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DEL.ICIO.USWhy must we hyphenate ourselves to be American?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jesse started it.
Way back in 1988. He and other prominent blacks said members of their race prefer to be called African-Americans. The New York Times carried the story on Dec. 21, 1988.
“Just as we were called colored, but were not that, and then Negro, but not that, to be called black is just as baseless,” said Mr. Jackson, who held court at a news conference in support of the term.
“To be called African-Americans has cultural integrity,” he continued. “It puts us in our proper historical context. Every ethnic group in this country has a reference to some land base, some historical cultural base.
“African-Americans have hit that level of cultural maturity.”
The term was said to be a psychological lift.
Hmm. I’m 42. Still waiting. I expect to be raked over the coals from some readers when I say this, but I don’t identify with Africa. Of course, I’m of African descent. We all know how I got here.
I’d love to go to Africa some day,just like I want to revisit Italy, Jamaica and Costa Rica. But to equate my existence to the continent of Africa, and to think that doing so further legitimizes my life in these United States seems to be a mighty long stretch.
With all due respect to Mr. Jackson or anybody else, I don’t want anybody telling me what I should be called. For them, the term, “black” may be passé. Cool. But I prefer it. It’s just neater, simpler and demands fewer syllables. Say African-American. Seven syllables. Of course, it should be uppercased, but does it require a hyphen?
Here we are two decades after the despotic shift to the term African-American, and we’re still dealing with semantics.
Not only are we using hyphenated terms to refer to people who look like me, we’re doing it — and had been doing so before the term African-American became standard — with other ethnic groups, too. Irish-Americans. Italian-Americans. Mexican-Americans. Cuban-Americans. The list goes on.
This subject came to mind after I read several responses to my Sunday column. I wrote that immigrants sent the wrong message when they waved their ancestral flags in protests against proposed federal and state legislation that targets illegals. That they hindered, rather than helped, the cause.
Osvaldo Ordonez said immigrants, particularly Mexicans, shouldn’t have to choose one flag over the other. That they can embrace their native flag and Old Glory, too.
“My kids will never be considered ‘full-blooded Americans,’ ” he wrote. “This is what someone told my sister-in-law, who was born in New York. Oh no. They will first be Hispanics, Latinos, refugees, first-generation Americans, Cuban-Americans, but never ‘Americans.’
“We are always something else first, then we are called Americans.” Maybe Ordonez is right.
What do you think?
If you belong to a particular ethnic group, what term do you prefer? A hyphenated one that combines your ethnicity with your mother country? And really, now, how much does it truly matter? Is it a struggle to balance your foreign heritage and culture with your Americanism?
Drop me a line via e-mail. Call me. Or post a comment on the Badie blog (ajc.com/gwinnett).
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Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Paul Scanling
April 4, 2006 07:07 AM | Link to this
United we stand. Divided we fall.
Hyphenated-Americanism focuses on our differences, which as you correctly point out has been going on for a while. I could be Irish-American, or French-American, or German-American. I have all of those ancestries in me, but I consider myself an American. If everyone put America first, rather than where their ancestors came from, I think we would all be a little better off.
By Sriraj
April 4, 2006 07:27 AM | Link to this
Dear Rick,
Thank you for your pithy and insightful comments. It is so refreshing to see words of wisdom regarding race coming our of a black man’s mind. Too often, the hypenated American is nothing else but a divise strategy employed by polticians and “leader” like Rev Jackson. Unfortunately, I have seen this methodology for all types of ethnic groups and I personally feel that Americans are Americans, per se. Be proud of where your ancestors came from but do NOT forget what YOU are.
By louella
April 4, 2006 07:44 AM | Link to this
I think that I don’t feel European-American. I think not all black-skinned people came from Africa, unless we’re going back so far in time that white-skinned people did too. And I think that immigrants’ children will be considered “full-blooded Americans” because they always have been.
By Barbara
April 4, 2006 07:45 AM | Link to this
As Teddy Roosevelt so aptly put it: “In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American…There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language… and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”
By Kelly
April 4, 2006 07:49 AM | Link to this
I’ve wondered: what are black people living in Canada called? African-Canadians?
By Matthew Sanders
April 4, 2006 07:49 AM | Link to this
Cynthia Tucker backlash in 5..4…3..2…
By fakey mcFake
April 4, 2006 07:58 AM | Link to this
great question about Canada. what about blacks who live in Africa? are they African-Africans?
By Janet
April 4, 2006 08:02 AM | Link to this
I agree that to be American means not having a divided loyalty. You cannot be an American and have one foot still in your country of origin. We are all descendants of immigrants. We could all be called Scottish-Americans, Irish-Americans, Haitian-Americans, etc.
America opens it’s doors to anyone in the world who wants to come here for a better life. We ask but one thing, embrace this country, be loyal to it and relinquish any loyalties to any foreign governments or monarchies. I meet people every day from places as far away as Russia and Nigeria who are Americans. They have one thing in common. They LOVE this country, they stand by it and they wouldn’t go back to their homelands if you paid them to. They are the true definition of an American and they are the people who we should be proud to call fellow citizens.
Those who would come to this land that we love, illegally and with the idea that they will benefit from the bounty here but retain their allegiance to another country, are not Americans and never will be Americans. If you do not respect our laws and our way of life, then you should not expect to reap the benefits of that way of life and protection under our laws. You cannot have it both ways. Tell me you want to be an American and I’ll stand up for your right to be here. Tell me you want to be a Mexican in America and I don’t feel the same kinship and brotherhood toward you.
By Jeff Brown
April 4, 2006 08:03 AM | Link to this
I’ve always wondered if white people from Africa who are now U.S. citizens (i.e- Charlize Theron and Dave Matthews) are also called African-Americans. I prefer “black.”
By Jeff
April 4, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this
Anyone know where that Roosevelt quote from Barbara came from? I would LOVE to print it, frame it, and stick it on my classroom wall right next to my AMERICAN flag!
By jim dumond
April 4, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this
Rick, Excellent subject today.
As a few of us old timers can recall, A visionary man delivered a world changing speech on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963, that broached this very subject. Perhaps those that feel the hyphen strengthens their position should take a moment to read it.
http://www.mecca.org/~crights/dream.html
By jim dumond
April 4, 2006 08:31 AM | Link to this
Jeff,
Try here. There’s much more to it.
http://www.rpatrick.com/USA/americanism/
By Melody
April 4, 2006 08:36 AM | Link to this
Badie, I appreciate your comments. I do NOT use the term “African-American.” I am an American. I’m a Black American, but not an African-American. I wasn’t born in Africa and immigrated to the USA. Charlize Theron is an African-American.
Anthropologically, everyone is African-American, as Africa is the origin of humankind. But I think it’s stupid for American-born Blacks to hyphenate (cut in half) their birthplace and all the rights thereof! Despite America not being fair to Blacks; and we’ve had to fight to get many rights, America still provides tremendous opportunities for anyone who seeks to advance in life. I am full-blooded American. Also, Black people were better when called “Negroes.” Then, people were dedicated to a cause; more supportive of each other and more respectful. As “Af-Am,” people are acting like animals! (sorry; they just are.) I’m currently writing a book about this. Also, I do not feel people can walk around looking like Africans (or any other culture, unless you ARE one) and expect to succeed as an American. Blacks are seemingly the ONLY group of people who fight against the basics of the society in which they were born and live—against the dress, education, language, etc.—while still wanting to inhabit the land.
By Jon
April 4, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this
I know of some white (European-American) missionaries to Africa who had a child while serving in Kenya. They refer to him as their “African-American,” in jest obviously, since he has dual citizenship.
It is silly to qualify ourselves in this way, we’re all Americans.
By The Voice of Reason
April 4, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this
Here are two examples of this “hyphenated” lunacy:
1) During the last Summer Olympics, one of the commentators felt it necessary to point out that many countries had black athletes on their teams. The (NBC?) commentator said, “These Olympic Games will feature African-Americans from all over the world.”
2) During the recent French riots - the ones that ignited after two young Muslims were accidentally electrocuted - a commentator at CNN reported that the two victims were “African-American.” In fact, the victims were from the north African country of Tunisia.
When it is necessary to identify someone’s race, why can’t we just say black, white, Hispanic, biracial, etc.?
By Dave
April 4, 2006 08:39 AM | Link to this
When I was growing up, our country and culture were described as the Great American Melting Pot. I always envisioned a giant fondue. Each little chunk of cheese thrown into the pot would soon melt and become indistinguishable with the whole. But every addition would also add its flavor to the mix, slightly altering the taste of the pot.
In that way, America became one people, one culture. Today, we don’t have a melting pot, we have a tossed salad. Everyone wants to be identified with one or more segmented groups, to fit into a smaller demographic breakdown as if this gives them more legitimacy as an individual. Hence we now have African-Americans, Anglo-Americans, and now even Gay-Americans.
In the last few decades, Americans are abandoning the common bonds that united us and made us strong, and have taken up the causes that divide us and make us weak.
I’m not a “person of color” (unless “pasty” is a color), so it may be said that I don’t know how it feels to be different. Too true. My roots are mostly European. But I don’t have any ties or emotional attachment to that continent or any country in it. I’m too far removed from my ancestral immigrants to celebrate their cultural traditions, except those which somehow survived and became American cultural traditions.
This trend of focusing on our differences only divides us and will eventually fracture our country to the point of implosion.
Aesop said, “United we stand, divided we fall.” Of course, he was European, so maybe it doesn’t count.
By Rose
April 4, 2006 08:41 AM | Link to this
I appreciate your comments. I am a Dutch-English-Irish-Indian-African American woman with pale skin and straight blonde hair, if you go by a label, and no one would guess there is black in my background. But like you said, the bottom line is that I am an American. I am also a human. I hate, hate, hate the use of the term “race” when referring to our differing skin colors. We are all of the human race. One of my purposes on this planet is to connect with everyone God puts in my path. What a shame that we are so silly when it comes to the unchangeable externals imprinted on each one of us and that we don’t always discern through the eyes of a person who they are. We aren’t even looking at their eyes, just their skin.
By Rob D
April 4, 2006 08:53 AM | Link to this
People of color will never be “full blooded americans”, because there is a seperation. You people are so scared of the truth that it pains me. There is a hyphenation because there are no natives to this country we call America. So everyone has roots in another continent. But to be real, black people that came from slaves are the only people that use the hyphen. We have Asians, Koreans, Mexicans,Somalians,Latinos, Arabs, and Europeans, no other culture includes a hyphen. They have a culture that they call their own, but us black people who have derived from slaves are still searching to find a culture, thus the African-American use. That is the closet we can get to having some other history other than being slaves.
