Why is a person called and african american, even if both their parents are light skinned?

Question

If my skin coulour is really light and i have a child with a caucasian man, what gives you the right to call my children black or african american, even though they have skin that can pass for white

If my skin coulour is really light and i have a child with a caucasian man, what gives you the right to call my children black or african american, even though they have skin that can pass for white ... for those of you who think i'm having irace issues don't i'm not even american but i'm black. I'll i'm saying is if i was born in america how can i be an african american? Where i live we have chinese and indian ppl born here does that make them chinese-jamaican or indian-jamaican... NO THER ARE JUST JAMAICAN

For those of you who think i'm having race issues don't, i'm not even american but i'm black. I'll i'm saying is if i was born in america how can i be an african american? Where i live we have chinese and indian ppl born here because their parents are from that decent.... even caucasian. Does that make them chinese-jamaican or indian-jamaican... NO THEY ARE JUST JAMAICAN

Answer 1

because in America, anyone who isn't caucasian must identify themselves by their minority. a man who was 1/8 black (and people only knew after they were told, he looked white) was forbidden to ride in the white passenger car of the train a few decades ago. the entire term african american is stupid, race is a myth, there is only the human race. it is culture that makes people different, and most americans are culturally american. yet they can only claim to be american (as opposed to asian american, latin american...) if they are white. it's just another way society divides itself based on appearance, and the government perpetuates this!!! sorry but this whole concept bugs the crap out of me.....

Answer 2

I agree that unless you are African, or maybe a parent is African, then you should not be called African American. I don't think it means that a person has self hatred, unlike some of these posts here. I am black, Irish, German, and Native American. That does not make me African American. I choose to identify as black because that is mostly what I am. A biracial child is not black. They are black and white. No one should be forced to claim one side of their heritage. I agree with you.

Answer 3

Why should anyone with generations of family in this county be called an African-American? I have a Friend who move here from Kenya a few years ago and is now a US citizen. He is an African-American. My ancestors came from Germany, so should I demand to be called a German-American. It is a little ridiculous.

Answer 4

Actually no one needs to. It is a title or add on title that the black americans wanted many years back and now it seems to be in vogue for everyone to do. Why do we need to have hypinated anything, born in American and American. I dont understand it either. Next thing you know we will have to call each other blended and list all the colors. Its rediculous as far as I am concerned. He is you child. Identify him as you wish. And kiss him for me.

Answer 5

for this you can thank Jessie Jackson. A few years back he decieded to give persons of the black race a hyphenated title. Back then a lot of black people was treated as if they had no RIGHTS. I've seen this, and even though I'm white I disagreed with treatment. But you have the right to call your baby any race you wish.Call them white if you wish, or call them black... HOPEFULLY ONE DAY IN OUR LIFETIME,WE WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHO IS WHAT COLOR... I seeby your speach that this dosen't matter to YOU...Just keep being a GOOD PARENT and teach your children that " it's not the color of their skin that matters but their, character............. TEACH THEM WELL.......




















' the color of a persons skin is not important. It's their character that matters........Keep smiling!!!

Answer 6

Then you of all people should know that "black" comes in all different shades of brown. Why do you have a problem with your kids being called black? They are! Thats what gives people the right. They should be proud to be both. Not just white. Sounds like you have some self-hatred issues going on about being black. Thats your problem, not eveyone elses.

Answer 7

Whats the question?If your light skinned but are still of African
decent,then wouldn't you still be considered African-American If
you are also american?........are do you just wish to leave the
African part out, and be considered american?

Answer 8

Sounds like the real issue here is with you and your race card. Deal with that first, then decide what to call your child. Would you be more or less pissed if someone called your child a mulatto?

Answer 9

When does the colour of your skin depicts your race? Talk with Michael Jackson???, Vanessa Williams, Hale Berry etc...

Answer 10

They are of african descent. there is nothing to be ashamed of. black africans are your ancestors.