When you think of Africans

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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)

Don't forget all of the internet scams, either.

In general, Blacks from other countries who got to immigrate here instead of being dragged in chains TOTALLY look down upon "African-Americans" and do not want to be associated with us in any way.

Well actually, YOU weren't dragged in chains to America either. Neither were your parents so let's not be laying claim to things we didn't have to endure.

You are DEFINITELY white. LOL...Why do you even care about this issue? You aren't black, you aren't African-American....and you aren't a factor in this discussion. Please note that the days of whites telling blacks what we're allowed to call ourselves are long over. You are about 60 years too late in the making.

I am black (Jamaican) and I agree with this poster. You were not dragged here in chains - stop obsessing about crap that happenned hundreds of years ago.

[Anonymous]

The new movement is to be Black : http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/moving_america_news/36868

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is one Black by race and African American by ethnicity? Then Obama is mixed race by ethnicity and race not AA. However, all Black people including non-AA are considered AA in the press if they are Black, AA, or biracial if they look black. It is the way society references those who appear black by skin tone.

It seems the only determining factor in whether you are black or AA is whether you are descended from slaves. I completely disagree, as does most of America, but that doesn't seem to matter.

Correction, not just slaves, but slaves who came directly (no stops along the way) from the African continent to the USA. Sorry Colin Powell, same for Harry Bellafonte, Alicia Keys, Patrick Ewing, Stokely Carmichael, Shirley Chisholm, Ursula Burns, Malcolm X, Busta Rhymes and Biggie Smalls. Malcolm X's mother is from Genada so he is also iffy.

Yeah, but they are still black. All of these different labels don't matter. The world see us as blacks, so we are still a community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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)

Don't forget all of the internet scams, either.

In general, Blacks from other countries who got to immigrate here instead of being dragged in chains TOTALLY look down upon "African-Americans" and do not want to be associated with us in any way.

Well actually, YOU weren't dragged in chains to America either. Neither were your parents so let's not be laying claim to things we didn't have to endure.

You are DEFINITELY white. LOL...Why do you even care about this issue? You aren't black, you aren't African-American....and you aren't a factor in this discussion. Please note that the days of whites telling blacks what we're allowed to call ourselves are long over. You are about 60 years too late in the making.

I am black (Jamaican) and I agree with this poster. You were not dragged here in chains - stop obsessing about crap that happenned hundreds of years ago.

I did not make that comment, but that's not what the poster said. S/he said "Blacks from other countries who got to immigrate here instead of being dragged in chains". Where does she claim that she was dragged here? She's just making the distinction between those who came to the US voluntarily vs involuntarily. You and the pp read WAY too much into that person's statement.
self-identify as you please. But getting defensiveness and/or sulky helps no one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The new movement is to be Black : http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/moving_america_news/36868

There is no new movement. We've always been black.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is one Black by race and African American by ethnicity? Then Obama is mixed race by ethnicity and race not AA. However, all Black people including non-AA are considered AA in the press if they are Black, AA, or biracial if they look black. It is the way society references those who appear black by skin tone.

It seems the only determining factor in whether you are black or AA is whether you are descended from slaves. I completely disagree, as does most of America, but that doesn't seem to matter.

Correction, not just slaves, but slaves who came directly (no stops along the way) from the African continent to the USA. Sorry Colin Powell, same for Harry Bellafonte, Alicia Keys, Patrick Ewing, Stokely Carmichael, Shirley Chisholm, Ursula Burns, Malcolm X, Busta Rhymes and Biggie Smalls. Malcolm X's mother is from Genada so he is also iffy.

Please cite the source of this qualification. I understand that AA means that you had African slave ancestors, but I have never understood it to exclude black Americans with Caribbean ancestry. I'm sure these people would be shocked to learn that they are not AA. They may also be Caribbean-American, Jamaican-American or what have you, but where is the authority for saying these people are not AA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The new movement is to be Black : http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/moving_america_news/36868

There is no new movement. We've always been black.

Not according to those who want to be called African American instead, hence the article and Facebook groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The new movement is to be Black : http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/moving_america_news/36868

There is no new movement. We've always been black.

Not according to those who want to be called African American instead, hence the article and Facebook groups.

WRONG. (It's like talking to a wall).

Black is the RACE, African-American is the ethnicity, if you will.

Does being an Italian-American preclude a person from being white?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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)

Don't forget all of the internet scams, either.

In general, Blacks from other countries who got to immigrate here instead of being dragged in chains TOTALLY look down upon "African-Americans" and do not want to be associated with us in any way.

Well actually, YOU weren't dragged in chains to America either. Neither were your parents so let's not be laying claim to things we didn't have to endure.

You are DEFINITELY white. LOL...Why do you even care about this issue? You aren't black, you aren't African-American....and you aren't a factor in this discussion. Please note that the days of whites telling blacks what we're allowed to call ourselves are long over. You are about 60 years too late in the making.

Well aren't you the omniscient one. What in the world would make you think I'm white?. I am AA, born and raised in Raleigh, NC, parents from Raleigh too. My ancestors were dragged in chains to America but I wasn't, neither were my parents, grand parents and great grand parents. Just sayin..

Show your ancestors the respect they deserve by not trying to steal their thunder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The new movement is to be Black : http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/moving_america_news/36868

There is no new movement. We've always been black.

Not according to those who want to be called African American instead, hence the article and Facebook groups.

WRONG. (It's like talking to a wall).

Black is the RACE, African-American is the ethnicity, if you will.