By Dawn
April 4, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this
Finally! Someone else that feels the same way I do about this. If you were born in the United States, you are an AMERICAN citizen. You are NOT Mexican-American, Cuban-American, African-American, you are an AMERICAN citizen. We don’t call ourselves English-Americans!
By Patrice
April 4, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this
I have always myself been concerned with this hyphenation process. I,like the author of the article do not identify with Africa. While my decendents are from Africa, I am not. Further, I am from the US Virgin Islands which makes me an American. Should I then call myself Caribbean-American? Should people from Puerto Rico (A US Commonwealth) be classified as Puertorican-Americans I say no. We are Americans…I am an American and proud of it. While this is the fact, I am often dissapointed in my continental American counterparts who are ignorant of our link to the United States. I often hear announcers who speak of Tim Duncan, (who is also from the USVI)who plays for the San Antonio Spurs, classify him as an international player. This classification places him in the same category as non-american players such as Manu Ginobli and Yao Ming. This classification always puzzled me. Are we US Virgin Islanders Americans or Internationals? We hail the same flag and our position on the map should not warrant any differentiation.
By Annoyed
April 4, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
Rob D, you’re ignorant. Every culture on this planet has been enslaved at some point in time. Africans aren’t unique. And to associate a person’s skin color with a continent is just stupid. South Africans don’t look like the people in North African countries as they also have different features from those in Eastern African countries.
By jim dumond
April 4, 2006 09:18 AM | Link to this
Ok Rob,
“black people that came from slaves are the only people that use the hyphen”
So what about blacks that are not descendants of former slave? And since the entire nation of Israel was held in bondage in Egypt should we refer to our Jewish Brothers as Israeli-Egyptian-Americans?
Get a life man!
By M
April 4, 2006 09:25 AM | Link to this
10-4! You are either American or not!
By jim d
April 4, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this
On a grander scale—we’re either a member of the human race or not.
By brent
April 4, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this
From now on I want to be known as a Black Sabbath-American…or perhaps a Led Zeppelin-American.
By Jim
April 4, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this
African-Amercian is a way to be identified or to be singled out for some special treatment or entilement. Just like Cynthia McKinney who wants to be considered a real Congresswoman although she refuses to wear her pin to identify her. She feels she deserves a special treatment of some kind. She calls rasicm (about everything) yet she shows up at a press conference with radical black organizations, all of whom have black in their names (enjoy your double-standards) she uses tax payers money to fly celebrities to her events. She is impotent and ineffective as a politician from MY district, so yes, I have a valid opinion. There is never a reason to strike a police officer. What she doesn’t want you to know is that this is the fifth, count them, fifth time she has been physical with another person. She is a violent person, out of control and needs to be charged and removed from her position; she has never passed any worthwhile legislation. The only thing she has done is to water down the ‘racsim’ soup. Each time it is played in error, the soup gets thinner and is not as strong. People like McKinney and Jesse Jackson have made sure the race card does not buy waht it once did, it has no power now. All it says is ” Well, we got together with our lawyers….and this is the best we can do” Yawn. We’re over it now. Now come on, bring it on, call me a racist, you will…beacuse thats all you have. Another yawn.
By David from Augusta
April 4, 2006 09:37 AM | Link to this
American. Nice article; thanks.
By GB
April 4, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this
and what about people who choose to live in Africa but were born in America? American-Africans? HELP!
By jim d
April 4, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this
Unfortunately Rick,
Many blacks in this country blame whites for all the issues surrounding slavery and don’t really have a grasp on the reality that precolonial empires such as Dahomey and Ashanti (located in what is now Benin and Ghana), where slave ports at Ouidah and Elmina flourished, accumulated enormous wealth and power as a result of the trade of their fellow Africans.
The nation that they aspire to relate to by hyphenating their nationality was actually every bit as responsible for the slave trade that brought so many blacks to this country in bondage. Maybe thats a subject for black history month.
By Sharon
April 4, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this
I am continually amazed by those who are threatened by those who are different from themselves. Why would hyphenation bother you? So what if someone chooses to identify as Cuban-American, African-American, etc. It should be clear that this is a way of maintaining pride and a connection to one’s culture and heritage while belonging to a larger group. If you can be respectful of differences then it need not be divisive. Why should that bother you Rick?
I am also surprised that you think you have no connection to Africa save for DNA. The reason that we are not more connected to our African heritage is not a coincidence or because it was “a long time ago” but because our ancestors were forbidden to keep any connection to their own culture whether it was language, religion or even their own names. And Rick you know that. But despite many aspects of our current culture were derived from and has it roots in African culture.
By Dragon
April 4, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this
I look at it like this, if you were born in a country, that is who you are. If you move to another coutnry AND change your citizenship, then you can use the alternate classification. If you come from Mexico but never apply nor get citizenship, then you are a mexican. However, if you come from mexico and your have children born in America, then they are American. We all have different historical backgrounds, and like it was said, we all go back to Afirica. Technically, I am a caucasian or white human being. Per everyone’s classification , I am American. Nationaity sorta goes by way of pride, if you aren’t proud to be an American, you look for a mixed classification. If you are proud of your country, that is the nationality you hold. And, part of it is ego. There wont ever be one classification any more. Our governement and to an extent, society, goes out of the way to appease certain groups. Like Affirmative Action, think it is time we are all equal and those you work hard and strive to do their best be be their best get the higher end of the pay and such.
I have learned, being honest and fair only gets you so far, the rest seems to be clicks and knowing the right people and rubbing the right elbows or getting a brown nose, things I just can’t do.
By Regina
April 4, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this
Greetings Rick,
As a Black woman, I prefer using the term Black. As far as our Black leaders, they need to address other issues that affect our community and not just the so-called issues that give them visibility.
I respect my African ancestry just as I respect my ancestry from other countries and my Indigenous (native people to this country) ancestry.
By Al
April 4, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this
Wow! I agree. The term American itself does say a lot as America is “The Great Melting Pot.” America is not just a country, it is an identity itself. An identity of great diversity. Why do we really have to split it down any more? We should be working together towards a better future together instead of tearing ourselves apart from within over things like this. One point made to me is that some one could be white and be “African-American” (let’s not forget that the plenty of whites live in South Africa). Thanks for being a voice of wisdom in a time of scattered thoughts.
By Colleen
April 4, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this
I think that the term African-American is not a good term at all. It assumes that everyone that lives in Africa is black. Many people that are here from Africa and have become citizens of the USA are indeed white.
By kristin
April 4, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
Actually wouldn’t a Black person living in Canada be an African –American just as he or she would be in Mexico? And actually aren’t Mexicans are already American?
By Susan
April 4, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this
We’ve been tracing our family tree and had our family DNA done which placed our ancestry in Africa. I am white. If I tell people that I am African-American, they’ll tell me I’m nuts. Why is African-American solely for the use of blacks? It’s not, so you are defeating the original purpose of this hyphenation.
By BC
April 4, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this
I think the term African-American gives black people a choice of whether or not they want to be identified with the home in which our ancestors came from. After all we were brought here unwillingly and never really had a choice. I am not saying that you have to be called an African-American but I would surely like to have the choice. I think the real question is “Are we truly Americans? I know that I was born here but am I an American in the true since of the word. My trip here was not voluntary. American is a country of immigrants but my people did not “immigrate” to this country. Unfortunately, the term African-American comes closest to describing who we really are. We are certainly not colored, that means we could we purple, yellow, blue, etc.. And 99%of us are definitely not the color black. So African-American is just another option.
By j.t.
April 4, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this
Hooray Mr. Badie! Boy you’ve said what I’ve been thinking for a long time.
I’ve never found the appropriate term for my heritage on a government form (Irish German British Austrian (the old Austria not the new Austria) Scottish - American). I have felt discriminated against since discovering that is not on any government forms!
That some in the Hispanic community say they will never be “American” but always first be Hispanic…well that’s sad, but NOT true - at least unless they choose to be. And if they choose to be that, then they are attempting to come to this country for reasons other than those which should bring them.
My ancestors came to the U.S. to be free Americans, not to simply cash in on the wealth of America. Are Hispanics coming here to become loyal patriotic citizens or are they coming here simply to take money from this country and pour it into their home country’s coffers? Why should we want to assist those people? I want to assist those who seek a better life as American patriots.
If these people won’t be patriots, then what happens if we are forced to go to war at some point in the distant future? Who will fight for us? Apparently not the Hispanics because they don’t want to really be Americans (at least according to this gentleman you quote).
If you want American money and you want to be treated like an American citizen, then you should be waving an American flag. Sure, be proud of your heritage - I am - but it is not the country of my heritage that has offered me the freedoms and the income that I have in the U.S.
By aibonez
April 4, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this
I am a black woman. I agree that I do not identify with Africa even though part of my ancestory comes from Africa. I also do not identify with mainstream America. Although I have adapted to mainstream and have done well for myself, America was not created for me or for people of my ethinic background. We as blacks need to explore, research, and claim our true heritages. The term African American w/ or w/o the hyphen is not reaally the issue, we need to focus on educating ourselves, our youth and the rest of the world about our history, contributions to society, worth on this planet.
By Jex
April 4, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this
I don’t remember being brought here unwillingly. Nor do I recall my parents or grandparents discussing being forced to be here. While we are all familiar with slavery and how it came about, what we need to realize is that in this day and age we do have a choice. If we choose to associate our selves so strongly with our African heritage, maybe some of us do need to go back. I was born in America and I am American. I grew up with the term Black and that’s what I’m used to.
While Africa is indeed a beautiful place and truly majestic, I have never been and have no direct correlation to it. I’d like to visit one day, but that’s about it.
As stated earlier, what about the white-skinned African natives who now live in America? They are TRULY African-Americans. Why can’t we just be Americans and show appreciation for all cultures?
By Gram
April 4, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this
They call Caucasians “white”, and there is nothing truly white about us. We are all shades of pink, tan, beige, olive, etc. just like “black” doesn’t actually mean black, per se. It’s just easier than saying “lighter-skinned people” and “darker-skinned people”.
