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“I’m Not African-American” – My response

February 27, 2012 1 Comment
source: patrioticdissent.net

A couple of weeks ago I came across an article written by Jesse Washington (The Associated Press) entitled ” Some Blacks Insist: I’m not African-American“. I’ve heard some Blacks say that they’re not African before, but I’ve never heard the term “African-American” denied. Let me tell you why African-American is the perfect term for me.

In 2006 I visited Africa for the first time. I was blessed to spend time in the beautiful country of Zambia. During my stay there Zambians would greet me in their language and quite naturally wait for my response. Once I opened my mouth they would all be shocked to learn that I wasn’t Zambian, but indeed from the U.S. I know it must have been confusing for the Zambians, but it was even more confusing for me.

When I came back to the states I went through a major identity crisis. My whole life I had been told that I was African-American, but had no connection to the continent of Africa. On the other hand, I was a Black woman living in America, a country that at times can make African-Americans feel far from home.

I came to the conclusion that I AM AFRICAN-AMERICAN. I don’t have to speak an African language or know how to make an African dish, but I’m still African. Just look at me. Look at my skin, my features, my eyes. I am African, and although my values may not be rooted in African culture, slave-ships and oceans can not rob me of my heritage. I am also American. My African ancestors built this land, from the share crops to the White House. America may have turned her back on her foster kids by creating Jim Crow Laws, but I continue to stand tall on the shoulders of every person (known & un-known) who marched, prayed, and fought for us to see a better day.

I will NEVER deny my African heritage or my American roots. It is who I am…African-American.

Sincerely,

Nikki

Filed Under: Race Matters, Society & Culture Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

The Beef Between Africans & African Americans: Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?

September 18, 2010 Leave a Comment

“You’re not African American, you’re American. You guys just say African American so you can have some relation to Africa.”

These are the words that were spoken to me from a Nigerian lady that I attended college with. It was hurtful to hear her say this. I have traveled to Zambia twice and the first time was challenging. In a debriefing session I explained to the white people on the trip, that my entire life I had been told that I am African American, and here I was in Africa and had no culture to call my own. When a man in the market realized that I couldn’t speak Bemba he told my Zambian host that I should be ashamed of myself for not knowing my language. He didn’t know that I wasn’t from Zambia, because everything about me along with the rest of the African American community screams Africa. While in Zambia, I noticed how the people looked just like African Americans back home. It was very evident that African Americans are from Africa.
There are two major problems at hand: not enough African Americans acknowledge that they are Africans and not enough Africans acknowledge that African Americans are African. I’m sure growing up we have all heard the “You look like you African” jokes. Well that cruel joke has followed us to adulthood. How can a Black person look like an African, when they are African? And why is that meant to be offensive? I will admit that it wasn’t until after my voyage to the Motherland, that I began to take ownership of my African roots. What’s weird is when I say that I’m African around African Americans that know me, they look at me like I’m crazy and question me. I respond by saying “You’re African too!”
On the other hand I have heard Africans speak like the Nigerian lady who told me that I wasn’t African. Is the history of slavery not enough explanation on how we separated from our homeland? That isn’t American history; it’s African and American history. There are African Americans like myself who have gone through major identity crisis’ and struggled over the fact that we have no knowledge of what country in Africa we came from. Just because we weren’t born in Africa, don’t strip us of our African identity and heritage.
What frustrates me is I can see how the media has played a crucial role in dividing us. In America they have presented Africa to us as the Dark Continent with uncivilized people. To an extent we have believed everything we’ve seen on television. I remember on my first trip to Africa I was scared that some random men were going to break into the house I was staying and rape me. How crazy is that? In Africa they have presented African Americans as all being uneducated, rappers, thugs, and hoes. It was very irritating when the Africans would try to use slang with me. The media alone has caused us to form stereotypes about each other.
This is an issue that frequently comes up in my diverse circle of friends, so I wanted to share it with you guys. I leave you with this question:
At what point did African Americans stop being African? When we got off the slaveship?
Sincerely,
Nikki
Filed Under: Race Matters, Society & Culture Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,