I always thought that if you or your ancestors had thier orgins on the continent of Africa and became American citizens either by birth of naturalization you colud consider yourself "African-American". But an article by Rachel L. Swarns, published in the New York Times says, "A rising population of immigrants from places like Africa fuels the debate over who is entitled to use the term African-American." Alan Keyes, in a race for a senate seat in Illnois against Barack Obama, claims that Obama is NOT entitled to call himself "African-American" because his father, a native of Nigeria, did not come to America as a slave. Keyes contends that the term African-American can only be used by descendents of African slaves sold on US soil. What are your thoughts?

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2004

Answers

It's amazing what people will do when they have NO chance of winning on merit or ability.

Alan should cut the strings of the people controlling him. When will the Republicans stop using shills dressed like black people? When will black people recognize they're being pimped?

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2004

Alan Keyes is an embarrassment and a hypocrite. He chastised Hillary Clinton for being a carpet bagger politician for seeking the NY Senate seat in 2000, yet four years later he is doing the same thing in the land of Lincoln. Mr. Obama is every bit African American as Alan. The fact that he is Kenyan makes an even stronger case. This is a non-issue and a stupid political point on Keyes part. Obama in a landslide come November 2004. QED

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2004

"When will the Republicans stop using shills dressed like black people?"

I am about as dyed-in-the-wool a Democrat as exists (officer at the County Level for several years, former convention delegate, etc.), but I cannot ignore the connection many of our older black men have with the Republican Party.

When I buried my Daddy in 1988, I took his Reagan-Bush card out of his wallet so it wouldn't keep him out of Heaven! My wife's granddad is 91, votes religiously and has NEVER voted for a single Democrat. My best friend's dad is 80 and, likewise, has always voted Republican.

Those three all grew up in the Deep South in the Teens/20's and Democrat was synonymous with KKK for them. When my Dad came north (pre FDR), all the Blacks he knew (that could vote) were Republican.

As a kid, I sided with Republicans up until St. Reagan took the 1980 nomination from George Bush I. At that time, my eyes were opened up to a lot of things (racism, classism) that my parents had sheltered me from. When I joined the military (and later, in college), my views changed greatly. My Dad was not totally put out with my becoming an active Democrat (my Mom was one already, so he had lost the will to fight long before), but he always "got his shots in" with side comments.

Not that this adds anything to the discussion, but it's nice for me to reflect on the old man every now and then!

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2004

Somehow we missed the point. Who is African-American? Mrs. Kerry was born in Africa and now she is a US citizen. Is she an African- American? Id not, why not?

-- Anonymous, September 02, 2004

Reverend Paris,

The term African American is a term used to describe one's ethnic descent. That is to say one who is an American of Black African decent. It also usually applies to persons born in the USA, not to naturalize Ethiopians or Bahamians. There are a few exception to this rule which apply to culture as well, like some of the bishops in our Church who were born in other nations but once living in America have integrated and immersed themselves in the culture of Americans who are black.

The same might be said of "Jewish" when it is used to describe one's ethnic descent. Even though blacks might embrace Judaism as a religion--like many I know in the city where I live -- they would not usually be called Jewish but rather called Black Jews instead.

Since Mrs. Kerry is of European descent, the term does not apply to her. She was neither born in American nor has she embraced the culture of Blacks.

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2004

I have two friends who are from South Africa. They are African. Their child was born here. The child is therefore African-American. Did I mention the child is blonde-haired and blue-eyed?

Once we were negroes, then colored, then Black, then persons of color (whoops), and now African-American.

And now we think we have the audacity to say who can and cannot be African-American, just because Alan Keyes says so? Or because we don't want any other race "stealing" our label? Don't we have better things to do with ourselves? You don't see white people doing this.

The definition has been already been established at a federal and state level, so I guess we're going to have to find another politically correct, non-offensive way to describe ourselves.

Ooooh, I know, how about "darkies"? Waitaminnit, the light skinned- ded people won't be part of the group.....darn.....

Mrs. Kerry? African-American. Oh my goodness, the first interracial couple in the White House...maybe that's what people are afraid of?

Obama? African-American.

Alan Keyes? Klan-American.

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2004

rev John has pointed out the absurdity of labeling ourselves without thinking ahead. I suggest the parents of that blonde, blue-eyed child are also African-American if they are citizens of the US.

Now Bro Matthews wrote:

"The term African American is a term used to describe one's ethnic descent. That is to say one who is an American of Black African decent."

What does COLOR have to do with it?

"It also usually applies to persons born in the USA, not to naturalize Ethiopians or Bahamians."

What about those from Sudan or Libya or Egypt or any of the hundreds of African states?

Colin Powell is of Jamacian descent, therefore he cn no longer think of himself as African-American.

"There are a few exception to this rule which apply to culture as well, like some of the bishops in our Church who were born in other nations but once living in America have integrated and immersed themselves in the culture of Americans who are black."

Who decides the exceptions? What is the criteria to determine the level of immersion and integration?

"The same might be said of "Jewish" when it is used to describe one's ethnic descent. Even though blacks might embrace Judaism as a religion--like many I know in the city where I live -- they would not usually be called Jewish but rather called Black Jews instead."

So there is a difference in Black Jews and Jewish people. Then we have to determine how many drops of "black blood" makes one black so that we can know the difference between black jews and just plain old jews.

"Since Mrs. Kerry is of European descent, the term does not apply to her. She was neither born in American nor has she embraced the culture of Blacks"

Mrs. Kerry was born in Africa. She is an American Citizen. She just needs to embrace the culture of Blacks. OK, what determines when she has "embraced" the culture? Would marrying a black man born in Africa or descended from Black Africans be sufficient?

You see how absurd it becomes. We are all descended from Adam made in the image of God; and Eve, formed from the flesh of Adam (same DNA). All of us came through the Flood with Mr. and Mrs Noah, Mr. and Mrs. Ham, Mr. and Mrs. Ham, and Mr. and Mrs. Japheth. Now unless we are prepared to accuse Mrs. Noah of slipping around (but who could she slip around with, they all came from Adam.), the latter three are blood brothers.

We are all children of God, flawed by Adam's sin; but praise be to God, redeemed by God himself in the form of Jesus, the Christ; born of a woman. born under the law to become the redeemer of all who have faith in Him. Bless His holy name.

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2004

OOps! We put Mr. and Mrs. Ham in twice and left out Mr. and Mrs. Shem. Replace one of the Hams with Shem.

-- Anonymous, September 03, 2004