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Some Blacks insist: 'I'm not African-American'

Discussion in 'In the News' started by Bliss, Feb 5, 2012.

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Bliss Well-Known Member

A thorough read. (sorry Tony )

By JESSE WASHINGTON | AP

The labels used to describe Americans of African descent mark the movement of a people from the slave house to the White House. Today, many are resisting this progression by holding on to a name from the past: "black."

For this group — some descended from U.S. slaves, some immigrants with a separate history — "African-American" is not the sign of progress hailed when the term was popularized in the late 1980s. Instead, it's a misleading connection to a distant culture.

The debate has waxed and waned since African-American went mainstream, and gained new significance after the son of a black Kenyan and a white American moved into the White House. President Barack Obama's identity has been contested from all sides, renewing questions that have followed millions of darker Americans:

What are you? Where are you from? And how do you fit into this country?

"I prefer to be called black," said Shawn Smith, an accountant from Houston. "How I really feel is, I'm American."

"I don't like African-American. It denotes something else to me than who I am," said Smith, whose parents are from Mississippi and North Carolina. "I can't recall any of them telling me anything about Africa. They told me a whole lot about where they grew up in Macomb County and Shelby, N.C."

Gibré George, an entrepreneur from Miami, started a Facebook page called "Don't Call Me African-American" on a whim. It now has about 300 "likes."

"We respect our African heritage, but that term is not really us," George said. "We're several generations down the line. If anyone were to ship us back to Africa, we'd be like fish out of water."

"It just doesn't sit well with a younger generation of black people," continued George, who is 38. "Africa was a long time ago. Are we always going to be tethered to Africa? Spiritually I'm American. When the war starts, I'm fighting for America."

Joan Morgan, a writer born in Jamaica who moved to New York City as a girl, remembers the first time she publicly corrected someone about the term: at a book signing, when she was introduced as African-American and her family members in the front rows were appalled and hurt.

"That act of calling me African-American completely erased their history and the sacrifice and contributions it took to make me an author," said Morgan, a longtime U.S. citizen who calls herself Black-Caribbean American. (Some insist Black should be capitalized.)

She said people struggle with the fact that black people have multiple ethnicities because it challenges America's original black-white classifications. In her view, forcing everyone into a name meant for descendants of American slaves distorts the nature of the contributions of immigrants like her black countrymen Marcus Garvey and Claude McKay.

Morgan acknowledges that her homeland of Jamaica is populated by the descendants of African slaves. "But I am not African, and Africans are not African-American," she said.

In Latin, a forerunner of the English language, the color black is "niger." In 1619, the first African captives in America were described as "negars," which became the epithet still used by some today.

The Spanish word "negro" means black. That was the label applied by white Americans for centuries.

The word black also was given many pejorative connotations — a black mood, a blackened reputation, a black heart. "Colored" seemed better, until the civil rights movement insisted on Negro, with a capital N.

Then, in the 1960s, "black" came back — as an expression of pride, a strategy to defy oppression.

"Every time black had been mentioned since slavery, it was bad," says Mary Frances Berry, a University of Pennsylvania history professor and former chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Reclaiming the word "was a grass-roots move, and it was oppositional. It was like, 'In your face.'"

Afro-American was briefly in vogue in the 1970s, and lingers today in the names of some newspapers and university departments. But it was soon overshadowed by African-American, which first sprouted among the black intelligentsia.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson is widely credited with taking African-American mainstream in 1988, before his second presidential run.

Berry remembers being at a 1988 gathering of civil rights groups organized by Jackson in Chicago when Ramona Edelin, then president of the National Urban Coalition, urged those assembled to declare that black people should be called African-American.

Edelin says today that there was no intent to exclude people born in other countries, or to eliminate the use of black: "It was an attempt to start a cultural offensive, because we were clearly at that time always on the defensive."

"We said, this is kind of a compromise term," she continued. "There are those among us who don't want to be referred to as African. And there also those among us who don't want to be referred to as American. This was a way of bridging divisions among us or in our ideologies so we can move forward as a group."

