When you think of Africans

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The more interesting question is, "Do they consider themselves African?"

It made my (African) husband C R A Z Y that Ethiopians generally don't identify as "African" but as "Ethiopian."

It's a fascinating dynamic, really.

Politically, some Libyans may identify as "African." I can't see Tunisians or non-Berber Moroccans doing the same thing. And, I'm kind of tickled when I think of their reactions should you ever pose the question directly.

My DH is Nigerian. He does not want to be identified or associated with AAs. He has strong opinions in the matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
The more interesting question is, "Do they consider themselves African?"

It made my (African) husband C R A Z Y that Ethiopians generally don't identify as "African" but as "Ethiopian."

It's a fascinating dynamic, really.

Politically, some Libyans may identify as "African." I can't see Tunisians or non-Berber Moroccans doing the same thing. And, I'm kind of tickled when I think of their reactions should you ever pose the question directly.

My DH is Nigerian. He does not want to be identified or associated with AAs. He has strong opinions in the matter.

What do AAs have to do with this discussion? PP was talking about Africans. I'm sure many AAs don't want to be identified and associated with Nigerians (who know with the disease , famine and all)

[Anonymous]

We are Sub Saharan Africans. I do not identify as AAs, but then I do not think I am an "other" either. The official definition of Black or African American makes me tick the box.

My kids will of course self identify as African Americans on any forms, without sharing my reticence.

[Anonymous]

Egyptian family -- self-identifiy as Egyptian or Arab. When they discuss Africa, they distinguish between North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Regardless of skin color, they check the "white" box here because things like the census specifically state Egyptians are white.

They also think in terms of cultural/religious/language differences, not skin color differences.

[Anonymous]

I had an Egyptian friend who lived in Cairo. She often talked about travelling "to Africa" on vacation. I once said, "But.... you live in Africa." And she was shocked -- she said "I live in Egypt."

[Anonymous]

When I think N. Africa I think Arab and throw them into the Arab World category.

[Anonymous]

I think people from North Africa should check other because while they may be "African American" (literal meaning), they are not black. But those two desciptions are often mistaken for synonyms and used as such.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends. Aren't some people descended from Africa and others are from Arabic??? countries so the former are darker and the latter are more olive toned?

That's pretty much the dynamic. It's the reason why the Janjawid are raping and murdering in Darfur. It is a genocide against the black africans by the arab africans. Very sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are Sub Saharan Africans. I do not identify as AAs, but then I do not think I am an "other" either. The official definition of Black or African American makes me tick the box.

My kids will of course self identify as African Americans on any forms, without sharing my reticence.

The box usually has Black or African American (as you state). So, it's not a matter of being both, but rather are you one of the other.

Is your husband AA? If not, why would your kids be AA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are Sub Saharan Africans. I do not identify as AAs, but then I do not think I am an "other" either. The official definition of Black or African American makes me tick the box.

My kids will of course self identify as African Americans on any forms, without sharing my reticence.

The box usually has Black or African American (as you state). So, it's not a matter of being both, but rather are you one of the other.

Is your husband AA? If not, why would your kids be AA?

Because her kids are presumably born in America and the will be raised in America(I'm also assuming) so this will sufficiently make them African Americans. Just like 2nd generation Asian, Italians, Mexicans born and bred in America all add "-American"

[Anonymous]

*were born*

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are Sub Saharan Africans. I do not identify as AAs, but then I do not think I am an "other" either. The official definition of Black or African American makes me tick the box.

My kids will of course self identify as African Americans on any forms, without sharing my reticence.

The box usually has Black or African American (as you state). So, it's not a matter of being both, but rather are you one of the other.

Is your husband AA? If not, why would your kids be AA?

Because her kids are presumably born in America and the will be raised in America(I'm also assuming) so this will sufficiently make them African Americans. Just like 2nd generation Asian, Italians, Mexicans born and bred in America all add "-American"

Not true. Unless her husband is African American (the descendent of US black slaves), her children are not African American. Being 2, 3, 4 etc generation does not convert you into being an African American. You either have ancestors who were slaves in America (and are thereby African American) or you didn't (and thereby you aren't African American). You can't have one without the other. Her children will be (whatever country she's from)-American or simply "Black".

[Anonymous]

Census 2000 (Population)The following definitions apply to the 2000 census only.[12]

"White. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. It includes people who indicate their race as "White" or report entries such as Irish, German, Scottish, Italian, Lebanese, Near Easterner, Arab, or Polish."[12]

This is how the US defines North Africans. Interesting. (I am berber from Morocco, but Moroccans come in different skin colors)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are Sub Saharan Africans. I do not identify as AAs, but then I do not think I am an "other" either. The official definition of Black or African American makes me tick the box.

My kids will of course self identify as African Americans on any forms, without sharing my reticence.

The box usually has Black or African American (as you state). So, it's not a matter of being both, but rather are you one of the other.

Is your husband AA? If not, why would your kids be AA?

Because her kids are presumably born in America and the will be raised in America(I'm also assuming) so this will sufficiently make them African Americans. Just like 2nd generation Asian, Italians, Mexicans born and bred in America all add "-American"

Not true. Unless her husband is African American (the descendent of US black slaves), her children are not African American. Being 2, 3, 4 etc generation does not convert you into being an African American. You either have ancestors who were slaves in America (and are thereby African American) or you didn't (and thereby you aren't African American). You can't have one without the other. Her children will be (whatever country she's from)-American or simply "Black".

My husband is also Sub Saharan African. My children feel they are African American. That is enough for me. I am not into splitting hairs and I do not really care. I did not know being African American implied having ancestors who were slaves in America. First time I hear of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are Sub Saharan Africans. I do not identify as AAs, but then I do not think I am an "other" either. The official definition of Black or African American makes me tick the box.

My kids will of course self identify as African Americans on any forms, without sharing my reticence.

The box usually has Black or African American (as you state). So, it's not a matter of being both, but rather are you one of the other.

Is your husband AA? If not, why would your kids be AA?

Because her kids are presumably born in America and the will be raised in America(I'm also assuming) so this will sufficiently make them African Americans. Just like 2nd generation Asian, Italians, Mexicans born and bred in America all add "-American"

Not true. Unless her husband is African American (the descendent of US black slaves), her children are not African American. Being 2, 3, 4 etc generation does not convert you into being an African American. You either have ancestors who were slaves in America (and are thereby African American) or you didn't (and thereby you aren't African American). You can't have one without the other. Her children will be (whatever country she's from)-American or simply "Black".[/q]

The children are of African descent, and therefore African-Americans.