Expert: Sharon - 8/10/2007

Question
QUESTION: I think that THE stereotype of all stereotypes in American culture is the common usage of the words 'black' and 'white'to denote the so-called races.  A kid who's done Kindergarden can tell black from white, all the more an adult. Regardless of how dark-skinned a person may be, you can always tell the difference between their hair, which indeed is black , and their skin. No matter how light a person may be, you can always tell the difference between their skin color and a white sheet of paper. As adults of African descent, we ought to know that the very reason why these terms were used was to enforce slavery and oppression. Our African ancestors who were brought to the Americas defined themselves in terms of their region of birth, not their skin color. I'm from the Caribbean. I didn't know I was 'Black' until I came to the U.S. I'm from the Caribbean, as such, my culture is Caribbean. I do not identify with the 'Black' or Afro-American culture, but I respect it. I can't accept the fact of being forced into a box with a big label of 'Black' or 'African American' when I'm neither. [One example of being forced is when you have an application that asks you to chose your ethnic background and the only option that an African has is to chose Black/African American]. It's clear that bad seems good these days, when in fact wrong was and will always be wrong. It was wrong for the slaves (through the Americas, not just in America) to be called 'black' and 'n*#$%^' when they were being raped, slaughtered, lynched, beaten, and dehuminized in the past just as it is wrong today to be called such hatefull names. The history of some words are so intertwined with evil and hatred that regardless of the spin you try to give it, it remains evil and attached to hate. Today we see so-called 'Blacks' or African Americans using the words 'Blacks' and 'n**#@%' as terms of endearment, when in the past they used to be used by the slavemasters to denigrate our ancestors. They can never be come terms of endearment! Among the reasons why slavery worked included the uprooting from one ancestral land, loss of identity (by keeping born-slaves from knowing their origin, that includes changing their last name), loss of culture (keeping them from speaking the language of their lands), loss of religion (the religion of most our ancestors was Islam, not Christianity), and, of course, dehuminization by labeling, thus making them feel inferior based on their shape, skin color, hair texture, etc. Slavery succeeded in doing that. I read a 'joke' that claims that all kkk members retired because 'blacks' do the 'job' better than they do. Indeed, while we used to be kept from voting, now that we can vote we don't; we used to be kept from learning, now we choose not to learn; we used to be called the 'n' word and called 'black' (a symbol of darkness, negativity, ignorance), now we freely call each other these words; we used to be beaten and killed, now, we kill each other in disproportionate numbers. No other dark-skinned ethnic group would accept to be called by other than their nationality or ethnic group. An indian, although he may be darker than the darkest person I've ever seen, would never accept to be called 'black.' Yet we willingly have accepted our inherited label.

I too used to be of those who used the terms 'black' shortly after I came to the U.S. Having been blessed with some understanding of my cultural past I came to see things differently. I have been training myself to break these stereotypes. When someone asks me to describe physically a person of African descent I use the terms 'dark skinned' or 'fair-skinned' or 'brown' or 'yellowish' or 'light-skinned', not 'Black.'

The religion of our ancestors, Islam, teaches that Allah (which literaly means 'The God'), besides Whom there is no god, made us into nations and tribes so that we could know each other not hate each other. Verily, the best among us, in the eyes of God, are the most righteous. He doesn't care about our skin color; he only cares about our deeds. I am a human who was born in Haiti, whose roots trace back to Africa. I'm not 'black.' I know my colors.

These are just some thoughts to reflect upon.

May the Mercy and Blessings of God be upon you.

Jo

ANSWER: Hi, Jo

Wow!!! you have a very interesting thought process. Thank you for your insight. I do have a question on where on an application you have seen Black/African American? because for as long as I remember I have seen Black/African DESCENT and the word African-Descent would extend to all people with African ancestry including Carribs, central and south american blacks,and African Americans ect. so I dont see where you are getting offended. Im not sure if I was suppose to respond to this our not,because it was not in a form of a question but thanks for sharing your input with me!!!

Have a great day!!!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I would like to add that I found an application that mentions the term 'Black/African American'. Please visit:

https://www.state.sd.us/applications/ss45/ChildCareAssistance.asp

I don't have problems with the term 'African Descent'. It just so happens that the applications I run into used the term 'Black/African American', neither of which describes me. I don't have a problem with the expression 'African American', although I can't use it to describe myself, for I'm an African who wasn't born in America . My issues are with the 'n' word and the term 'Black.'

I speak in light of facts, not out of ignorance. I can provide evidence to the other statements made above, if requested. That's what Islam teaches us, to speak only of things we know.

I respect a person's right to use the terms 'Black/n*$$@!'. However, I don't agree with the rational (or lack thereof) behind the usage of these words. We all follow someone. It's just wise to know who you're following. For life is like a stream that leads to a waterfall. Those who escape the fall are those who swim against the current. Those who fall are those follow it.

May God guide those who read this message to the Straight Path.

Jo

Answer
Hi, Jo

I see what you are talking about. Yes some applications are "politically incorrect", but some things have changed For example, Many Applications will say Black (of hispanic descent) or Black (non hispanic descent), because of an issue of "Blacks" who are also of Hispanic heritage for example (puerto ricans,cubans,panamanians,guatemalans,costa ricans) and other hispanic countries with people of "African descent" . This has changed because of an outcry of this community of people who consider themselves "Black Hispanics". On a radio talk show a few years ago some of these people stated that they felt that on applications it was really hard to choose whether they wanted to mark "Black/African descent or Hispanic, when infact they embrace both identities. Like I said some things have changed. On some applications I also see that some people can mark Carribean descent if they are carribean but not alot. On most applications they give you the option to mark "other", everyone can use that to thier advantage. they also leave a blank space next to it so that they can specify.

In reading your first question I see that you are African but you say that you werent born in America? Are you an American citizen? Are you residing in America?, either way just in case you didnt know the term "African-American" would definately apply to you. This term doesnt just extend to the the blacks living in the U.S who descend from  African slaves. you may disagree, but that is fine. You are free to do so. This is just the way that Im interpreting these things.

Thanks for your Question/Comments!!!
Have a great day!!!