Question for the African-American people out there...?
601303
Michael Jackson hasn't been black since 1991. He's white America's problem now. Hehehe. Just kidding. I think he was persecuted because he molested children. ALLEGEDLY!!!
201843
I'm not black either but, most post i see if it's asking about a black person it starts off as the "N" word instand of the intelligent way of saying African American.That's not to say you can't ask a question about them.It's usually how it's frazed that "GETS" some people.
443638
I think blacks(African Americans) feel comfortable in using the word,because they have adapted an separate meaning from the word's original intent, but get mad when other races use it because it was used as an insult to our race for so long! But to be honest, some black people are offended when they word is used so carelessly and freely by other blacks, because it was a word to express the ultimate disgust and disrespect for a race that whites did not even consider human...we were considered 3/5 of a person!!! So actually, NONE of us should use "their" (not their meaning white people, but their meaning RACIST people) term of disrespect for us as a term of "brotherhood"...but it happens.  I don't know why its so comfortable for it to just slip out of our mouths!!! But when I think about how painful it must have been for our ancestors to be disrespected in such a way, it always makes me think more conciously about what come out of my mouth and not use the word freely as a slang term.\n\nBTW...I like your question because you were not a smart azz in asking it!!! And its something that Black people definitely should think about!!!
699600
THANK YOU!!!!\n\nI get so tired of people assuming that black people see Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson as our 'leaders'. I personally have no respect for either because they're always running their mouths but they actually do nothing for the black community. Why do so many people think that black people somehow appointed these men as our leaders?
130143
I take it you meant Afro-Americans, right?  The spelling was incorrect.......I am a Black American.  And I can honestly say we are not the only aggressive race in the U.S., and I'm not sure what part of Africa you have visited but alot of Africans do not have the right to speak up on matters in their country.  Maybe that is why you don't think they are very aggressive.  But every race that I know of here in the U.S. is very vocal and aggressive when it comes to their rights.  I am sorry you feel that way about Blacks and your own country!:(
185968
OK, see the confusion begins...!\n\nFirst of all, there is no such place as "Africa America".  \n\nSecondly, Black people were given the "politically correct" name "AfricaN AmericaN" by Jesse Jackson less than (or about) 20 years ago.  Non-Black people (especially those in high positions) and some Black people, prefer it because the word "black" was given negative perceptions ("Black" is bad, based on the meanings of certain words, like "black-listed", "black-balled", "blackmailed"...).  I have even heard of some silly Black people saying "Well coal is BLACK. So since I'm not that color, I can't be "Black".)  Crazy.\n\nWhat you teacher probably said was "African American" (listen in class!).  It is seen as OK, because Black people in american can find their origins in Africa, for the most part (some, from the Carribean).  Like "Arab-american", or "Irish-american", and so on and so forth.\n\nToo much denial for ME.  I prefer to be called what we have always been: BLACK.\n\nLM
756904
Unfortunately self hate was one of the residues from the cruelty of our past.  I hate it too.  Some people have no idea how much Africans and African Americans have in common.
581059
What I'm about to say isn't necessarily fact. It is my opinion or rather my speculation. I don't have a correct answer. \n\nIf you think about it, being a minority has a lot to do with it. In a social environment, if were all equals, than why does the name "black people" exist? Aren't we all people? Why do we need to distinguish each other physically, other than to tell one person from the next?\n\nGo back to the time of slavery and into the sixties when Martin Luthor King, Jr. was making history. Those with african heritage have been opressed in the passed and to a certain extent now. Culturally, socially, there have been stereo types put upon those with african decent and for them, it's hard to shake that reputation. If you're constantly exposed to, "you're black, you must listen to hip-hop, rap, r&b, you must be an athlete or gangster", how would you fair? A lot of modern day youth have a huge problem because of this. \n\nSuccessful African americans or African what ever country, are successful and/or rich for the very same reasons others are; They earned it or they inherited it. But because of the media and because of labels put upon them, their battle to the good life may be more difficult than groups that have not had such struggles in the past or are portrayed in a hopeless manner.\n\nThis ofcourse, pertains mostly to those who are in places outside of Africa but not exclusively, of course. Within Africa, every individual country has severe problems. Ranging from agricultural, religious, economical, and the list goes on.\n\nMy friend is Arabic. He's from Morocco. His wife and his siblings are all well educated. Yet, because of the economy there, and the lack of jobs, they can do nothing with their training. When they left their country, things began to improve for them. \n\nI remember a movie called, "Any Given Sunday", starring Jamie Fox and Al Pacino. In one scene, Willie Beaman (Fox), was doing a sports program interview in which he's talking about black people and their struggles for success. He says some thing along the lines of, "We're raised to not to work together. To look out for our selves". It wasn't exactly like this but that's basically what he said. It's true, however. Especially in western culture. A black man or woman is raised to be an individual, selfish to their own needs without concern for any one else. That's not to say that everyone is like that among African American roots or otherwise but certainly in a the media's portrayal of it.\n\nI've always thought, the media is the greatest psychological influence in the world. It has enormous power.\n\nThat's a little insight into my personal thoughts. By no means do I have the monopoly on the truth. I don't. I'm speculating. I haven't done any research. These are my own observations.
