African-Americans

[ATL_EG]

So me and my buddies were sitting around the other night in the midst of an in depth post-sesh argument when the question was asked, is a white person, who moves to the united states from say South Africa, considered African-American?

discuss...

[BluesClues]

So me and my buddies were sitting around the other night in the midst of an in depth post-sesh argument when the question was asked, is a white person, who moves to the united states from say South Africa, considered African-American?

discuss...

I think so

[02SloWrx]

lolol good question.

[Revmaynard]

I don't see why not.

[Halfwit]

yes. most ppl in the united states taht call themselves "african americans' are americans, and that only (born in usa) but want the AA title in case reparations are ever paid.

[browningboy7]

Most South Africans are white obv., So I would have to say...No fucking clue. lol

[jdm>usdm]

LOL.

I know a white south african.

I just always say hes african.lol

[browningboy7]

I dated a girl from South Africa, I always just called her "whafrican".

[SampaGuy]

Originally he's a south african, naturalized american.

Race-wise, he was white, he is still white.

[Ms Dollar]

If he is from Africa, regardless of his skin color he is African. Just like if you are born in America, regardless of your skin color you are American.

Now if you are born in Africa and you move to America, then you would be considered African American.

I try my best to study in Geography, so I believe this is how it works.

Another example. Someone born in China, but moves to America would be Chinese American, but if a person whose family is of Chinese decent is just born in America, they are American with a Chinese background.

If I have messed this up I apologize, but I think this is right...it's what we are studying in my class right now.


Oh yeah I also found out that everyone has ancestors that date back to Africa at some point...

Anyways I am rambling....my bad. It's the Jack Daniels, it takes control sometimes.

[quickdodge®]

So me and my buddies were sitting around the other night in the midst of an in depth post-sesh argument when the question was asked, is a white person, who moves to the united states from say South Africa, considered African-American?

discuss...

There are white African Americans. If you're African decent, you're African. That's how it is. Later, QD.

[Ms Dollar]

There are white African Americans. If you're African decent, you're African. That's how it is. Later, QD.

You're my hero...I don't know why. You just are.

[BluesClues]

yes. most ppl in the united states taht call themselves "african americans' are americans, and that only (born in usa) but want the AA title in case reparations are ever paid.

CASEY!!! Boo what's up?!

[ATL_EG]

personally yes I would say there african-american for sure, but one of the people present is exactly that,white and from south africa. at least for college he is indeed considered white. makes absolutely no sense to me.

[RandomGuy]

in high school, there was this one really ghetto girl in one of my classes who got into a log spirited argument with our teacher during some sort of test. Basically on a race thing, she bubbled in "other" instead of "african american" and put "black" on the line next to it. My teacher figured this was a joke (which it probably was, - or for attention)

but regardless, she's like "I'm Not African American, there's nothign african about me I've never been there, my parents have never been there... i'm Black"... i thought about it that day and agreed with her. I'm sure she made the scene for attention and she wasn't genuinely passionate about it like she was in the argument, but IMO she was justified in selecting "other"

[tony]

yes. most ppl in the united states taht call themselves "african americans' are americans, and that only (born in usa) but want the AA title in case reparations are ever paid.

Yes because every time we mention AA we're thinking of nothing but reparations..

Any time I've met someone living here from S. Africa that is white they will just say they are South African, nothing more. If I meet someone who is black from Africa they will typically say the country (i.e "I am Nigerian" or "I am from Zimbabwe) they do not associate their selves with being American just because they have moved here.

African American implies that you are a descendent of slaves brought over from Africa, nothing more.. so I don't understand why that pisses people off. Big deal if it offends you, and if you don't want to be referred to as that then correct the individual using it as needed.

[BABY J]

Dave Matthews

[quickdodge®]

African American implies that you are a descendent of slaves brought over from Africa, nothing more..

You probably won't respond to this, but I disagree. Later, QD.

[tony]

You probably won't respond to this, but I disagree. Later, QD.

What more does it imply?

[Double_0_Rusty]

Yes because every time we mention AA we're thinking of nothing but reparations..

Any time I've met someone living here from S. Africa that is white they will just say they are South African, nothing more. If I meet someone who is black from Africa they will typically say the country (i.e "I am Nigerian" or "I am from Zimbabwe) they do not associate their selves with being American just because they have moved here.

African American implies that you are a descendent of slaves brought over from Africa, nothing more.. so I don't understand why that pisses people off. Big deal if it offends you, and if you don't want to be referred to as that then correct the individual using it as needed.

Who is pissed off?

[blaknoize]

Le tme just remove my comment...

[tony]

Who is pissed off?

People seem to get almost offended by the AA American thing otherwise it wouldn't be so much of an issue but it constantly gets brought up.

[quickdodge®]

What more does it imply?

African American is simply an American that is from Africa that has been "Americanized." If I were born in France and moved here and became a citizen, I could be a French American. You don't have to be a descendant of a slve or slavery to be African American (although this is not recognized). The only people that aren't actual African Americans are those that are born over here as American citizens. Later, QD.

[quickdodge®]

People seem to get almost offended by the AA American thing otherwise it wouldn't be so much of an issue but it constantly gets brought up.

