lemonade.
David R Thomas • Oct 20, 2020 at 9:17 am
So since science has proven all homo-sapien life initiated in southwestern Africa, aren’t we all African-American??
Emmjay • Oct 12, 2020 at 1:04 pm
De Perez you are if European descent,also sorry you are nit an African American, you dont share the culture or history for a start, you wont experience what blacks in the USA face.
African Americans are those who ancestors were enslaved for centuries, and suffered under jim crow, it not for the former oppressors of black South Africans.
Troy Winger • Oct 6, 2020 at 9:52 am
Does any of this really matter? Nothing we call them is going to be good enough love you. I think that is very clear at this time and has been. They’ll just change it again in another 10 years. I’m just not going to say what I would call them
Lourence du Preez • Oct 4, 2020 at 10:19 am
I am also a African American, but I am white. I was born in South Africa and grew up there and moved to America and it is my new adopted home. And I am grateful for the opportunity. My point is that not all Africans should be perceived as black, there are many minorities in Africa.
Jonny Lopez • Sep 22, 2020 at 11:52 am
There is only one race ~HUMAN ! We are all unique and connected as ONE. Stop using colors to categorize people. Race is a culturally constructed label that crudely and imprecisely describes real variation. Racial categories are weak proxies for genetic diversity and need to be phased out. To call a person a color is dehumanizing and takes away their individuality. Everyone is different and no one is black or white ! This is black =🖤 this is white 🤍.. people are HUMANS not COLORS.
Darryl D • Sep 9, 2020 at 5:30 pm
As a man nearing the end of a mostly used “life” in this bodily-experience, I may have a bit of wondering to share. I have parents from BOTH sides. My mother’s side is much lighter than my father’s side. In fact, the difference is so obvious that until about 1963 or so the United States declared marriage of the two sides illegal. I have been called many things throughout my life for many reasons. Bastard, I suppose was the legal term. From the time people with darker skin tones were noticed, difference was inevitable. From there, our imaginations begin to do what they do best…wonder. Some of us have found it useful to keep our wondering focused on the “positive” and inclusive, while others seem to go out of thier way to be decisive and “negative””. Human…after that we open ourselves up to any and all other possibilities. If were not careful a human can be percieved as something less than. A sacrifice, slave, felon, color, problem or statistic. What a way to grow up and live; always checking the box that best fits me, (according to others). Negroid, Negro, colored, Afro-American, African-American, black. When I was 10 years old and beginning to wonder why I was darker than most others around me, I found myself looking through a Webster’s dictionary. It was about 1972 and admittingly an older copy of definitions, but I was…hurt, to say the least, trying to understand the meanings of what I discovered. Even today, BLACK is a direct associate of evil, if not evil itself. I am a person. If I see my mother as a WHITE person and my father as a BLACK person while using a dictionary it’s very easy to see…GOOD and EVIL. I would never refer to an Indian person as a RED man, or a Chinese person as a YELLOW man, or a German person as WHITE man…especially if those colors were defined as negatively as BLACK. If there were a country named Black and I was from it I’d be ok with it, but I am not from Black am I?
elfinmithril • Sep 7, 2020 at 7:38 pm
I am European, Greek to be exact. My question is this:
Is it racist or insulting to describe or call someone Black if you know nothing about where they are from? You would be describing what you are actually seeing in the same way as you would describe someone as Asian or blonde, especially if it’s a characteristic that distinguishes them from the other people around them in that moment. Say, for example, that me and my husband are in a party and when we get home I want to mention something that another person said. Is it racist to say “that black guy said” if I don’t remember their name? Wouldn’t a party of black people refer to a white person by their color if he/she was the only white person there and they didn’t remember their name?
Douglas R Hanefeld • Aug 18, 2020 at 3:48 pm
I used the term Blacks when talking about Black people. I was told that was bad. Use the term Black people. Is this true?
Love • Aug 18, 2020 at 9:12 am
Am an African born and breed in Nigeria with no American linage and i prefer to be called African or perhaps” BLACK”
Will Smart • Aug 16, 2020 at 4:58 pm
Here in the UK our Police use a simple code to identify skin colour: IC1, IC2 and IC3…….perhaps this could be a simple answer to the identity problem!
Mily • Aug 16, 2020 at 8:12 am
I totally agree and always had it in mind till finally your article came out. And yes I have African American friends and thats what I think they should be called and also they believe so. Because one of them gave me an example of black why be called black if no one looks black like the colors we know in markers, paint, crayons, etc., another said hey I look just like you in tone why am I “Black” they think its wrong and should go by ancestors. I believe it should go by what it is African Americans Blacks sounds wrong to me but if they like it that way can’t fight it.
max • Aug 15, 2020 at 12:45 am
Seems like no term or terms will be agreeable to everybody. Some people prefer ‘black’ and ‘white,’ and some don’t like a color designation. Some prefer African-American, and others believe it’s either unwieldy, patronizing, isolating, asymmetrical (as European-American or Asian-American are not commonly in everyday use), or a misnomer when lumping immigrants born in Africa or Guyana or other places with the descendants of people forcibly brought to the US and/or Americas from Africa. Some people believe we should simply call all people in or born in america “Americans,” while others would accuse them of negating cultural inequities and systemic racism., and ignoring cultural differences based upon how people treat skin color, fair or not.
