What In The World Is An African American Anyway?
Posted: Monday, December 03, 2007
by Kevin D. Moore
Knowledge Driven & Moore LLC
This question was recently asked of me numerous times by White Americans, White Europeans, Black Americans, and others. The funny thing is that I have wondered this too. However, the interesting part about this question is the fact that people are asking it in the first place.
When I think about it, something must not be right. I don't recall ever hearing anyone ask what is an Italian American or German American. So why would anyone ask what is an African American?
I think the first aspect of my wonderment is that I can't seem to figure out how or when I (a year long tan American) stopped being identified as a Black American and started being identified as an African American. I'm sure someone has the answer.
Unfortunately, it is a little fuzzy to me and it seems to be a little fuzzy to others as well. For myself, I'm pretty sure it has something to due with some of my ancestors who probably came from the continent of
First, I am an American that happens to be black with some ancestors who are more than likely from
Second, I recently met a man from
Third, I recently met a White American who lived in
Fourth, some White Americans were born in
Fifth, a White Frenchmen recently said to me that he has African friends in
So, based on what I know, the second aspect of my wonderment is that if I'm an African American then what in the world are all these other people. They all seem to think they are African Americans. To be honest, I don't mind sharing this identification but these other folks do make me ponder.
Although, I can't speak for everyone else, I'm perfectly happy with being identified as an American first who happens to have a year long tan (a.k.a. Black).
Right now, it doesn't seem that I have much of a say in what I am identified as other than the fact that I continue to ponder.
Copyright © 2007 Knowledge Driven & Moore LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Kevin, Of course we all have ways to describe each other and in some cases that is necessary but as you found out not always correct? Once again the book by its cover. The fact is many of us don't know who is in our family tree. Some racists may be suprised. I prefer to be called first an American and second of Italian Decent. My wife, Born in Sicily Italy, is American first [naturalized] then Sicilian and then Italian. So we all fall into the trap. Imagine how hard it is for children who have mixed racial parents? Are they black or white, can they be Chinese and Black, can they be Chinese and black and also white? Are there Blacks but not really Afro Americans because they originated and were born in Brazil, Puerto Rico, Cuba or Haiti for that matter? I don't know anymore I'm confused and does it really matter? Yes, we humans do tend to mess everything up. I prefer just plain and simple Kevin and let you decide just what you want to be. Good article, best wishes. PS In my opinion, listen to Avis, she is one smart lady!Robert, I like you, like plain and simple. I'm glad you liked the article and appreciate your comments. Happy holidays!
We have a friend who was born and raised in South Africa and is about to get her US citizenship. She's feisty enough to let people know she's African American, and we've heard stories about people's reactions to her comment. Maybe the politically-correct bunch will realize we're just plain old American. Wouldn't that be interesting?"Yes" that would be extremely interesting! But here is a question for your friend, why doesn't she say that she is South African American? Curious minds want to know (Ok, Ok, I want to know.)
Kevin, Excellent article! What I ponder is that as you try to heighten awareness regarding cultural identity, you run the risk of misinterpretation by those who lack an understanding of multicultural diversity. It's a balancing act. Thanks again.James, You are so right! So far, the majority of people have been very positive about what I am doing. But, not everyone is happy. Some have said, why can't we all just get along? They have said that discussing this just causes more problems. I liken this to a husband and wife that have marital problems but don't discuss them because they hope that they will go away on their own. As someone once said, "Hope is not a method." Thank you for kudos.
Kevin, great article! My 8 year old recently asked me the same question you ponder... maybe there is something to be "just plain American" instead of politically correct? mmm... looking forward in reading more of your work!Out of the mouth of babes. Thank you for your kind words.
"The discussion you are putting forth is really rather petty and only requires learning your own history as a group surviving the American experience." John Moore is making a grand assumption with this statement. It's also not a matter of agreement or disagreement with an article. Okay, you feel the content is "rather petty." You won't get my vote on that. I feel any sincere question is at least a fair question if an answer is desired. Can't wait to read your first article! Get busy writing it, John Moore!
hi kevin, i wonder why must there be any label on anyone? we are all simply people who have come from all over the world. we have new guinean's, floridians, white, black, african americans and i wish purple. why the distinction for anyone? how about, "I am a child of God?" do people say, "this is my green room, this is my yellow room, this is my orange room? or...this is my dining room, my kitchen, and my family room. why does color always seem to separate? silly, in the scheme of things. good article, and well written. best regards, sue thomSue, This is one time I can say, you are preaching to the choir (in a good way!) God Bless, Kevin
Great Article.I truly thank you for your kind words!
i forgot your stars!You are my Star! Thank you for your thoughtfulness...
I didn't mean the petty comment as a put down of the article, but as this late stage of the game in this country's history regarding matters of race, it is more a play on semantics than anything substantial. We all see ourselves in different ways. Creole doesn't see herself as "African anything". But, the truth is any person with a pronounced melanin content to their hue is from Africa. Which is why that term is used to describe black people in America. It is an effort to connect to that part of their heritage that was for so long denigrated and denied. There was a time when black Americans did not want to be called black. It was a put down. And to be connected to anything from Africa was not complimentary. Africa was a place full of savages. No black American wanted to be associated to the continent. Even today people see Africa as a desolate place full of starving people. An entire continent made up of diverse culltures, languages and countries is seen negatively by most Americans because the media portrays as such. The white offspring of the settlers of South Africa can call themselves Africans. But, the truth is they are not truly Africans. The only true Americans are Native Americans. The rest of us are a conglomeration of the offspring of folks who came here from somewhere else. How would the naturalized Americans feel if Native Americans took the view of Israelis trying to reclaim the land of their forefathers in the middle east? The truth is race is an artificial categorization of human beings. We all come from the continent of Africa because that is the garden where the first human beings sprang from. I have never put much faith in looking at people through the prism of racial categorization. I've that found that there are decent human beings from every culture, ethnicity, etc. And there are awful folk from the same. Race has nothing to do with character.John, Thanks for taking the time to further respond in more detail. And "yes", I agree that race has nothing to do with character. Have a Happy New Year! Kevin
Dear Kevin, I could not agree with you more. Just recently, I had a disagreement with another Black. I told her that I did not want to be called an African American. In her defense, she said that because I chose not to consider myself an African American I was denying my Ancestry. I did not agree with her. I believe that African American does not describe every single Black in America. I don't feel that if your Black and living in America that automatically makes you an African American, because we are so much more...Robyn, I appreciate your comment... I must admit, it would be nice for me to discover my specific ancestry but I haven't been able to trace my roots too far back short of the obvious. I (possibly like you) have decided that there is probably so much there and unknown in my background that I have focused on the future. Of course, that doesn't mean that I am denying the past. Just that I'm focused on the future. Have a Happy New Year! Kevin
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