See it's the little things that keep this world from fully moving forward. Who gives a fuck what you call yourself? You know. Later, QD.

[tony]

African American is simply an American that is from Africa that has been "Americanized." If I were born in France and moved here and became a citizen, I could be a French American. You don't have to be a descendant of a slve or slavery to be African American (although this is not recognized). The only people that aren't actual African Americans are those that are born over here as American citizens. Later, QD.

What you've stated ignores the identity of those who are descendents of slaves. They/we are of African descent which is very much a part of the culture and is not to be forgotten. African American has more weight than just a classification, it takes examination of what it means to be African as well as American to really understand. (especially the latter) I guarantee the common sentiment of being American by someone who is white is different than someone who is black, because the experience is different.

I could go all into it but I find that the time is often wasted and the energy is better used elsewhere, which is why you don't always see me respond.

[81911SC]

You probably won't respond to this, but I disagree. Later, QD.

I agree with you. Slavery has nothing to do with it.

[BKgen®]

I believe the correct term is "Wigger".

[Ziptied]

Can you prove you are decendent of a slave? Not that it matters one bit. One of my good friends is from South Africa and now lives here, he laughs at all the black people who call themselves "african american" and he does so to their faces and asks where they are from, he then tells them to shut up. Im irish and you dont see me demanding to be called an irish or european american, nope. im just an american plain and simple. It seems to me in these days in times blacks as a general rule complain about equality, fairness and unity but also want to distance themselves from the general population by stating they are "african american". I for one have never used the term unless speaking about someone who was born and lived in africa then moved to the US and I wont use it unless its such a circumstance. Fuck political correctness. /rant

[Init2winit]

So me and my buddies were sitting around the other night in the midst of an in depth post-sesh argument when the question was asked, is a white person, who moves to the united states from say South Africa, considered African-American?

discuss...

Yes, and most of the black people in the states aren't African American, nor are their parents.

[Init2winit]

The only real African American that I have ever known, is white.

[ATL_EG]

Can you prove you are decendent of a slave? Not that it matters one bit. One of my good friends is from South Africa and now lives here, he laughs at all the black people who call themselves "african american" and he does so to their faces and asks where they are from, he then tells them to shut up. Im irish and you dont see me demanding to be called an irish or european american, nope. im just an american plain and simple. It seems to me in these days in times blacks as a general rule complain about equality, fairness and unity but also want to distance themselves from the general population by stating they are "african american". I for one have never used the term unless speaking about someone who was born and lived in africa then moved to the US and I wont use it unless its such a circumstance. Fuck political correctness. /rant

nice! kind of off-topic but i love when people act like black people from africa were the only race to ever be enslaved. the irish, the jews, for fucks sake just about every race has at one point or another been enslaved by someone else, the only difference is they quit bitching about it 100+ years ago. quit usuing slavery as a crutch.

[TIGERJC]

lol I wonder why Blacks in the U.S. would rather call themselves AA than a American, remember we refered to AA more than 30-40 years ago. Just think about those times

[quickdodge®]

What you've stated ignores the identity of those who are descendents of slaves. They/we are of African descent which is very much a part of the culture and is not to be forgotten. African American has more weight than just a classification, it takes examination of what it means to be African as well as American to really understand. (especially the latter) I guarantee the common sentiment of being American by someone who is white is different than someone who is black, because the experience is different.

I could go all into it but I find that the time is often wasted and the energy is better used elsewhere, which is why you don't always see me respond.

It doesn't ignore anything. If you are from Africa, you're African. Whether you're a descendant of slaves or not. If you move to become an American, the you are African American. Slave or no. This is just an example where some people want to be equal but separate. Where people think they deserve their own special title because of their history.

And I know why I don't see you respond. Believe that. You're smart on a lot of things, but not so smart on others, man. Later, QD.

[Ziptied]

My family got here by indentured servitude. And I have proof of it, you dont see me bitching. They got here and worked like slaves for 20 years to earn the RIGHT to be in a free country. The epitome of an American if you ask me.

[quickdodge®]

worked like slaves for 20 years to earn the RIGHT to be in a free country.

And if anyone deserves and earned the RIGHT to be here, it's people like him and their families, man. I'm truly fascinated by that time in history. My oldest daughter's great-great grandmother (before she passed of course) used to tell us all about that "lifestyle." It's really awe-inspiring to me. I'm proud, as a white dude, to have some "roots" in the black culture. Later, QD.

[tony]

Can you prove you are decendent of a slave? Not that it matters one bit. One of my good friends is from South Africa and now lives here, he laughs at all the black people who call themselves "african american" and he does so to their faces and asks where they are from, he then tells them to shut up. Im irish and you dont see me demanding to be called an irish or european american, nope. im just an american plain and simple. It seems to me in these days in times blacks as a general rule complain about equality, fairness and unity but also want to distance themselves from the general population by stating they are "african american". I for one have never used the term unless speaking about someone who was born and lived in africa then moved to the US and I wont use it unless its such a circumstance. Fuck political correctness. /rant

This right here is proof of what I am talking about, how people take for granted the abilities they have and do not understand what it is to be black. Blacks can't trace their lineage because Census records only date back to the early 1900's for black families, or did you not understand that when you asked if anyone can prove they're descendants of slaves? I guess going by your rationale black people just started showing up in the United States spontaneously when they heard they were being treated so well here.

