The Identity of African-Americans: A Complex Mix of Heritage and Citizenship

I entirely agree: I've never understood the American obsession with skin colour and ancestry. Hyphenated America is not a productive concept. It breeds divisiveness, and we are all Americans, either by birth or naturalization. However, it is true that many individuals wish to feel a connection to their ancestral roots, and we must remember that for the majority of Black people in America today, they are descendants of slaves who themselves are descendants of indigenous Africans. These folks did not arrive at Ellis Island courtesy of the White Star Line. Their heritage cannot be separated from their identity as Americans but also as Africans.

Understanding the Question

The question why African-Americans are called African Americans often arises from a place of white fragility, unearned paternalism, and cultural illiteracy. You have no right to police how Black people embrace their ancestral culture. They are American, yes, but they are also African. Mind your own business, and know that you do not arbitrate identity for Black people. So, stop trying, kid.

Why Are White Folks Called White Americans?

It is indeed sheer hypocrisy to question why African-Americans are called African Americans while not questioning why white folks are called American white folks. The African Diaspora is recognized as the sixth region of the African Union. African-Americans are the Africans of America.

African roots do not disappear when one settles abroad or overseas. Being citizen of a country in the Americas including the USA does not diminish your African-ness, especially if one of your parents is African. This is a concept that instills Afrophobia, and it can be attributed to several reasons:

Truncated history: The current map of Africa is a truncated map, making it taboo to discuss. Europe was once known as Africa, with Africans ruling African kings, such as King Gormundus of Africa, who ruled in Ireland and England. The Cradle of Languages: Africa is the cradle of many languages, including the language of the ancient Romans (Latin). Latin is a proto-Bantu language, and there are striking similarities between Japanese and the Igbo language. Free Africans: Not all Blacks, including African Blacks, who were present in the Americas from the 16th to the 19th centuries, came on slave ships. Many were free men and women, part of the Free Negroes and Libertos in America. Diplomatic Relations: Kongo and Dahomey had diplomatic missions in Brazil. Dahomey was among the first states to recognize the independence of Brazil, and the relationships between Brazil and African kingdoms extended beyond long distance diplomacy to include trade.

Conclusion

You can call yourself whatever you wish, but where your allegiance lies is what ultimately matters. Understanding the complexities of identity can help bridge divides. Knowing your history, embracing your roots, and recognizing the shared humanity of all people are essential steps towards a more inclusive society.