I have been wanting to know, or I should say understand, for years why black people born in America want to be called African American? And, often it seems it is used in context with anger and an adamant view that we should sit up and take notice of who they are.
Whether it is Oprah or Obama or Rev. Wright, Jr. using the term, what is the point?
If this is truly a mark of pride for their heritage would they not want to use it with gladness and joy so that we could take notice and appreciate that with them. But it seems it is to remind us of what they have suffered and how badly they were treated and are being treated (Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr.).
As a Christian I use the ‘label’ of Christian only to share some good news. Maybe some use it to to declare that they are right and others are not, but that is not smart or wise, or Christian.
I come from a wild and woolly background of Irish (who had their pain and struggles when they came to America), English, Quaker Dutch, and oh, yes, 1/8 American Indian (who were treated badly, lied to, and oppressed). Still I have yet to understand how I can undo the wrongs by claiming my heritage in a strong sit up and take notice attitude of either superiority or to declare to the world over and over, my ancestors were victims!
People come to American for the ‘American Dream’ and it has and always will require personal effort, determination and a winning attitude–then sometimes life is just mediocre. As far as I can see, it is still better than 2/3 of the world. The dream certainly won’t become reality from from anger, resentment and hostility.
Labels lock people into a stereo-type no one needs. I heard about dysfunctional families until I wanted to throw up. Thank God, that has quieted down. We are all dysfunctional in some area, and hopefully working to correct what we can.
Should we ever forget the atrocities of the past, whether they are African slaves, or Jewish persecution and slaughter, or American Indian betrayal? Of course not, we need to be aware of history and absolutely determined not to allow history to repeat itself.
At this very second people are being crucified in some form, and persecuted as Christians all over the world. Men, women and children are being slaughtered and used as slaves in Africa, and brutal wars fought over the labels of being in one tribe or another.
Could we not just be Americans? Forgiving and repenting of judgment and striving for a better world. Not just America, but a better world? How about making efforts to rebuild families and instill confidence in our children, black, white or any other color, of respect for each other and a love for our country? I know we can, it is a decision each of us must make.
However I am left with the same question:
Why African American?