What does it mean to be black? I'm not sure if I can define that. I would say to have pigmented skin but then what about 'black' people who have very light skin tones? What should they be called?
As far as the meaning of black that has been accepted, 'black' (people) is a term that started when it was given to people of African descent who were in America during the black power movement. In actuality, no one is black, or white for that matter. Take a crayola crayon with the label "black" and try to match it to someone's skin. It won't match anyone's skin just as a white crayon won't either. In order to label slaves differently from slave owners, and based on African's predominantly darker skin tone, they were labeled the darkest color, black, and slave owners, who were lighter, were labeled the lightest color, white.
Not only people of African descent have dark skin tones but yet we were the ones labeled black. For example, Dominicans have some of the darkest skin tones you will see but are not called black. In fact, they refuse to be called black and instead would prefer to be labeled hispanic. Ever wonder why? Not only has the term black been used as a definition of skin tone but due to the negative connotation and consistently negative imagery in the media of black people, black is also and unfortunately strongly associated with being uneducated, violent, and/or poor. According to the American society, to be black is supposed to mean to be of African descent and if someone is black they are often assumed to relate to the negative imagery of black people in the media.
In reality, however, no one is black or white for that matter. We do have ethnicities such as Haitian, African, French, African-American or Haitian-American but in terms of color, it varies so much within different ethnicities that it should not be used to define or label anyone. In terms of color, we are simply people.
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Please respond
Dominicans and other Hispanics don't refuse to be called black because of the negativity...its because they're from Dominica, or the Dominican republic. Just as any Cuban, Brazilian, or Puerto Rican that has the same skin tone and hair texture, would be called Latino because of the origin of their ancestry. Black is associated with -as you stated- descendants of African. However, it is often generalized by appearance, until otherwise stated.
"Prefiero morir parada que vivir la vida en mis rodillas"
I apologize if I offended you in any way in regards to my Dominican comment. I meant it only to get people thinking, start a discussion. I guess my next question is why do you guys think so many mixed race African Americans would rather not be refered to as Blacks (culturally self identifying themselves with others from African descent...i only use Black because of the lack of a better term)
Thats a question that i dont really have an answer to because I dont do that. I assume when you say mixed race you mean Black and White. It would be wrong of me to give an answer because i can't speak from a personal viewpoint. My assumption is basically what you already clarified. There is negativity associated with the African American race, a long with many other minorities. Sometimes people want to take the easier route and go with whatever side they can get away with. I dont mean this for everyone, but i've seen it happen so i know its the truth.
If none of the negativity were relevant i would say that it is because the person isnt just Black, or isnt just White. They are, indeed, interracial. Woul you say you were just Asian if you were Asian and African American? Would you say you were Black? Lets pretend that the racial tension weren't an issue.
"Prefiero morir parada que vivir la vida en mis rodillas"
People want to represent their hertiage thats why most people claim a color besides just black. I am proud to say that I am simply black. I don't claim to be anything extra. I am not dark as night with nappy locks. I am not a shade away from being white with golden brown straight hair either. I am me. A even brown with thick nappy roots.
I am black.
You are probably black.
Anyone that wants to be can accept the title.
Remember it only takes one drop of black blood in you to make you simply black.
Sometimes generalizing is just easier.
As far as i know its black or white...nobody says "Hey, I'm purple, brown, green, orange, and yellow"....
Representing your heritage is knowing where your family came from. Theres nothing wrong with explaining the fact that you have mixed ethnicities...and if you do have them and claim to be "simply black" then you clearly don't know what your heritage is..or like me, dont care to explain.
I am black...among other things, which has no relevance to the blog at hand. Nor does your "nappy roots". And I was completely unaware that the one drop of "black blood" in Obama made him "simply black". You should present that theory to the rest of the public.
That theory never made any sense to me...seeing as if you had one drop of any other race in you...the black somehow overpowered it. Care to elaborate?
And yes, generalizing is simpler, otherwise we wouldn't be having this discussion.
"Prefiero morir parada que vivir la vida en mis rodillas"
Being black is half what you make it and half what the world makes it. What I mean is that you can add stereotypes to blackness i.e. listens to rap, wears certain styles of clothing, is poor, etc. However, even if you don't subscribe to these stereotypes and see blackness simply as being the descendent's of African ancestors there are still perpetuated stereotypes and prejudices in the world that you have no hope in erasing. It is there that being black holds meaning whether you like it or not. Being black can mean feeling out of place in certain environments, it can mean getting unwarranted looks or stares.
My personal solution to this predicament is to focus on the pride I feel from being apart of a group of Americans that built this country. We are inventors, doctors, scientists, orators, leaders, and yes entertainers, musicians and athletes---some of the best. Since you are put in a box from the day you are born and will inevitably have to deal with some of the negative connotations associated with black people, knowing your history and taking pride in it is that best preparation for this so that your identification with blackness is a healthy one.
comments anyone