This being and site dedicated to the many historically black colleges and universities, are any of you selective or argumentive(lol is that a word?) over what is considered black these days? In my eyes you're black if you ancestors were brought over here from Africa in chains. Personally, I have become very accepting of different cultures granted I live in the melting pot of the country- new york. Yes, I am accepting however when other cultures such as: Jamaicans, Haittians, Trinis', and other dark skinned islanders begin to say they're black I start to have a bone to pick with them. No offense to any of yall but if you're from a particular island inhabiting dark skinned people or from any other country wit dark skinned people why is it that from my perspective, when you're out in the street you reppin ya country but when its time to apply for a job or whenever its conveinent (sp?) you're black? And black people are all of a sudden wanting to be what they're not. Like I said, this is a trend I've seen in my neighborhood. The only country Im reppin is America. Another point that needs to be made is the herritage of America. America is a country that is a melting pot in its self because nobody accept Native Americans have any true origins here. Next in line Id say would be the quote unquote settlers of this country and the slaves they brought with them. so now you have Native Americans, White people and African Americans (blacks) who are here. Where does everybody else fall? How many generations have to have lived in America to be considered American? Do you believe all people of color should be lumped into the catagory of being black or better yet African American? Id love to hear your responses but I hope I haven't caused too much controvery. I just want to get another view point on this.
I think we are forgetting the fact that AFRICAN AMERICANS are not the only black people on the face of this earth! Just because I represent my Haitian roots to the fullest, doesn't mean I'm disclaiming my blackness in any way. All carribbean people and African Americans as a group share the same history. Don't forget that most blacks from the **** trade were imported from South Africa, and dropped off in different regions of the world. You had brothers, sisters and mothers separated from their families, for instance, one brother dropped in Jamaica, his sister dropped in Haiti, their father dropped in America. So you see, an African American isn't any more or less black than a Caribbean person. I think you need to distinguish between race and ethinicity. A person from the Carribbean can be a part of the black race, however ethnicity is something different. I'm black, but my ethnicity is Haitian. I will not call myself an American because I'm not.
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i think that you mean to be talking about the Latino people who are not derived from Africa in anyway.. and are grouped w/ Black people because they are a minority....
The latinos that you see today have African Ancestry. Most Hispanics of today are not pure Spaniards (Europeans).
I'm liking this topic alot....we need more of these....i'm not sure how i stand on the questions cause u can look at it from many different angles of who to classify as black or non black or should we even classify ppl at all?? I would have to look deeper into the situation before i could make my stand on it...
My mom was born and raised in England but her roots are in Jamaica; she does not select African American for race because she is not African and she is not American her roots are in Jamaica but her ancestry is Coolie (Jamaican Indian and Asian) when she has to check off a box she puts "other" alot of my friends who are Hatian American also put other for race it depends on the person and I don't understand why people get mad when someone who looks black doesn't consider themselves African American; is it really that serious???
this subjects hits me in the heart. my mom is halk haitian and half creole. my dad is african american ( it was rumored that his family had creole in it too) if any body ever asked us what we were we always say black . i consider my self an african american.
My mom was born and raised in England but her roots are in Jamaica; she does not select African American for race because she is not African and she is not American her roots are in Jamaica but her ancestry is Coolie (Jamaican Indian and Asian) when she has to check off a box she puts "other" alot of my friends who are Hatian American also put other for race it depends on the person and I don't understand why people get mad when someone who looks black doesn't consider themselves African American; is it really that serious???
hmmm thats very interesting to me because I've been seeing the exact opposite thing happen. In the school my mother teaches there happens to be a large amount of students of hatian and Jamaican families and she always says to me how on the state test she procters, for many of the known hatian and Jamaican students check "African American" as their choice of race rather than "other" and many of these student's families are not even one generation old into this country meaning they just immagrated here from their respective countries.
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have you guys ever herd anyone say black is not just a color its a state of mind.
Yes I have heard this before....the accuracy of the quote is something that alludes me.
I think the West Indians that do check African American for race is great but sometimes I wonder why they do it; could be because they are ashamed of their roots? or because they don't want the label of immigrant on their shoulders as for me basically i check african american because my dad is black american.
MY **** CHECKS AFRICAN AMERICAN/BLACK BECAUSE THEY DONT HAVE HAITIAN MOST OF THE TIME TO CHOOSE FROM :roll: IM MOST DEFINITELY NOT ASHAMED,SH*T IM PROUD TO BE HAITIAN. DO I FEEL WE DONT GET THE RESPECT WE DESERVE? NOPE! BUT MOVING ALONG :arrow:
To 2damnREAL and West_Indian_Cutie and all other peeps who may not neccesarily consider themselves the "African American prototype" do you think its right to check "African American" or "other" and give your reason. Oh and how long have you or your family lived in America or can you not remember anymore?
