Pete Richert
New Member
I'm with Jimmy C. Call people what they want to be called. For whatever reason people with black skin wished to be called African American so what is the big deal.
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What is an "African American"?
- Thread starter Joseph_Botwinick
- Start date
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dianetavegia
Guest
I don't have any problem with calling a person what they choose to be called. When I was a tiny child, black people were Negro's. When I got a little older, it was Colored People. Next there was African American and Blacks. What ever makes a person 'comfortable' is fine with me!
Just a few days ago I had someone question why I mentioned that a couple who came to church, on my invitation, was a bi-racial couple. That's a very common term here for a mixed race family. In fact, the young couple had told me they wanted to attend a church where their bi-racial daughter would not be the only bi-racial child. My using that 'term' was done in a loving way but was perceived to be other.
I'm English, Irish, Chocktaw Indian and German Jew. I would never feel the need to use all those terms to introduce myself but CAN understand how a black person might include information such as 'I am an African-American mom of 3' or 'I'm a 56 year old black man'.... when including information where they aren't being seen. I openly tell all of you that I'm short, small and 53. If you come to Atlanta to meet me you certainly wouldn't expect a 5'9" woman who is 26!
Diane
Just a few days ago I had someone question why I mentioned that a couple who came to church, on my invitation, was a bi-racial couple. That's a very common term here for a mixed race family. In fact, the young couple had told me they wanted to attend a church where their bi-racial daughter would not be the only bi-racial child. My using that 'term' was done in a loving way but was perceived to be other.
I'm English, Irish, Chocktaw Indian and German Jew. I would never feel the need to use all those terms to introduce myself but CAN understand how a black person might include information such as 'I am an African-American mom of 3' or 'I'm a 56 year old black man'.... when including information where they aren't being seen. I openly tell all of you that I'm short, small and 53. If you come to Atlanta to meet me you certainly wouldn't expect a 5'9" woman who is 26!
Diane
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dianetavegia
Guest
Whoops double post by accident!
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dianetavegia
Guest
I think we'll see that nationally within a few years but this is a tiny town in the deep south. We're 35 miles and 200 years from Atlanta!
Diane
Diane
No matter what your ethnic race, somebody is going to be "RACIST" toward you. There are slime-balls in all areas of society. For purposes of this thread, let's agree to exclude them, OK?
That being said, for all practical purposes, race is becoming less of an issue with most people, and would soon become a non-issue except for those who CONSTANTLY throw up the race issue; even where no obvious reason to do so exists!
Look how the race card was played in O J's trial; the statement of Sen (the guy from Miss.); the Rodney King incident; etc., etc., ad nasuem.
On a personal note, I find that even as I begin to forget the skin color difference, along comes somebody like Jesse, or Al, or some white liberal, who injects race into almost ANY white/black situation not so warrented, thus engendering feelings of resentment on my part towards a group of people who, in reality, had nothing to do with the given situation! If and when I become aware enough to see the facts for what they really are (ie: no liberal spin!!??), I can disregard those feelings and once more feel positive towards those I just felt animosity for.
Unfortunately, too many people, too many times, never become aware of the cause of their resentment, thereby supporting the race-baiters in their divisive attempts.
If enough people would tell the Professional Racists to "stuff it", just maybe, except for those few mentioned in the opening paragraph, "RACE PROBLEMS" would cease to exist!!
That being said, for all practical purposes, race is becoming less of an issue with most people, and would soon become a non-issue except for those who CONSTANTLY throw up the race issue; even where no obvious reason to do so exists!
Look how the race card was played in O J's trial; the statement of Sen (the guy from Miss.); the Rodney King incident; etc., etc., ad nasuem.
On a personal note, I find that even as I begin to forget the skin color difference, along comes somebody like Jesse, or Al, or some white liberal, who injects race into almost ANY white/black situation not so warrented, thus engendering feelings of resentment on my part towards a group of people who, in reality, had nothing to do with the given situation! If and when I become aware enough to see the facts for what they really are (ie: no liberal spin!!??), I can disregard those feelings and once more feel positive towards those I just felt animosity for.
Unfortunately, too many people, too many times, never become aware of the cause of their resentment, thereby supporting the race-baiters in their divisive attempts.