By Michael
April 4, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this
For more than 50 years I have lived in the US and became a naturlized citizen more than 40 years ago. When trying to describe a term for my race, only “white” or “caucasian” are available. Others are cuban-american, african-american, etc. But for me, with an Italian last name from my mother’s 3rd husband, I’m not an Italian-American. The reality is that I was born in London, England of English parents that go back hundreds of years, nearly to the point of being from the Celtic and Angles tribes. So perhaps in fairness, I should be called English-American. I don’t think so. Let’s try Celtic-American; that would raise eyebrows on application forms and censuses. I think of myself as American, plain and simple, even though I can legally hold passports from the US and UK. I’ve served in the US military and I’m proud to say I’m Disabled American Veteran.
By j.t.
April 4, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this
I was once given an insightful message:
“It is not the wick or the wax, it is the burning that makes the candle.” In other words, you are not black or white or brown. You are not handicapped or buck toothed. You are what you make of yourself.
aibonez wrote in this blog that she thinks blacks need to “educating ourselves, our youth and the rest of the world about our history, contributions to society, worth on this planet.” That makes me sad. Educate yourselves ABSOLUTELY! But your history is already written - and should have no bearing positive or negative on who you ARE today. Our contributions to society and who we are as people ARE what give us our “worth on this planet.” I may not be rich, but each day I make sure that I do my job and do it very well. I try to be a good son, a good neighbor, and a good friend. I try to be honest in all my endeavors (which is probably why I won’t be rich) and that I treat people equally regardless of who they are, because prejudice goes both ways.
I don’t know who sold black people a bill of goods that says they aren’t as good as others, but it should wasn’t this white boy. The only hinderances we each have are those which we apply to ourselves. All of us have hurdles we must conquer. Are they always fair? NO! Is life fair? Heck no! So as the saying goes, “When life deals you lemons, make lemonade”!
By James L. Johnson(Keon)
April 4, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this
I’m 26yrs old. I remember when this term came into existence. However, I wasn’t mature enough to understand the political ramifications associated with it. Then I didn’t like it or the way it sounded. Now as a college educated man I have a greater appreciation. I now know that the term black it self was once derogatory! How times have changed.
We as black people in this country have been marginalized since we arrived in the 1400’s. Our history and contributions to this society have been down played and hidden. In some respects our contributions have been outright stolen. However, that’s another conversation. I understand why some people would prefer we all be considered American and nothing else. However, that is an idyllic notion. That has not been the case in the past and is not the case in the present. It should be noted that the term white itself was employed by our government to unify Europeans in contrast to other groups. However, today we see that didn’t work completely as the 2nd wave of European migrants have attempted to hold on to their cultural heritage. E.I. Irish, German, and Italian Americans. These groups and others were able to assimilate into American culture and intermarry with few problems. As a matter of fact in some cities the only remnants their arrivals in the 19th century are the neighborhoods (Germantown, Irish Hill etc…) with bore their names. Today their children and grandchildren are considered white or simply American. This is not the history of Africans in America. Yes I say African. I am proud of the accomplishments of my ancestors here and in Africa. There are some who say the term African-American serve to separate us from America. This is something many racists have attempted to do over the years. However, I don’t view it that way. When I say African American, I’m connecting myself with the great civilizations of Kush, Kemet, Great Zimbabwe, the Empires of Mali, Ghana, Songhae, the Kingdoms of Asante, Kongo, Angola et al.. When I say African American I am connecting myself with my brothers and sisters through out the great Diaspora. I connect with the Africans in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. They and I are more than a color. We have an ancestral home. We have a legacy and a heritage which we have been made to forget. Others have tried to make us ashamed of Africa. I refuse to submit to this subvert and covert attempt. Yes, I am an American. Yet, I am of mixed descent. I am of the European, the Indian and the African. Yet of all those, I relate to the African and they to me. We weren’t allowed to associate with our European heritage and legacy. That’s another lesson. This is why I call myself an African-American. Our existence in America is not a happenstance. Our history is older and longer than the United States. Our history transcends slavery, emancipation and the civil rights movement (All important). There is nothing wrong with the hyphen. There is nothing wrong with a woman hyphenating her name. It is all about self determination. If you are content with simply being known as black, that is your choice. You are still my brother. However, in addition to being black, I will be African too.
By Ex-Northerner
April 4, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this
My ancestors came to the “New World” in the 1600s. I enjoy knowing that they were Scottish, English, Irish and French on one side and German on the other. It’s a fun story and gives me a driving reason to visit all those places, but I feel no more real connection to the British Isles, France and Germany that I do to Pago Pago.
I think a more apt moniker for me is “Paralegal-American.”
By Ryan
April 4, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this
To hyphenate your citizenship only serves to perpetuate an attitude of separation. We are all Americans. I am European-American, I do not even know which countries though, so I am just an American. As long as we differentaite among Americans we will continue to have problems. Maybe the next generation will get it right. It is a beutiful thing to see the youth of today see people as people. My 8 yr old son, who has always been shielded from racism sees everyone the same. He has friends with all different skin color. He describes them all just as “His Friends”. Not “My Black friend” or “My Asian Friend” or whatever., Sure he can tell a difference in skin color but there is no stigma attached to any particular color. The Only time it comes up is if he is asked what that person looks like. Then the description is “He has brown skin”, with absolutely no prejudice or stigma associated. If we could all see people in this way, with the innocence of a child, without the labels that society puts on people things would be a lot better. But this cannot happen until we stop labeling people by their skin color or where their ancestors are from.
By ms. Smith
April 4, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this
I think that the issue here is not one of where you were born, it is one of cultural identity. I do not think that people who acknowledge their cultural homeland are not doing so out of loyalty to their native countries; instead I think they are trying to hold onto the cultural aspects of their heritage that make them who they are. I cannot tell you how many friends I have of varying ethniticites who, in the rush to prove their “American-ness” rejected all things cultural - language, traditions, etc. - only to regret it in their adulthood. Why should anyone have to reject the culture and traditions of their homeland to be an “American”? When we turn our backs on where we come from, we turn our backs on who we are. We loose whole pieces of ourselves, and slowly the value of our pasts is erased. However, African-Americans suffer a somber caveat; they dont even have the privilege of turning their backs on themselves. All of their cultural identifiers - language, traditions, religion, etc. - were stripped away long, long ago. And so what we see in those who choose to hyphenate themselves are a people hungry for a cultural background, certain that their heritage is composed of something more than slavery, illiteracy, suffering an inhumanity unknown to any other people on this earth, and finally achieving some semblance of equality only to find out that maybe things arent so equal after all. They are people who are desparate to connect with whatever that something more was, even if the only way to touch it is through a hypenated name.
We should remember that this country is a nation of immigrants. Although we have some uniquely American traditions, like Thanksgiving, other dominant aspects of our society like Catholicism and Christianity, our political structure, our very language and social stratification are all vestiges of a European culture foreign to the people who were indigienous here. It seems that what many people are celebrating as American culture is a bland watery soup of a society where everyone speaks the same language, refers to themselves in the same way, dresses the same, believes the same etc. To me, what makes a free society beautiful is the varied tone that a variety of cultures imbue it with. And perhaps part of that process involves the folks who live here celebrating the best that their culture has to offer and adding it to our own cultural perspective.
And so perhaps the talking point shouldnt be why we do or dont hyphenate our names; perhaps it should be why some - the author and others - feel no connection to a belief that their ancestry has something of value to offer this American society.
By Michael Turner
April 4, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this
I am an African-American and will always be an African-American. My ancestors came from Africa to America. I was born in America, but a large part of my cultural heritage came from Africa. To identify with Africa does not dilute my love for America. Doing so only strengthens my cultural heritage. To understand my cultural heritage, is to understand Africa. One of the unfortunate things with African-Americans in America is we have no connections with Africa; therefore, many of us has no idea who we are. To know ones self is to know ones culture.
By Realist.
April 4, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this
Anyone who feels compelled to hyphenate their regional and/or ethnical identity obviously has some character issues. Specifically, a lack of self-confidence.
Hyphenations or “mergers” if you will do not make you stand out. Hyphenations do not propel you into the upper tier of society like royalty. Hyphenations will not make you richer. Hyphenations will not make you more successful in life. Hyphenations will not help you land a job or get a promotion.
Those who feel that they must label themselves with hyphenations instead of addressing real problems like inner city crime and poverty must have a shallow perception of reality. Nobody really, REALLY cares if you are “African” American or “Asian” American or whoever. Anyone with functional eyeballs can see where you and your ancestors came from just by looking at you.
By continuing to separate ourselves with hyphenated labels, we are making no real progresses into becoming what we were always meant to be: a unified nation for all. It’s time we stop celebrating heritage and addressing reality that will lead to a better future for our children. Creating or changing labels for ourselves will not fix the problem any more than changing the name of a notorious street like Stewart Avenue or Bankhead Highway.
That said, if one has such low self-esteem and shallow inner worth that one has to throw in a label from a region he or she has never even visited, let alone have his or her previous generations for centuries, so be it. You’ll stand out alright, but not in the manner in which you probably intended.
By BC
April 4, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this
Contrary to what alot of black people believe, had it not been for slavery a vast majority of us would still be in Africa. Doesn’t it bother you to know that there is a part of you that you probably will never know. Nothing that ties you to the Heritage that is in your blood line. I cannot just say that I am 100% American because I am not. Don’t get me wrong, I would rather be no other place than American. I have served in the military and have seen how good we have it economically compared to other countries. I have been Americanized. But my point is that as a black person in America I don’t have a culture. That was taken away from use along time ago. As black people we long to be apart of a culture and as history has shown it definitely will not be 100% American. And this is not by our choice. Had we assimilated into American Society with open arm this hypenated issue would probably not even exist. We are still being rejected today. To compare other peoples history to our is just not a fair comparison. Most of us cannot even trace back our ancestors just two generations ago. It is impossible to get any other race to understand. It is like being adopted and having the love and nuturing of your parents but someday when you find out that you were adopted there will be a undying urge to find out who your real parent are. Wanting to identify with who you really are. So if the term African-American does it for some people then so be it.
By Irvin
April 4, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this
Intriguing article Rick. Even more intriguing though are the blogs about your comments. I’d say 99% in support. But no one mentions Jesse Jackson starting it all. In the context of the late 80’s, it is my opinion that it was all about politics. A new marketing theme to unite a people into a stronger political force. And it worked. Time changes everything though and A-A has become “passe”.
I was in Vietnam in the late sixties. People didn’t didn’t use any hyphenation then. It was generally black, white, Mexican, Japanese, etc. To me personally it was and has always been an American regardless of color or country of origin. And those with a racist bent even lost their “attitudes” when action was bad.
Since 9/11 patriotism is stronger and American as a descriptor has gained greater respect. Hopefully the use of hyphenation will fade away.
