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.
school me....
why wouldnt you call your self african american...is it because your not an immigrant?? But history shows , Africans were forced from AFRICA to America. So your ancestors were immigrants and what would that make you?
:arrow: Black- mostly used to define someone of color. During the days of segregation, and still used in most parts of America today, "whites" called people of color black, putting them in one category. So when someone calls you black, they usually mean "a person of color" or "a person with brown skin"
:arrow: African American- used to describe someone with African ancestry or heritage. If a "white" woman was coming from South Africa to America, it would be politically correct to say she was African American.However, we as people define with the color of skin, in which she would be considered " European-American or Caucasian"
:arrow: I have realize, where I live, that people from Jamaica (mostly Jamaicans where I reside) and other Carribean countries do not consider themselves black or African American. However, if this same person was walking down the street with someone like myself, they would not say"look at the black girl with all her Jamaican friends," they would say " look at all those black girls over there."
The reason most people from Carribean countries (where I live) don't claim being black, or African American, is because they feel that they are better than the average black American if they come from a Carribean country. However, I am often quick to tell them that to "white" people in America, you are considered just another black person.
Do I get angry when people of color try to disown who they are? The answer is yes, because to "white" America, we are still all in a state of inferiority. We try to make ourselves seem better or "whiter" if we say we are not black we're this, or say my hair is longer or straighter, or my skin is lighter. In the end, you are just another person of color trying to get what the "white man" thinks he owns.
.... I am often quick to tell them that to "white" people in America, you are considered just another black person.
Do I get angry when people of color try to disown who they are? The answer is yes, because to "white" America, we are still all in a state of inferiority. We try to make ourselves seem better or "whiter" if we say we are not black we're this, or say my hair is longer or straighter, or my skin is lighter. In the end, you are just another person of color trying to get what the "white man" thinks he owns.
:arrow: If every "black" person could realize this, that would be a seed of division that can be erased!! :!:
This is a very thought provoking thread and I only have like 1 cent to add:
I think that my being black is my culture. I embrace the fact that my ancestors are from, errr, all over the place (Africa, Trinidad, Holland...), but I think that with generations of my family having come up in America, that BLACKNESS is part of my heritage...the slavery, the civil rights movement...all that is apart of my culture as well as the kings and queens of Africa....
