by Hickman

Created on: May 01, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

I know it isn't "PC" to say, but I never got used to this 'African-American' business. I grew up in the South where even among my own family good looks and skin/hair quality was scrupulously graded according to it's lack of pigment. Cousins, aunts and uncles were unabashed in their determination to improve on their children's lot on life by seeking mates with 'good skin', red-bone skin or better yet,'Indian in the family'. As ignorant, ugly and self-hating I find this color-struck mentality to be, I still find no offense in being called Black. It invokes no ill feelings in me and certainly no sense of inferiority. But then, I came of age in a time when being called 'Black' was the kindest thing a white person could say of you, or to you, to your face.

Being called Black and being part of the Black American community is far more relevant to my life experiences than being African-American, Moorish olive-skinned or Nubian will ever be. Of course Black Americans have ancestral roots and distant ties in the western African nations, but I have never been to Africa and (Alex Haley notwithstanding)the Black family's roots cannot easily be traced in Africa.

We are the sons of slaves and our direct ancestors have loss too much blood in THIS country's soil to turn our backs on it and cast our eyes towards Africa. Because life in America isn't equal for all (especially for Black people), it is difficult for many to realize that we, black Americans, are the among the best educated, most affluent and accomplished of all of Africa's children in this modern world. Black Americans are unique in this and should take pride in it. The Black American experience is an inspiration to our black and brown-skinned brothers and sisters around the globe who look in wonder upon an entire people risen from slavery to such heights.

To be clear, I am not offended by the term African-American, but I do not call myself an African-American because it does not correctly convey who I am. Yes, it speaks to undefined lineages from 400 centuries ago, but Africa is not the land of my birth, not my father's nor my grandfather's father. Africa had been stripped from the Black Man a long time ago,and in it's place is an experience full of struggle, sacrifice and achievement that fills me with pride and it gives me no pause to call it a BLACK experience.

African-American correctly describes Barack Obama's experience as an American.
I am Black. This alone tells you all you need to know of where I come from.

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