I am an African living in America but I was told I am not African American?

Question

Can someone please explain to me this phrase and the significance of titles identifying my race. It seems to me here in the west that your heritage and race are very important factors of social life. Why do the people here in America always identify by race more than any other factor. Because of my skin color a friend told me I am not welcome in the next town because people do not like people that look like me. I told him I would see for myself and he assured me it would be a dangerous experience. Why is it so important anyway? I am honest respectful and have a good profession a college education and a wonderful family. I only want to understand the american way of life and the reasons people feel the way they do. The person who told me I am not african american said that even though I am an african I could never be african american because I do not share the same experiences as black people born in America. He says he is %100 african american but never was in africa. explain please

Answer 1

If you are an African (born/raised in Africa) and not a US citizen, you are NOT an African-American, no more so than one born and raised in Italy is an Italian-American.

Jesse Jackson did make the faux pas of calling Nelson Mandela and "African-American", causing great amusement.

Answer 2

Get over the racial identifier and just consider yourself part of the "Human Race" .. African American is just an elevated identifier for black people in America. You're either black skinned or white skinned or yellow skinned or red skinned... doesn't really matter does it? My ancestors come from Ireland and Germany and I was born in America 4Th generation American yet I don't insist on being called "Euro-American". some other people who insist on using such acknowledgment are Asian American, Hispanic American but you know what?.. this is something that just sets them apart from everyone else. The problem is that there are too many concessions for minority groups so anyone that can claim a title other than just plain American will do so for their own benefit. The sooner people start identifying themselves as equal and improving their character to get ahead in this country because of their own Merritt and ability, then the sooner true equality will happen.

Answer 3

Well I think "African American" denotes people of black color who have been born and raised in America, regardless of their relation with Africa. When I traveled to the United States I didn't knew racism was that big of a deal, and I was very wrong. There are white people who hate black people, or black people who hate whites. It's just so pointless, and I understand that racism has a long history but I just wish it would stop. Not only black people, but people from other nationalities are almost sure to have some kind of situation like the one you have. Even me, while being white, felt kind of uncomfortable when I told my nationality and how some people answered me. I had one extreme case, where the person totally stopped talking to me because of it ! Isn't that so stupid? Why judge a person because of its color or nationatlity? After a while, I just really learned to ignore those kind of people and I'm still proud to be a citizen of my country, no matter how underestimated it may be in the eyes of some North Americans.

Answer 4

Well I think what he means by that, depending on his age that is, are the stuggles that people of African, Hispanic, or any race that wasn't part of WASP (White anglo saxon protestants) during the civil rights movement, when they were not accepted. My definition of African American, Hispanic American, or any people who came over to America is a person who has came from another country but has been accepted as an American resident, citizen, or refugee. There is racial discrimination in some places still so I guess that is why he must have told you that it would be a kind of bad idea to go to the other town. I dont find it important but it is still an issue. A person is a person defined by their character not their skin or country.

Answer 5

Here's my take on it: if you're Black, born and raised in America, then you are a Black American. 2nd + generation African, born and raised in America, or a naturalized citizen--you're African American. You see, here in America, people tend to play on words in an attempt to sound as politically correct as possible. Such behavior is, in my opinion, pointless, but for some reason those are the rules.

(By the way, you could very well bypass all of the B.S. and just call yourself an American. May make a few people angry--because you're not being descriptive enough, that is--but oh well!)

Answer 6

Its all about being politically correct...

You are from Africa - hence you are African. A ******* person born in the US has traditionally been labelled a ***** - but this is politically incorrect. So, they chose African-American so as to emphasize the country of origin...

Do not attempt to understand americanism. I dont get it either, and I am an american! I was born in Sf, CA, but I was raised all over SE Asia. As such, when people asked me where I was from, I said I was from California. In other countries, Californians are perceved as being laid back hippies that surf and eat avocadoes. So thats what I ended up fashioning myself as (minus the hippie)... Now, back in the US and in California, I am a Hispanic person who speaks no spanish and is looked down upon by both whites (cuz Im supposed to be an illegal alien or a janitor - not an educated State Investigator) and by other Hispanics for not being "like them."


Labels suck. And odddly, I find them only in America.... Not much of a melting pot when everyone is segregating themselves by race. Try not to let it bother you, and just be happy that at least you have an education, a good job and a wonderful family - youre further ahead that 99.99% of the world, and 90% of Americans...

Answer 7

Its hard to explain how America defines race. My parents tell me I am African-American, yet I've never even seen Africa. Its probably because African Americans' ancestors came from Africa. I am mixed with different races. My great grandfather on my mother's side was Caucasian, and he married a African American. My other great grandfather on my mother's side was Native American, and he also married an African American. I never could understand the need for racial titles. But since they have it they need to update it. I heard Jamaicans, even though they're not from Africa are considered African-Americans. (though I can't really vouch for that information). That is as much as I can say.

Answer 8

The confusion is in the details. The first word African is an adjective, describing the noun, American. So in other words, an African American is an American of African extraction. You would be more properly termed an African in America, rather than an African American unless you had longtime roots here. BTW you are opening up a can of worms on this topic. American history is full of a lot of things you probably don't want to know.

Answer 9

You are an African American. Your friend is all wrong. You are actually a TRUE african american. If you are a black person that was born in America then you are just american. I always ask people that say they are African American, "have you ever been to Africa?"

Answer 10

this is just another example of how this country thinks it has come so far in not being racist, yet we still feel like we have to classify everyone based on race - not for who they are.

Your "friend" is inaccurate. If you are an American citizen then simply call yourself an American.

I'm also sorry that the next town over is so backwards that they would mistreat you simply for stepping into their neighborhood. Lately I've been wondering about the phrase "land of the free and home of the brave" - theoretically we are free, and we have many brave men that have fought and worked for our country, so in that respect I would agree with it.

But when it comes to treating each other equally, I think it's more the land of the bound and home of the cowards.

I would like to personally apologize to you for the boneheaded "Americans" who are bound by hatred and class and behave like cornered cowards when faced with diversity. They just don't belong here. I would take twice as many illegal aliens over morons like that.

Good luck to you in America.