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Originally Posted by residinghere2007
In America, since we as black people have no specific ethnic heritage of which we are aware of (due to you know what) "black" is our heritage. That is why our month is Black History Month. But FWIW, I know quite a few people (I run in history and genealogy groups) who call it African American Heritage Month.
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If I were black I'd probably simply identify myself my heritage as being "African Heritage" being that Africa is probably where my ancestors would have originated from. Yes there are "white" Africans but to say your origins or heritage is African it should be clear you are referring to yourself as being black.
Quote:
Originally Posted by residinghere2007
I prefer Black History Month. It is easier and I don't consider myself to be an African since my family has been in America for hundreds of years (nearly 400 years that I have traced).
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My family has been in America for a long time too but that doesn't negate the fact I am of German ancestry which is traced back to Germany as far back as the late 1400's. While I am am American by birth I've always considered myself to be of German decent. America is a melting pot of many different races and heritages but if you're using "color" or "race" to describe who established "America" and its governing body of rules etc.. then yes it would be "white".
That doesn't negate the fact that the country was actually built by many different people of many races /colors and different heritages. Unfortunately those contributions by those other people who were not white or "British American" were mostly marginalized by the original founders and their descendants. Heck even the white Irish people were considered less than and treated poorly. Sure not as harsh as Southern Slaves but still the Irish were considered "less-than" and even problematic.
In regards to you being black, I understand your point of being an American of 400 years but that too doesn't negate your family origins wherever they may be.
Quote:
Originally Posted by residinghere2007
ETA: Also "American" history in America is celebrated nearly every day and 90% of what is discussed today in schools in regards to American history is indeed about white Americans.
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Well the "whites" were the ones who landed at Plymouth Rock and took over the land and then developed it into what it is today and therefore it goes without saying that those whites do have a claim to their history. The founding fathers were all white, as were all the men signing all those old documents, which we still refer back to today. So if you're looking at history using a "black" or "white" race perspective then yes it will always come out to be whites who ruled and developed American and thats the history.
However if you look at history through another perspective such as heritage or origins there were other people (other whites) who were also left out and marginalized due to their origins. The Irish as mentioned. This is why there were the Irish slums and the Italian neighborhoods because those two groups of people were always huddled together because they were considered outsiders and not always welcome (even though they were white too)
I guess its all in how you look at it.
BTW let me ask, what do you think would be worse
A.) Being a descendant of a black slave
B.) Being the descendant of a white owner of black slaves
C.) Being the descendant of a Nazi / Hitler supporter who helped kill millions of people?
D.) Being the descendant of any of the above three and always being held accountable or associated for what your ancestors were when you had nothing to do with it.
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