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-   -   The Term African American (https://greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=85488)

AKA_Monet 03-23-2007 08:59 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by RoyalEmpress33 (Post 1417728)
Ok, I understand now, we are from different generations. I didn't know that. I was in a crappy mood yesterday and probably shouldn't have responded in that manner. But I will say this though. If my way of thinking is some how awkward to you, as they are to many who can't fathom or agree with my way of thinking, that's fine. No feelings of mine are hurt actually but I felt misunderstood. No one is whining because frankly, I have nothing to complain about. If however I feel as though someone is trying to insinuate something that's not true, as I felt you were, I'm going to speak my piece as well. I am not lying to myself about anything. How could I? No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't do it because I know where I came from. I simply responded to what you first typed about my own personal outlook, and asked you to back up your claims, and thus far, you haven't. Therefore, your own statements (not inquires) are "weak" and I told you how they were. But anyway, all of you, have a great weekend!
Can someone please explain to me why folks need to back up claims these days? Your the second kid on here who has said this bullisht to me. WTF?

Are kids these days that crazy to be so petulent?

Okay, I get it. You didn't have that kind required reading in school. "The Power's that Be" cut all that kind of stuff out...

Okey, we were required to read in my high school and college books and they open from left to right.

We had to read titles like Shakespeare, Edgar Allen Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, William Faulkner

Plays we had to read to graduate were Importance of Being Earnest, Glass Menagerie, Julius Caesar, Waiting for Godot, Raisin in the Sun.

I chose to do extra reading from like, Native Son, Invisible Man. Poetry from June Jordan, more Alice Walker.

Then, I chose to read Einstein's Theory of Relativity, Adolf Hitler's Mien Kampf, and the orginal reasons for South Africa's Apartheid, written by Rhodes (of Rhodes Scholars), Alfred Nobel (Nobel Prize), and DeBeers (Diamonds).

I read books by Greek and Roman authors. Of course not in the original language. Such as Antigone, Lysistrata, Odyssey, the Iliad.

Then I was forced to write papers on the Divine Comedy, Milton's Paradise Lost/Regained. I almost learned Latin.

Of course I read Jane Erye but I like the movie "Sargasso Sea".

And I have always read scifi, like tall the Dune books, Star Wars and Issac Asimov's Foundations Series... We had to read Ray Brabury's Farenheit 451, And we also read "1984" and "Brave New World".

And I did side read rather than my scientific reading, such as Physics, General Chem, P. Chem and Molecular.

My back up is my life and it cannot be stored on a jumpdrive. This is the way WE HAD to do it in the old days, B.C. before computers.

When I was young, we had to go to the library and read the book before we could see certain movies...

And old professors are EXPECTING these concepts from you.

Sista 03-29-2007 09:40 PM
There are People here in America who have white parents and they call their self black. Not because they have a black parents though, but more so because more so they want to identify with their black side. Here in America, it is a cool thing to be black, almost like a fad. Being black will allow you more fun and the acceptance by the people who are real, hip and trend setting, those people being, black people. I understand the plight of people who are obviously mixed with white but I do not identify with them.

My family is a family full of generations of black people who only intermingle with their own kind, that being African decent people. I am one of those my self, I only mingle with my own kind, that being African Americans, other descendants of African slaves and Africans on the continent, they are my people, they are a part of who I am.

My reason for telling this is because, I was just out buying some food and this Asian girl who looked like she may have had some black in her down the line was talking to me and she went out of her way to project what Arican Americanss call the swaggar, it's a way that African American people talk, move and connect when amongst each other. I didn't identify with her but she thought she identified with me. The thing about those kind of people who try to project the black image just because they probably have 2% black blood in them,or no black blood at all but what they perceive as a black style, they don't really identify with Africa, nor do they care to. They actually think black people in America are their own kind of race aside from Africans. Now tell me, why would they think that if they identified with where the black in them came from, that place being Africa? To me, black means I am African decent, not just black alone. That black in me means something, it means I am African.

I once worked with a Mexican who told me I was not like the Africans on the continent but do you know why she said that? She said that because her distorted image of African people is that they are jungle people, people who are not civilized. how does one expect for AA's who acknowledge and are proud of their African Genes, Roots and DNA to settle for that? I let them know immediately that they have not seen real African people if that is what they think and even if they do see Africans on television who are poor and being projected as savage, I let them know that those people are my people as well. I really don't care what people who can not think for their self think or feel or believe.

DSTCHAOS 03-30-2007 12:14 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sista (Post 1420509)
There are People here in America who have white parents and they call their self black. Not because they have a black parents though, but more so because more so they want to identify with their black side. Here in America, it is a cool thing to be black, almost like a fad. Being black will allow you more fun and the acceptance by the people who are real, hip and trend setting, those people being, black people. I understand the plight of people who are obviously mixed with white but I do not identify with them.

