...that apart from the descendents of a few Pilgrims and Native Americans, there indeed are very few who can lay a greater claim to being American, than African Americans. If not, however...why?
2006-09-08 07:51:58 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Realise that most have not read my question fully, as my first line did mention the Pilgrims and Native Americans indeed were there first - but the Pilgrims were not too keen on undertaking the physical task of creating the sort of country they wanted. Slaves who were sold off and herded onto ships had no say in their futures, no matter where they ended up - but it can be still be argued that (despite their position upon arrival in the New World...and in the many years since) they indeed can lay claim to being American, in the full sense of the word. And Middenmaker - best to blame the Spanish for the influx of slaves to the West Indies.
2006-09-09 12:12:35 · update #1
Phoneypersona...was amused at the first word in your particular answer. 'Err'. Someone else who didn't think too much about the question.
2006-09-09 12:16:35 · update #2
Phoneypersona...was amused at the first word in your particular answer. 'Err' (sure you'll correct yourself at some stage). Someone else who didn't think too much about the question.
2006-09-09 12:17:26 · update #3
Yes - it is indeed the survival of the fittest, but my argument remained thus; despite the slaves being shipped over to the New World not entirely of their own free will (unlike the Pilgrims, etc), they sure had a right to join the earliest 'conquerors' as bona fide 'New World' settlers
2006-09-09 12:34:09 · update #4
Sojourner Truth
1797-1883
Sojourner Truth, a nationally known speaker on human rights for slaves and women, was born Isabella Baumfree, a slave in Hurley, New York, and spoke only Dutch during her childhood. Sold and resold, denied her choice in husband, and treated cruelly by her masters, Truth ran away in 1826, leaving all but one of her children behind. After her freedom was bought for $25, she moved to New York City in 1829 and became a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. In 1853, she helped form a utopian community called "The Kingdom," at Sing Sing, New York, which was soon disbanded following the death and possible murder of its leader. Truth was implicated in the scandal but courageously fought the falsehoods aimed at her.
After the death of her son, she took the name Sojourner Truth to signify her new role as traveler telling the truth about slavery. She set out on June 1, 1843, walking for miles in a northeasterly direction with 25 cents in her pocket, and rested only when she found lodging offered by either rich or poor. First she attended religious meetings, then began to hold meetings herself that would bring audience members to tears. As she logged mile after mile, her fame grew and her reputation preceded her. Truth's popularity was enhanced by her biography written by the abolitionist Olive Gilbert, with a preface written by William Lloyd Garrison. In 1864, she was invited to the White House, where President Abraham Lincoln personally received her. Later she served as a counselor for the National Freedman's Relief Association, retiring in 1875 to Battle Creek, Michigan
2006-09-08 08:16:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
all lands of the world were discovered and inhabited and by humans traveling and searching from other areas, if we said that all people had to claim their nationality from their descent then we would all have to claim to be from the middle east where civilization started around the area of the fertile crescent.
I am native american myself but I do not buy into that the natives were here first and they truly own the land... When the greeks, romans, and other empires conquered lands and took the land the conquered did not say I was here first and you owe me retribution. Give credit of America to the ones who conquered it, settled it, industrialized it, capitalized it, and made it into the world power that it is today. Its survival of the fittest...
2006-09-08 20:22:04 · answer #2 · answered by Sue S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
Err think you need to read a little history. First slaves in US arrived in 1619 one of whom gave birth to the first African-American. (Although, US was at that time a British colony) So, African-Americans where there from the start but so where many other peoples, notably Scots and Irish.
2006-09-08 07:58:26 · answer #3 · answered by phoneypersona 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would have thought the native Indians were the true american race. After that it was just a free for all to the extent that "american" is just a description for any mixture of race.
2006-09-08 08:07:20 · answer #4 · answered by Raymo 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
African americans were brought to america through slavery so you cant claim to being american. true americans are the native americans and because of their deaths and being out-bred there are very few of them left.
2006-09-08 07:59:18 · answer #5 · answered by Bunnygirl24 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The only people who can truely claim this country is the native americans. All others came and killed to take it.
2006-09-08 07:59:46 · answer #6 · answered by rdenk74 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
surely the people who bought your"ancestors" as slaves would have a greater claim,they were there before you.they built the ports where the slave ships docked and the buildings that housed your people.
2006-09-08 08:06:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You have taken over the West Indies, leave the yanks alone.
2006-09-08 07:57:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ummm...
I am sooo glad I am Canadian.
Whether you were born here in Canada or just got your citizenship you are Canadian.
My dad & I were born Canadian but my mum is Welsh. We are all Canucks.
2006-09-08 08:01:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
slaves were bought by people already there.
2006-09-08 07:54:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