If enough people would tell the Professional Racists to "stuff it", just maybe, except for those few mentioned in the opening paragraph, "RACE PROBLEMS" would cease to exist!!
time like this
New Member
What is an "african american"this is a god question. First we should refresh ourselves with the history f te people who are described by this phrase. Historicaly it is a person of african origin brought to this country as a slave only then they were called "ni--er". Over a period of time and much struggle the legl system which govenerned them decided what they should be labeled as ex..colored,negro,ni--er etc,etc till we come to the term in discussion today "african american". In working with these inner city youth many ask the same question you ask. They have know ties to any particular country in Africa at the same time they feel as though there is no real place of integrity of heritage for them to cling to that fosters a strong sense of being in this country. Africa is a continent not a country. Some of your response are honest and at the same time sad. I once confronted a street preacher who proclaimed all "white people" as the devil. A little girl looked at her father and asked him if they were going to h-ll because they are white. After debating with this group of people that division on this level has nothing to do with the reconcilation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This encouter ended with people on different ethnic sides tossing racial slurs in my direction. Was MLK without flaw?certainly not. But at the same time he was not a plagued upon society unless you agree with the spirit the politics of that time. Are there others who could be honored? sure. But should this an be dis-honored for fighting for political leaders to honor Godly priciples of loving their brother as themselves. With so many false doctrines in his country I wish for this generation sake we could get past vintage biasis, so racial hate groups can no longer take ur children prey at their own will. What is an "african american"? someone waiting to be called what he/she is first a person.
Interesting topic and appreciate the diversity of views. Good to have a civil discussion on this.
Have a friend (1 day older than me) who was born in Palestine 1948, a couple months before the establishment of Israel as a nation.
He is a PALESTINIAN by definition. But such a label would be ludicrous. He calls himself a "sabra" (Hebrew for "cactus").
So I would opt to call folks by the title THEY select. I refuse, by principle, however, to call anyone a "hyphenated" American. You come to America, your are an American, ethnicity apart.
"Don't really care if your ancestors came over on the Mayflower or on a Slave Ship. We're all in the same boat now."
Have a friend (1 day older than me) who was born in Palestine 1948, a couple months before the establishment of Israel as a nation.
He is a PALESTINIAN by definition. But such a label would be ludicrous. He calls himself a "sabra" (Hebrew for "cactus").
So I would opt to call folks by the title THEY select. I refuse, by principle, however, to call anyone a "hyphenated" American. You come to America, your are an American, ethnicity apart.
"Don't really care if your ancestors came over on the Mayflower or on a Slave Ship. We're all in the same boat now."
It seems to me as long as we have labels,
we will have racism.
When we can look at our brothers and sisters,
and see not the color of thier skin,
but rather see a creation from GOD
and a fellow human being then racism will die.
But that`s only going to happen when JESUS comes back.
Every race has their racist,
there is hate on all sides of that war,
and nobody wins. Unless they can purge hate from their hearts.
I`m Cherokee/Irish/Dutch,i was born in the USA,
so i`m an American no more no less.(i just labeled myself)
May God Bless.
we will have racism.
When we can look at our brothers and sisters,
and see not the color of thier skin,
but rather see a creation from GOD
and a fellow human being then racism will die.
But that`s only going to happen when JESUS comes back.
Every race has their racist,
there is hate on all sides of that war,
and nobody wins. Unless they can purge hate from their hearts.
I`m Cherokee/Irish/Dutch,i was born in the USA,
so i`m an American no more no less.(i just labeled myself)
May God Bless.
Dr Bob, as usual I agree with you (no, I am not setting you up to ask for something
however, is there one execption we should make: how about the folks who were here when Columbus "discovered" America. They really are not Indians, so are they the execption - Native Americians?
May I take a moment and tell you a true story? First I must mention I am a Caucausin-Americian, oops
I think I can honestly say I am color blind!
Dr Bob, how about this, instead of saying Africian-Americian, why not say "I am an Americian of Africian descent"?
The Democrats (and in particular JJ's) WORST nightmare!!
If evolutionists are correct, then everyone is "African" in origin, so "African American" applies to everyone who is an American. If they use that language in "affirmative action" policies, I would like to see whites, orientals, and others make state unversities and other institutions stand behind their evolutionary claim.
Brett Valentine
Member
. . . and thus we see the stupidity of the "hyphen-American" classification. Regardless of color, if someone was born in Africa and came to America, they are African-American. That is their "immediate" nationality. . .
Brett (an African-Jamaican-Scottish-German-etc.-Native American. . . sigh. . .)
Brett (an African-Jamaican-Scottish-German-etc.-Native American. . . sigh. . .)
Brett Valentine
Member
. . .I guess that makes you a Naturalized-Southern Californian-American-who used theOriginally posted by Johnv:
I'm a naturalized citizen, hence, I wasn't born here. So what am I?[/QB]
. . .
. . . no, really, no thanks necessary. . .Brett
by JohnV:
Uhmmmm. Lemesee:
Paper-American ?
(just kiddin'.)
Uhmmmm. Uhmmmmm.
Uhmmmm. Lemesee:
Paper-American ?