Does being an Italian-American preclude a person from being white?

Read the article, it states the reason why these young people no longer want to be called African American. They want Black to replace African American.

[Anonymous]

Don't forget all of the internet scams, either.

In general, Blacks from other countries who got to immigrate here instead of being dragged in chains TOTALLY look down upon "African-Americans" and do not want to be associated with us in any way.

Well actually, YOU weren't dragged in chains to America either. Neither were your parents so let's not be laying claim to things we didn't have to endure.

You are DEFINITELY white. LOL...Why do you even care about this issue? You aren't black, you aren't African-American....and you aren't a factor in this discussion. Please note that the days of whites telling blacks what we're allowed to call ourselves are long over. You are about 60 years too late in the making.

I am black (Jamaican) and I agree with this poster. You were not dragged here in chains - stop obsessing about crap that happenned hundreds of years ago.

I did not make that comment, but that's not what the poster said. S/he said "Blacks from other countries who got to immigrate here instead of being dragged in chains". Where does she claim that she was dragged here? She's just making the distinction between those who came to the US voluntarily vs involuntarily. You and the pp read WAY too much into that person's statement.
self-identify as you please. But getting defensiveness and/or sulky helps no one.

Wow, I'm glad that at least one person got it. I wrote "dragged in chains" originally, OBVIOUSLY alluding to my ancestors. Most of you who have posted above are ignoring the spirit of what was written to nitpick...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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)

Don't forget all of the internet scams, either.

In general, Blacks from other countries who got to immigrate here instead of being dragged in chains TOTALLY look down upon "African-Americans" and do not want to be associated with us in any way.

Well actually, YOU weren't dragged in chains to America either. Neither were your parents so let's not be laying claim to things we didn't have to endure.

You are DEFINITELY white. LOL...Why do you even care about this issue? You aren't black, you aren't African-American....and you aren't a factor in this discussion. Please note that the days of whites telling blacks what we're allowed to call ourselves are long over. You are about 60 years too late in the making.

Well aren't you the omniscient one. What in the world would make you think I'm white?. I am AA, born and raised in Raleigh, NC, parents from Raleigh too. My ancestors were dragged in chains to America but I wasn't, neither were my parents, grand parents and great grand parents. Just sayin..

Show your ancestors the respect they deserve by not trying to steal their thunder.

"Steal their thunder"? You sound ridiculous. It would help if the person actually said that she was dragged in chains. Except she didn't so.......

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Don't forget all of the internet scams, either.

In general, Blacks from other countries who got to immigrate here instead of being dragged in chains TOTALLY look down upon "African-Americans" and do not want to be associated with us in any way.

Well actually, YOU weren't dragged in chains to America either. Neither were your parents so let's not be laying claim to things we didn't have to endure.

You are DEFINITELY white. LOL...Why do you even care about this issue? You aren't black, you aren't African-American....and you aren't a factor in this discussion. Please note that the days of whites telling blacks what we're allowed to call ourselves are long over. You are about 60 years too late in the making.

I am black (Jamaican) and I agree with this poster. You were not dragged here in chains - stop obsessing about crap that happenned hundreds of years ago.

I did not make that comment, but that's not what the poster said. S/he said "Blacks from other countries who got to immigrate here instead of being dragged in chains". Where does she claim that she was dragged here? She's just making the distinction between those who came to the US voluntarily vs involuntarily. You and the pp read WAY too much into that person's statement.
self-identify as you please. But getting defensiveness and/or sulky helps no one.

Wow, I'm glad that at least one person got it. I wrote "dragged in chains" originally, OBVIOUSLY alluding to my ancestors. Most of you who have posted above are ignoring the spirit of what was written to nitpick...

It's the last-resort "I don't have a leg to stand on" debating tactic. It's quite sad and pathetic to see it as it plays out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friends from Libya applied for African-american scholarships. They talked about the looks they got LOL.

Hmmm, but really then, who exactly qualifies? I mean where do you draw the line?

How about one parent from Algeria, one from Senegal?

I wish the US would totally do away with all those classifications.
It is the 21st century. All our genes are mixed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Don't forget all of the internet scams, either.

In general, Blacks from other countries who got to immigrate here instead of being dragged in chains TOTALLY look down upon "African-Americans" and do not want to be associated with us in any way.

Well actually, YOU weren't dragged in chains to America either. Neither were your parents so let's not be laying claim to things we didn't have to endure.

You are DEFINITELY white. LOL...Why do you even care about this issue? You aren't black, you aren't African-American....and you aren't a factor in this discussion. Please note that the days of whites telling blacks what we're allowed to call ourselves are long over. You are about 60 years too late in the making.

I am black (Jamaican) and I agree with this poster. You were not dragged here in chains - stop obsessing about crap that happenned hundreds of years ago.

I did not make that comment, but that's not what the poster said. S/he said "Blacks from other countries who got to immigrate here instead of being dragged in chains". Where does she claim that she was dragged here? She's just making the distinction between those who came to the US voluntarily vs involuntarily. You and the pp read WAY too much into that person's statement.
self-identify as you please. But getting defensiveness and/or sulky helps no one.

Wow, I'm glad that at least one person got it. I wrote "dragged in chains" originally, OBVIOUSLY alluding to my ancestors. Most of you who have posted above are ignoring the spirit of what was written to nitpick...

Oh no you don't, you worded your post exactly how you wanted it to come across, as if you endured the chain dragging, you got caught and then got defensive.