So- there’s no consensus.
One or more people have said or implied that it may be best in certain situations to ask people what they prefer being called, but of course, that’s not always practical or applicable, e.g., when talking about groups or people with whom you are not in some kind of relationship or contact with, e.g., I can’t ask Obama what he would like me to call him, but I think he prefers to refer to himself as ‘black’ most of the time, in terms of his status as someone with African heritage who has been regarded as ‘black’ (vs African-American). Most people, however, are not public figures, so naturally we can’t refer to their public record on the matter.
My vote would be for ‘black’ or ‘Black’ to refer to people in the US who have typically been referred to in this manner, as African-American seems to offend more people for whom it may be relevant, and especially non-native-born people in the US with African heritage, who may not want to simply be lumped in with long-term American descendants of the involuntary aspect of the African Diaspora. Also, since in the context of ‘black,’ ‘white/ is also typically used, it’s more of a symmetrical construct. ‘Black’ is also seemingly less-politicized overall in a way that divides people who weigh in on the matter, including many who could be called African-American who simply prefer ‘black’ for themselves. So the term ‘black,’ while alienating certain people, seems less divisive among and confusing for both ‘blacks’ and ‘whites’ than ‘African-American.’ Of course, it’s inadequate, because it’s a linguistic construct. ALL of these terms are!
I’d say- if in doubt, going with the term that seem to piss the fewest people off but still fairly widely accepted in many corners- is simplest- and for those who don’t like it and know the alternative or alternatives they prefer, they should use those, because if we want to avoid cultural imperialism, we should respect individuals’ desires, as long as they’re not using commonly offensive designators, which I’m sure most of us don’t need to review at this point.
Deby • Aug 11, 2020 at 7:26 pm
Anyone born in the United States is an American, regardless of where their parents or ancestors came from. So I think the term Black American or Polish American or whatever ancestry they prefer to claim. It should be a personal choice as much as your gender specific nouns and pronouns.
Ralph Magro • Aug 9, 2020 at 10:44 pm
Does anyone else think the term African-American might be problematic for people on the basis of the “American” part rather than the “African” part.
There are black people in other countries who have African origins and whose families have never been anywhere near the Americas.
If we’re going to settle on a term that is not offensive to anyone (Hah! some hope!) shouldn’t it be a term that can be used globally without discriminating between those born in America and those born in the UK, Germany, France, Australia and pretty much the rest of the world apart, of course, from Africa where the term “African” could be used, but might cause offense based on national and tribal particulars.
While individuals are often offended by other people’s word choices, I personally feel what matters more is the intent of the speaker not the baggage of feelings brought to the discussion by the listener. If the listener is offended by words spoken with no intent to offend – who is in the wrong? Could the listener ever get over their feelings of being offended by a word and try to hear the overall message being put forward?
I came here after discovering that “Melting Pot” by Blue Mink was banned from the airwaves. Go have a listen. Feel offended (maybe even on behalf of someone not you ), or hear the overall message and love the song, the message, and the great positive effect it had on racial viewpoints of millions of people.
Son of the Mighty YAHWEH • Aug 3, 2020 at 1:34 pm
First off, we are not African American. How can we be called two different continents. (Think on that)
Second, we are the Hebrew Israelites of the Old Testament. The Most High chosen Nation.
So, if you wanna keep calling yourself two different continents, have at it!! WAKE UP YISRAEL!!
APTTMH. Black is the color in a crayon box. Not our identity.
Steve • Aug 3, 2020 at 10:34 am
Can I just say Afrimerican ? Why make it so complicated?
Jeff McMahon • Jul 30, 2020 at 8:15 pm
Speaking as an Australian, I am still confused. Unless I know a black citizen of the US has ancestry other than African, I am afraid I am going to offend, one way or another. I have just pitched a screenplay to a literary manager (who happens to be black/AfricanAmerican) about a black/African American set after the end of the Civil War (an absurd Western-Comedy). I used the term ‘…a widowed free settler African-American farmer, ex-Union rifle marksman Willie Telberg …’ Have I erred/offended? Any feedback would be appreciated. Feel free to contact me
Will Smart • Jul 18, 2020 at 1:18 pm
@Shoranda Odette Thank you for your honest input to what would be deemed as an awkward subject in these current times. Its refreshing to read what you have posted and what pretty much backs up what most civilised people feel on the subject about people who have dark skin colour.
However Its an absolute crying shame that there are groups i.e BLM that bang on about the past regarding slavery etc. It was in the past, its history, it was deplorable and must never happen ever again. So what the hell is preventing us to put everything behind and come together as one race to live alongside each other in harmony?
Here in the UK its gone absolutely nuts! Anything connected to the word “Black” is being either re branded or names and descriptions being removed from our culture. The knock on effect is that it is actually increasing racial tension!
