Black, or African?

Question

As Barack Obama is running for President in '08, there seems to be a lot of debate about whether or not he is "black." Is he black, or African, or is he both? Does it matter? If it does, why?

I'm not trying to make racist remarks, I just want to hear why there is such a disparity between African Americans and Africans living in America.

My opinion for the record: It doesn't matter at all! I love the guy, and I would admire him no matter what he is considered to be. I see his character, his educated background, and his will to do good in the future. Black, African, a real African-American, mixed, Black/White.....to me I don't really care. What ever label you decide to give him, his character remains the same.

Answer 1

Historically, most 'blacks' refer to the descendants of African slaves in the U. S. This group of people has been discriminated against, disenfranchised and denied opportunities out of all proportion to other groups--INCLUDING Africans migrating of their own free will in current times.

Statistics at Ivy League colleges bear this out--most of their 'black' graduates turn out to be well-off students from Africa or the West Indies.

Is there any real difference? I don't know, but the slave descendants conceived, implemented and suffered the Civil Rights Movement from the 50s through the 70s, yet those leaders have been killed or marginalized (think Dr. King, Malcolm X, Dr. Sullivan, Rev. Jesse Jackson) but non-US slave 'blacks' have been embraced (think Colin Powell, Barack Obama).

I don't know what this means, if anything, except that any talk of reparations or help for minorities should somehow take this issuse into account: it's not a matter of color so much as a matter of history.

Answer 2

To be African is to be born in Africa, to be African American is to be of African decent but born in America. An African can become an African American by taking the proper course and becoming an American. Black, is a term we use from way back when. It is a common word that isn't always taken well. However to most it is the accepted term for a person of color reguardless of where he or she was born. What we are called doesn't matter. Its what we respond to.

Answer 3

From African living in America. I'd say African American

Answer 4

He is AFRICAN-AMERICAN. His father was AFRICAN and he was born on AMERICAN SOIL. Barak is a Christian, and it really doesn't matter because in America if you look BLACK then that is what you are perceived as.

There are black hispanics (Cubans, Dominicans) but they get called black all the time.

And as far as some African-Americans (Blacks) in this country are concerned, he doesn't come from what is a "normal" background.

He is an African American. I will be proud to vote for him in the upcoming election.

(although I really don't think this country will allow a minority to win because of its fear of racial bias)

Answer 5

He's bi-racial Black american with African decent.
Doesn't really amtter though I'm not sure America is quite ready for that yet.
P.S.
I too am multi-racial & get tired of answering the same questions daily by whomever.
I am human.

Answer 6

Barack Obama has one white parent who is American.
If you want to be respectful you can call him American.
Love sees no Color. If he can do the job why should his color matter anyway?
But if you want to recognize his other parent you might want to say he is African/American... that is.. if that is where his other parents origin is from.
There are many countries in this world...maybe you should ask if his family origin is from Australia...???....think about it.

Answer 7

Well I found this pic of him, he certainly looks black to me! Who would say he isn't? Doesn't matter at all I think. But I'm white so I can't really say what other black people think. If he's a good politician though, that's all we should ever be worried about.

http://aolsearch.aol.co.uk/image_browse?query=barack%20obama&first=&last=&imgurl=http://starbulletin.com/2004/07/25/news/art7b.jpg&refurl=http%3A%2F%2Fstarbulletin.com%2F2004%2F07%2F25%2Fnews%2Fstory7.html&width=216&height=332&requestId=10587a417fd86503&clickedItemRank=6&encquery=barack%20obama&page=

Answer 8

He's not really "Black" since he's not part of Black American culture. He's a presidential candidate whose father happens to be from Africa. It doesn't matter and shouldn't matter to anyone. You vote for someone because of their platform and what they stand for, not what race or culture they are.

Answer 9

I understand what your trying to ask all it is are a bunch of ignorant people who cant get over the whole slavery issue. Its really quite stupid. People should really get over themselves. When it comes to choosing a president its about what candidate has Americas best interest's. It shouldn't be about race or gender.

Answer 10

He was born in Hawaii. His father was born in Africa and his mother was born in the USA. So to me that means he is half African and half American. So I guess he is an African American.