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| Posted By: A Thinking Man Posted On: Jul 22, 2007 Views: 914 | Black or African American I call myself and the descendants of African slaves in the USA "Black". I reject the term "African American" for many reasons. First, Black people came to America as a result of the unprovoked attack of our ancestors and homeland. Once in America we were stripped of our humanity, forced into servitude, and denied basic human rights. We were not afforded equal rights and protection under the law until 1964, about 300 years after our arrival. We did not come here under our own free will and we were never reparated for the crimes America committed against our Humanity. Second, "Africa" is the name Western aggressors gave to the continent of our ancestors. It was named after one of the many Western conquerors of our ancestors land, Scipio Africanus. Third, so-called some "Africans" were willing parnters in the capture, trade, and enslavement of Blacks ancestors. For me to call myself "African-American" is to honor those who deemed my ancestors 3/5 of a man, is honoring a conqueror of my ancestors and their homeland, and is honoring the "Africans" who also profitted from the extreme misery that Black people did and still do endure. I love myself and my people too much to do any of these. "Black" refers to our culture and history more than it is refers to our skin pigment. We are a unique people with a unique experience, which led to the development of a unique culture. Our African and American oppressors stripped us down to nothingness and we built and are still building from that nothingness. I'm proud to be Black! |
| Posted By: Sojourn Posted On: Mar 2, 2006 Views: 1208 | A nectarine is not a peach or a plum! I'll let you know when I or one of us come up with the right name. Just the other day I was looking at a blog belonging to one Marion Douglas and saw this reply to someone who questioned her about her ethnicity. "I was not from India but that I was Black American, meaning this particular US North American version of our mestizajes of the Americas - our various, similar yet diverse mixtures of African + Indigenous Native American + European - mixed race ancestry. In other words I am 100% Black American" The instant I saw it, I understood exactly what Marion was saying. We, as a race are a young race but a race we are. We have a distinct origin, language and culture. I can be anywhere in this country or the world for that matter and I will be able to identify and communicate with a brother or sister no matter what region of this land of ours that they come from. Make no mistake this is our land. Very few of our euro newcomer countrymen can make the claim that we have over this land. Most of us have roots that go back hundreds of years here. Only our Native Americans cousins and cousins they are have roots that go back farther. We literally built this country. Without our input it couldn't be what it is today. Now without our presentday influence it wouldn't be what it is today. We, my people are the heartbeat of this country. We continually add to the language , the culture and the spirit of this country. Our artists and atheletes are revered and mimicked all around the world. Our scientists and technicians and physicians may be few in number but their capabilities lag behind none. All this a we haven't even grown up yet. When we do grow up and we know who we are then we'll be ready to tell everyone what they may call us. |
| Posted By: Yusuf Posted On: Feb 23, 2006 Views: 1222 | black or African American Well because there was only two choices i went with black due to the fact that african american is a begining and a ending and i represent nether black is not a color it is the lost of color a void that pull the suns rays of energy to itself yeah i like that. also i do belive in unity and the power of words and titles and to say im african or american is both incorrect. the whole world is my womb. and i reject the division of my world we are all connected to eachother. |
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