I am now 65 I have friends like me who have a similar mentality and share the same outlook as you Shoranda, pity we live so far apart!
Stay Safe
Will
Shoranda Odette • Jul 16, 2020 at 10:09 am
This has been an issue for me since I was a teenager. I’m now 60. I’ve never liked being referred to as “black”. I’m not black. My skin color is brown. I’ve never met anyone who was actually black or white. All people are earth tone in color. Some colors are simply lighter than others. But they are all some form of Brown.
I was born here in the USA, so were my parents, grandparents and great grandparents. My children and grandchildren were born here in the USA. We are simply Americans. My two daughters do not have the same skin tone. One is much lighter than the other. They have the same mother and father.
My daughters each have two children. Both of their first born is much darker than their younger sibling.
My husband and I are not the same skin color. He is much lighter than I am. But we see each other as just brown skinned people who were born in America.
It is my hope that my grandchildren and great grandchildren generations will see only brown skinned Americans, whether dark brown or light brown. What a great America that will be!
Will Smart • Jul 9, 2020 at 4:15 pm
As of late I am getting sick of hearing the word ‘Black’ constantly being mentioned, its every day now! There is no such being born on the face of this earth as ever having black skin, so therefore it is incorrect that people from African descent should be able to hijack this word and use it for an identity. So many many things in everyday life our now being renamed in order that it doesn’t offend ‘Coloured’ people.
I am a realist and find it insulting that I being made to describe things such as ‘Chalk Board’ and not what it actually is a ‘Black board’, its now become like walking on eggshells when you cannot no longer exercise true description in the fear of offending.
Please correct me if I am wrong but my own perception regarding coloured people preferring to be identified as ‘Black’, is because unlike others of different ethnicity from around the globe, they are not born in a country that is connected to their culture. I know people that are Ghanaian, Jamaican and Nigerian and prefer to be identified as that, describing them as ‘Black’ is blunt and labels them ‘Diverse’ which understandably is a bit insulting as they hold pride from where they originate.
Afro-American, Afro-British, Afro-German and so on should be used for coloured people that want a true positive identity.
Ness • Jul 6, 2020 at 6:37 am
“Before the Atlantic Slave Trade, in which black people were taken from Africa and traded throughout the Americas, there were no blacks in either continents.” – This is incorrect. African people had traveled the entire globe. Please note, all life began in Africa, over time people migrated to different locations and settled.
I could go through the whole text and highlight more discrepancies but that would be unproductive. With the amount of comments you’ve received regarding the inaccuracy of this text one would hope you would either correct it or take it down. Or, are you intentionally misleading people?
For anyone trying to educate themselves on Racial Issues – please read black author’s and fact check with educated black people.
Tony • Jun 30, 2020 at 5:35 pm
Let’s be perfectly clear no one part of the human family has ever been considered as white or black those are terms to disconnect certain parts of the world familiar from their heritage. The very fact that the majority of the individuals commenting on this post are taking about colors as if so the people of the Earth are muppets is belittling. The differences of people on the Earth is mixture of the original people of the Earth and tying of the vine with different DNA instructions I won’t go any deeper than that. As far as large amounts of people being brought here from so called Africa those human beings that are claiming to have pulled off such a arduous task did not have the vessels or knowledge to do so. Just an idea.
Study, study, study, study…….
Ben Samborski • Jun 29, 2020 at 8:11 am
“African American” is a strange term. I’m from UK & we don’t say “African British”. I believe “black” is the most commonplace term in UK. It’s interesting how many terms to describe a black person have come & gone, after the most recent has been deemed racist/offensive. There was a time when the term “coloured” was politically correct – now it’s racist. In 2020 the politically correct term is “a person of colour” which, in my opinion, will also be deemed racist at some point in time, and we will have a new politically correct term to use. How long will this continue I wonder
Terry L Schneidau • Jun 27, 2020 at 2:48 pm
The Utopian world that all are searching/reaching for will not be. Not until Humans realize we are Humans and stop categorizing each other. Not until all Humans begin to live their lives and work toward the common good of all Humans.
Christina • Jun 26, 2020 at 7:55 am
Africa is a continent…not a country. When Black people in America recently called Africans, they totally lost their nationality. Most Black Americans did not arrive in America on slave ships. They were already living in American for thousands of years as Americans/American Indians/Indigenous/Aborigines/The Copper-colored people. Its funny that nearly 97 percent of Black Americans know which Indian tribe they are from, but have little knowledge of which country they from in Africa. I, too, hate the title African American….holds no nationality.
Enuma • Jun 25, 2020 at 8:38 am
Confusion 101!!
That’s how we segregate and the whites will use the rule of divide and conquer.
