I’m Black. Don’t Call Me African-American. As a Matter of Fact, Just Call Me American.

“If you go to Africa in search of your race, you’ll find out quick that you are not an African-American. You’re just a black American taking up space.” (Smokey Robinson)

The term African-American is divisive and offensive. I hate it. Call me Black, or American. Not African-American. In 1988, Rev. Jesse Jackson convinced America’s Black citizens to adopt the term African-American. A 1991 survey by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies in Washington DC found that three years after Jesse Jackson called for a change of name, only 5% used the term African-American, while 72% continued to call themselves Black. The term has stuck around. for 30 years and is still a hot topic debate. The term or classification African-American is just another way to cause division amongst the citizens in this already divided country. Clearly, I’m not denying my African heritage but I cannot tell you where in Africa my ancestors came from; the key difference between a Black American and an African-American. I have no traditions, language, direct lineage or specific heritage to use as a reference point. An African-American was either one born in Africa who became an American citizen, or. is an American citizen who has immediate family in Africa; they can tell you direct lineage, specific heritage, language, traditions and where in Africa their family came from. A black man in Omaha has more in common with a white man in Colorado than with a Nigerian. Black Americans have been in the United States so long that we don’t know where we came from, all most of us know is city and state in the United States. Black Americans don’t know our history before slavery. Most Black Americans recorded history didn’t begin until after slavery ended. Which was the 1840’s. How are white Americans classified in our is country? Still thinking? People classify white Americans as American, white. or caucasian. People don’t call them Italian-American, German-American, Britain-American, etc. Obviously they are yet they aren’t labeled that way, they are simply referred or classified as Americans. Also they all came here willingly, as immigrants. No other Americans carry a regional prefix as a classification. Black Americans should be afforded the same courtesy and simply be referred to as Americans. If a person is born in this country then that person is American. No matter what color or race. America is a melting pot, as a matter of fact it’s. “The Melting Pot”. If you and your family come from another country and gain your citizenship then that would make you “insert country” American. There’s no gray area. Most Black Americans are partial to be regarded as Black or just plain American.

Many Black Americans you see from day to day were born here, my ancestors were stolen, kidnapped, bought, sold, chained and dragged to this god forsaken country over 400 years ago. Which would predate all of the Ellis Island immigrants who classified us as. African-American, different, other or less American than themselves. African-American is a white man’s term. I have never stepped foot in Africa, nor my mother or her mother. I am an American, but if you must differentiate. The term African-American just does not create the same embolden pride as Black does. Do not call me African-American, I’m Black! I’m an American. America is Black and white, at least that is how it began. Black Americans ancestors come from collection of races. Black Americans’ nationality and ethnicity are very complex. The only African-Americans I know are literally African-Americans although they aren’t classified as such. First and second generation (African) Americans whose parents, grandparents came to America as refugees yet excludes anyone who is an African immigrant or first-generation citizen, who would be most befitting ,of the title. African American is also very vague and simplified. Africa is a vast continent, made up of various nations, cultures, languages. Africa is not a plain, homogeneous country. Black Americans are Americans, we are not other or from some place else. “Put some respect on it”. Please stop trying to cause further racial division. We are not second class citizens. Let’s keep it a hunnid. What’s more American than a Black person? America was literally built off the backs of Black people. We were the first cash cow in American history. What was America’s biggest cash crop? What did the South fight a whole Civil War over? The South formed their own country in order to protect the institution of slavery. The economics of slavery. Cotton and tobacco, slavery was the machine. Cotton and tobacco were America’s first major exports. Black people have more than earned the right to be called Americans or Black Americans, not African-Americans. There should be no distinction or separation among us but then again I’m from a generation where tolerance is in abundance. You are judged by what you bring to the table so to speak. Your character and skills, not the color of your skin determines your worth in this society. Don’t misunderstand my point here, there are still racists and racism is thriving in America. It’s plain as day during the Trump era. I suspect there always will be racism to some extend in America. There are still. a minority of Americans who want to hold on to a troubled past and afraid of change, afraid of the “Browning of America”.

The term African-American has helped to polarize America. The term has helped to created Modern day racism; which is a different form, sort of mutation, of the racism that our parents and grandparents faced. The racism they incurred was “in their face”, they knew who as well as what they were dealing with. “Better the devil you know.” Modern racism, although has been more embolden by the current administration and his. clear disdain toward Black people. Modern racism is very dangerous and damaging, modern racism is hidden, concealed and systematic. People cannot recognize concealed systematic racism, so people logically cannot guard, defend or prepare against this modern form of racism. People can prepare to a certain extent but many times it’s just not possible. Modern white supremacists and racists have traded in their hoods for suits. This is what makes modern day racism so damaging and dangerous. It’s just like a crack back block in football, you don’t see it coming, it blindsides you and knocks you on your ass.

In conclusion, Race relations in the United States have improved immensely, with the climax thus far, the Presidency of the first Black American; Barack Obama. We can continue these gains, one way is by simply dropping the classification African-American. Stop the implicit bias this term creates. Don’t treat Black Americans, a second class citizen. We are Americans; nothing more, nothing less. My ancestors were in shackles, I’m Black.

“Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that GOD is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.” (Thomas Jefferson)

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