notice how a white guy is under no pressure to refer to himself as a european american? when's the last time you even heard that expression?

you know what i'm getting at. it's black vs. african american again. it seems that a number of people, particularly in the academic community, but also wide numbers of "mor's" (middle of the road whites) think that african american is the more respectful term. somehow, this phrase pays proper homage to the roots of the person being spoken of.

well, i suppose these people are triggered by the idea that there is something negative, something disrespectful, about the phrase black. but, in fact, it is amongst these middle class, academic sectors, that a lack of historical knowledge of the civil rights and black power struggles are exhibited. do they not recall the saying "black is beautiful?" or, what of "say it loud, i'm black and i'm proud?" when a person exclaimed they were black in the 60's, it was an affirmation of self, an example of self love.

what, i ask, has happened to change this? if something has changed, isn't that the problem, and not the word black itself? and what has come along to replace it? why, of course, african american! but, who says it? have you ever heard a group of black people refer to themselves as african americans? certainly not in casual conversation. perhaps in a classroom, particularly in a room that is predominantly white.

and what of this term? is it factual? does it have any power? is it a prideful, strong term? are africans who come to america african american? what about hatians, jamaicans? what of black spanish speaking people? is david ortiz african american? well, he is from the americas, and he is clearly of african descent, so why wouldn't he be? does one have to be born in the u.s to be an african american? but, if you are born in a country, isn't that your nationality? david ortiz doesn't say he is an african dominican, he says he's dominican.

the term black does away with all this. as does the term white. these other terms are inventions of academic masterbators, who have nothing better to do than make the rest of us think that we are disrespecting ourselves, when we are in fact being truer to who we are than they will ever be.

to those who insist on the term african american, i suggest they read their malcolm, in which he says the word black with love. i suggest they revisit the struggles of the 60's. if they feel that the term black ignores their heritage, than they are the ones who know nothing about the epic racial battles of yesterday, in which the term black was claimed as a word of power, strength, joy, and beauty.

to you users of aa (yes, you need help) i suggest you meet some real black people who don't have five advanced degrees. i suggest you journey to places where black people live, work, talk, pray, eat, and shop.

leave the rarified air of the classroom, my friends, and live.

get in touch with yourself, before you claim to speak for others.

until then, my european and african american brethren, i wish you a fond farewell.