My reason for telling this is because, I was just out buying some food and this Asian girl who looked like she may have had some black in her down the line was talking to me and she went out of her way to project what Arican Americanss call the swaggar, it's a way that African American people talk, move and connect when amongst each other. I didn't identify with her but she thought she identified with me. The thing about those kind of people who try to project the black image just because they probably have 2% black blood in them,or no black blood at all but what they perceive as a black style,

Are you talking about the whole "acting black" and "talking black" thing?

Every group of people has cultural markers and identifiers that both insiders and outsiders know of. This doesn't mean that every member of that group has to display these markers and identifiers, since there is some variation across social classes. The problem is when it becomes a negative and something to be mocked.

I have a level of comfort when I'm around people of the African diaspora. But I don't use my comfort as an excuse to pretend I don't know the English language or am an ignorant person. I used to use my comfort as such an excuse when I was young because I didn't understand the intellectual and cultural roots of "blackness."

That said, I'm annoyed by ANYONE who approaches me and dumbs down or acts what they think is "ghetto" just because I'm black. That includes black people, white people, Asian people, Hispanic people, and so forth. If you can't speak a coherent sentence, talk about something other than "black things," and act like you have some sense and home training around me just because I'm black--keep it moving.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sista (Post 1420509)
they don't really identify with Africa, nor do they care to. They actually think black people in America are their own kind of race aside from Africans. Now tell me, why would they think that if they identified with where the black in them came from, that place being Africa? To me, black means I am African decent, not just black alone. That black in me means something, it means I am African.
I identify with the struggles and triumphs of people of the African diaspora and the black culture. I don't identify with Africa as a continent nor do I want to. I'm not African and don't feel loyalty to Africa.

That's fine if you do as long as you don't think that all black people in America have to.

Sphinx101 03-30-2007 01:03 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest (Post 1414690)
The term African American was coined by Blacks in the United States, meaning those whose African ancestors were brought here in chains. The term was coined by those who were once called Colored, Negro, Afro American, Black American, etc. etc. I think that most people know, particularly those whose families have been in the U.S. for generations, that African Americans are the descendants of the Africans brought here during the Slave Trade.

Now that we have other Black people in the U.S. who are from various different parts of the world (Africans, Jamaicans, Haitians, etc.etc.), people want to act like they don't know who the term African American is meant for. Is it okay for someone who was born in the United States but has African parents to call themselves an African American? I say sure if they want to, but when I personally think of African Americans I think of people like me, whose African ancestors were enslaved in the United States. I personally LOVE the term African American because I think it sums up what I am quite nicely. I'm an American because I was born here and many generations of my family were born here but I am proud of my African heritage also. I also know in doing my own genetic research that DNA doesn't change just because you are generations removed from your ancestors. The DNA my ancestors had is the DNA that I have, therefore I am also African. You'll find this for yourself if you do your own genetic research on DNA, mitochondrial DNA in particular. A good place to start might be www.africanancestry.com. My DNA has been tested and it matches that of three tribes/countries in Africa.

It's all about how you define yourself; other people will define you however they see fit. My husband is from Ghana, West Africa and he does not refer to Whites as Africans, even if they were born in Africa, even if their family has been in Africa for generations. To him, they are Europeans or Whites in Africa. He has also been living in the United States for quite a while but if you ask him he will very proudly tell you that he is an African...living in America. He does not consider himself or anyone like him to be African American. He also has no problem in being called Black; he considers all people of African descent to be Black. Ethiopia, the birthplace of modern man, translates into "Land of the Blacks."

The bottom line is call yourself whatever you feel comfortable with and if someone calls you something you don't like, kindly correct them. That is all that you can do. I'm African and I'm American so African American suits me just fine.
Well Put...

macallan25 03-30-2007 01:08 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sista (Post 1420509)
There are People here in America who have white parents and they call their self black. Not because they have a black parents though, but more so because more so they want to identify with their black side. Here in America, it is a cool thing to be black, almost like a fad. Being black will allow you more fun and the acceptance by the people who are real, hip and trend setting, those people being, black people. I understand the plight of people who are obviously mixed with white but I do not identify with them.

My family is a family full of generations of black people who only intermingle with their own kind, that being African decent people. I am one of those my self, I only mingle with my own kind, that being African Americans, other descendants of African slaves and Africans on the continent, they are my people, they are a part of who I am.

