While perusing the Sunday Atlanta Urinal and Constipation, I came upon this article.
Silver Spring, Md. --- For a moment, the Ethiopian-born activist seemed to melt into the crowd, blending into the sea of black professors, health experts and community leaders considering how to educate blacks about the dangers of prostate cancer. But when he piped up to suggest focusing some attention on African immigrants, the dividing lines were promptly and pointedly drawn.The focus of the campaign, the activist, Abdulaziz Kamus, was told, would be strictly on African-Americans.
Hu? WTF?
"I said, 'But I am African and I am an American citizen; am I not African-American?' " said Kamus, who is an advocate for African immigrants here, recalling his sense of bewilderment. "They said, 'No, no, no, not you.' ""The census is claiming me as an African-American," said Kamus, 47, who has lived in this country for 20 years. "If I walk down the streets, white people see me as an African-American.
Yet African-Americans are saying, 'You are not one of us.' So I ask myself, in this country, how do I define myself?"
Whose term?
Evidentally this has been going on for a while. The first I heard about this was when Terence Moore, a black racist sports writer for the AJC bemoaned the fact that the Atlanta Braves had only one African-American on their team. Funny, I had seen a lot of black faces but Terence said they weren't African-Americans. It seems that to be a real honest to God African-American you needed to have been born here.
Let me state upfront that I have always abhored the term African-American. To me it means someone of African descent and not solely black African descent. For example, Tuh-RAY-sah Kerry is an African-American. So is Kim du Toit. They were born in Africa, came here, and became American citizens. To me, that makes them African-Americans. Kim would deny this and say, "I am a fucking American and damn proud of it!"
I am of mixed German and English descent. I don't consider myself a German-American or an English-American. I don't consider myself an European-American. I consider myself an American.
I know, African-American grew out of the Black Pride movement during the 60's and 70's. It's the "I am someone" bullshit that Jesse Jackson was selling. At the same time that blacks had finally achieved civil rights and were now equal to whites under the law they decided they wanted to be different. Hence the African-American bullshit.
Back to the article. Alan Keyes spouted some of the most inane crap I have ever heard. He has finally gone completely off his rocker.
"Barack Obama claims an African-American heritage," Keyes said on the ABC program "This Week With George Stephanopoulos." "Barack Obama and I have the same race --- that is, physical characteristics. We are not from the same heritage.""My ancestors toiled in slavery in this country," Keyes said. ''My consciousness, who I am as a person, has been shaped by my struggle, deeply emotional and deeply painful, with the reality of that heritage."
GMAFB!
Some black Americans argue that black immigrants, like Kamus, and the children of immigrants, like Obama and Powell, are most certainly African-American. (Obama and Powell often use that term when describing themselves.) Yet some immigrants and their children prefer to be called African or Nigerian-American or Jamaican-American, depending on their countries of origin. Other people prefer the term black, which seems to include everyone, regardless of nationality.Keyes' comments reflect the views of a number of black Americans, including those who challenged Kamus at the meeting on prostate cancer earlier this year.
Many argued that the term "African-American" should refer to the descendents of slaves brought to the United States centuries ago, not to newcomers who have not inherited the legacy of bondage, segregation and legal discrimination.
So let me get this straight. The only way you can be an African-American is if one of your ancestors had been a slave? This is getting even more ridiculous. Let's milk this victimhood bullshit for all it's worth.
But now we find out the real reaon for this bullshit.
Bobby Austin, an administrator at the University of the District of Columbia who attended the meeting in Washington, said he understood why some blacks were offended when Kamus claimed an African-American identity. Austin said some people feared that black immigrants and their children would snatch up the hard-won opportunities made possible by the civil rights movement.
Aha! I'm starting to understand.
Several studies suggest that black immigrants and their children are already achieving at higher levels than native-born blacks. A study based on 2000 census data conducted by John R. Logan and Glenn Deane at SUNY-Albany found that African immigrants typically had more education and higher median incomes than did native-born blacks.
And do you know why this is happening? These immigrants haven't been told by the black "leaders" and the Dimocrat Party that they are too stupid to make it without gummint assistance. They haven't been hit by the bigotry of low expectations. They know they are just as smart as anyone else and they do not need to be told by the black "leaders" that whitey is holding them back.
My friend Cindy worked with one of these immigrants. This lady was totally disgusted that blacks who had been born in this country were bitching about how bad conditions were. When another black would speak ebonics to her she would tell them to speak English. She and her husband make sure their children do well in school. They make them learn how to read and write proper English and they tell them that doing well in school is not "acting white" it's acting smart.
And earlier this year, officials at Harvard pointed out that the majority of their black students --- perhaps as many as two-thirds --- were African and Caribbean immigrants or their children, or to a lesser extent, children of biracial couples. Sociologists say foreign-born blacks from majority-black countries are less psychologically handicapped by the stigma of race. Many arrive with higher levels of education and professional experience.