Ken • Jun 24, 2020 at 12:24 pm
False. Black people are indigenous to the globe not just Africa. Blacks were already in this country before Columbus.
rpsabq • Jun 20, 2020 at 3:43 am
We are trying to end racism against people according to the color of their skin, yet we continue to describe ourselves solely by the color of our skin??
rpsabq • Jun 20, 2020 at 3:37 am
This article is taking on even more significance in 2020. Though racism exists against many different groups of people around the world, the kind of racism that we are seeking to extinguish here in America is racism against people based solely on the COLOR of their dark skin. Since the sole determining factor in racism is COLOR I don’t see how we can extinguish racism while still using COLOR to identify ourselves – whether black, brown or white. The change which we are seeking is going to require a change in vocabulary. The quote from Melody Mcloud basically said it. However, I have a feeling that even better than saying she is an “American. A Black American.” I think what she really means is that she’s an American. An American with darker skin. Doesn’t that sound even nicer? We are trying to conquer this ill treatment of people based on the color of their skin yet we still continue to use the color of our skin as way to describe ourselves. As we move forward, I believe this issue will become more and more apparent to people in that it’s thwarting our efforts towards honest, lasting change. Therefore, I suggest we put our money where our mouth is and stop using color to describe ourselves. I am a male. I am an American who has fair skin. Pushing this even further, what if we created two completely different names in order to differentiate ourselves. If we look to the Native Americans we could borrow their words Emo for dark skinned people and Evo for light skinned people. Imagine living in a world where the color of someone skin not only doesn’t matter anymore, it’s not even how we label ourselves. Looking forward to even more meaningful conversations…..
John A. Wheeler • Jun 19, 2020 at 2:19 pm
What do recent non citizen arrivals to America from Africa call themselves when they arrive and what do they call themselves after they become U.S. Citizens?
Stanislas Galbaud • Jun 19, 2020 at 9:41 am
It is crazy, we are today in the same situation decades later. My concern is simple: you are born in USA, you are an AMERICAN, point blank. Having to say you are a black American or African is already segregate yourself from other people and distinct yourself from other group and certainly, you must be prepared to receive a different treatment.
Young Randolph • Jun 17, 2020 at 7:40 am
It kills me when people say that ALL people are from Africa. How do you know that? No one truly knows how long people have been on earth. New things are found everyday and then we go back on what has been “taught”. According to some scientists, all the continents where connected at one point in time. If this is true, then we are all from the same place, lineage wise. Let’s just all love one another and quit trying to separate ourselves. This is how governments control people. Divide and conquer. Wake up and love everybody. Bless you all.
By Our Own Hands Inc. • Jun 16, 2020 at 5:47 pm
“People are not by color.” Color coding is an elementary learning modality for children and a dirty game played on some people by others, to serve the advantage of others. “A people will never raise to a level of autonomy until they first reclaim their right to self determination.”
Michael • Jun 13, 2020 at 10:10 pm
The concepts of race and culture have become so distorted it is difficult to have a meaningful discussion where both parties agree. Here is a story: When I was leaving the Army I had to stop in at the post “Education Center” for out-processing. We went through the huge book that determined what I was eligible for in student aid/grants/scholarships and I was eligible for 3 of them. When I asked why I was told it was because I was “White”. I asked what I needed to do to be eligible for more help to get through college and was told to be something other than “White”. I had been doing race relations seminars as an additional duty and this really irritated me so I went to the post EEOC office, told the person I wanted to leave the military with some kind of racial or ethnic appreciation of who I really was, and we sat down with another book. Eventually, the man looked at me and said, “You see that high forehead of yours? Those high cheekbones? Your frame? Well… your physical characteristics and genetic background are from the group of people coming from the old Austro-Hungarian empire. I could classify you as a Code-X with ‘Others’ if that would help.” “Does that mean I wouldn’t be White?” I asked. He replied, “Yep, you would be with the Pacific Islanders, the Eskimos, and all those folks.” So I told him to do it and left there with federal paperwork in my hand attesting to the fact I was no longer “White”. I was an “Other”. I went back to the Education Center, the guy just shook his head, we went back through “the book” and I was eligible for 36 different scholarship and grant programs because I wasn’t “White”. I have never cashed in on that because it just wasn’t morally something I wanted to do. Being a race-based opportunist wasn’t something I wanted on my conscience. However, much of the discrimination and reverse-discrimination going on right now is just that – dishonest opportunism. Allowances and programs have been in place for decades and, while no program can erase terrible history, there are millions of examples of good people of all colors who are doing great things. One of the biggest problems today is the cancel culture where no one is right in what they say or do regardless of how hard they try. Some people have been sold a false sense of self-importance where everyone, regardless of having ever done anything of value, is supposed to be respected and are allowed to criticize, demonize, lie, destroy, and undermine any peace we are capable of. Bull. Grow up, serve something greater than yourself, be something your family can be proud of regardless of what color you are, and treasure the fact you live in a country that puts up with you instead of throwing you in a re-education camp so you can clean garlic cloves with your teeth. Don’t drink the racial Koolaid. It is a distraction and eats up valuable time you need to get something meaningful done with your life. There are millions of really good people in a rainbow of colors who are worth knowing. Focus on the rainbow and not on the storm.
