Where did African Americans originate?

Question

Africa or America?
I asked because in a previous question I answered (I got best answer) me and the asker had a disagreement, and I was just wondering what the majority thinks. Before you jump to answer your question please think your answer through.

I think African Americans originated in America. Africans could not mix with other Africans and make African Americans. We were African until we stepped foot on American soil and reproduced with white Americans (or any American). And with that reproduction made a new race; African Americans. Our ancestors are African yes, but African Americans originated in America… that’s my technical opinion.

And no I'm not kidding, it’s a technical question. Where were we made? That’s all I’m asking. I know what the term African American means. I know we’re all Americans and doesn’t matter what color you are and all that jazz. I wasn’t making it personal, I’m just curious.

Thanks CRK, that's the type of answer I was looking for.

Blue horizon, I wasn’t arguing the term "African American". I just used it to describe the decedents of African slaves that now live in America... I know what the term means... But thanks anyway for answering the question to the best of your ability.

Answer 1

You're talking about the difference between a race and an ethnic group. Racially Africans originated in Africa, Europeans in Europe and so on. (before that the human species originated in Africa, but that's ancient history)

African Americans are an ethnic group, or a subrace of the African race. And yes, since you refer to yourselves as both African and American, your ethnic group originated in America and your race in Africa. So I would have to agree with you on this. However, this doesn't make the other person wrong, it's just a different POV.

I feel the same way about European Americans, but we are having a hard time getting past the over generalized "white" lable. I think we have unique blends in America as well.

Answer 2

Interesting Questions...African-Americans originated in America.
Genetically speaking Afro Americans are as genetically distinct from Africans as White people are. If you disect the things that distinguish one ethnic group from another such as language, religion, food, marriage customs, burial practices, clothes and so on then one can see that all of these things that make up the African -American ethnic group and culture originated after Africans were brought to America including our genetic variations.
African Americans are a completely separate ethnic group than the various ethnic groups that make up Africa.

Answer 3

You are arguing semantics, African Americans and all other peoples of the world originated in Africa. Environmental pressures caused the different races to evolve into what they are today.

Answer 4

I think you're right; one can't be African-American without America, as is with any other hyphenated race. Irish-Americans don't live in Ireland.

It's a little like the riddle 'what do you put in a toaster?' The answer can't be toast, but bread.

Answer 5

If you're a citizen of Africa then you're African. When you become a citizen of America you're an American with African heritage or African nationality.

Answer 6

WTF

You've got to be kidding me!!

African-American is only meant to say:

"Of African Descent, but a Citizen of America"

Answer 7

the term Afro-American was apparently first prominently used in 1961 by a group of activists including Maya Angelou and Leroi Jones (later known as Amiri Baraka)[4] and became common from the late 1960s into the 1980s; it remains generally acceptable, but less common, and has lately been developing a "period" connotation.

Answer 8

you have a point there the way i see it...it doesnt matter what race you are or what country you came from ...if you live in america you are an AMERICAN :)

Answer 9

Besides the ones that immigrated recently, the slaves were from different countries in Sub Saharan Africa.

Answer 10

Atlanta