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the reason there is a term "African American" is because most blacks who were descendants of slaves in the US have no clue to their own personal history which is a shocking tragedy.
If they are in another country, but were born in the US - they still qualify as to be African Americans. An African from Africa is just that - African.
I was born in Jamaica, immigrated to U.S. in 1987, there is a certain disdain for some Black Americans from other Black immigrants-due to the fact that many of us came here from harsh conditions in our own countries to make a better life and we see all the opportunities that's available to Black Americans that aren't being utilized. There is a lot of back and forth blame between Whites and Blacks in this country-most 1st generation immigrants dont care to be involved in that mess-we just want a better life. Ignorant people group all Black Americans into one category, people are individuals.
As for what "African Americans" are called in other countries-I know we called them foreigners-if we did not know what countries they came from. We would call them by thier countries name if we knew where they came from ex-Americans, Canadians etc. Before I became a naturalized citizen, I preferred to be called Jamaican but was also ok with Black American but ideally I wish we were all just considered to be Americans.
This man has pride being just an America. He sounds like someone I would like to know. Good for you.
When I resided in Germany, the locals referred to them as "your blacks" with a definite hiss and a trace of sneer. In German they were sometimes a bit harsher.
More than a few of the Maidels fancied them though.
If they are in another country, but were born in the US - they still qualify as to be African Americans. An African from Africa is just that - African.
but an American born in America is an African American?
More separation, more disintegration of the American.
The PC busy-bodies felt the need to divide people up into smaller and smaller groups, pit people against each other, inflame racial tensions, and place themselves in the middle as the saintly arbiters. Its how some people make themselves feel important, and needed.
I was born in Jamaica, immigrated to U.S. in 1987, there is a certain disdain for some Black Americans from other Black immigrants-due to the fact that many of us came here from harsh conditions in our own countries to make a better life and we see all the opportunities that's available to Black Americans that aren't being utilized. There is a lot of back and forth blame between Whites and Blacks in this country-most 1st generation immigrants dont care to be involved in that mess-we just want a better life. Ignorant people group all Black Americans into one category, people are individuals.
As for what "African Americans" are called in other countries-I know we called them foreigners-if we did not know what countries they came from. We would call them by thier countries name if we knew where they came from ex-Americans, Canadians etc. Before I became a naturalized citizen, I preferred to be called Jamaican but was also ok with Black American but ideally I wish we were all just considered to be Americans.
I was born in Jamaica, immigrated to U.S. in 1987, there is a certain disdain for some Black Americans from other Black immigrants-due to the fact that many of us came here from harsh conditions in our own countries to make a better life and we see all the opportunities that's available to Black Americans that aren't being utilized. There is a lot of back and forth blame between Whites and Blacks in this country-most 1st generation immigrants dont care to be involved in that mess-we just want a better life. Ignorant people group all Black Americans into one category, people are individuals.
As for what "African Americans" are called in other countries-I know we called them foreigners-if we did not know what countries they came from. We would call them by thier countries name if we knew where they came from ex-Americans, Canadians etc. Before I became a naturalized citizen, I preferred to be called Jamaican but was also ok with Black American but ideally I wish we were all just considered to be Americans.
well said.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChocLot
I'm black....I don't identify with the label African American.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wapasha
Exactly.
The PC busy-bodies felt the need to divide people up into smaller and smaller groups, pit people against each other, inflame racial tensions, and place themselves in the middle as the saintly arbiters. Its how some people make themselves feel important, and needed.
as long as we continue to divide people based on where their ancestors came from, we will never get over the many issues facing this country. and what do you do with people like me whos ancestors came from a variety of places? my ancestors were german, norweigen, french, irish, scot, hispanic, apache and/or cherokee. so am i am mongrel-american? no i am an american just like everyone else who was born here. i do not have a dual citizenship, just like the vast majority of black people do not have a dual citizenship since they were also born here, to parents that were born here. in reality only those with a dual citizenship can call themselves a hyphonated american. for instance goerge hw bush was knighted by the queen of england, and that bestows upon him british citizenship, thus he can call himself a british-american. or arnold shwartzenagger who did not have to renounce his austrian citizenship when he became an american citizen, thus he is rightly called an austrian-american.
I'm black....I don't identify with the label African American.
Ditto!
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