Barry • Jun 13, 2020 at 11:11 am
Thank you. This was a fantastic piece that answered exactly what I was looking for.
Erica • Jun 12, 2020 at 12:03 pm
I’ve always disliked the term “African American”, as it sounds like the individuals are directly from Africa. If a person was born in the US and their parents were as well, they are just simply Americans. We don’t say “English American”, “Norwegian American” or anything like that, so why do people say “African America”? To me it sounds like we’re not accepting people who are black as part of our culture and we are still keeping people separate based on skin tones. It is appropriate to say “Native Americans” as they are the true Americans, if you go by heritage. (side note: People need to stop referring Native American as “Indians'”, they are not from India!)
The time I do feel is important to identify race, is when it comes to services and programs that may be available to specific populations. College grants and scholarships are a great example. This can apply to specific races, disabilities and other minorities. Another pet peeve that really drives me up the wall is when reporters or authors says that the individual is black, but when they write about someone who is white, they don’t actually use the word white to describe them. If the situation or story has absolutely nothing to with someone’s skin color, it shouldn’t be mentioned. That is very disrespectful and rude when they do that.
Patricia • Jun 8, 2020 at 8:38 am
If we call black people Africa American why don’t we call Trump German American.
Darren • Jun 5, 2020 at 10:17 am
African-American is a terrible term to use since it segregates Americans, segregation based on heritage was called Apartheid in South Africa and it’s something you can;t have if you want an end to racism. 44 million white Americans have German ancestry, but they are not referred to as German-Americans all the time. If you are born in the USA or have taken American citizenship you are American, it’s as simple as that. Try and be one country for once in your short history and quit the bickering and segregation politics.
Cotton • Jun 4, 2020 at 6:48 pm
So whats odd is we call white people white yet some liberal decided we need to call blacks African Americans? So whats next? My skin is a shade of brown so should I be called a brown person? Enough is enough with the stupid ! Lets be honest there will always be some liberal who is offended by everything and they will feel the need to change it and if whites dont comply they will be considered racist. Same old story same old song and dance! Ill just be black and I will be black till the day I die. If you take offense to that maybe your the problem!
Mitra • Jun 2, 2020 at 9:16 am
Most of the caucasions have european origins. Why people don’t call them European-American? I think people should just stop adressing peeple with their races and accept them just as Americans.
eddy VS • Apr 30, 2020 at 10:49 pm
This is an interesting topic replete with much information for discussion. However, the college/university students’ purpose is to max out on the grades or points. One should find out from each professor how this will be possible before taking any course.
One should not bring his art to the factory.” The objective is to ace one’s test/exams, get the grades, accumulate the points, get the Charmin, and use this to squeeze through the doors of a major corporation; or, have others squeeze through the doors of your innovative upstart business. If the love of money is the foundation of success, study and go where the money is. Elucubrate until your eyes glaze over with greatness, getting galvanizing greenbacks galore. If more hands-up participation is required from the student, so be it. If it is not, then one should fly low and aim high on the stuff that matters — the tests, along with thoughts of the last days of the college course. One must do as the professor instructs.
There is no purpose in trying to hone someone’s vocabulary regarding this subject matter. People will often “do and say their own thing.” The students will be very surprised when the college course concludes with many who are only concerned about their grades.
Sheila • Mar 1, 2020 at 12:07 am
You just say, “‘American” like you do with ‘white’ folks. The people who are called “African American” are mixed and many don’t feel they should negate any of their family members to conform to racist standards. So just like we don’t say, “European American”, we don’t say, ‘African American”. It’s a misnomer. It descends from white imperialism. There are ‘white’ people here who have a percentage of African and other blood in them, just like ‘black’ people have a percentage of other blood in them. Really we are all one nationality, “American”, since this is the United States of America.
Chaplain SB • Feb 15, 2020 at 2:08 pm
OR maybe… instead of trying to figure out what you think is scientifically acceptable or socially appropriate. How about you just respect what people tell you about their identity and what makes them comfortable. Perhaps, consider that you can honor it without needing an explanation or to get it right because people are individuals and their “preferences” of how you decide to “label” them is going to vary from person to person.
Ebony • Oct 3, 2019 at 2:22 am
Of course black people in the US are African American after all their ancestors were taken to America by force. I am sick people claiming white South Africans are African American no they’re not they are EUROPEANS considered indigenous Africans as inferior beings and were brutal oppressors of black South Aficans and other non Europeans besides most of them whow have settled in the US don’t and won’t even interact,engage or reach out to African Americanso or any black immigrant from Africa. African Americas have at least 80 per cent African blood flowing in their veins their DNA is mostly African so yes they’re African American.
Pamela • Aug 19, 2019 at 11:55 am
You should not assume where someone is “from” by the colour of their skin! They may not be Ameican just because they are “black.” The whole world keeps calling me “American” just because I speak English when French POLYNESIA is not “America” but we are not “white” either, Canada where I was raised, is not the States, and Ireland where my father was from, is not the States (or England but that’s another story). I’ve actually, when I told someone in Mexico I was French Polynesian and Irish and raised in Canada, she proceeded to tell me I was “African American.” Idiot. I wanted to slap her but then she’d have been too stupid to know what she’d done.
