Black or African American? Which is More Accurate in Identifying Slave Descendants? (Montana, claim)
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I agree, I say Black Americans is a better fit because blacks who have been here since slavery times have no connection to Africa what so ever and most have never even been there. African American should refer to people born in Africa who immegrate to America.
There are lots of Chinese Americans who have never been to China. There are lots of Irish Americans who have never been to Ireland. There are Mexican Americans who grew up 10 miles from Mexico who have never been there. Yet people freak out when African Americans identify with their land of origin.
The only people that call themselves Asian Americans are the recent immigrants. The rest just call themselves Americans.
nah. Ever been to Hawaii?
There are people who are fourth-generation descendants of immigrants who call themselves Okinawan, Japanese, Chinese and/or Filipino. That notion of Asian Americans just calling themselves just Americans is nothing but fantasy.
There are people who are fourth-generation descendants of immigrants who call themselves Okinawan, Japanese, Chinese and/or Filipino. That notion of Asian Americans just calling themselves just Americans is nothing but fantasy.
It's that way off the Islands as well.
Very true. This tends to be the mentality of those who project (or impose) the "model minority" status upon Asian Americans.
Is there a reason we should need hyphenated identities? Why isn't being "American citizens" enough?
No need. Just tell everyone else to give up their hyphens first, then I'll give up mine. Our whole history has been erased, and I'm not giving up anything else. You first.
But what is the issue if they want to make the distinction? Why is it of anyone else's concern how they chose to refer to themselves?
I agree, Cali. The only reason I was ever concerned is b/c I didn't want to offend anyone and wanted to refer to them as they wished.
I think what folks may be missing is - the "cultural" aspects of how we refer to ourselves. This includes familial and social culture, as well as (in some cases) religious preferences and religious days and celebrations.
I don't think it is any different than Jews wanting to be identified as Jews - it is a way of connecting with others w/ a similar background and heritage.
PS> I am an American but like to identify myself as a Southerner. I don't see how that is any different, really . . . and surely nothing wrong w/ wanting to identify where we grew up, or what our social and/or cultural heritage might be.
If you call me a "negro," your ass had better be speaking Spanish at the time. Let's put it that way.
Hee Hee Hee.
You gave me my giggle of the day - Thank you!
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