If a white man moved from South Africa to America, would he be considered African-American?

Answer 1

I work with a black gentleman who moved here from the UK and they will not count him as African-American because he moved here from Europe and therefore is "of European descent" by EOE standards.

I would assume the process would work the other way as well, so a white South African is probably considered African-American, legally speaking.

Answer 2

No, Because The White People Living In South Africa (Those Of Whom Speak the Afrikaans Language) Originate From Europe, Some Of Which Are Dutch, Which Is Reflected In the Africaans Language. But i Dont Care About Peoples Nationality...Its Their personality And Attitude I Care About

Answer 3

I asked someone a similar answer on here once, and I am not sure what the "legal" summarization would be, but it seems to me that if all of your ancestors are from Africa, let's just say, and then you happen to be born in Australia, I think that you are still considered an African American but you are also Australian. Just like I am Irish and German but I was born here, but I would probably say I am White, if I was asked. I think there is a lot of room for interpretation here, and that it is personal preference.

Answer 4

The father of a friend of mine was born and raised in South Africa. He came here to the states in his mid-20's. When he fills out a form that has the block "AFRICAN-AMERICAN" he checks that. But when asked, he will tell you that he's an AMERICAN. None of that hyphenated American male bovine excrement for him...OR ME Either you're an American or you're not. Gotta make up your mind.

Answer 5

Well, NO he wouldn't because he was not born in America... he would just be white south african/afrikkanan... Now if he had children they could be described as being africian/afrikkanan-american or south-african/affrikanan american... although technically they(children) would just be american.

Hope that's not to confusing to understand:)

Answer 6

Charlize Theron is considered to be South African. That is where she grew up. I don't know about being called African-American. She would probably tell you she is American though but she grew up in Africa.

Answer 7

Technically speaking yes, he would be considered African American...but he will be viewed as a "white man"

Answer 8

Yes, he would be African American even if not a person of colour, people of Non white African descent but from Europe would be EuroAfricans and non white African origins but from the Caribbean would be Afro or African Caribbean. Their U.K born descendants would be, wait for it,
Afro Caribbean-British! there you are sorted it out!

Answer 9

No, since the term is more racial identification and not geographical.

People refer to Jamaicans in Jamaica as African American...go figure.

Answer 10

Technically, yes.

To the first person, Linah, your relatives have nothing to do with your nationality. They could have been born in Asia but if you were born in Australia, then your nationality is Australian.

To Linah, you don't have to act so annoyed. It's just an answering forum. I have my beliefs and you have yours. I think he would be classified as African American. Nationality is hard. There is more than one right answer to this question.