Jasmine • Aug 1, 2019 at 3:46 pm
The main thing I disagree with is the quote: “All African-Americans are black; but not all black Americans are African Americans.” I am African American, but I am white. My European ancestry traits were dominant though I am genetically 48% African. So, I have an African American son who is 25% African and yet has blond hair and blue eyes. According to the “one drop rule” you only need one African ancestor to be considered African American; yet I come from a long line of African Americans, but am white in skin color. Up until recently I identified mainly with my Caucasian roots for this very reason, and as an American with a multicultural background it gets harder and harder to really define terms. Am I African American? African European American? Or simply American?
Jason • Jun 19, 2019 at 5:45 am
Of course we are talking semantics, but semantics form young minds. It is language that forms our reality and makes us human. I never in my life used x-american. I have no earthly idea how that sounds “politically correct.” I guess it has this soft sound, like: “omg, I welcome you to my country, with open arms.” Or maybe not. Maybe it’s just accepted. But I’m white…Like, really white. I am a from the whitest of white places and have very little true perspective on what it means to not be white.
But shit. Nearly every black person I’ve ever met has been pretty damn cool. Just like most every white person and hispanic and middle eastern and asian person. But, mostly, each is markedly different from my little enclave here, same with my friend from texas, the russian friends I made once. My friends are my friends and I only need their name.
But sometimes I need to talk about race because it’s there, in broad terms. We have to talk about it. And talk as openly as possible. So, let’s say I were to ask my sensitive liberal friend, “Black people talk different from us. How do you think that effects if you would hire them or not?” They are offended. Because they need to stay in this zone of absolute equality. And when they are confronted with someone very different, they shy away. I promise you this happens. In my field, I’ve seen more straight up racists be more willing to hire or work with the objects of their racism. You know why? Because they think they understand. And most are slowly broken of it and have a new friend.
And those left shying away from talk of race, except for the occasional African-american reference, they are the one’s who cannot understand. They don’t understand there is a black culture. And that we are allowed to talk about that. And how that effects us as non-black people. And have a real fucking conversation.
Shanda Ellsworth • Mar 23, 2019 at 2:24 am
How about neither. Using the word “black” is a derogatory term. It is the description of a “tire” and does not place a respectable descriptor of a person of origin. Additionally, the use of African American can not be substantiated due to multiple sources providing evidence people of melination were taking from what we call American and shipped to other areas of the world. It is also important to examine the “Paper genocide” that occur over centuries that clumped native indigenous people from Indigeneous, to Native American that required paperwork to being colored and now labeled as African American. People of melination should look into the history of how these terms have come about and only then will they realize this is such a level of disrespect to be called a “color,” as opposed to an Indigeneous melinated person of North America or any other area of the world they have come.
Bruce • Mar 10, 2019 at 7:37 am
I think being called African American when you are Black is disrespectful to people who are really from the continent of Africa. They will be the first to tell you “We did not come over on the boat”. I have heard that several times. Also people from the continent from Africa have made several achievements many times instead of blacks in this country have by being stopped by racism and discrimination in opportunities across the country. So there is a very big difference in being black and African American. If you are born and raised in a country in Africa, that can be the only qualification that can make a person African American. Otherwise, it’s very offensive to assume the ethnicity of people of color and clump us all in together as one group.
James • Dec 19, 2018 at 1:17 pm
I think the term African American has a tendency to create a disposition for implicit bias. It makes black people sound as though they are recent immigrants. We don’t call white people European Americans we call them Americans of European descent. I think it’s far better to just say black and then say Americans of African descent when refering to ethnic orgin. My views on this issue were framed in 5th grade when my math teacher stopped class to explain to everyone that she was not “African American” (which she said in a stereotypical white voice) but rather black. I think what she was getting at is that by using black she puts herself in equal standing to the white man by being able to use skin color rather than ethnicity as a way to identify herself. If you think about it by using white instead of eueopen Americans and having them as the only ones who identify themselves in such a way we put white people in an elite catagory where one is prone to inferring that they are the original Americans. I think factors other than history of the word need to be examined when making these decisions because simply saying the word has a dark history is somewhat fallacious.
htpe • Dec 19, 2018 at 10:47 am
I rather be called black Because African American just sounds weird it kind of makes me feel like I am not an American. but I was really born in America and all of my family was born here too. so I rather be called black because it seems more politicly correct in my situation.
Kristine Opaline Messer • Mar 4, 2018 at 6:40 pm
I am African American not Black. I am not part of any nationality that is located in Africa or the Middle East. It is very bothersome when individuals assume that I am “Black.” Even though my skin tone is light brown, I am not black. I am a American who happen to have Africanoid genetic and characteristics. My cultural back ground has nothing to do with my ethnic or genetic composition. More importantly, I am a American first, and Wiccan second, and a African last. So, I am a African “American” who practices Wicca.