In other words, they haven't been indoctinated into the cult of victimhood and gummint dependence.
Here comes a whine.
''We've suffered so much that we're a bit weary and immigration seems like one more hurdle we will have to climb,'' said Austin, 59, who traces his ancestors to slavery."These are very aggressive people who are coming here," said Austin. "I don't berate immigrants for that; they have given up a lot to get here. But we're going to be in competition with them."
That's right but rather than whining about it why not get up off your ass and be all that you can be. Don't buy the bullshit that Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are selling. If black immigrants can do it you can too. Don't be passive and wait for opportunities. Use the immigrants as role models. They don't let their children believe that doing well in school is acting white. They demand excellence. They don't ask that educational standards be lowered just because the color of their skin is black. They are not competing with just you, they are competing with whites. They are competing with Asians. They are competing with everybody. And they are winning.
Barak Obama has it wrong.
"For me the term 'African-American' really does fit," said Obama, 43. "I'm African --- I trace half of my heritage to Africa directly --- and I'm American."
No! No! No! You are an American! What is wrong with being a non-hyphenated American?
Sheesh!
Perhaps it would be more accurate to refer to the black Americans who descended from slaves as "former-black-slave-Americans" as to avoid any confusion from the REAL African-Americans.
Maybe all of us of european stock should ALL reclaim our ancestors heritage and hyphenate all our idenities. Scottish-Americans, French-Americans, Russian-Americans, etc. Maybe we could all qualify for government aid programs with a more narrowed identity. :)
Posted by: crash on August 29, 2004 09:22 PMI am an individual.
But if I had to identify with some class of victim I suppose I'd say, "I'm a Cleveland Browns fan."
Posted by: Ralph Gizzip on August 29, 2004 09:26 PMI'm a Confused-American. Where do I go for my handout, errr, entitlement?
Maybe I'll just grab another beer.
Posted by: daniel on August 29, 2004 10:12 PMFor one, Since Obama's father directly hails from Africa, I think he has every right to say African American.
You have a point Denny. The "African American" chip on their shoulder problem needs to find some solutions. I went to Barbados for a study abroad program.
My american perceptions on race were completely thrown out the window.
not only were these some of the kindest people I ever met, I realized my stereotypes of Black Americans by seeing Black Bajans who didn't exemplify them.
The telling point was when I was talking to a native Bajan, who, like 95% of the country, was black.
"I'm Black, but I'm afraid of African Americans. They tend to be rude, crude, and always have a chip on their shoulder about something"
Also, meeting African immigrants to this country is almost ALWAYS a complete pleasure. They are always nice, well mannered, and striving to better themselves and become educated.
So... There actually must be some difference between Africans, Ethnically Black People, and the U.S. "African Americans".
I do think that slavery/civil rights experiances in the U.S. were really harrowing on the community, and left scars that run deep.
On the Other Hand, Africa, and certainly The Caribbean nations experiaced slavery and imperialism every bit as bad. Apartheid anyone? Let's ask some black South Africans what they think about U.S. race relations. I've only met white South Africans, however. (maybe this should be looked into?)
What I do think helps them (Africans and Carribeans) is after liberation (1960 for barbados), these Blacks became the majority in society, and then put themselves at the top, middle, and bottom of society. They filled many of the positions of priveledge that whites left open. However, in the US, even after emancipation, blacks were still held down, and then after Civil Rights, they had to rise up through society from the bottom while having the difficulties of being a minority. There was no opening of the ceiling as much as was in Countries in Africa or the Caribbean.
I'm sure the Irish had a very difficult time fully climbing/integrating into society too, it took decades.
Now, what is substantianlly different about French-American or Scottish-American versus African-American is that all of the Eureopean immigrants are essentially white stock. All Caucasian. While racial differences existed back then... Most of us are pretty much mutts now. All blended into the big "White" category. There is also a big "black" category. Which is completely separate and cemented from the "white" category. None of today's african americans know if they're from Ghana, Kenya, Togo, etc. And many were mixed with whites during slavery periods (which explains why your average 'african american' is much lighter that a immigrant African). But Even Sally Hemmings descendants are still "black". What's with that?
Also, our society is strange about black/white mixing. Usually children are still considered Black. Take Obama. His mother is white. Yet He's "African-American"? Not in our sense of the word, since we equate that with black... but if you think Black African/ White american mix... then that's about right. Even though he's regulary touted as a black candidate. Odd things.
Whenever a Black/White kid is viewed in the same light as a English/Czech kid in this country, we've gotten somewhere. African Americans (especially their women) don't like to marry outside of their race very often.
Which leads me to think... we should all just fuck until we're all the same color :-)
PS: 0 and 1st generation Asians/Indians (hindu not native) are REALLY bad as far as being race conscious.
