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the other AA's(Asian American) are just as close, if not closer. Any ethnic American group usually surpasses blacks in terms of favor within the White community. Ethnic whites like Italians and Irish are prime examples. they went from being in the same position as blacks, to being considered White-Americans. Sometimes familiar DNA patterns just trumps similar culture mores. White Hispanics like Cameron Diaz, and Emilio Estavez will get white roles, and be looked upon as all-american Whites. they'll never get Hispanic roles. Zoe Saldana will never get Hispanic roles either. She'll be looked upon as American-black.
She got the lead role in Colombiana though. Loved that movie.
Saying"I'm American" is misleading,going by geography.
What about Canadians?
Mexicans? Technically,they are American too.
Black American doesn't tell me about race,it doesn't tell me about ethnicity and it doesn't tell me about culture.
Ex: A Nigerian American can identify as black American,right?
So can a black Jamaican and a black Cuban..
It lumps peole of different cultures together,when they infact are as different as night and day.
I disagree with this. The one thing we are forgetting about Black Americans are that the majority are a mixture between vastly different looking West African tribes!
Like a Senegalese person looks distinct from a Nigerian person, but both of these peoples have mixed heavily in the America which will produce a slightly different look, combined with many AA's having European admixture that varies from person to person, that makes the average African American look quite distinct from the average West African.
I see West African immigrants on a daily basis, and the only West Africans I've mistaken for regular AA's are Caramel skinned Igbos from Nigeria. It's not only about the skin complexion, but the facial features, body builds, and mannerisms that are easily distinguishable for me.
Someone like Djimon Hounsou would stick out like a sore thumb beside most AA's.
This isn't necessarily true. I personally have very dark skinned siblings and other family members. African Americans vary and in many cases, Mr. Hounsou would be indistinguishable or wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb in many African American communities as well. Go to the Mississippi Delta or the Sea Islands for examples.
Saying"I'm American" is misleading,going by geography.
What about Canadians?
Mexicans? Technically,they are American too.
Black American doesn't tell me about race,it doesn't tell me about ethnicity and it doesn't tell me about culture.
Ex: A Nigerian American can identify as black American,right?
So can a black Jamaican and a black Cuban..
It lumps peole of different cultures together,when they infact are as different as night and day.
African Americans, also referred to as Black Americans or Afro-Americans, are citizens or residents of the United States who have total or partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa
So does that mean a black Nigerian American can check on the census "black american"?
That's where confusion comes in for me..going by your definition,they can,but I have seen some(esp blacks from the Carribean) who don't want to be lumped in with black Americans whose ancestors were slaves in this country.
They are trying to get a separate box for "carribean american".
So does that mean a black Nigerian American can check on the census "black american"?
That's where confusion comes in for me..going by your definition,they can,but I have seen some(esp blacks from the Carribean) who don't want to be lumped in with black Americans whose ancestors were slaves in this country.
They are trying to get a separate box for "carribean american".
It's been explained around here, maybe this thread that in the US a person can claim whatever they want so the answer to your first question is yes. The answer to your second question also has been answered already. I believe it was me who mentioned that many black Caribbeans chose not to identify as Black American while others do. Again in the USA, it's ok. That's likely the reason they are trying to get a separate box on the census. The census changes and has always changed depending on what the US population wants. This is a big part of the reason why "American" is internationally recognized as being a citizen (whether natural born or otherwise) of the United States Of America. Only those who insist on splitting hairs get confused and that's no ones fault but their own.
Negro, I can understand as it's simply the latin word for black which is what a lot of blacks want to be called. I would not want to be called colored.
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