By JW
April 4, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this
Ryan, it is not an inslut to identify people by skin color at times, it’s not racially insensitive or an insult to a culture. Not only is it not insensitive, it’s downright stupid not to at times. We have become way overboard on the pc thing. If a person has just robbed a bank and on the getaway and you know that persons race, it’s as appropriate as as the sex, height, weight and make of getaway car the person is using. I can’t believe it when the news, especially 11Alive news, refuses to identify by race in some cases. You’re narrowing your search and excluding people who do not to be considered. What’s the real motivation behind the reluctance to do so?
By LG
April 4, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this
As far as my family cultural past goes, I know very little. I don’t want to know. So, if the philosophy that to know myself is to know my culture, then I know little of myself? Wrong!
My ancestors just gave me my mixed bag of genes, they didn’t give me my personality or who I am. I did that.
By T
April 4, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this
What a mess all of this is. People coming into the United States to live should become citizens. PERIOD. I know several people who came to America and went through all that was needed to become a LEGAL citizen. They work, pay their taxes etc. THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE COUNTRY, not take from it. And they also don’t hyphenate their citizenship.
I’m tired of walking into the DMV etc and the first sign I see is in Spanish. WAIT, the last time I checked, I was in America, not Mexico. We speak English here, or so I thought. I’m not against learning a new language, in fact, I encourage my children to do so, BUT IN AMERICA, WE SPEAK ENGLISH. People living here need to learn it, American shouldn’t have to adapt to them.
And lastly…the whole ———— thing is insane. It seems to be all about race. My 18 year old daughter has had peers blame her for slavery. The last time I checked, she hadn’t enslaved anyone, nor did she buy or sell any slaves. Slavery ended long before even I was thought of, let alone her, yet she has to pay?? We are Indian and had nothing to do with slaves at all. If you ask me, the Indians in America got a pretty bad deal themselves, not just the blacks. Yet you never hear about the Natives and their loss…..You know, NATIVE AMERICANS. The ones who were here before those boats ever hit the water in the East. The ones I think truly lost a lot. And have you ever notice, there is no hyphen in Native American.
By Cory
April 4, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this
Has anyone thought about the fact that a lot of Africans don’t respect Black Americans. It wasn’t even a month ago that a black (skin color) woman from South Africa came into our office and confided in my White boss that she’s glad he was able to help her because she doesn’t trust niggas to handle her business. I’m not ignorant enough to make a general statement about a group of people, but this isn’t the first time I’ve encountered that. We struggle so hard to identify with a culture that doesn’t really want to be identified with us. I’m American, nothing else. I’m not African, never have been, and won’t be. My ancestry ties me to the CONTINENT, but that’s about all. We all have to stop this labeling and realize we are all God’s children and when the day of reckoning comes, he won’t have a white heaven, black heaven, latino (or is hispanic the pc word) heaven and so forth. Love your neighbor
By 2N4years
April 4, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this
Excellent column. Morgan Freeman has said the came things. Your article was right on. As long as we refer to each other as different, WE always will be. The media does this the most, always bringing up race, which continuously feeds racism. We go to war as Americans. We are ALL Americans.
By David
April 4, 2006 11:16 AM | Link to this
When our ancestors came to America, they became because it was a country that offered them opportunity and an equal chance that they would never have in their native lands. They weren’t looked down on because they were Irish, Scottish, Dutch, French, or whatever. They came to be Americans, and to have a fresh start. Yes, I’m proud of my Scottish, Irish, and Cherokee heritage, but as to nationality, I’m American. No hyphens needed.
By DM
April 4, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this
First of all, we are a country of 300 million people. For someone to think that this is a homogeneous country is crazy. Different groups of people in this country have had different experiences. It doesn’t mean that any group is “more” or “less American” than the other.
Second of all, the terms “black” and “African-Amercian” are not mutually exclusive. “Black” is a broad term that can refer to anyone of African descent, whether they are Nigerian, Jamaican, or Hatian. “African-American” refers to a distinct culture that was born here in America from the descendants of Africans.
Finally, you cannot be an African-American without being an American. We are an American people, like the Scottish are a British people or the Bavarians a German people. Calling myself African-American does not prevent me from being proud of being American, nor does it cause me to segregate myself and only associate with other African-Americans.
We should appreciate differences and recognize similarities.
By Pedro
April 4, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this
While the citizenship is American, Blacks (and other minorities) have historically not been afforded all of the rights, privileges, and luxuries that come with being a “full-blooded US citizen”.
If everyone who is an American citizen had access to the same educational, healthcare, and housing opportunities then I could see the push for a hyphen-less society. Unfortunately the statistics show that not everyone who calls themself American has the same opportunites.
No disrespect to Rick and what you decide to you call yourself- but what do you think other Americans call you when your back is turned? I bet it starts with the letter “N”
By Just me
April 4, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this
Being hyphenated isn’t any worse than being called southern baptist I’m tired of anything that lumps you into a category. Except an individual.
By Getitright
April 4, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this
We Americans are each just part of a great homogenous soup. We daily celebrate each seasoning in our shared heritage by living as Americans. Take a look at the simple things we have in common, such as the food we eat, and you can see what America is made of. Do Italians only eat in Italian restaurants? Take a look around any great American burger joint and define the customers. We are the shining beacon that is the greatest civilization the world has ever seen. Put that beacon through a prism and you’ll see the many parts that make our whole. Each beautiful in their own right. Seperate the beacon with hyphens and we are weaker. Leave us joined together as one and we are better than any single part.
By ChrisD
April 4, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this
Reminds me of the big stink last year (?) where a high school had a vote for the best (or greatest, or something) African-American student. A white kid from Africa entered and the blacks went nuts. Yeah, that’s one reasonable group.
By Alex
April 4, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this
My mother escaped from Communist Yugoslavia when she was 18 with her family. When they arrived here, they didn’t speak a word of English. Her father forced everyone to learn English and referred to themselves as Americans.
Both articles are dead on. If we stop segregating ourselves (African-American, Latin-American, etc) people like Jesse Jackson will be out of work. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to associate ourselves with people of similar backgrounds. That’s natural. Let’s just refer to ourselves as Americans.
By ChrisD
April 4, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this
Rob D’s a dummy. I’ve seen Asian-American, Arab-American and Latino-American many times.
By CJ
April 4, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this
Interesting. I think that they hyphenated terms make more sense. Mainly because it’s important to accept one’s heritage. Also, the traditional terms are incorrect. BLACK people are Rarely(if ever Black)..WHITE people are almost NEVER white, they are more pinkish.
By EB
April 4, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this
The mexican-american hyphen was not introduced by americans of mexican descent. The government placed those labels on us for census purposes. My birth certificate, my parents birth certificate and my grandmother’s border pass to enter mexico during WWI (she was born in 1900 in Texas)indicates race as white. I think that term started in the 60’s. The only two terms for americans were white and black and if you came from another country then they would put mexican, or italian, etc. For some reason blacks felt left out of this special box. I hate it and I encourage my son to leave the race part blank (he is mixed). I leave it blank and I will encourage my daughter when she gets older to leave it blank. I think it does not serve any purpose whatsoever. Another thing I can not stand is just because I am of Mexican descent does not mean I know how to speak spanish. Get over it.
By BC
April 4, 2006 11:39 AM | Link to this
Fortunately I know the importance of having diversity in society. I learned in the military that regardless of skin tone we all have more similarities that differences. But what I also learned by just living is that we are treated differently because of our skin tone. You can’t preach ” there should be one word American” but then go out and treat people differently. I really don’t care about labels but I will argue that society’s treatment towards minorities forces people into groups. Example, I will not mention the city but I grew up in that city in around Atlanta. I went to high school there and it was about 70% white 30% minority. The neighborhood that I lived in had a two black residents. I noticed that as more black families moved in more white families moved out. What am I to learn from this that we are all Amercians and are all the same? That everyone decided all of a sudden to switch neighborhood. So my messages is that anyone can say we are all Americans but treating everyone like Americans is a different story. If people feel better about themselves based on the AA label then so be it. It is therapy in a sense for some people as one reader alluded to.
By Benin Dakar
April 4, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this
The issue that I have with African-American is that Africa[n] refers back to an entire continent. Blacks in this country who can claim all four grandparents were born here may be able to trace a significant portion of their genetics back to certain parts of West Africa where the slave trade took place; but not to the entire diverse continent of Africa. Beyond that most North American blacks can also claim a shared ancestry with Europeans and Native American peoples. (That is why I was so undone last year when the heart drug Bidil was marketed as a drug for black Americans—because people who are socially identified as black Americans are no doubt among the most genetically diverse people on the earth.)
The other hyphenations refer back singularly to a specific country of origin. For example, when someone identifies with being an Italian-American or German-American they are not referring back to Europe as a whole, but a specific geographical area on the continent of Europe where a particular grouping of people share a certain culture and history.
The African continent has fifty-four different countries and much racial, ethnic, and tribal identification. There is and cannot be a singular ‘African’ culture or identity. Africa is far too complex for that to be. Moreover, the recent immigrants from Africa almost always refer to themselves in reference to their country of origin, for example, as Nigerians or Cameroonians, but not as ‘African’ in a generic since.
By Angel
April 4, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this
First let me say I like your blog and thanks for bringing up this subject. I can relate to you stating that you don’t identify with Africa. Although I call myself African-American, my ancestors are also Native-American. I don’t want to be called “black” either because that’s a color and that’s not who we are. We are all different shades. So as you see, we are something else before we are Americans. So, why white people or caucasians not called European-Americans? As we know, this is not their land either. It belonged to the Indians or the Natives.
By Nikole
April 4, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this
I prefer black, but understand the hyphenating. American is not a melting pot anymore, a Banks’ book on multiculturalism, says to focus on a salad bowl metaphor. You don’t have to change who you are or deny your culture to be American. Being American means we celebrate in being a diverse group of people and cultures, sharing a nation. Quit trying to make people assimilate to the “norm” and allow for accomadation of diversity in this nation.
By Shaye Lewis
April 4, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this
To those wondering why “hyphenation” bothers others… maybe you should actually READ the article and comments?
“African-American” is a term used (a lot anyway) by people who are still too scared of and sensitive to race to quit grouping people into little boxes into which many do not fit. It is inaccurate and often silly: people who have never stepped foot on North American soil are NOT African-Americans, people! (Hello!?!) Such instances should illuminate exactly the inaccuracy and mis-use of the term “African-American.”