But, not all Blacks are Americans and not African Americans are Black in the USA. From what I have seen with others, being “Black” is more of a culture than a ethnicity. The same goes for those who consider themselves “White.” You can be lighter than snow and still be Black. The same can be said about those who are of a darker skin complexion.
Lastly, the United States of America has become composed of many different races, ethnicities, cultures that are unique and very from one another. For example; a Mongoloid American, can self identify and practice white or black culture if they so well choose to. I believe that the way one is raised shapes their culture, not the race or ethnicity of which they were born from. For a person to jump to the conclusion that one group is all alike can seem intolerant or unaware. The best thing to do in America is to not see race, but to only see nationality unless told differently by the individual or individuals.
Beth • Feb 11, 2018 at 5:35 pm
This is wonderful to see. I have a friend from Haiti and asked him this question. His eyes opened wide with a big. He prefers being called “black .” I would like to know if (and hope that) African Americans mind being called “Black. “ I would love to know if it would be goo to refer both to be called “Black.” Or “Black America’s” … I want to only refer to a term that is not derogatory. I respect everyone.
Randy Browne • Jan 30, 2018 at 11:07 pm
I was raised in a time period that if you got something wrong you got the belt or the paddle. I once called my mothers fathers car a “Jilopy”, thinking that was a body style of a car I didn’t know it meant a junker and when I said it I got the belt and got whopped hard! Well just like describing things the right way on other topics the black people were described as “negro”. It was the word used all the way largely through the 1990’s then slowly negroes were starting to be called blacks then the last 3-5 years people are describing them as African American.
Not only is it a mouth full of words it’s not correct. Afro, negro is the correct description of the black people. I got the word “Negro” shoved down my throat and if I got it wrong I was punished. I remain calling blacks what they are, “Negro”.
Darius Davis • Jan 18, 2018 at 9:50 pm
I prefer American. But calling ourselves African-American doesn’t really make sense. Because the question coming up will be, “where in Africa do you descend from?” Most A.A.s won’t have an answer but I got the answer. In these days we have the resources to trace our ancestry and African history, USE THEM! After using the resources we have I found out I’m Nigerian, Beninese, Cameroonian, & Malian and little of 13 other nationalities. I even found out the ethnic groups I descend from. This is a requirement for all A.A.s and once you have figured it out that is what you should Identify yourself as. Other reasons is because it seems anyone else who is not us knows the people they descend from and Identify as that. Every time I asked a non-black person their background they know. Not to get all racial here but if we as a whole don’t start figuring out who we are and who our people were, we are only fulfilling and accepting the slave master’s plan from over 300 years now. Which was to stop us from knowing our heritage, culture, history, etc. Also for those who feel oppressed, wake the fuck up and get your shit together. You have every opportunity to do what you want, there are hundred’s of successful black Americans today that have proved that.
Moses12 • Jan 18, 2018 at 7:56 am
We are Americans, first. America is our birthplace, America is our culture, America is our earthly home, we are people of the West (those of us who take our God given right to define ourselves without apology). We embrace our ancestral journey completely. Those of us who are descendants of the slaves brought to American are black Americans, and we celebrate and honor all of that journey. We are also courageous and thoughtful enough to discover our individual journey through DNA ancestral testing!
Paul Behe • Jan 9, 2018 at 4:35 pm
I know this may sound heretical to some readers but our lineage and/or melanin content has nothing to do with our character, intellect or talent. My great-grandparents were born in the Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine. Look it up. I was born in New York City of two hard-working, law-abiding American citizens. I’m an American. No hyphens for this proud American boy. I, along with my wife, son, brother, father, uncle, father-in-law (KIA), brothers-in-law, and countless cousins, served honorably in the U.S. military.
The only need for the hyphen today is to DIVIDE for the purpose of claiming the deservedness of special treatment because of some perceived slight at the hands of someone of a different skin tone or ethnic origin. BS. Grow a pair.
Emet • Dec 28, 2017 at 1:02 am
Please do research the word black is a christian code for property. It is a classification and identifier of slave without a nationality referred to as a piece of property having no standing. The word African American merely refers to the land and still not a nationality. This still refers to property and identifies the type of and to whom the property belongs to. It identifies you as a ward of the state (corporation) and must have someone from the BAR (British Account Registry) to speak for you in any court of the land. We are Indigenous Aboriginal Moors of what is now called North America. Ref: George Washington (Heartburn) President of the corporation US of what is Now Called North America letter to Sidi Mohammed Dec 1, 1789. Treaty of Friendship, The Empire of Morocco Now called North America. All info documentation comes from the The Congressional Library of Congress, Blacks Law Dictionary, Freemen Act, Abraham Lincoln Court record of defending a Moor (William Dungey)
Kes • Dec 20, 2017 at 11:22 am
‘ Black became the umbrella term for everyone in the community, whether you were directly from Africa, Haiti, Jamaica, or South America.’ Sorry but I not agree on that one. I meant, why South America is on that list?? What you know about South America history? Did you know that the first there was the natives (Indians?) they’re not black either! Did you know that they conquers was the Europeans (in Brazil for instance the first Europeans to arrive was Portuguese). Did you know that they (the Europeans conquerors) bring many slaves from Africa just like North America done? Did you know that through the centuries /decades many others immigrants from Europe, Middle East, and Japan came to Brazil? Why did you think that South America is mainly habitated by black people? That’s the impression I had when I read this.
