Comments on: What’s In A Name?

By: Camrynella

Camrynella — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:46:22 +0000

I have always wondered about that particular label. What does one call someone like Charlize Theron who was born and raised in South Africa and whose first language is Afrikaans (sp?)? Or Chelsy Davy of Zimbabwe? I cannot think of a more Aryan ideal – yet they are LITERALLY African.

Or my neighbour who, born in Kenya, spent the vast majority of her teenaged life in America explaining specifically why she was not a “Paki”.

I think a discussion on this “identification” is long over due.

By: reservoirgod

reservoirgod — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:19:31 +0000

I say stick w/ niggas, fuck it.

By: Bobby (I'm a girl haha)

Bobby (I'm a girl haha) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:30:09 +0000

I completely agree with this story, but I usually do not classify myself as “black” because of the history of the term. At the point of the civil rights movement and prior to that, the term “black” to describe us was used interchangeably with “negro,” “colored,” and even “nigger.” Black, by definition, was considered dirty and/or dishonest, while white was considered pure, honest, and without color. So for that reason, I agree wtih Jesse Jackson, in that I don’t want to be classified as “black.”

I also agree with the author of this article (I have more in common with an American than I do a native African), therefore, the title “African-American” isn’t really a good fit either. We should all just be considered “American.” Or, if “African Americans” have to have a title, “Caucasions” should be classified as European-American; i.e German-American, Irish-American, etc.

By: Natasha

Natasha — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:08:00 +0000

WOW! This is a very good question. I recently moved to the DC area from the south and I have been in culture shock. I am a teacher and I have African students in my classroom who I have to remind to eat with forks. Not because they do not know better, but because in their home they eat with their hands. I can’t even relate to that. I remember reading from Iyanla Vanzant that she feels that Black folks ought to embrace more of their African traditions. I honor Africa, but I grew up in the south, I have my own culture. That is what I dentify with, so that is who I am. After today I will now identy myself as Black.

By: BluesmanJazz

BluesmanJazz — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:51:33 +0000

I very rarely use the term African-American. Like you said, I have very little in common with someone from Africa…I either describe myself as “Black,” “Geechee” or as “American of African descent.”

In the end, I just rather be called by my given name.

By: PhDiva

PhDiva — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:06:32 +0000

@Bring Back Dave Chappelle,

Whites who are born in S. Africa are NOT African…they are Afrikaan. Therefore, Charlize Theron would be Afrikaan-American which is different from African-American so Rev. Jesse’s status is safe for now.

By: PhDiva

PhDiva — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:34:14 +0000

Much time and debate could be eliminated by understanding the difference between the two terms. The term African-American refers to ethnicity which is based on nationality, culture and language. Black, on the other hand, refers to race and is inclusive of all people originating in Africa who share similar physical characteristics regardless of nationality, culture or language.

By: Pinks

Pinks — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:43:52 +0000

@jana.love,

I am Guyanese and agree with a good portion of your post. I consider myself Guyanese although I was born here because that is my culture. Both of my grandparents, all four of my grandparents and three of my grandparents’ children were born in South America. We drink sorrel, eat pepper pot and black cake at Christmas, refer to December 31st as Old Year’s Night, and sweep the front of the house with a small straw broom. I most clearly identify with being Guyanese or West Indian in America, not as an African in America. Honestly, if we’re talking about ancestry, all humans originated from Ethiopia, where the first human-like bones were discovered, so shouldn’t we all be called African-American if we’re trying to be correct in this “post-racial” America? What of the white man born in South Africa to parents whose ancestry dates there as far back as the 1700s? Is he not African American as well? I say cut the crap and call me Black. I know you do behind closed doors anyway.

By: kmplx

kmplx — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:36:51 +0000

erm, yea… what Sula & lulu said!

By: WonderWoman

WonderWoman — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:04:23 +0000

@Bajan Girl, Do you layer onion and tomato in your macaroni pie? My family is from “The Gap” St. Lawrence, Christ Church..