Jackson, who at the time may have been the most-quoted black man in America, followed through with the plan.

"Every ethnic group in this country has a reference to some land base, some historical, cultural base," Jackson told reporters at the time. "African-Americans have hit that level of cultural maturity."

The effect was immediate. "Back in those days we didn't talk about things going viral, but that's what you would say today. It was quite remarkable," said the columnist Clarence Page, then a reporter. "It was kind of like when Black Power first came in the '60s, there was all kinds of buzz among black folks and white folks about whether or not I like this."

Page liked it — he still uses it interchangeably with black — and sees an advantage to changing names.

"If we couldn't control anything else, at least we could control what people call us," Page said. "That's the most fundamental right any human being has, over what other people call you. (African-American) had a lot of psychic value from that point of view."

It also has historical value, said Irv Randolph, managing editor of the Philadelphia Tribune, a black newspaper that uses both terms: "It's a historical fact that we are people of African descent."

"African-American embraces where we came from and where we are now," he said. "We are Americans, no doubt about that. But to deny where we came from doesn't make any sense to me."

Jackson agrees about such denial. "It shows a willful ignorance of our roots, our heritage and our lineage," he said Tuesday. "A fruit without a root is dying."

He observed that the history of how captives were brought here from Africa is unchangeable, and that Senegal is almost as close to New York as Los Angeles.

"If a chicken is born in the oven," Jackson said, "that doesn't make it a biscuit."

Today, 24 years after Jackson popularized African-American, it's unclear what term is preferred by the community. A series of Gallup polls from 1991 to 2007 showed no strong consensus for either black or African-American. In a January 2011 NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, 42 percent of respondents said they preferred black, 35 percent said African-American, 13 percent said it doesn't make any difference, and 7 percent chose "some other term."

Meanwhile, a record number of black people in America — almost 1 in 10 — were born abroad, according to census figures.

Tomi Obaro is one of them. Her Nigerian-born parents brought her to America from England as a girl, and she became a citizen last year. Although she is literally African-American, the University of Chicago senior says the label implies she is descended from slaves. It also feels vague and liberal to her.

"It just sort of screams this political correctness," Obaro said. She and her black friends rarely use it to refer to themselves, only when they're speaking in "proper company."

"Or it's a word that people who aren't black use to describe black people," she said.

Or it's a political tool. In a Senate race against Obama in 2004, Alan Keyes implied that Obama could not claim to share Keyes' "African-American heritage" because Keyes' ancestors were slaves. During the Democratic presidential primary, some Hillary Clinton supporters made the same charge.

Last year, Herman Cain, then a Republican presidential candidate, sought to contrast his roots in the Jim Crow south with Obama's history, and he shunned the label African-American in favor of "American black conservative." Rush Limbaugh mocked Obama as a "halfrican-American."

Then there are some white Americans who were born in Africa.

Paulo Seriodo is a U.S. citizen born in Mozambique to parents from Portugal. In 2009 he filed a lawsuit against his medical school, which he said suspended him after a dispute with black classmates over whether Seriodo could call himself African-American.

"It doesn't matter if I'm from Africa, and they are not!" Seriodo wrote at the time. "They are not allowing me to be African-American!"

And so the saga of names continues.

"I think it's still evolving," said Edelin, the activist who helped popularize African-American. "I'm content, for now, with African and American."

"But," she added, "that's not to say that it won't change again."

___

"Don't Call me African-American" Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/x5efH3
Jesse Washington covers race and ethnicity for The AP. http://www.twitter.com/jessewashington or jwashington(at)ap.org.
http://news.yahoo.com/blacks-insist-im-not-african-american-181257715.html
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I use AA sparsely...mostly defering to Black in discussions because most I know use it to describe themselves, plus it encompasses many genres of cultures to me (but not all).