Hey addison, its not odd; just realistic. Let's face it. If the Kerry girls were hot, it would be a whole different story. But they're not. The blonde looks JUST LIKE KERRY WITH BLONDE HAIR!!!! OOOOOHHHH!!!!! And the other one ruined her public life with the youth by wearing that stupid black translucent dress that revealed saggy tits a few months ago. Its beauty over politics with this age group, and it always has been.
Posted by: Paul on August 30, 2004 01:59 PMHum. European immigrants to this country had it pretty good because they were all of "white stock." That'd be news to the Poles, the Italians, the Irish, and who knows what other groups who were confined to ghettoes and refused jobs because of their "foreign-ness." Even today, being white isn't a ticket to success. Regardless of race or ethnic identity, I believe that everyone has the same opportunities to achieve...and they face the same hurdles. I don't think something that happened four or five (or more) generations ago can adversely affect a person's psyche today. That's bullshit. Basically, there are people who are tenacious and cope with the struggle, and those who seek to bring the playing field down to their lowest common denominator. American blacks, in general, wish for the government to make the latter happen. Black immigrants who succeed--and black Americans, also--are of the former ilk. When the going gets rough, the determined get tougher.
Posted by: skh on August 30, 2004 03:56 PMRobin - That was the best comment you have ever posted on this sit. Much of what you wrote was spot on. Of course Obama can call himself an African-American. That was not my point. He should be calling himself an American. And I am so sick of this slavery bullshit. It ended 140 years ago. Get over it! How long are they gonna blame all their problems on something that occurred 140 years ago. Many of the black immigrants were descended from slaves. Clarence Thomas, Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell, and J.C. Watts were descended from slaves. Jesse Jackson was descended from slaves and he's a millionaire and has never held a job. Nice work if you can get it.
As for black women marrying outside their race, I wrote about that here
Posted by: Denny Wilson on August 30, 2004 08:55 PMExcuse me, Denny.
Fuck you and the horseface you rode in on, Greg!
There, I feel a little better now.
Posted by: Ralph Gizzip on August 30, 2004 09:01 PMRalph - It could be worse. I was a St. Louis Cardinal (football) fan and then an Atlanta Falcons fan. Did you know that when the Cardinals were in St. Louis they never won a playoff game? And he Falcons have never put together back to back winning seasons.
Posted by: Denny Wilson on August 30, 2004 09:08 PMSorry Ralph just a little friendly jab....
Denny St Louis can have the cards back. We really dont want them, there are not too many games where Cardinal fans out number the visiting team fans. Ten days and counting till the football season.
Hey I am a purebred 100 percent "Irish-American", fresh off the boat 4 generations on each side.
Where the hell is my quota. Why is that not a choice on forms. I can't check the Irish-American box on my driver's lisc application. Why do I have to work on St Patrick's Day- it is scared to me.
I am still suffering from the potato famine, British oppression and the way the Irish were discrimenated against in the USA.
Why, even the sight of the Irish maids at the ocean hotels, and the Irish buggy drivers in Central Park shows that discrimenation still exhists, right? God knows we are all drunk, disorderly, and stupid. (Get your hand off my Jack Daniels buddy or I am gonna kick your ass!)
I only want my fair share too! Where is my affermative action? Where is my government support? I will tell you where it is. We don't need it cause we busted our asses to make something of ourselves. We did the dirty work cleaning rich peoples houses,and other low end jobs. We made sure our kids got good educations, and gave them the values to work hard and work their way up the ladder in this country.
In the actuall words of a (an adverage) metropolitan DC McDonald's employee at the register during the lunchtime rush:
"F*** this shit, I gonna go have me ah ciggerette"
Words to live by, for uninspired chip on the shoulder Americans.
Posted by: Amanda in DC on August 31, 2004 02:28 AMBefore I found this site, I felt so alone in my opinions. And all I really believe in is ....EQUAL MEANS EQUAL!But, not to some. To some it means 'special.' To some it justifies two wrongs making a right.
But, the voice of reason can reach some. While attending college, I found myself smoking with a group of black students late at night. The subject of racism came up and, in the course of discussion, I made the case of American Indians and the Irish. The youths seemed stunned that any other groups other than blacks and hispanics had every been treated badly. They came to realize that American Indians had even been treated worse. They all came to see me in a new light after that and always greeted me on campus.
they even felt better about themselves for not taking the "I am a victim" approach to life. They worked even harder to excell in college and and frequently asked advice on English and grammar.
Thank you for having a site where I feel that my perspective is at home.
Posted by: The Moose on August 31, 2004 03:22 PMit's funny to me that all of you are complaining about people complaining. so what if some oppressed races are justifiably getting opportunities that other races have had for generations now. in all honesty, the top notch white folks are not getting overlooked because of affirmative action. it is the extremely average, non-exceptional people on the border that are being beaten out for whether it be jobs or educational opportunites. so... instead of complaining, perhaps all of you should step up your game as well, that way you won't have to bitch and complain that someone got your job due to affirmitive action. take your own advice!
Posted by: lol on September 14, 2004 03:10 AM