Call me white. It doesn’t bother me, and it’s a lot less clunky than English-Irish-Welsh-Native-American.
By ksjoyner
April 4, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this
Since science pretty well states that life began on the continent of Africa, wouldn’t all Americans be considered African-American? My heritage may be mixed, as, more than likely, well my race, but really I am just an American, plain and simple.
By collegekid
April 4, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this
I think the problem here stems from the fact that people confuse nationality with ethnicity. Though they often overlap, America is a country of immigrants (as so many of you have alread identified) so “American” is not descriptive of ethnicity. That said, I prefer black. its not entirely accurate, but neither is “African-” for those from the west indies, Australia, etc. Furthermore, to homogenize all of Africa as being the same ethnicity is oversimplistic anyway
By Bruce Wilcox
April 4, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this
I wish a full-blooded Native American Indian would comment on the issue. For they are the only ones that can claim their culture as native to this land. I wonder how they refer to the rest of us, immigrants?
By CC
April 4, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this
When we create labels for ourselves, we limit ourselves. The hyphens box us into smaller and smaller boxes. When I label myself as an x-y-z-…-American I’m putting boundaries on who I think I am and how I want the world to react to me. I would rather concentrate on the future I want to create. Americans of all colors created Jazz and Skyscrapers, the Internet and much of what makes modern society work. When we work together to create a society where we are all totally engaged and no one is alienated then we are truly the greatest country in the world.
In the end, our choices will define us, not where our ancestors came from, our skin color, or whether or not we grew-up speaking English.
By revengeofthemoose
April 4, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this
Jim D and BC, Excellent posts. BC-good quote-if it weren’t for white people, black people would still be in africa fighting for food or a civil war. Jim is correct-the African War lords SOLD slaves to the US Confederacy-they came here! Southerners did not go there. So, Black people sold other black people as slaves. As for McKinney-I say we deport her. Can’t blame the people of the 4th district-they don’t want McKinney waling in their neighborhood-so they ship her to DC. Now,let’s ship her to jail!
By Bruce Wilcox
April 4, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this
Maybe Tom Delay and McKinney could share cells revengeofthemoose.
By collegekid
April 4, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this
revengeofthemoose you could use a lot of schoolin’. for starters you don’t deport citizens. second, if not for Africans, most of the rest of the world might never have figured out libraries or written language, of simple markets. third War Lords, and civil war came after colonization. Why do you think that the world owes the gift of civilization to white people. Most parts of the world (America included) were doing fine before colonization. If left to their own Africans would most likely have been much better off than they are after centuries of colonization and exploitation.
By ESL
April 4, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this
I always check the “other” box for race on questionaires and then write in HUMAN. So do my children. My skin is kind of peachy, my ancestors, who knows what they were doing way back then. I could be a little of every culture. But for now I choose to just be American. I love it, I can get the best of all cultures that I choose and dont have to get on an airplane. That is the great melting pot.
By collegekid
April 4, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this
…And another thing, the pins for congresspeople are neither required nor all that common on the floor. she is among the most outspoken and recognizeable members of congress—especially with some of the things she has said in the last few years. add to that the fact that McKinney is one of only a few blacks in congress and she really shouldn’t be that hard to identify. And before we jump to the defense of a security gaurd (who I’m sure can take care of himself), shouldn’t we consider standards of decorum in dealing with members of congress?
By mka
April 4, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this
I knew it was just a matter of time before an ignorant neanderthal like revengeofthemoose would show his true colors. That’s fine, tell me how your really feel.
And you probably think that whites invented anything and everything “civilized” around the world. You probably believe that all relevant history started with the European Renaissance, that all math and scientific discoveries were accomplished by whites. Heck, you probably even think that Abraham, Moses, and even Jesus were of European decent with lilly blond hair and blue eyes. Oh yeah, and God is an old white guy with a long gray beard.
You and so many people like you have been bamboozled, lied to and led astray.
You don’t have a clue about American history, what makes you think that you can utter one word about what you think happened in Africa??
The saddest part is that, if you’ve been educated in the American school system, it’s hard not to believe that whites have some how done the world a favor, which includes bringing Africans to America. I guess if you’re told something enough times, eventually you will believe it.
By Nikole
April 4, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this
Certain comments are great examples of why blacks have to bi-cultural. Our school system does not properly educate our students about American citizens that are not white. Revengeofthemoose is showing us that now. While blacks have learn about their own culture as well as what our schools have determined is “American” culture, whites get the luxury of never having to know anything about us. It is not necessary to their survival.
By Camille
April 4, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this
I am American with African, Native American and European ancestry. I prefer to use the term “of color”. I am not at all comfortable referring to myself as “african-american.” It just doesn’t feel right. I don’t like the term black, because as it was pointed out….we’re not literally black. I realize using the term “of color” leaves the door open for some ignorant person to call me “colored”, but at this point in life it’s the term i feel most comfortable using.
By James
April 4, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this
mka - in what school system should people be educated?
I can understand anger by those who were enslaved, but there is not a single black person alive today who was enslaved by any Americans.
As horrible as slavery was, if it were not for Africans selling their own people to Europeans so many years ago, the descendants of those slaves living in this country today may not even have been born.
The continent of Africa is/has been rife with governmental corruption, genocide, famine, etc. With exceptions, the continent is still a third world continent. Don’t you think that any African-Americans living in this country are benefiting far beyond that which they would be if they were currently or had been previously living in Africa? And if you don’t believe that, then the United States affords you the freedom to pick up and go to Africa if you would prefer to live there. Many countries in Africa do not offer that same freedom to their own people.
Please stop whining about America. If it is such a terrible place and racism is so horrible, then why do tens of thousands of people immigrate to this country every year? The U.S. is still the most free nation in the world.
By Harleyman
April 4, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this
Anyone who feels compelled to hyphenate their regional and/or ethnical identity obviously has some character issues. Specifically, a lack of self-confidence.
Hyphenations or “mergers” if you will do not make you stand out. Hyphenations do not propel you into the upper tier of society like royalty. Hyphenations will not make you richer. Hyphenations will not make you more successful in life. Hyphenations will not help you land a job or get a promotion.
Those who feel that they must label themselves with hyphenations instead of addressing real problems like inner city crime and poverty must have a shallow perception of reality. Nobody really, REALLY cares if you are “African” American or “Asian” American or whoever. Anyone with functional eyeballs can see where you and your ancestors came from just by looking at you.
By continuing to separate ourselves with hyphenated labels, we are making no real progresses into becoming what we were always meant to be: a unified nation for all. It’s time we stop celebrating heritage and addressing reality that will lead to a better future for our children. Creating or changing labels for ourselves will not fix the problem any more than changing the name of a notorious street like Stewart Avenue or Bankhead Highway.
That said, if one has such low self-esteem and shallow inner worth that one has to throw in a label from a region he or she has never even visited, let alone have his or her previous generations for centuries, so be it. You’ll stand out alright, but not in the manner in which you probably intended.
And any of you McKinney wannabe racebaiters can go take a hike if you don’t like being chastized about hyphenations.
By Nikole
April 4, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this
James-You will never understand, so there is no need in explaining it to you. But if you choose to educate yourself, there is plenty of research on how the institution of slavery has the impacted the black community/culture of today. You may also want to look into the history of many African countries, and explore the effects of the colonization of European nations. I am very blessed to have been born in America. This country gives me the freedom to be an American, without having to deny who I am culturally.
By Jake
April 4, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this
Mostly good points, and love the Teddy Roosevelt quote. True story: friend of mine growing up had been born in South Africa and spent the first few years over there. She was also an American citizen. Although her skin was white/caucasian, was she not African-American too?
By the way, everyone has some “color” in their skin, and we are all “ethnic” too. Just drop it all and get busy living.
By T
April 4, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this
Good article.
I think we should be termed ‘Anerican’ and not add any other label. People need to relax…I could care less what people label me, as long as it is not meant in a derogatory way.
African-American is ridiculous; what about White South African descendants, or Arab Northern African descendants (of course in America now)…are they African-American too?
Labels don’t add to equality, they take away from it.
By LG
April 4, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this
Aren’t young girls being sold into sex slavery? Sold into bordellos not to see the light of day. Aren’t women in abusive marriages slaves? Considered to be their husbands property and he can do whatever he wants with them. Perhaps we should stop looking at all the incidents of slavery in all cultures (the Catholics were slaves to the Romans, the serfs slaves to royalty, Jews to Egyptians, etc.etc.), and work on the slavery that’s happening today.
By Britt
April 4, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this
Mr. Badie, What a refreshing article you wrote in today’s paper. A lot of us have ancestral roots that trace back to other countries, but I am proud to be called an “American.” I’m glad you are, too.
By New Jersey
April 4, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this
This comment is for revengeofthemoose. A small history lesson. Yes some Africans were sold, but the vast majority were kidnapped from their native land and sold into slavery. It’s unfortunate that all HISTORY is not taught in school. As for the hypenation, I prefer the term Black and generally do not use the moniker African-American, as one of my parents is from the south and the other from the island.
By Kidd
April 4, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this
Hello Rick,
I would first like to say that race is an illusion, implemented by the powerful, socially accepted by the masses, which keeps us all separated as a people. But the fact of the matter is that if we do not define ourselves, for ourselves, someone else will, and that particular definition, more than likely, will not be one that is necessarily agreed upon by the defined group.
That being said, I personally prefer to be called an African-American for several reasons. Two of the main reasons why I prefer this title above the rest are firstly, because by being referred to as an African-American I am obligated to acknowledge my rich and unique history and remember how and why I came to be in this country. Secondly, the term “Black” was given to us by the “White” cast system in order to demean, degrade and commoditize our worth as a culture. Although, the term “Black” was reclaimed in the late 60’s by the Black Panther Party, amongst others, that does not erase the history behind the origin of this English word that is associated with most all things negative (in the U.S.).
African Americans are a very diversified group of individuals and far from the monolithic stereotype that has been placed on us. That being said, I do not expect everyone to agree on one particular name. But it is very important for us, as a people, to gain a full knowledge of our history so that no matter what name we decide to call ourselves, we know above all, that we have worth and deserve better than to call OURSELVES ni**as!
By ESL
April 4, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this
Kidd: “Although, the term “Black” was reclaimed in the late 60’s by the Black Panther Party, amongst others, that does not erase the history behind the origin of this English word that is associated with most all things negative (in the U.S.)”
………..Not a true statement at all:
. …..I would rather be in the “black” than in the “red” on the bottom line of my checkbook or profit and loss statement.
