| This question was recently asked of me numerous | | | | Third, I recently met a White American who lived in |
| times by White Americans, White Europeans, Black | | | | Africa for 15 years. Believing myself to be witty, I said, |
| Americans, and others. The funny thing is that I have | | | | "Wow, you are an African American." I was not |
| wondered this too. However, the interesting part about | | | | prepared for his response. He said, "That's funny |
| this question is the fact that people are asking it in the | | | | because my 19 year old daughter speaks the |
| first place. | | | | language and considers herself an African American |
| When I think about it, something must not be right. I | | | | given that since the age of four Africa has been her |
| don't recall ever hearing anyone ask what is an Italian | | | | home. Once again, I began to ponder the use of the |
| American or German American. So why would | | | | term as it applies to me. |
| anyone ask what is an African American? | | | | Fourth, some White Americans were born in Africa |
| I think the first aspect of my wonderment is that I can't | | | | and consider themselves African Americans. Once |
| seem to figure out how or when I (a year long tan | | | | again, I ponder. |
| American) stopped being identified as a Black | | | | Fifth, a White Frenchmen recently said to me that he |
| American and started being identified as an African | | | | has African friends in France and they simply don't |
| American. I'm sure someone has the answer. | | | | understand why 4th and 5th generation Blacks in |
| Unfortunately, it is a little fuzzy to me and it seems to | | | | America are called and considered African Americans. |
| be a little fuzzy to others as well. For myself, I'm pretty | | | | Good question. As stated earlier, I continue to ponder. |
| sure it has something to due with some of my | | | | So, based on what I know, the second aspect of my |
| ancestors who probably came from the continent of | | | | wonderment is that if I'm an African American then |
| Africa so long ago. I'm also pretty sure that it has | | | | what in the world are all these other people. They all |
| something to do with people wanting to be politically | | | | seem to think they are African Americans. To be |
| correct. I'm not sure how politically correct it is since I'm | | | | honest, I don't mind sharing this identification but these |
| a little fuzzy about its use. But, this is what I know. | | | | other folks do make me ponder. |
| First, I am an American that happens to be black with | | | | Although, I can't speak for everyone else, I'm perfectly |
| some ancestors who are more than likely from Africa. | | | | happy with being identified as an American first who |
| Second, I recently met a man from Nigeria (a country | | | | happens to have a year long tan (a.k.a. Black). |
| on the continent of Africa) who is a US citizen. During | | | | Right now, it doesn't seem that I have much of a say |
| our conversation, he informed me that he is an African | | | | in what I am identified as other than the fact that I |
| American or more accurately said a Nigerian | | | | continue to ponder. |
| American. Needless to say, after he pointed out that | | | | Copyright © 2007 Knowledge Driven & |
| he was an African American, I began to ponder the | | | | Moore LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
| use of the term as it applies to me. | | | | |