The Term African American

[Ch2tf]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

At the same time, I wonder about the mental soundness of people who are unrelenting about self-identifying with certain things. If a person of African descent wants to identify as white, is that okay because that's what THEY want?

I would say no, but I also recognize that a person in that situation would not be able to be convinced otherwise, if you get what I mean.

Sure, it's technically okay because this is all socially constructed. But does calling yourself a "Brown American," for example, prove some kind of point or make the person feel vindicated?

I think the only person that can answer that is the one who chooses to use the term.

Then I also wonder if the person REALLY identifies with something or just vocalizes it when such topics come up. Being a "brown American" in this thread is different from considering yourself one everyday, putting that down on paperwork, and correcting people/informing people that you are a "brown American."

It definately is. When I wrote that she can call herself what she wants, I was more leaning to if you self identify as brown then "good for you", to each his own. Using the term "brown american" over "black american" over "african american" is rather moot to me, personally. I happen to be all those thing. I tend to use black american/african american 1. because that is what I've been "made" to use, i.e. filling out forms, job applications etc. But I also do believe it speaks to my heritage. Unfortunately, like many Americans of African descent I cannot specifically state that my roots are ghanain or nigerian, or congolese, so I use African-American.

But I do feel like we (the people in the USA) suffer from "hyphenation syndrome". If someone's family imigrated to the USA from Nigeria and had children, and those children had children, etc." when does someone stop being Nigerian(American), and become African-American (kinda a rhetorical question, but it doesn't have to be).

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Ch2tf

I would say no, but I also recognize that a person in that situation would not be able to be convinced otherwise, if you get what I mean.

Indeed I do.

"I'm a pony!! I'm a pony!! Don't you just feel like a pony?!" Nutty Professor

Originally Posted by Ch2tf

I think the only person that can answer that is the one who chooses to use the term.

I guess that's what the person just attempted to do.

Originally Posted by Ch2tf

It definately is. When I wrote that she can call herself what she wants, I was more leaning to if you self identify as brown then "good for you", to each his own. Using the term "brown american" over "black american" over "african american" is rather moot to me, personally. I happen to be all those thing. I tend to use black american/african american 1. because that is what I've been "made" to use, i.e. filling out forms, job applications etc. But I also do believe it speaks to my heritage. Unfortunately, like many Americans of African descent I cannot specifically state that my roots are ghanain or nigerian, or congolese, so I use African-American.

But I do feel like we (the people in the USA) suffer from "hyphenation syndrome". If someone's family imigrated to the USA from Nigeria and had children, and those children had children, etc." when does someone stop being Nigerian(American), and become African-American (kinda a rhetorical question, but it doesn't have to be).

I hear ya.

[Sista]

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]

Originally Posted by Sista

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.

Originally Posted by Sista

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.

[Sista]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

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

Acting black, what exactly is that?

While you are at it, tell me what is acting White?

By the way, do you also know what it is to be acting Asian?

Please, by all means enlighten us.

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

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 didn't get what you just said, what exactly is your point?

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

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."

Are you saying that acting black is equal to ignorance, not knowing or not properly speaking the English language?

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

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.

Oh I can see for my self now, you do think acting black is ignorance, all right, gotcha

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

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.

Who said anything about loyalty? I think you have some kind of issue with African people as well as African American people and black people period. Where are you from, who are you? Or do you even know your self?

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

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

Did I ask you your opinion? Did I ask you if it is okay for me to identify and have loyalty to Africa?

Who made you the master of what is okay and what is not?

Who are you supposed to be?

I am rather annoyed with you and I get the impression you only responded to my post in order so that you could make it known that you are not your brothers keeper.

[laylo]

Originally Posted by Sista

I am rather annoyed with you and I get the impression you only responded to my post in order so that you could make it known that you are not your brothers keeper.

I think you might have missed her use of quotes.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by laylo

I think you might have missed her use of quotes.

She also missed the question mark.