By Bruce Wilcox
April 4, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this
Can a native of Peru, which is in South America, call himself an American? Rick in his last column referred to those from South America as “Latin countries”, is there really such a place as Latin? If I moved to Peru could I refer to myself as American because that is the continent I live on? Does the United States have the exclusive right to be the only true Americans?
If Peru decided to change it’s name to the Republic of Peru of America could we sue them for copywright infringement?
I know that some that comment here propbably call me things that don’t refer to what country I live in. Smile.
By Melllllll1
April 4, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this
I don’t know why we need to be African-American, Irish-American, Cuban-American or even “American”. Why can’t we just be referred as “people”. Whether we are American or Irish or Cuban or anything else, we all think differently. So why even put yourself in a group?
By eyes of a child
April 4, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this
Sometimes I wish there was a pill that I could take that would make me see the world from the eyes of a child. My almost-four-year-old daughter could give a flying flip about the color of one’s skin. Heck most kids (four and under) don’t even know their own addresses, so we can deduce that they really don’t care about one’s country of origin.
By Sandra
April 4, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this
I’m Black. I was born in Germany, grew up in Barbados and moved here after grad school. On surveys, I usually check “Other” as I’m not African-American. I identify Black as my race, and Caribbean as my ethnicity.
By Jonny
April 4, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this
I do not use the term African-American any more than I use the term European-American. Neither one imparts race, but rather, geography. There are whites that were born in African and there are blacks that were born in Europe. Ergo, a black can be a European-American and a white can be an African-American.
Moreover, this segregation through hyphens is wrong headed. It dampens integration into the greater American culture. It seems to exacerbate the segregation of our common history with “black history” or “chinese history” or “hispanic history” when all three of these ought be considered American History.
It is telling that those that talk about “white history” are generally white supremicists. It is telling that those that call themselves “Euro-Americans” are generally white supremicists. It makes me wonder about the true motive of those that talk about “black power”, “black history” and term themselves as “African-American”. 1+1=2 regardless of race.
By BC
April 4, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this
Eyes of child-wouldn’t that be great to take a pill and see things through the eyes of a child. Well, I think that alot of people are already children because they are so selfish and intolerate such as children. Unfortunately, when your child grows up and see his parents not inviting kids of other races to his/her birthday party or not having kids of other races sleepover or seeing black people on the six o’clock news everyday in a negative situation when we all know that most black people are tax-paying, law-abiding citizens, all of that innocence changes. I am not just calling out one race but we all are guilty of it. We as parent cannot preach ” We all are Americans” when we don’t treat each other as such. So for all of you that have a problem with black people being refered to as AA stop treating black people differently than you would treat anyone else and maybe the labeling stuff will go away.
By Linda
April 4, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this
I’ve often wondered why the term has been so widely accepted. How silly would it be if I started calling myself a German-English-Irish-Scotch-Dutch-Welsh-American? All these represent my ancestors’ origins. I think I’ll stick with plain old American!
By queenfan
April 4, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this
Something that I don’t understand about the whole African-American descriptor is how on earth does that describe only black people? To say someone is an American, we presume that to mean one from the United States. However, Africa is made up of dozens of countries, all with different histories and ethnicities. Egyptians don’t resemble Zimbabweans don’t resemble Ethiopians don’t resemble Liberians and so on. They don’t share the same culture. And there’s plenty of Dutch, Italian, Spanish, French and other backgrounds mixed in now due to the days of colonialism. To imply that all Africans are the same (or even similar) is insulting to the people of the nations on that continent and their rich and colorful histories.
By Kym
April 4, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this
Every man for himself-God for us all. Why in the world do we need labels, I am a woman of color, black, african american, or whatever label society decides to stick on me. Frankly I think it is society with the problem. We want everyone grouped in the correct bubble, listen and thinking the correct thoughts. Heaven forbid you are black and refuse to identify with Africa. Heck I have never been nor do I have a desire to go to Africa. Why? Not because I am a self-hating “african-american”, I have no desire to go because I have a problem with their human rights policies and treatment of women. So call me self-hating if I dont desired to be label African American right now. Check back with me when the people who call themselves descendents of Kings and Queens begin to respect their heritage and the ones who came before them and show appreciation for their past. An begin to treat and teach their future generations better.
By alias
April 4, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
I am of scandinavian descent (way, way back), but I like to refer to myself as a Native American. I was born here, have lived here all my life, so that makes me a native of this country. You are a native of what ever country you were BORN in, and if you choose to live in America LEGALLY, then you are an American citizen. What are Americans who live in France? Are they American-French? And what if you chose to live in Africa, are you an American-African? I could go on……
By Fuzzy
April 4, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this
Thanks Rick for the very insightful and CORRECT comments. Let me suppose that white people living in Africa that moved from America should be called “American-Africans”? Please its time to stop the madness. The “race card” is really really really wearing thin. And big thanks to Cynthia McKinney for dealing the race card from the bottom of the deck this week. You set race relations back about 10 years! Way to go!! I hope the voters remember that in November!
By alias
April 4, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this
Amen @Fuzzy on the race card. She ALWAYS plays that card. I wonder tho, where is Jessee Jackson? Or is he too embarrassed by her behaviour to make an appearance. People like Cynthia McKinney and her “supporters” are what keeps racism alive. I am so glad to be out of her district.
By Nikole
April 4, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this
People who fail to recognize a woman who’s picture is at every entry point and treat certain visitors to the Capitol like they are not worthy of being there is what ALSO keeps racism alive. Educate yourself, that is a good way to combat it.
By Madd Black Man
April 4, 2006 03:13 PM | Link to this
I think this blog should have been specifically for African Americans, no other opinion matters. This is our label, not the white mans. Why is the “race card” (which I never understood how white people can say we play it, because the race card was played centuries ago on us!) always the first response? Yes, Jessie Jackson can be radical, but remember, he was one of the first to stand up for equality for Black people.(he worked with MLK) Again, this is about us and for us to respond.
By Susan
April 4, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this
OK. I’m going for it all and will play the game! Since I’m from Georgia, white, and a firm believer in Southern Heritage, just call me a Confederate-American! And I’m proud of it, too!!
By alias
April 4, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this
Sorry @Madd Black Man, this isn’t a Black’s only blog. And how do you know what the race is of the bloggers? If you want a blog for the blacks - go hit the dating blog. They speak your language there……
By Fuzzy
April 4, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this
Hey Madd Black Man…well I am a MADD White Man or should I say “SICK” White Man. I am sick of people like you and your ilk who want to have your cake and eat it to. You scream racism on EVERY issue..you talk about slavery and being oppressed. When were you ever a slave and when have you been oppressed? NEVER! So stop the race card because it ain’t working no more..just like you probably have not worked in years!
By Kym
April 4, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this
I love it Madd keep that attitude going I here they are working on a way to go to Mars. Maybe all the angry black people who want to start their own nation can move there. Apparently that is growing trend. Why in the world does it matter who says what or where? Tell you what lets stop the planet so all the angry, revolutionary, hate-whitey, how dare they speak about my issues and concerns, black folks can just get off and head to Mars. Just embrassing!
By Nikole
April 4, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this
Today, the confederacy and its flag is a symbole of hatred and oppression. You can be proud of today’s South, but glorifying the South of the past, glorifies slavery, because that is major difference from then to now. It is not the same thing as uplifting yourself with a term you are comfortable with. If I were white, I would prefer white over Confederate due to negative connotation. Some people pick African American over black for similar reasons.
By Madd Balck Man
April 4, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this
Hey Susan, you lost the war and the right of the flag to fly… ha ha ha.
By JW
April 4, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this
Way to go MADD BLACK MAN, now address crime in your community. You got bigger fish to fry than a lame race card which by the way is a joke now days. You got affirmative action, quotas and court orders helping your butt get a job, this white male has only one thing, being qualified. You’re mad because that old race card just ain’t what it use to be and even moderate democrats don’t believe you’re discriminated against. You want to see a real racist, look in the mirror. It must be tough though to be able to use that card like a free credit card then all of a sudden realize you’re way over the limit. McKinney is a joke and the only people who she can get to rally around her are old civil rights relics that have never worked a day and get free handouts. What the hell does Jesse Jackson do for a living anyway? Have you been to Africa, can you point it out on a map? Half the people at McKinneys press conference were dressed in native African dress and I bet most have never been to Africa. You’re a joke.
By Fuzzy
April 4, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this
JW..you destroyed Madd Black Man!! Good job! Oops I did not mean to use Madd Black Man and “job” in the same paragraph! You are correct…he is a JOKE!!
By Madd Black Man
April 4, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this
Rick, you see what they are saying about blacks? Now you see why this should have been an all black forum.
By Jim
April 4, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this
MckInney is playing the race card because she knows the fallout she is facing. She is a benign Congresswoman with no agenda and no plans. Did you see her supporters? How many of them have a job? They have lived off the kindness opf strangers for far too long and now they’re afraid the hand out days are slim to none now. She is being investigated now for fraud, she’ll wish she had taken that anger management class affter her previous and 4th altercation. She is a violent thugette.
By Nikole
April 4, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this
Fuzzy- How can you make a “stop playing the race card” comment and then turn around and make a racist comment? (black man doesn’t have a job) How about you stop giving people a reason to pull the card out? You can’t be upset when someone calls you the racist that you obviously are.
By Harleyman
April 4, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this
@ Nikole:
“People who fail to recognize a woman who’s picture is at every entry point and treat certain visitors to the Capitol like they are not worthy of being there is what ALSO keeps racism alive. Educate yourself, that is a good way to combat it.”
WRONG. It is NOT the job of the Capitol Security to know each and every face of the FIVE HUNDRED PLUS congresspeople that walk through the Capitol.
As has been mentioned in the media, this is not the first racial incident with Ms. McKinney. She is a loose cannon and full of disdain for other races (especially whites and Hispanics) just like her “J-E-W-S” father.
Oh, and on a final note, becoming FATTER and changing her hairstyle from the notorious braids to a ghetto-look ala Shirley from “What’s Happenin!” didn’t help her recognition out much. Besides, McKinney has NEVER done a thing for her constituency in the 4th District. Showing support for that wretched woman is showing your blatant ignorance of a failure that doesn’t deserve to be in the office she is holding.
By amadamaranda
April 4, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this
Racism is being kept alive by those who proclaim it on a daily basis
By Nathan Mize
April 4, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this
I drew the “long form” during the last census, and that’s how I answered that question—“American”. Period.
