The African American Myth
By Sally Bishai (01/16/06)
I was recently told that I didn't qualify for entrance into a photo contest that was only for "Americans of African descent." The "judgment" was made after looking me up and down.
I am, in fact, an African by both blood and nationality. It's true. I'm a Copt. I'm an Egyptian. I spent (almost) as much time in Africa, as a child, as I did here in the States.
Ok, so I'm as pale as an Irishman and my nose is more Greek than anything. Does that make me less of an "African American?"
Having said that, I'd like to challenge the current definition--nay, usage--of the term "African American," on the following premises:
1: You're making a judgment on WHERE they're from based on their appearance.
I know, judging a book by its cover isn't really a sin, but that doesn't make it any more correct. IF you don't know what I'm talking about, rank the level of 'mean and nasty racism' in the following scenarios, where 10 is the worst:
A- You see someone from afar, and describe him as "African American." He is, in fact, a very dark-skinned man from Bombay.
B- You go up to a Chinese-looking beauty with the only word of Mandarin that you know, and she glares daggers before informing you that her great grandmother came over, but neither granny nor her offspring have ever been outside of America.
C- You inform a South African and a Libyan--whose forefathers have been there for 6 generations--that they aren't African because they don't look it.
Hmm, the last one sounds kind of familiar, doesn't it. As in "photo contest unfairness" familiar, perhaps?
But anyway. Moving on to the next reason..
2: "African American" is just another big, fat case of Americentrism.
Why? Well, just think about it. Have you NEVER met a British, German, or French person with dark skin?
I have.
They dislike being mistaken for American as much as Copts dislike being mistaken for Arabs. (aka "lots.")
Speaking of Copts (and Libyans, Algerians, and other North Africans), in regards to using the phrase "of African descent" to describe a "black" person... while it's (marginally) better than "African American," it's actually still a slap in our (relatively light-skinned) faces. Don't we count?
This brings us the next reason..
3: The term creates, establishes, and maintains a sentiment of "You're not African!" towards light-skinned people from Africa (who "look White"). Case in point:
One day, I went to Taco Bell after an especially taxing lecture. The guy at the checkout was tall, dark, and handsome. "Dark" meaning "black."
I recognised the look in his eye as he gave me a secret smile, then proceeded to inform me that "You don't like black people, do you."
What?
"Excuse me, sir?"
"You don't like black people!" It was said with a smile, but I heard the question in his voice.
"I don't know what you mean, but I love everyone. Part of being a Christian and all that," I said, trying to veer away from the racist overtones of the convo.
"Are you married?" he began again, trying a (very) different tack. I, however, would not be deterred!
"Let's go back to the "black people" thing. What are you talking about? Why wouldn't I like black people?"
He sighed heavily, then clarified his ridiculous statement: "You don't date black people. You know, AFRICANS."
O ho, young varlet! If only you realised your mistake! Thou hast messed with the wrong "white-looking" lass!
"That's interesting that you should say that, young man, for I'll have you know that I actually am from Africa. I spent my childhood IN AFRICA. Yes. I am an Egyptian. More specifically, I am a Copt, which means that my ancestors were in Africa before the wheel was invented!"
That shut him up for a moment, and then he apologised.
"I'm sorry, girl, I just thought that you were White, you know. I had no idea you were a sister!"
Be that as it may, this trend of making non-dark-skinned Egyptians (and other Arabic-speaking North Africans) into "Whites" is rather disheartening. (Especially since I just spent a few months making a documentary about the 1950s murder of a black youngster named Emmett Till!)
The last reason almost isn't worth mentioning, especially in a land such as America, where many of the X-Americans out there have never visited their X, meaning the place their parents (or grandparents) have escaped from. I mean, relocated from.
But I'll go ahead and share it, anyway.
4: How many "African Americans"--or anyone within three generations, even--have actually been to Africa in their lives?
This has nothing to do with making them less African, by the way; it's just to open people's eyes to the fact that some people actually HAVE come from Africa today, and DO carry passports stamped in Africa--and are being denied from the pride and glory of a title that represents the beloved continent we were born upon.
So what's the answer, then?
Some people don't like calling others "black," as though it were a bad thing. (Yes, I've actually met people who whispered when describing someone as a "black fellow," < end stage whisper. >
And "dark-skinned" could, as previously mentioned, refer to someone from Africa, India--ok, well half of Asia, actually--or other places. "Dark" is a relative term, after all.
You know, my ire at being denied status as an "African American" isn't so much about being thrown in with a race that I don't belong to (as my geno- and pheno-type will prove); rather, it's to do with the fact that I am bursting with pride over being part of the noble race of people who have come from the ancient kings of Egypt!
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