My reason for telling this is because, I was just out buying some food and this Asian girl who looked like she may have had some black in her down the line was talking to me and she went out of her way to project what Arican Americanss call the swaggar, it's a way that African American people talk, move and connect when amongst each other. I didn't identify with her but she thought she identified with me. The thing about those kind of people who try to project the black image just because they probably have 2% black blood in them,or no black blood at all but what they perceive as a black style, they don't really identify with Africa, nor do they care to. They actually think black people in America are their own kind of race aside from Africans. Now tell me, why would they think that if they identified with where the black in them came from, that place being Africa? To me, black means I am African decent, not just black alone. That black in me means something, it means I am African.

I once worked with a Mexican who told me I was not like the Africans on the continent but do you know why she said that? She said that because her distorted image of African people is that they are jungle people, people who are not civilized. how does one expect for AA's who acknowledge and are proud of their African Genes, Roots and DNA to settle for that? I let them know immediately that they have not seen real African people if that is what they think and even if they do see Africans on television who are poor and being projected as savage, I let them know that those people are my people as well. I really don't care what people who can not think for their self think or feel or believe.
*bangs head against wall*

DSTCHAOS 03-30-2007 01:09 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by macallan25 (Post 1420780)
*bangs head against wall*

Because you don't understand what she was saying?

macallan25 03-30-2007 01:25 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS (Post 1420781)
Because you don't understand what she was saying?
No, because I think what she said, that I put in bold, is complete asinine.

DSTCHAOS 03-30-2007 01:27 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by macallan25 (Post 1420792)
No, because I think what she said, that I put in bold, is complete asinine.
Is that because you don't understand what she meant?

If you understand what she meant, why don't you discuss her point and yours instead of labeling something assinine?

macallan25 03-30-2007 01:54 PM
Frankly, I think the idea that "acting black" for the purpose of being accepted by the "real, hip and trend setting people.....those people being black" is extremely idiotic.

I didn't realize that "here in America" it was "cool to be black" or "cool" to be any race for that matter. Furthermore I didn't realize that acting like a black person was a fad. I guessed I missed that one.

DSTCHAOS 03-30-2007 02:06 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by macallan25 (Post 1420806)
Frankly, I think the idea that "acting black" for the purpose of being accepted by the "real, hip and trend setting people.....those people being black" is extremely idiotic.
But people do it.

So do you think her comment is assinine or that people who "act black" because it's cool in certain settings are assinine?

Quote:
Originally Posted by macallan25 (Post 1420806)
I didn't realize that "here in America" it was "cool to be black" or "cool" to be any race for that matter. Furthermore I didn't realize that acting like a black person was a fad. I guessed I missed that one.
Such discussions exist so that you can learn things that you've never realized or thought consciously about. ;) It isn't untrue just because you're one person out of millions of people who is unaware of it.

macallan25 03-30-2007 02:09 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS (Post 1420811)
But people do it.

So do you think her comment is assinine or that people who "act black" because it's cool in certain settings are assinine?

She made it sound like it was something she actually believes....not just something she observed. It that is the case.....then I think both the belief and the fact that people do that are pretty damn asinine.

DSTRen13 03-30-2007 02:12 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by macallan25 (Post 1420806)
Frankly, I think the idea that "acting black" for the purpose of being accepted by the "real, hip and trend setting people.....those people being black" is extremely idiotic.

I didn't realize that "here in America" it was "cool to be black" or "cool" to be any race for that matter. Furthermore I didn't realize that acting like a black person was a fad. I guessed I missed that one.
It is completely idiotic. People do completely idiotic things all the time (surely you know this?).

The first thing that comes to my mind on this topic ("acting black" for benefits) is the man auctioning his blackness on eBay ... does anyone have a link to a copy of that?

DSTRen13 03-30-2007 02:14 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by macallan25 (Post 1420812)
She made it sound like it was something she actually believes....not just something she observed. It that is the case.....then I think both the belief and the fact that people do that are pretty damn asinine.
So you're saying you don't believe that people do it?

DSTCHAOS 03-30-2007 02:16 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by macallan25 (Post 1420812)
She made it sound like it was something she actually believes....not just something she observed. It that is the case.....then I think both the belief and the fact that people do that are pretty damn asinine.
Are you saying that it is assinine to believe that being black is cool?

Hmmm...well I think black is not only cool but beautiful. But I believe (and I imagine Sista agrees with me) it is assinine for nonblacks to think it is okay to form a caricature and make black something that is cool in certain settings, as long as they don't have to understand and experience what black truly is.

This isn't a point of debate because I will not be shocked nor upset if you don't understand or agree. ;) Black is just a race to you and that's fine.

macallan25 03-30-2007 02:21 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DSTRen13 (Post 1420818)
So you're saying you don't believe that people do it?
Yeah, I absolutely believe people do it. DSTCHAOS just asked if I thought that what she said was asinine. If she actually believes that black people are the real, hip and trendsetting people and that we should "act black" to be accepted by said black people.......then yeah.....I think that is a pretty ridiculous belief.


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