By alias
April 4, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this
Dear Mad Black Man, Unfortunately it is your very own race who keeps racism alive. The Civil War is over, but people like you will never let it die. Just because your great-great-great grandparent was a slave does not mean YOU are oppressed. Get off your lazy whitey-hatin butt, get a free education, just like the rest of us, and bring something to the table. Maybe if you weren’t so lazy and oppressed we wouldn’t have an illegal immigrant problem. I don’t see too many black men in a “day labor” parking lot waiting for a chance to bring home some money to support your family. Your type doesn’t want to work, but wants to take more from me And other honest, hard-working citizens. I have my own family to support. I go to work each and every single day and EARN my keep. You know you have lost this argument.
Love, One-Hard-working-white-single-parent
By Kym
April 4, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this
Nikole,
I am black. I talk with friends, family members and coworkers about the increasing number of lazy black men and women(lets be fair) who will not work and feel they are entitled to everything. So if I made the same comment would I be racist? HMMMMM
By BC
April 4, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this
I am a black man. Fuzzy, were you named after Fuzzy Zoeller(the golfer) or was he named after you? Your next comment similar to his should be “what are the black people that are blogging having for dinner tonight, chicken and collard greens”. I will use the statement that alot of white people use and that is “I have plenty of white friends” so I know that white people are not devils or anything simply because I like to interact with them and I know that I have genuine friends. Unlike the attitude that alot of white people have I will not lump every white person in the same mold as you because of your comments. That the danger of stereotypes. Don’t you see why black people get so upset when they are stopped by the police for no reason. I am my own person and will judge each individual based on his/her integrity.
By Fuzzy
April 4, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this
Nikole…I am not a racist but morons like “Madd Black Man” make it hard not to be! I should not have said what I did and I apologize to anyone offended EXCEPT “MBM”. You do have to admit that Cynthia McKinney is pathetic! She flies celebrities to Atlanta on taxpayer funds and then says the incident last week was racially motivated. She is a loser and the only reason she keeps getting re-elected is because of the color of her skin. Tell me ONE thing she has done politically for her district except cause them shame! I pray she loses in November and slips into obscurity!!
By Charlie
April 4, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this
Great article. I think that most of the time our race is fairly obvious. What is more important is our health status and habits. That is how we should describe ourselves. If we are going to hyphenate we should make the information useful. It would be more valuable to know that someone is a diabetic-American, hypertensive-American or vegan-American. If you knew someone was a lactose intolerant-American, you would not serve cheesecake for dessert and would have better rapport with them. That is how we can help unite all Americans to support each other.
By Angry White Dude
April 4, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this
Why am I angry? Let me count the ways..”Congressional Black Caucus” , “The Concerned Black Clergy” , ” The 100 Black Men of Atlanta”, “Black History Month”..etc. What if there was the “Congressional White Caucus”, “The Concerned White Clergy”, “The 100 White Men of Atlanta”??? How fast would Al “Jheri Curl” Sharpton and Jesse “Baby Mama” Jackson be on TV screaming racism?? Faster than you could say “race card”!!! And that is why I am mad along with a lot of others!!
By Nikole
April 4, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this
Yes Kym, you would be. I make racist comments about white people as well. No one is exempt from being a racist. I respect those that own up to that and work on self improvement.
By BC
April 4, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this
How’d this turn into a Cynthia Mckinney Blog? This time of day is usually when Rick disappears and starts working on future blogs because us “Americans” have short attention spans.
By Nikole
April 4, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this
angry white dude- Blacks felt the need for those organizations becuase they felt that they were not adequately represented in the mainstream culture. It is not meant to be a slap in the face of whites, but an upliftment for people of color who recognize the contributions that positive people of color make. Due to all the negative stereotypes of blacks written here today, they are still necessary.
By david
April 4, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this
Just a quick comment here. I presume you say “American” are talking about U.S. Citizens; and when you are referencing Canadians, Mexicans, and Americans separately; you are doing so incorrectly. Mexico and Canada are part of North AMERICA (along with the United States). Additionally, Central and South AMERICA are also part of the AMERICAN continent. Therefore, we’re all AMERICANs. Let’s just stop labeling one another already!
By Jesse's Girl
April 4, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this
My family, and therefor my heritage, is Jewish. My people were enslaved as well…. for thousands of years. When our ancestors came to America…they were grateful, blessed. They came here hoping to make a better way and they succeeded. Once they were here and naturalized, they were honored to call themselves Americans. Because that is exactly what they were. Not Israeli-American, or German-American, or Romanian-American…just AMERICAN. You pass down bits and peices of your past and heritage to teach the new generations to be proud of who they are and to not forget where they come from. If you are fortunate enough to forge a way of life in this country….then you are no longer just a person of particular descent. You are now and forever an American. And for people to use their heritage….however far removed it may be from their doorstep….to separate themselves from the rest of this “melting pot’s” many ingredients, they are causing descension. None of us are all of anything. Our ancestral passports have many stamps. Draw attention to them in positive ways such as teaching the lessons of the past to the children. Not by practicing separatism.
By Kym
April 4, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this
Jesse’s Girl you have made by far the best comment of the day!
By bushwacker
April 4, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this
I guess white Americans with ncestors from Africa should be called African-Americans too. What a hoot!!!
By Angry White Dude
April 4, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this
Nikole..Nikole…Nikole…how can you say that blacks feel that they are not adequately represented in the mainstream culture??? Call it what is is…”Reverse Racism”. And all it does is make matters worse! And I see that you admit to being a racist!!! Would you ever date a white guy?
By Jim
April 4, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this
BC, McKinney was not stopped by the ploice for no reason. It’s a security issue and his job is security. There are 435 Representitives in Congress, with over 100 doorways they enter ans exit and 1,000 officers to do the job. Is it realistic for all 1,000 of the police officers to remember all 435 people? Isn’t it more realistic for her to tone down the arrogance and just wear the damn lapel pin, all the others do. Is she special? Why won’t she wear the pin? Do you really think a cop there said ” Lets harrass this black lady today” No, you can’t really believe that. She helps to make the law, she knows the laws. Sometimes, as in her case, when you have no laws or bills coming off your desk you do what it takes to get your name out, and her way to do this stupid false race baiting thing. I live in her district, she has done zero for me. I will worlk hard to make sure she is not re-elected. She would have to improve to be elevated to the status of worthless.
By BC
April 4, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this
Jim-I was not refering to the Congresswoman. I was making a point on stereotyping in general as a result of the comment that was made earlier about black people being lazy and not wanting to work. That’s a BIG stereotype! I tend to agree with most people that she should have been stopped. I actually don’t care for her as a Congress member. She will never be affective in Washingston because she has obsticized herself with all of the racial gunslinging.
By mka
April 4, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this
I am sick and tired of some whites who conveniently lump ALL blacks into a category of non-working, lazy, fried-chicken-eating people.
I for one am a successful black, MARRIED, STAY-AT-HOME MOM, who CO-runs a lucrative, law-abiding business with my wonderful, responsibile BLACK husband.
As a matter of fact, I know far more blacks who HAVE good jobs, than those who don’t. Of the several hundred family members that I have, I can count on one hand those who DO NOT have jobs or lead productive lives. Those who DON’T work, are either disabled or retired.
Statistically, there are FAR MORE whites on welfare and government assistance than blacks. But most ignorant, “angry” whites are so used to seeing the well-known “welfare queen” (fat, ebonics-speaking, darker-skinned black woman with five kids behind her) that they are too stupid and ill-informed to know that there relatives in red-neck TX, KY, VA, GA and the remaining states are usurping more tax dollars than Shaquanda could ever do!!!
And yes…I’m not only angry….I’m p**!
By JW
April 4, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this
My kids use to cry and throw a fit to get their way. I admit, sometimes it worked, we just caved in and let them have their way to avoid a conflict and fight. The race card is the same thing. White guilt made many believe the race card when it was tossed out before laws and mindsets changed. Eventually we leaned not to cave in to the cries of our kids, we just let them cry and they eventually either shut-up and learned the crying won’t help any more. Same with the race card, some, and for sure not all minorities,were so accustomed to using it to get anything they wanted until it became useless, like the boy who cried wolf. Thanks to Jesse and McKinney now NO ONE believes it when they hear it, by it I mean racia bias. It’s a fabrication of the minds of those who need a crutch to get by with. Welcome to the world of the white man.
By Emily
April 4, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this
Charlize Theron is not a US citizen, and therefore, not an African-American. She is South African. She learned English as a teenager; her first language is Afrikaans. Jamie Foxx referred to her as African-American during the Oscar ceremony, but this was a mistake.
By James
April 4, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this
Madd Black Man - if whites are not allowed to weigh in on “black issues” then by God, all blacks should keep their mouths shut about anything that IS NOT about black people!
However, too often I hear/read/see instances where black folks want their cake and eat it too.
There is a National Association for the Advancement of Caucasion People - or there was - until the black caucases got together and saw to it that it was shut down as racist. But the National Assocation for the Advancement of Colored People isn’t….hmmmm. Is that racist?
What about a United Caucasion College Fund? Why can’t we have that? It’s racist that’s why!
When was the last time a white person was welcomed into a black “nightclub?” But if white folks don’t openly and eagerly embrace any and all black folks not only into predominantly white country clubs, night clubs, etc. we’re racist.
It’s time for the pendulum to swing the other way again, my friend.
By LEG
April 4, 2006 05:20 PM | Link to this
I have been a legal immigrant in this country for almost 30 years. The interesting part of this entire blog is the disrespect that we have for each other’s opinions. Mr. Badie asked for our opinions, not to continue insulting each other. The greatest part of living in this country is the freedom it gives us. You do not have to agree with everyone’s opinions. But they are entitled to them. If there was more respect for our fellow human, there would be less need to differentiate, alienate and subjugate.
When I chose to become an American citizen, I chose to stop identifying myslef as Jamaican except to other Jamaicans regarding cultural issues. The right and priviledge of living in America and being an American citizen should not be taken lightly, since we can see there are many people from various countries literally dying to be here.
I think we confuse ethnicity with nationality. I was a Jamaican National…meaning I was born there. I am now an American National since I have accepted American citizenship. Neither one of those statements indicate the color of my skin, because that is not important. I am Jamaican by birth and American by choice….no hyphen necessary or used.
By SavageNationalist
April 4, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this
James, great & accurate comments indeed!!! There’s always hypocrisy from leftists/socialists…who’re the very ones who push the PC-oriented hyphenated status. As an AMERICAN, I say loyalty to the U.S.A should come first and foremost. I love the good, old, adage…”America, love it or leave it”!!!
