Blacks, African-Americans, and N****s… Which one are you?

I realize this is an education blog (I started it). However, I am a firm believer that Black children should know of their history and heritage just as they understand STEM field subjects. So, in honor of Black History Month, this is my plea to all people of color to set an example for the next generation by finding a sense of pride in your heritage

About a month ago, I was playing some pick-up basketball at my alma mater’s gym, and I had a very subtle, yet life-changing moment. I hit a three, and I may have taunted a little… maybe. My defender, also Black , responded, “shut up, nigga.”

Pause. I am NOT a nigga.

I don’t know if it was the tone with which it was said; I really couldn’t tell you what it was. But for some reason, the particular word that I’d been spewing with the lyrics of all my favorite songs was suddenly offensive. Now, as Black people, we can say ‘nigga’. Duh. It’s a term of endearment, my nigga! Funny though, the last (however many times I can remember) times I’ve used the N-word, it’s had a negative connotation. “Always late to these meetings… niggas man.” “I wish this nigga would stop calling me.” “You mighta seen me in the street but nigga you don’t know me.” There isn’t even a cohesive fashion with which WE use the word anymore. Until there is a definitive disambiguation, I’ll abstain.

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Fast-forward one month to February, to Black History Month. I noticed a Facebook page that’s growing in popularity: “Don’t Call Me African-American.” Interesting. I thought that was the politically correct term? Nope, now we want to be called ‘Black’, not African-American. I’d actually never stopped to differentiate. My current boss-lady, however, is quite opinionated on the subject. A first-generation Ghanaian-American, she has taken on the massive responsibility of retaining her African heritage while being raised in a predominantly white environment. She also has two young children with who she is able to share her history because of that resolve.

Adwoa B. Asare-Kwakye
My Boss-Lady

“There is a saying from Ghana called ‘Sankofa.’ The literal meaning is ‘go back and get it’. Most people have seen it. On clothing or jewelry it is a bird grabbing his tale… the symbolic meaning is you must learn from your past to move forward. If you cannot, how exactly do you expect to move forward? You will essentially be doomed to repeat your past however good or bad it is.

The plight of people of African descent in America is due to the simple fact that our history has been written for us. The only history that has been taught is that we came on the boat, we were enslaved, we picked cotton, and that was it. But that is not it. Just as Caucasians came from kings and queens, we too came from dynasties of greatness. Yet, we are sitting here arguing over what we should be called. ‘I don’t identify with African-American.’ What? Ridiculous. Embrace you history.”

–Adwoa Asare-Kwakye, MPH

Our history has been written for us. I had never contemplated “Black history” under these circumstances.  American Black history begins with the arrival of the first slave. Therefore, to identify with the term ‘Black’ in lieu of ‘African-American’ is to remove your connection to Africa; in doing so, you subsequently accept that your heritage begins in slavery.  To deny being an African-American is to deny that your ancestors built their own culture and society before they were stolen. How ironic, when the mentality of entrapment is representative of the plight of the Black/African-American people. To voluntarily submit to identification as a lesser human being is absurd.

I am not a believer that “Black” and “African-American” are mutually exclusive.  If anything, I believe they are interchangeable. But when faced with the choice between the two, why not identify with the terminology that is most inclusive of your heritage and dismiss the color?