Do We As African Americans Have A Culture?

[AKA_Monet]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

I hope I'm answering the correct question:

Opinions differ on such matters but I find that sociologists who deal in race and ethnic relations tend not to use "African diaspora" because it mixes different groups of people whereas "African American/black" is a more distinct grouping. When sociologists say "AA/black" we understand we are talking about a people with a distinct history in this nation and with a distinct culture/cultural identity. The strength and traits of the cultural identity is the question, not whether or not there is one.

But when taking a more international perspective and talking about the common struggles of black and brown people all over, "African diaspora" is a common term. It is to say that we all deal with similar struggles--the slave ships just dropped us off at different continents (or didn't pick some folks up at all, they migrated generations ago).

Essentially, it is insulting to many sociologists in the racial and ethnic inequality area to assert that blacks/AA do not have a culture or cultural identity. We should focus on understanding it and strengthening it.

Thank you. I was looking for those answers. I do not know how sociologists define a distinct culture/cultural identity.

Research molecular genetic scientists define race based on Genus and species. There is only one race, Homo sapiens sapiens. Variations in the genetic code based on land masses/regions/pestilences are what make "people" look different from one another.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Thank you. I was looking for those answers. I do not know how sociologists define a distinct culture/cultural identity.

Pretty much the same as is defined in larger society. Distinct markers that are used to set a group apart from other groups. While there's no such thing as talking, acting, or dressing black we know what things are often attributed to black people. Both the negative and the positive. There's a thin line between stereotypes and valid generalizations.

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

Research molecular genetic scientists define race based on Genus and species. There is only one race, Homo sapiens sapiens. Variations in the genetic code based on land masses/regions/pestilences are what make "people" look different from one another.

That's very interesting. Laypersons are too far gone to have this raw conceptualization of humanity. The categorical distinctions that we've (created and) perpetuated for centuries have taken on lives of their own.