1025202
As an African American, I'd like to quote an ex-slave named Frederick Douglass.  He made a speech which in part said:\n\n"What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sound of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants brass fronted impudence; your shout of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanks-givings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy -- a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour."
925551
I'm black and I say we are people too. Yes there are some black people that commit crimes, but there are people like that in other races too. I feel trully honored to be a young black woman in the world today. I'm proud about my race and heritage. But the one thing I can not stand, about some people of my own race is that the ones that don't use their education call the ones that do use theirs, acting white. I don't see how wanting to better yourself and secure your future is acting white. I mean I think more education anyone has should make them better off in the world. Because you can get great jobs and be able to take care of your family. So that is one of the things that I don't like about my own race. Another thing I can't stand is the fact that some people of my race seek out reasons and ways things are racist. I say if you go looking for it you will always get smacked in the face with it. I think a few of those people are being even more racist, because you are searching for reasons for someone to hate on you. I say everyone in the black community and myself included should just go and live life, if you are held back in one area find another arena to get involved in. But don't give up at all. Just keep striving forward more than ever before. But thats just how I see things.
773895
You asked a rhetorical question here - what do you want answered?  The African-American community as a whole is hypocritical on the use of this word - that's all.\n\nGood Luck!!!
362392
As a man of mixed race, I feel that the existence of black history month takes away from the achievments of the african american race.  It's almost like saying: "Since you guys did'nt do too much we will celebrate all your acheivements in one month and get it over with."  I think the acheivments of black people should be taught in context with the rest of America's achievments, why treat us special, are we no different than you?  As a native Bahamian, I think racial issues in the US are embarassing, and black folk hold equal share of the blame, I'll catch hell from it, but thats ok.  Back home we are all just people, granted most of us are black, a black man that calls another black man a "nig ga" is bound to get slapped, it is never acceptable, and I never got flack for having a white mother like I do in the U.S.  Its time for us to stop relishing in race, and be part of the human race.
193854
Well, I have been discrminiated against and racially profiled. I am a militray wife and been just about every where and because of my fair skin I have been assumed to be Everything but, black. Because they say I "sound" white. Many people are under the assumption that all black people are "brown skinned". NOT TRUE. we come in different shades. I am mixed with Seminole Indian, African American, German and Irish. Despite of my many mixed nationalities I am abdominatly "Black". But, it's ashame to see that people still use the "N" word even within the black community. But, as soon as a person of a different race says it, it's offending. So, why call eachother that. It is a sticky discussion and can go on for years to come.
1097977
cute question, shows good off the wall thinking, keep asking more, some people will think your just being a smart ass but I like the question.  \nP.S.\nIs someone from Egypt that now lives in America and African-American after all Egypt is wholly a part of Africa yet many are more Caucasian in appearance?
889111
Me: African-American woman.  1. Personally I'm tired seeing it...media tends to focus on black men with white women exclusively, this helps to send out the message that black men consider white women to be their ideal standard of beauty...for some black men, having a white woman helps to validate their status in life... however not every black man wants or feels the need to have a white woman on their arm. 2. I also find it very interesting how very little attention is given to relationships between white men/black women. Hmmm, what does this really say about society, and American culture in general?
114896
So many people here answering the questions don't have a clue what they're talking about. Blacks haven"t completely risen up and overcome yet. Some many blacks are stuck with dead-end jobs, welfare and section 8 housing, do you call that rising up? I'll admit some of this stems from laziness, some of the problem stems from oppression, some just from hard times. And as for the person who said just go back to Africa ...(god) that had to be one of the most ignorant things I've ever heard, I mean really do know what's it's like to live the life of a black person. There still is oppression, racism, and prejudice out there. We've come a long way way but, we have more ground to cover for ALL races.
160033
Where do you live now?  I mean, I have lived in several places on the east coast, and the south, as well as visited several cities between the east coast and going out as far as Texas, and I have not noticed it to be true.\n\nI personally never grew up noticing or noting differences in lighter skinned and darker skinned Black people.  I guess because, as a child, my mother never pointed it out to me. I think that when you are young, if someone points it out to you, then you grow up being more cognizant of it.  (And I grew up in the SOUTH).\n\nMaybe, for those lighter-skinned Black people that you feel act that way, they feel they have something to prove.  Black people's self-image, regardless of their complexion, cause them to act in whatever way they feel they have to prove they are "Black enough" or "acceptable enough" in diverse setting (meaning when they are not just among other Black people).\n\nWe, meaning Black people, just need to be ourselves, which is really dictated by what part of the country we grew up, and not try to please or appease someone else.\n\n(just my opinion)\n\nLM