What is an African American anyway? And who cares?

I hate TV news. It's full of grammatical flubs and annoying, stupid questions from talking head interviewers. Unfortunately, it's the only way I can keep up with the latest on the never-ending stories of politics and power and the way Wall Street is spending MY money.

Over the past eight hours or so, I've heard TV commentators  use the term African American, at least sixty times. As a WOC (woman of color) born in the United States, not in Africa, I've been pondering this term for many years but even more so since Tiger Woods first came on the scene as the alleged first African American to win the Masters and get the coveted green jacket, and now with Barack Obama who has been designated as the first African American President. For the record, Tiger describes himself as a Cablanasian--to reflect his mixed heritage. Also, for the record, Barack Obama doesn't seem to care what you call him and strongly identifies with his African roots.

I do not object to the term African American but I do question its appropriateness and accuracy. As we all now know, thanks to Ms. Sarah Palin, Africa is a Continent. (duh)  When we refer to Italian Americans or Japanese Americans--which we seldom do anyway--the reference relates to a COUNTRY, not a Continent. The only reason we have condensed people of color living in America to "African Americans" is because we have no way of tracing our origin(s) to a particular country in Africa. Ergo, Africa, the Continent, becomes the marker for ALL people of color in the US.

My maternal great great grandfather was Scotch and Hispanic. My maternal grandmother was one quarter Native American. My maternal grandfather was White (ancestry unknown). I have no idea what my paternal grandmother was because she was raised by relatives other than her parents in Boston.  My son-in-law, the father of my grandchildren is Austrian-German. My grandchildren are so fair-skinned, that people ask my daughter if she's the Nanny. Are these bona fide African Americans?

Obama's mother was White. His father was Kenyan. He was born in Hawaii. He is of mixed heritage. Maybe, the first multi-cultural President would better describe him.

Here's my query to you, America--of all colors and hues. Just what is an African American anyway? It has obviously become a designated term for all people of color living in the United States. According to my informal research among fellow African Americans, it's an acceptable term--one that is certainly less offensive than "Negro" or "colored." These are terms Americans Who Aren't White (AWAWs?) will definitely not ignore without a second "stink-eye" look. According to the Associated Press Stylebook, the word"Black" is preferred over African American. Really? For whom? Most of my friends in Philadelphia, where I grew up, are what we insiders sometimes refer to as "light-brights" because of their very light skin and naturally straight hair. Philadelphia was one of the main stops on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War, resulting in a plethora of miscegenation, and consequently, residents whose roots are predominantly European rather than African. 

Even with its questionable content, Wikipedia tells us that the FBI and the US Census Bureau define Blacks or African Americans as  "persons having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa." Fair enough. How far in the past shall we allow "origin" to stretch?  I ask this because recent archeological finds indicate that we all have origins in Africa, unless of course you are a Creationist who believes in the proverbial talking snake. This is tough for most European Americans to swallow but I encourage you to do a,little homework. You may be shocked to find your real roots. During the Civil War, there were so many levels of interaction with Europeans and Native Americans but I doubt that  very many Native Americans who will own up to their relationships with runaway slaves.

Let's say, hypothetically, we go with  the "one-drop" rule, also known as the "traceable amount" rule (one drop of African blood and you're in!) or the "eyeball test" (if you look Black/African American, you ARE!).  So what do we call about Harold Ford Jr. and Olympian Dan O'Brien? What about our main gal, Halle Berry? A Do we call them Wonder People, as in I wonder what they are?

One case in point. Does any of it matter?  Is there any fallout from NOT being part of the African American grouping? It does give us a common cause regardless of our mix and a certain degree of political power. We can be pretty sure we will never get our forty acres and a mule, even though our ancestors were the ONLY ethnic group captured, tortured,sold on the auction block and brought to the colonies against our will. And don't get me started on how much better off we are here. No one has a time machine or crystal ball and no other group of people will live out their days not knowing the country of their origin. However, if there will ever be any hint of reparations in the future for the atrocities inflicted on African Americans in the past, and you insist on not being labeled as such, you may be OUT! Think about it.

I think, realistically, we need to realize that most people of color in America are not primarily African at all. Consider the photos attached herein and decide for yourself who is African American, Hispanic, Native American or White, or other.  Unless the police have to put out an APB on a criminal on the run, making it crucial to identify the person by skin color, maybe we could consider getting into the 21st century with regard to racial labels and just be proud Americans.

 

Comments

[Susan LeHoven]

I love your writing Claire.
You're so right-on, smart. Plug in a slew of positive adjectives of your choice--you're that! I just plain miss our talks on the "Fido" bench.