Bliss, Feb 5, 2012

#1
wtarshi Well-Known Member

interesting read.

i would use the term aa in the 80's and 90's, but it wouldn't occur to me to use it now.

i find it a strange way to describe a "people" and feel that it's excluding them in a way. you don't say white american or korean american, so why african american? if you're born in america, then aren't you american? my family originally are not from here, but i would never think of calling myself an english, scottish australian.

am i making sense? i'm rambling & it's hot and windy which make my mind fuzzy

wtarshi, Feb 5, 2012

#2
The Dark King Well-Known Member

Just call me TDK

The Dark King, Feb 5, 2012

#3
wtarshi Well-Known Member

The Dark Knight said: ↑

Just call me TDK
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nah. i'll stick to fanny or fanbox thanks

wtarshi, Feb 5, 2012

#4
The Dark King Well-Known Member

Alectrona said: ↑

interesting read.

i would use the term aa in the 80's and 90's, but it wouldn't occur to me to use it now.

i find it a strange way to describe a "people" and feel that it's excluding them in a way. you don't say white american or korean american, so why african american? if you're born in america, then aren't you american? my family originally are not from here, but i would never think of calling myself an english, scottish australian.

am i making sense? i'm rambling & it's hot and windy which make my mind fuzzy
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Your spot on my friend. We're the only immature fucks who still do that shit.

The Dark King, Feb 5, 2012

#5
Ches Well-Known Member

I never really liked the term African-American. I don't call myself a German-American. I'm white and I'm an American. All the BM I've had this conversation with wish to be called black. None of them like AA.

Ches, Feb 5, 2012

#6
Bliss Well-Known Member

Alectrona said: ↑

interesting read.

i would use the term aa in the 80's and 90's, but it wouldn't occur to me to use it now.

i find it a strange way to describe a "people" and feel that it's excluding them in a way. you don't say white american or korean american, so why african american? if you're born in america, then aren't you american? my family originally are not from here, but i would never think of calling myself an english, scottish australian.

am i making sense? i'm rambling & it's hot and windy which make my mind fuzzy
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Yes yes, great post girl! I feel the same way - we don't say White American, or European-American, we say just American.

If I m talking amongst my white friends, I might distinguish cultures and say "I met a sexy Italian guy', as I would if I talked to my Black friends and said, "I met this gorgeous Jamaican guy" etc...

Like the one lady said...AA today is almost like being PC...Particularly by White people, whom seem almost afraid to use Black, as if it's offensive. Black is beautiful.

Bliss, Feb 5, 2012

#7
Thump Well-Known Member

African-American is a term used to try to stitch together some connection to our ancestral homeland. Of all the cultures in America, Black folks are the only ones who were forcefully severed from our history. Few if any Black Americans can trace their roots to Africa. After all, you always see white people in America call themselves Irish, Italian, Dutch etc. So if some Black folks want to keep a connection to their roots I say more power to them.

Thump, Feb 5, 2012

#8
Bliss Well-Known Member

Thump said: ↑

African-American is a term used to try to stitch together some connection to our ancestral homeland. Of all the cultures in America, Black folks are the only ones who were forcefully severed from our history. Few if any Black Americans can trace their roots to Africa. After all, you always see white people in America call themselves Irish, Italian, Dutch etc. So if some Black folks want to keep a connection to their roots I say more power to them.
Click to expand...

You make a good point about the lineage tracing. Particularly since the collective amount of immigrant Africans to the US pales in comparison to the volume of Africans forcefully brought here (and whom make-up the bulk of Black-America's ancestry). What I've observed is migrant Africans clearly defining themselves by their country, ie: Ghanian, Nigerian, Haitian, Jamaican, etc;. Consequently, they tend to somewhat disassociate themselves from AA/Black-American culture, from what I have noticed.

