Pan-Africanism : Are You African or African American?

[Kadijah]

It was mentioned that all other people connect themselves to a land, except us. Ask a Chinese person, "What are you?" and they will say, "Chinese." Ask an Italian, "What are you?" and they will say, "Italian." Ask a Japanese, "What are you?" and they will say, "Japanese." Ask an African American, "What are you?" and many of us will respond with "Black," or "African American" or "i'm Black, but i've got some Indian in me" but rarely does our response fully and completely embrace Africa, by saying, "I am African."

The ethnics you mentioned connected themselves to a country on a continent. You connected yourself to a whole continent. Only if the Italian had said, "I'm European," the Japanese and Chinese said, "I'm Asian," would I have said "I'm African." Those are the 3 great races: Black (Africa), white (Europe) and yellow (Asia). Everything else is a subset of the 3 (Native Americans come under Asian, as do most of the "brown" peoples of the world - their ancestors came from Asia).

Until recently, i would have said, "African American" or "Black."

This is how I define myself. When speaking formally, I say African American. Informally, "I'm black."

I've been becoming more aware of a lot of things as a result of this community and all the many Sisters and Brothers that share with me. But what was really the clincher, was the opportunity i had recently of chatting with a gentleman from China in voice chat. He spoke a little English, making it possible for us to discuss a few things. I asked him did he know that he was in an "African American" chat room. He said no, he had been surfing, searching and just stumbled on us. He then asked me if i was a Negro. I said, "No, i'm African, i'm Black." (I was trying to embrace Africa, but notice i still had to throw that color thing in there, Black). When i said that i was Black, he responded by typing into the room ... "i'm a yellow-skinned-man ... lol" ... gosh ... it was very eye opening. I really don't think he meant it to be offensive, and of course i didn't take it that way ... but he was laughing at me ... laughing at the idea that a people would refer to themselves as a color.

IMO, I don't think he was laughing at you. I think he was taking your words at face value. You said you were from Africa, the land of the Blacks, then added that you were black. Following your example, he said he was from China, then added that his skin was yellow. If he were Chinese-American, I'd think he was trying to be 'smart,' but from China.... especially with halting English? I think not.

So, my question is ... how difficult would it be for you to refer to yourself as simply, "African," vs. "African American?" Would you be willing to do this? Do you see how it could help unify Africans all over the world, if we made this small little change in our lives?

When you are looking an Igbo, Zulu, Hutsi, Batswana, etc., in the face and you ask "what are you" and s/he replies "African," I'll drop the informal "black" drop the formal "African-American" and designate myself as simply an African.

 

[Angela22]

Don't flatter yourself, I'm not following you from thread to thread! Perish the thought!!!! Apparently we are watching the same threads and thereby get alerts thereto. Don't you know how this thing works yet?

Sorry, I can't tell because you keep quoting me. Even watching the same threads doesn't mean you have to quote everything I write, only to prove you didn't even understand my post to begin.

 

[sekou kasimu]

Sorry, I can't tell because you keep quoting me. Even watching the same threads doesn't mean you have to quote everything I write, only to prove you didn't even understand my post to begin.

If I didn't understand what you posted, maybe it's because you don't communicate with words as well as you think you do! Ask Destee for some writing lessons. She writes very, very, well!!!! A lot better than you or me. And I ain't mad at her, I'm inspired by her skills! So much so that I'm seriously considering taking some writing courses myself!!! P.S. I reserve the right to challenge ignorance masquerading as knowledge! If you object put me on ignore.

 

[Destee]

Peace and Blessings Family,

Back in 2003 when i posted this thread, i felt this way.

I was learning so much about us, black people, Africa, Africans, that i did not know.

This view has changed somewhat over these many years.

I'm of the opinion now ... that a rose by any other name ... is still a rose.

Loving Us!



Destee

 

[jamesfrmphilly]

why are you following me from thread to thread?

cause you sexy......