By Kathleen
April 4, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this
I do not hyphenate. What would I be a Irish-Scottish-Dutch American? A European American?
When I filled out my last census the question came up about heritage. For myself I wrote the above countries. For my son I wrote American. I was born in the USA, as was my sons father, grandparents and most of his great-grandparents. Of course his heritage is American!
By Ex-Northerner
April 4, 2006 05:53 PM | Link to this
Geez, people. As long as we insist on living in the past, we are doomed not to move forward. We all have a past and a heritage. It is up to each of us individually to create our own history.
My husband is from Norwegian/Swedish/Irish/Chippawa Indian descent. As he say, his ancestral history is rich with raping and pillaging, drinking and fighting, and freezing while the land of his forefathers was stolen out from under them. He acknowledges and enjoys learning about his heritage but he has no affinity to nor need to “identify” with the past.
I have a black friend who was born and raised in Ruwanda. Ask her if she wants to go back to Ruwanda after having lost her entire family to the other BLACK people who murdered them. Ask her what she thinks of black Americans who insist on holding fast to the “African-American” moniker and her response is always a laugh followed by “they don’t have a clue what being an African means.”
“Racism” is when one race espouses the idology that they are genetically superior to another race. I happen to think that, as a race, blacks are athletically genetically superior to whites. It’s the old “all blacks have rhythm” statement but I really believe it is true. Whites are generally missing the rhythm gene. I think it is only a matter of time before black athletes begin winning everything win-able in the Winter Olympic Games as well as the Summer Olympics because more and more black families are able to afford skating and skiing lessons. I think we are on the verge of seeing the X Games and the Olympics become dominated by black athletes. I don’t see those athletes waving the flag of some African country. They are black and proud to be American.
By Fuzzy
April 4, 2006 06:34 PM | Link to this
Hey mka…first of all, you are lying more than likely. You made up most of the crap you wrote no doubt. If you really own a business then I would bet most of your customers are WHITE..correct? Also you need to learn the correct use of “their” vs. “there” That alone shows you to be the Shaniqua you speak of…shut the ** up
By Dave Oliver
April 4, 2006 07:32 PM | Link to this
Teddy Roosevelt had it right. Barbara, thanks for the quote. All this mess of being an African-American, Cuban-American etc. is just plain silly. We are all Americans and until you act that way shame on you.
By Terri
April 4, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this
Good job, Rick. Once again you have given a lot of thought to a real situation.
By Michael H. Smith
April 4, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this
Thank God Almighty Bra!!!!!
I am an American.
PS. Now do you think we’ll ever get people to stop speaking like the “Klan” about race? There is no black race, white race, yellow race, brown race, red race…. there is only the human race. Lose the BIGOTRY. Join the “HUMAN RACE” please!?
By Paul
April 4, 2006 09:21 PM | Link to this
As a kilt wearing, otherwise known as “Scottish-American” (sounds pretty stupid, eh?), I salute you, brother!
By mka
April 4, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this
Fuzzy….don’t you sound like an idiot. What are you mad about, anyway?? I have no reason to lie to you or anyone else. The facts are the facts. Just face it dude, you’ve been hood-winked, lied to and led astray by the masses, who want you to believe that all blacks are lazy, tax-usurping people.
It just isn’t true. If you’d like, however, please go on believing it. And I’ll keep being successful, teaching my children the TRUTH about their history, keep dispelling the B.S., whitewashed myths about what is taught in American History classes, and laughing at morons like you.
Oh and you don’t have to worry about me “shutting up”. As a matter of fact Fuzzy, I’m just getting started. And “there” is nothing that you can do about it. Go f yourself.
By Bruce Wilcox
April 4, 2006 11:08 PM | Link to this
If all countries South of our boarders are Latin countries as Rick referred to them, we call the people Latino’s. Yet here in this country we insist everyone speak English, shouldn’t we be referred to as Englishmen and not Americans? And I still want to know what happened to South America, did the Latino’s take it and rename it?
Except for the usual gang of race-baiters this has to be one of the most amusing collection of comments in along time.
By Tammy
April 5, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this
Personally, whenever I hear someone state that they are African-American, Mexican-American, Irish-American and so on….. I generally want to ask them if I may see their Green-card & to see how long their stay in American will be……
Just a thought.
By Bruce Wilcox
April 5, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this
Tammy you may not be too far off, there has a discussion going on in Washington the past few years about a Natonal ID card. I would guess it would have to be updated every so often, I don’t think a baby picture would be a safe form of identification as you aged. And should it be the same shade of green as visitors?
For those who happen to be proud of their hertiage, which there is nothing wrong with, maybe cards in the colors of the flag of the country that they came from. Muti-color cards could be issues for those who happen to have many.
By Fran
April 5, 2006 01:27 PM | Link to this
I think you are right on target. There are people in many countries who would give anything to become American citizens. I am disgusted by those who come here for a better life and yet want their first allegiance to remain with their native land. If the old country is so great, why leave? My heritage is Irish, German and Welsh but I have little in common with those cultures. I am first and foremost and American and proud of it! Keep up the good work, Mr. Badie!
By Ed
April 5, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this
I applaud your sentiments, Mr. Badie! My ancestors came from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and England, and the most recently that any of them landed on these shores was in the 1840’s. I don’t see a block for Scottish-Irish-Welsh-English-American on any governmental forms. Should I check “other” and write in that absurdly long moniker? Heck, no! I’m an AMERICAN! I was born here, I have almost always lived here, and I will die here. I have a close friend who was born in the US of parents who came (legally) from Mexico. He speaks not a word of Spanish. His parents wanted to be sure he spoke perfect English so that he would not be ostracized to “the barrio”. When asked, he says he’s AMERICAN. Period. If pressed on the matter, he’ll say that his parents were from Mexico, but he was born AMERICAN. I’m sick and tired of this “politically correct” hyphenization. If you were born in the USA, and have never rescinded your citizenship, you are AMERICAN. End of discussion.
By Second coming of Anna
April 5, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this
I have to say sorry to African-American people - but now is the time that us white people are focused on marginalizing, criminalizing and demonizing Hispanics/Mexicans. We’ve done as much as we can for now to you; now it’s time for us to turn Jim Crow into Jose Cuervo.
By Nikole
April 5, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this
Why is everyone so afraid of our differences? Angry white dude, I would date a white man if I found him attractive, and I was not already married. I do not understand what that has to do with anything. Those organizations do not promote hatred of any race, but provide support for people of color. White people support each other in general, thus, there is no need for the National Association of Advancement of White People. I do not think that you will understand what I am trying to say, people understand what they want to. There is no reasoning with them. I am afraid that you are one of those people, so don’t address me anymore.
By Second coming of Anna
April 5, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this
Nikole, is 6’4” blonde hair, blue eyes attractive to you - because I am a charter member of the “dating rainbow coaltion”
By Firstblackman
April 5, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this
I first want to say that Fuzzy, have you taken your medication yet?
Rick —> “but I don’t identify with Africa”
My response —> Well, there’s a reason why you don’t identify yourself with Africa. A lot of if stemmed from slavery and a lot of it comes from the negative images and stories exaggerated of Africa today. As a black man, I think you ought to be ashamed of not being able to identify yourself with Africa. You probably can’t or don’t because you do not care to. You don’t really want to know your own history. For you to even bring this article to life shows your lack of education.
Rick Badie —> “It’s just neater, simpler and demands fewer syllables”.
My response —> Here you show just how lame or lazy you really are. Don’t get me wrong, you’re entitled to call yourself whatever you’d like but there’s no point to your article.
Rick Badie —> “I wrote that immigrants sent the wrong message when they waved their ancestral flags in protests…”
My response —> Have you never studied early American history before? What those Hispanics did wasn’t the first protest on American soil in which protesters waved their respective country flags. Hell, you ought to look right down here in GA at the Confederate supporters. They wave their flag with “great pride.” Does that send the wrong message? Hmm? I guarantee you if the same issue was with Black Canadians trying to cross the border from Canada into the United States you’d bet you’d see Canadian flags waving during a protest.
Also, if Mexico was 90% Caucasian instead of Hispanic, we wouldn’t even be discussing this issue now would we? Talk about double standards. Hmm?
Rick, perhaps you may need to “think” before writing your next article(s).
In closing, America is a two party/state country. You have a Caucasian perspective and you have a black perspective; then there’s everyone else. As long as we still have stereotypes and racism, most brown people won’t necessarily identify themselves as “American”. They will identify themselves as “black”, “African American”, “Chinese America”, “Hispanic American”, etc.
Later,
Firstblackman
By Fuzzy
April 5, 2006 05:32 PM | Link to this
mka…your initials must stand for “must kiss a” because you are most definitley a dumba!! Did you learn to use the word “usurp” from watching BET? As far as doing what you suggested with myself..I would rather do it to you and then you will find out what a real white man is all about. The brothas just don’t bring it to the table like white guys do. So go on living in da ghetto and speaking ebonics cause thats all the whit man will let you do. We be keeping yall oppressed and all….
By Bruce Wilcox
April 6, 2006 12:08 AM | Link to this
Notice: St. Patricks Day and Columbus Day are canceled, all ethnic restaurants will only be allowed to serve American food, the bag pipes will be retired and so on. Sound rational?
By a number of comments it is, imagine giving up your rich hertiage because some may feel it’s a threat to the American way. Our country is just a little over 225 years old, unless you’re a Native American Indian, which isn’t a long span of time. Our own culture is just handed down, stolen or copied from our ancestors from other lands, yet we can’t be proud of that hertiage?
Should we start up the Committee on Un-American Activities again? Nail those that wear the buttons stating “I’m Proud to Be Irish”, close down those English Pubs, ban Coat of Arms. Arrogance, ignorance or just paranoia?
By Chuck
April 14, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this
Rick: You make a very good point. Rep. McKinney’s recent action does reflect upon her, not on her race. However, Rep. (with emphasis on Representative) McKinney is by definition a representative of her constituents and what she does reflect upon her constituents. After all, they voted for her to represent them. And if she were my representative in Congress, I’d be embarrassed by her recent action.
By disgusted
April 14, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this
This all boils down to how incredibly self-centered and self-absorbed Cynthia McKinney is and how delusional she can be. Mark my words, in her little pea-brain she aspires to be the next Rosa Parks and is desperately searching for any opportunity to gain attention and publicity especially if she can link it to possible racism. This latest fiasco exposes her for the RACIST she is!