It's a building block, typically if you can trace your family back to the southern states like South Carolina, Virginia, and other states that were in deep in the Jim Crowe era somewhere in your blood line will lead you back to Africa, but you're talking about 300 years of undocumented ancestry so you can attribute that to putting pieces to a puzzle together in the dark.

This whole thing is funny to me really because it is exactly what I explain to people, the lack of understanding or the care to understand. I don't even use the term African American but I can understand those who do.

And about your South African friend, you wouldn't understand the tension between blacks from America and Africans but your friend is entitled to his opinion either way.

[BABY J]

This right here is proof of what I am talking about, how people take for granted the abilities they have and do not understand what it is to be black. Blacks can't trace their lineage because Census records only date back to the early 1900's for black families, or did you not understand that when you asked if anyone can prove they're descendants of slaves? I guess going by your rationale black people just started showing up in the United States spontaneously when they heard they were being treated so well here.

It's a building block, typically if you can trace your family back to the southern states like South Carolina, Virginia, and other states that were in deep in the Jim Crowe era somewhere in your blood line will lead you back to Africa, but you're talking about 300 years of undocumented ancestry so you can attribute that to putting pieces to a puzzle together in the dark.

This whole thing is funny to me really because it is exactly what I explain to people, the lack of understanding or the care to understand. I don't even use the term African American but I can understand those who do.

And about your South African friend, you wouldn't understand the tension between blacks from America and Africans but your friend is entitled to his opinion either way.

Funny what people THINK they know huh Tony? Some battles aren't worth fighting bro --- I'm wondering why you even try really. We're seeing eye to eye kid - for whatever it's worth.

+1

- What Is Your Nationality/Heritage?? -

[tony]

It doesn't ignore anything. If you are from Africa, you're African. Whether you're a descendant of slaves or not. If you move to become an American, the you are African American. Slave or no. This is just an example where some people want to be equal but separate. Where people think they deserve their own special title because of their history.

And I know why I don't see you respond. Believe that. You're smart on a lot of things, but not so smart on others, man. Later, QD.

What does American mean QD? Is it being born here? If so then there are a LOT of Mexicans that come under unwarranted scrutiny for being here illegally. How about those indigenous to the Land, are they American too? Because they sure as hell don't get treated like it. Thats my problem with this whole "we're all American and nothing else" sentiment, it ignores the fact that there are various cultures in this country that have their own identity, one that does not conform to the dominant culture, that is whats supposed to make this country so great.

But when I defend my position I'm whining or complaining, when in reality some of you are scared to just talk about the truth. No big deal, I just wonder at what point would I feel justified in telling someone else what their heritage is, something I most likely havent taken the time to study or understand.

[quickdodge®]

Funny what people THINK they know huh Tony? Some battles aren't worth fighting bro --- I'm wondering why you even try really. We're seeing eye to eye kid - for whatever it's worth.

I don't post what I "think" I know. I tend to stick with what I "do" know. Or at least what I was taught by others. I'm not black, nor am I one of the many white dudes that get involved with the black race to "look cool" to blacks. I actually immersed myself, to an extent, in the black culture. I've been to many services in black churches, I've sat around and listened to the people that have been there talk. I've sat and learned. For the last two years, my riding partner was (cue Ice Cube voice) Straight Outta Kenya. Dude's been here for only 2 years. I can't tell you how many hours we talked about his home, his culture, him being right in the thick of all the battles going on around him. I love to learn.

I have no problem learning. If I am wrong on a point, I have no problem being corrected. But I won't be talked down on if I'm not 100% in the know. Later, QD.

[quickdodge®]

What does American mean QD? Is it being born here? If so then there are a LOT of Mexicans that come under unwarranted scrutiny for being here illegally. How about those indigenous to the Land, are they American too? Because they sure as hell don't get treated like it. Thats my problem with this whole "we're all American and nothing else" sentiment, it ignores the fact that there are various cultures in this country that have their own identity, one that does not conform to the dominant culture, that is whats supposed to make this country so great.

Being born in your country under legal citizenship is what American, or any other nationality, is. If my parents were French citizens and I was born in France, then I'm French. If my parents were American citizens in France and I was born over there, I'm American born abroad. If you're here illegally, then you're still the nationality of the country of your legal citizenship.

The original American Indians is who you're referring to? You've obviously not seen some of my posts on Thanksgiving. I think it's shitty how the people coming over here took the land from these people and then were "kind enough" to let them have some of that land back for themselves (reservations). I think that you think I have a problem with black folks calling themselves African Americans. If that's it, then that just proves you're not really reading my posts, because I've never said that. And I don't feel that way.

But when I defend my position I'm whining or complaining, when in reality some of you are scared to just talk about the truth.

What truth do you THINK I'm afraid to talk about? I'm not afraid to talk about anything. We can get up and talk about whatever on race and stuff. As I said in my post above, I love to listen and learn about the black culture. Later, QD.