Amy • Nov 30, 2017 at 11:45 pm
I really love your article. Like my grandma will say “a stream that forgets its source will definitely dry up”
I think a time will come when we’ll need our root and the fact than Africans hates Black\African Americans is stereotypical in fact untrue! Been living there 3years now its totally opposite they’re happy and go to the extent to find your lineage unlike one of my colleague that called an African negro due to his accent in respective that they where both blacks.
Lol!
Amy • Nov 30, 2017 at 11:24 pm
I really love your article, like a proverb my grandma always says “a river than forgets its source will definitely dry up I think a time will come that will need to trace our roots and the fact that Africans hates African Americans is totally untrue instead they are happy they to some how help to find your ancestral linage unlike the recent incident when one of my colleague call an African a negro due to his accent in respective that they were both black.
Jake • Nov 29, 2017 at 3:36 pm
I find it interesting that Africa is a continent. That continent contains all colors and races just like America. I heard a White South African say since he had immigrated to the Untied States he was now an African American with his African Heritage going back 3 generations.
Some people didn’t appreciate his definition, but whether we appreciate it or not, he was correct. White is a color. Black is a color. If we are going to be politically correct I want to be referred to as Native American and European American when people look at me and not be called White! Many of my Black friends prefer to be called Black and find the term African American offensive. The census definitions I find to be the most offensive and raciest you could imagine. They partially define some categories by race and others by color. No wonder why we don’t know how to identify ourselves in this country. We have become more consumed by definitions of our color and let that divide us instead of working on eliminating the objects that separate us and create inequality! For heavens sake we are Americans. Not perfect and working to improve our nation not divide it.
Travo • Nov 25, 2017 at 5:32 pm
To think that there were no people of so call african decent in north and south america is absurd, so called negros were here in the Americas centuries before the slave trade and the Europeans this is common knowledge that psuedo american history doesn’t teach. It’s a shame you actually have to study American history in a foreign country to learn Real american history
Judah • Nov 25, 2017 at 10:22 am
What bugs me out is that people actually believe Black people were only in Africa. Black people are the oldest humans in Earth, it’s almost 2018 and people still believe a trans Atlantic slave trade happened. That’s sad. It’s impossible and many scholars have came to the conclusion it’s a myth. The term for Black people have gone and went so many times. From Indian to colored, American Negro to Negro, American Negro again to Black, from Black to Afro American then Black again, finally for the lie “African American” then back to Black again. We’ll be Indigenous Americans once everyone put the lies away. American Negros were being shipped out of America into other countries. Check the records. Hundreds of thousands of American Negros were being forcefully taken out of America at the same time when “african” slaves were supposedly being brought to America.
Abraham Lincoln tried to get rid of all of our ancestors. They just wouldn’t leave our Homeland. It’s really deep
Lynn Ray Pardo • Nov 20, 2017 at 1:43 pm
Thank you for this!
Anthropologic genetics studies have, indeed, proved that everyone on earth is descended from an African woman.
That said, as someone who appears “white”, but whose recent genetic pool is a true “melting pot” of European, Central American, Native American and African American, it’s a conundrum for how to self identify when asked to do so.
Matt B • Aug 8, 2017 at 1:14 am
Steve, you’re being a little too specific. We’re talking about generations, you’re talking about way longer.
I love this article. However, if you go to Africa and tell them you’re African American, they’ll ask you where your parents are from. And if they were born in America, then they’ll consider you American. Africans hate when black people refer to themselves as African Americans, unless they’re actually from Africa.
Also, not all African Americans are black. People coming from South Africa are also African American. So, the phrase “All African-Americans are black; but not all black Americans are African Americans.” is false. Not all African Americans are black. And black Americans may also have more European ancestors than African.
I do not like when Black people whose parents were born in America refer to themselves as “African American”. Just like I hate when people say “I’m Italian.” or “I’m Polish.” Were your parents born in America? Yes? Then you’re American. You have European descent just like most black people have African descent, but….you’re American. So be proud of who you are.
Mark A Newberry • Jul 20, 2017 at 1:25 pm
Good format, insight is a tad bit off. White surpremacy propaganda through movies such as Roots, are fictional stories with little truth in it. What is black? By skin complexion or by geographical location? Some black people are actually American Aborigines of dark complexion (black Indians)
Steve • Jun 20, 2017 at 4:14 am
“didn’t all black people originate from Africa? ” – ALL people originated from Africa including white, hispanic, and native.
Rachel J. • Oct 15, 2016 at 2:23 pm
Great piece! It’s about time this was addressed at FCLC. African-American is only one shade of Black…