If she isn't talking about "acting black" and how nonblacks attempt to relate to black people, her entire point is moot and stupid as far as I'm concerned. So macallan was right even if he misread her post.

[Sista]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

She also missed the question mark.

If she isn't talking about "acting black" and how nonblacks attempt to relate to black people, her entire point is moot and stupid as far as I'm concerned. So macallan was right even if he misread her post.

I think you are the one who is stupid, I see how you try to play the mediator between how people react to other peoples post. When I asked you who you were supposed to be? I had no idea the answer would turn out to be that you are a (wanna be greekchat negotiator) negotiating with people on how they should react to a certain post.


If your job is to negotiate, you would not be in the position to say who is right and who is wrong. Why don't you let people take care of their own problems in this forum and if you wish to mediate somehow, I don't think it would be at all positive for you to resort to name calling and insulting what people post.

I mean, whats the matter, do you think the people in this discussion are children who are incapable of solving their own problems, let alone capable of having mature dialogue?

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by Sista

Acting black, what exactly is that?

While you are at it, tell me what is acting White?

By the way, do you also know what it is to be acting Asian?

Please, by all means enlighten us.

You need to calm down psycho. Your post could have easily been interpreted as talking about people "acting black". How you don't know what that means is kind of beyond me.

Watch MTV.........white people on their love to act black.

A White kid decked out in FUBU, Sean John, and Phat Farm with a white doorag, Timbalands, and a half sideways flat billed baseball cap, whom only listens to screwed and chopped freestyle rap, sips Crunk Juice and tries to talk like TI = "Acting Black"

[DSTCHAOS]

Ooookay, so Sista is a complete idiot and needs to go to the lunatic farm.

Moving on...this was a good discussion.

[OOhsoflyDELTA#9]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Ooookay, so Sista is a complete idiot and needs to go to the lunatic farm.

Moving on...this was a good discussion.

old quote but just made me spit my drink on my work computer...thanks soror!!!!
LMAO!!!

[Sista]

Originally Posted by macallan25

You need to calm down psycho. Your post could have easily been interpreted as talking about people "acting black". How you don't know what that means is kind of beyond me.

Psycho? Well look what we have hear, the perfect gentleman


In your original post, you asked me a question which was, "are you talking about acting black?" Before I could answer your question, you proceeded on to answer it for me.


Conclusion: Only guilty people tend to accuse people of what they themselves really are but would rather keep it a secret. You accused me of being a psycho. Only a Psycho would pose a question verbally or in text and the then answer his own question shortly after.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Sista

Conclusion: Only guilty people tend to accuse people of what they themselves really are but would rather keep it a secret. You accused me of being a psycho. Only a Psycho would pose a question verbally or in text and the then answer his own question shortly after.

Either you really are a psycho or just play one when you post on Greekchat.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by Sista

Psycho? Well look what we have hear, the perfect gentleman


In your original post, you asked me a question which was, "are you talking about acting black?" Before I could answer your question, you proceeded on to answer it for me.


Conclusion: Only guilty people tend to accuse people of what they themselves really are but would rather keep it a secret. You accused me of being a psycho. Only a Psycho would pose a question verbally or in text and the then answer his own question shortly after.

You have issues.

[DSTCHAOS]

So to get this topic back on course.

I've already answered the topic but to be more detailed, I'm still not picky on black versus African American or even African diasporic if we're going beyond "race."

On a different note that relates more directly to what macallan, DSTRen and I were typing about in the last few pages (and to what folks said before that):

Instead of just focusing on the terms (black versus African American, etc.), people should examine what being of a particular group implies or entails.

Originally Posted by macallan25

Watch MTV.........white people on their love to act black.

A White kid decked out in FUBU, Sean John, and Phat Farm with a white doorag, Timbalands, and a half sideways flat billed baseball cap, whom only listens to screwed and chopped freestyle rap, sips Crunk Juice and tries to talk like TI = "Acting Black"

These are the negatives of the title "black" because they have been used to caricature and minimize a culture and contribution of a group of people.