Did African Americans colonize or immigrate to America?

Question

Ethinic Groups and discrimation.

Answer 1

Good question. The first Africans in america were here i 1619 as indentured servants. There is a really LONG story, but the prejudice against persons with dark skin, existed even in that time. It is out of indentured servitude, that africans were made slaves... So the majority of those of us here now, are here as decendants of slaves. Those who were here "immigrating" were enslaved. I could elaborate more, if you like, just email me.

EDIT: There is a common misconception that slaves were sold by other africans... The way people understand that is all wrong... the africans traded human cargo for european goods, yes, but did not sell random folk. In africa when tribes battled, the tribe who lost became the servants of the tribe who won, either for life, or for a certain period of years. The africans who were traded, were those who were already servants. It was the europeans who made this into a slave trade, and initiated the system of chattle slavery. That doesnt take away from the africans involved, but its often misunderstood that africans created slavery. I take that to be another cop out/justification of racist whites.

Answer 2

They must have skipped this topic in your History Class..oy vey!

AA's were forcibly brought to America by White Slave Traders, BUT African Tribal Leaders allowed this and made some sort of "trade agreement" with the slave traders.

This is REALLY WHY Africans born in African and American born AA's DON'T really get along that well.

We feel as though they "Sold us out"....Which they did, if you think about it.

To me, it's odd when Racist Whites tell Blacks that if you're NOT happy here in the USA, Go back to Africa.

WHY would I EVER do that, since Africans are as FOREIGN to me as French or German People.....

Answer 3

Good question. Besides the obvious above answers, a good book to check out is "Before the Mayflower". It gives more detail into the response the answerer directly above me gave.

Answer 4

It was mostly forced immigration on the slave ships. If they colonized, then it would have been their choice to come over, then set up their own community once they arrived.

Answer 5

Originally their ancestors were bought to America as Slaves
to work in the Cotton fields,if i have offened anyone by saying this then i am sorry.I am glad that they are a free people, and that they are getting their own back on the white
American's who would wish them harm.Even the white Christians are not over keen on being near the male's but they love the female's,and try to exploit them in any way they can.

Answer 6

They were dragged here from their home in Africa as slaves, sold like animals, treated with unspeakable cruelty, separated from loved ones forever, raped, beaten, tortured, and worked to death. That's not immigration.

Answer 7

Almost all came here as slaves against their will. Some came here as free men with free will. A lot depends on the time period about which you are asking.

Answer 8

Some have, and continue to, immigrated but the original population was brought here as slaves.

Answer 9

See,Elmina Castle, Ghana,that will give you all the information you need.


African's didn't create slavery, it went on before the slave trade,only the victims were European,taken and sold on by pirates.

There's a few thickies on here.

Answer 10

well african americans were taken on a ship and people started buting them like they were some type of house pet ok any more questions