Bliss, Feb 5, 2012

#9
Stizzy Well-Known Member

I'm black, and proud of it. Lol

Stizzy, Feb 5, 2012

#10
The Dark King Well-Known Member

Kunoichi said: ↑

You make a good point about the lineage tracing. Particularly since the collective amount of immigrant Africans to the US pales in comparison to the volume of Africans forcefully brought here (and whom make-up the bulk of Black-America's ancestry). What I've observed is migrant Africans clearly defining themselves by their country, ie: Ghanian, Nigerian, Haitian, Jamaican, etc;. Consequently, they tend to somewhat disassociate themselves from AA/Black-American culture, from what I have noticed.
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I can't speak for the other cultures listed but being Jamaican or more accurately Caribbean I find that I have way more in common culturally with a Dominican, Puerto Rican, or Cuban than I do with someone who is traditionally considered AA. Just like white people are allowed to have ties to their culture of origin I don't see why we shouldn't.
But then again I've always been one to want to due away with culture of origin and stick to the fact that we're all American and for those of us claiming areas like Italy, France, Ghana, Jamaica, and other foreign lands we're Yankee Americans. They don't recognize us as one of them. Even me being first generation whenever I visit the island they are very quick to tell me I ain't Jamaican I'm from foreign so at this point I don't see why aren't just Americans plain and simple. I was curious why do you distinguish men differently when you're with friends, why is it a hot "Italian or Jamaican" guy and not just a hot guy period. I know guys who do that shit too and I never got it. Especially people who brag about the mixed chick they met. "I just bagged this Brazilian French Peruvian joint" and maybe I don't get it but I don't see what talking about their heritage proves.

The Dark King, Feb 5, 2012

#11
FG Well-Known Member

Alectrona said: ↑

interesting read.

i would use the term aa in the 80's and 90's, but it wouldn't occur to me to use it now.

i find it a strange way to describe a "people" and feel that it's excluding them in a way. you don't say white american or korean american, so why african american? if you're born in america, then aren't you american? my family originally are not from here, but i would never think of calling myself an english, scottish australian.

am i making sense? i'm rambling & it's hot and windy which make my mind fuzzy
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This is exactly how I feel about the term AA.
I only use AA if someone prefers that - but I only know one that prefers that, the rest prefers Black. Seems to me that its something that is used more by white people than black people in my experience.

FG, Feb 5, 2012

#12
GQ Brotha New Member

Thump said: ↑

African-American is a term used to try to stitch together some connection to our ancestral homeland. Of all the cultures in America, Black folks are the only ones who were forcefully severed from our history. Few if any Black Americans can trace their roots to Africa. After all, you always see white people in America call themselves Irish, Italian, Dutch etc. So if some Black folks want to keep a connection to their roots I say more power to them.
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This is a very good point you raise bro.

I was born on the tip of South America in Guyana

Surely my ancestors are descended from slaves brought to the New World, but I couldn't begin to tell you where from in Africa.

There is no marker there that I can trace and know about, certainly not easily if I wanted to.

As far as African American, Black American, American, matters little to me. No one else can define me for me, my own actions will do that.

GQ Brotha, Feb 5, 2012

#13
GQ Brotha New Member

Kunoichi said: ↑

What I've observed is migrant Africans clearly defining themselves by their country, ie: Ghanian, Nigerian, Haitian, Jamaican, etc;. Consequently, they tend to somewhat disassociate themselves from AA/Black-American culture, from what I have noticed.
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As someone who is not born in America, but is black, yet grew up in America in black neighborhoods I can relate to what is described.

What they generally are dissociating from are the negative stereotypes of black American ghetto culture, i.e. gangbanging, drug dealing, pants falling of your ass, etc.

In a way its a simplistic view because those characteristics don't encompass all black Americans, but it is the one's highlighted for labeling purposes.

There are many middle class black Americans and hardworking poor ones as well who don't care for the negatives either.

The irony is many of the young Africans I know love them the latest hip-hop album, but then again so do a lot of white suburban kids.

Something to also show the paradox of this all, is I have many relatives who are American by birth and so I realize there is no one size that fits all as far as their makeup.

I've never felt the need to define myself as not African American, but that is because I have never felt the need to define myself in the first place.

As Stizzy posted above in his comment, I'm black, people can make what they want of it.

GQ Brotha, Feb 5, 2012

#14
FG Well-Known Member

I cant trace my origin either.. I have no clue.. My mother was adopted, all I know is that her father was a "no good, gambling, drinking Jazz musician from America" and my dad was living in East Germany before he came to Sweden when the wall was built - all document were destroyed during WWII -- he was not from there originally, neither was his family... Our surname has been changed numerous times due to the civil unrest up to and during the WWII so there is no way to trace it back.

FG, Feb 5, 2012

#15
GQ Brotha New Member

FG said: ↑

I cant trace my origin either.. I have no clue.. My mother was adopted, all I know is that her father was a "no good, gambling, drinking Jazz musician from America" and my dad was living in East Germany before he came to Sweden when the wall was built - all document were destroyed during WWII -- he was not from there originally, neither was his family... Our surname has been changed numerous times due to the civil unrest up to and during the WWII so there is no way to trace it back.
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LOL, that is actually fascinating FG.

As a history buff it would make a great historical data hunt to uncover as much as possible.

Linking together, America, WWII, East Germany, Sweden.

GQ Brotha, Feb 5, 2012

#16
FG Well-Known Member

GQ Brotha said: ↑

LOL, that is actually fascinating FG.

As a history buff it would make a great historical data hunt to uncover as much as possible.

Linking together, America, WWII, East Germany, Sweden.
Click to expand...

LOL.. Well, to be correct - it wasn't East Germany when he left as he left right when the wall was built. I learned some gruesome stories my father never shared about his escape by his GF he had before he died. I wish I could trace both my mothers and fathers lineage... I am dying to know. I have done some research on my last name and it turns out that is a hybrid name due to the changes of it.. and most likely, all people with that surname are related due to its being changed several times and is sort of ,made up.. it was changed to sound German at some point and then changed to sound Polish and then back again -that is all I know from my father before he passed - He had ties to East Prussia but what they were, I dont know.. On my mother side, nothing apart from my American grand father.

Maybe you can help me. lol.

Last edited: Feb 5, 2012

FG, Feb 5, 2012

#17
GQ Brotha New Member

The Dark Knight said: ↑

I know guys who do that shit too and I never got it. Especially people who brag about the mixed chick they met. "I just bagged this Brazilian French Peruvian joint" and maybe I don't get it but I don't see what talking about their heritage proves.
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:smt043:smt043:smt043

You know us brothas love to make that shit sound as exotic as possible.

Not only is she a "Brazilian French Peruvian joint"

but she has long, flowing dark hair down to her back and her ass is hella thick.

Last edited: Feb 5, 2012

GQ Brotha, Feb 5, 2012

#18
GQ Brotha New Member

FG said: ↑

LOL.. Well, to be correct - it wasn't East Germany when he left as he left right when the wall was built. I learned some gruesome stories my father never shared about his escape by his GF he had before he died. I wish I could trace both my mothers and fathers lineage... I am dying to know. I have done some research on my last name and it turns out that is a hybrid name due to the changes of it.. and most likely, all people with that surname are related due to its being changed several times and is sort of ,made up.. it was changed to sound German at some point and then changed to sound Polish and then back again -that is all I know from my father before he passed - He had ties to East Prussia but what they were, I dont know.. On my mother side, nothing apart from my American grand father.
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Looks like his family may have left East Prussia for today's identifiable Germany after all the upheaval of the wars that went on. Prussia always had a significant Slavic population and it is in fact part of Lithuania and Poland today, so that might explain the change to sounding Polish in your surname and then back to German.

Could it be you are of Scandinavian/Slavic extract.

GQ Brotha, Feb 5, 2012

#19
The Dark King Well-Known Member

GQ Brotha said: ↑

:smt043:smt043:smt043

You know us brothas love to make that shit sound as exotic as possible.

Not only is she a "Brazilian French Peruvian joint"

but she has long, flowing dark hair down to her back and her ass is hell thick.

Click to expand...

So damn true my boys brag about that shit all the time. Last week we were at Iguana's in Midtown and my friend met this cute girl and first thing he says "I love your eyes and your cheek bones you mind me asking what your background is"
She says "Italian Swedish and Nigerian" all night this dummy couldn't stop talking about how rare a mix that was. Smh
Personally cute is cute to me. Maybe because I don't have any mixing in my lineage I don't give it much thought but for a people who wants to be judged on everything except our race we focus a lot of attention on that shit.

The Dark King, Feb 5, 2012

#20

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