Three weeks ago, I was on a Skype call with my best friend from Florida and we started to discuss the idea about whether I would rather be called Black or African-American. I had to sit back and really think about this question. For years, I have always been called Black. On standardized tests, I would bubble in that I identify as African-American. So I did think that maybe I identified as an African-American. Then I thought about my Caribbean heritage. My mother is Haitian and my father is of Dutch, West Indian, and Hispanic descent. So I had several ideas in my head about an answer to this and I started to wonder: what do others believe when they are asked this question?
I chose six people who are Black/African/Caribbean between the ages of 18-30 and their answers were interesting, to say the least.
Brianna, 19.
When asked if she wouldn't her be called Black or African-American, her response was,
“Okay, so I guess I don't really have a preference? My mom is Caribbean and my dad is African-American, but I'm multiracial so it's a bit complicated. My Caribbean family is also Chinese, Portuguese, and Italian so I mostly identify with those nationalities as opposed to saying Caribbean. But I was very much raised around Caribbean culture, from the food to the music to the Trinidadian accents. However, it's not the first thing that comes to mind when I think about my identity.”
When I asked her if she didn't mind when people called her African-American, she said, “Eh. Not really, but I don't know what part of Africa my family originated from, so I think it's a bit disrespectful to claim it. I will identify as Black before I identify as African-American.”
Kennedy, 18.
What would you rather be called: African-American, Caribbean-American, or Black?
Kennedy: “Black. African-American to me feels like a made-up term for other people to feel politically correct. I'm not just part African or part Jamaican, I'm a multitude of things. But at the same time, people associate Black with an evil or impurity. When I say I am Black it's not because I don't like the other terms, it's because I know I am so much more than just Jamaican or African-American. Like last year, I found out I was 1/8 Cuban. Like, WTF?! It's crazy.”
So when you take standardized tests, do you put black/African-American or Other?
Kennedy: “Black/ African-American, because that minority is the least represented in college and helps me get more money.”
Jori, 19.
What would you rather be called: African-American, Caribbean-American, or Black?
Jori: "I see distinct differences between American and Caribbean/African-Americans, so I usually tell people I'm Caribbean. But I also often tell people that I'm Black because that's who I am."
So when you take standardized tests, do you put black/African-American or Other?
Jori: "I put other because I am equally Black and White."
When you are called African-American, do you correct people on the spot?
"I
don't correct people often because they either assume I'm Hispanic or
they assume that I'm mixed. I correct the ones that think I'm Hispanic
on the spot. When people rudely ask 'What are you,' I respond with
'Human.'"
Do you think that being called African-American is an insult?
"Not at all. I love my culture and heritage and history. I hate the prejudice against the community, the self-hate, and centuries of brainwashing. I love hearing stories about Black empowerment and success."
Brian, 28.
What would you rather be called: African-American, Caribbean-American, or Black?
"I prefer to be called Caribbean or West Indian. You can call me Black too."
So when you take standardized tests, do you put black/African-American or Other?
"I select "Black/African American" on standardized tests."
When you are called African-American, do you correct people on the spot?
"I do correct people when they call me African-American."
Do you think that being called African-American is an insult?
"I
do not think being called African-American is an insult for people in
general. I think there is sometimes a negative connotation to the
perceived (emphasis on 'perceived') 'African-American' culture as being
combative, pessimistic, bitter, etc. as opposed to black people from
other nations. We (West Indians) don't necessarily share the same
historical background. Example, my family didn't go through the Jim Crow
era in Jamaica, so we are not raised with the same mindset those who
are born here have.
"Additionally, we typically do not see the
terms 'European-American' or 'Asian-American.' I am from Jamaica.
However, upon further examination, I can see the reasoning behind it.
Black people are known to be of African descent. America refers to the
entire North and South American region. We just choose to think of
America as the USA. Technically, the Caribbean islands are part of the
Americas -- so I see how the term African-American could fit."
Anthony, 19.
What would you rather be called: African-American, Caribbean-American, or Black?
"I would rather be called just Black, because I’m mixed. I don’t want to confuse people, so I rather just say I'm Black."
So when you take standardized tests, do you put black/African-American or Other?
"I put other most of the time."
When you are called African-American, do you correct people on the spot?
"Nah, not really, I just roll with it."
Do you think that being called African-American is an insult?
"Nah, it isn’t an insult to me. I just find it an insult I get confused with myself because I don't know if I should go with African-American or Hispanic."
Sajay, 19.
What would you rather be called: African-American, Caribbean-American, or Black?
"I've never heard the term Caribbean-American, but I do like it."
So when you take standardized tests, do you put black/African-American or Other?
"I
never really stick to one, I usually switch between on different tests.
To be honest, when I was filling out college applications, I do
remember putting down Black because I believed it would give me an edge
in admissions because a lot of colleges are trying to be holistic and
need to have a certain amount of different races admitted so they don't
look racist, and putting other or even Asian would put me in a more
competitive category."
Do you think that being called African-American is an insult?
"Not at all, especially because where I'm from in Jamaica; everyone is Black LOL. In America, I can see why some might. Black has become synonymous with ghetto nowadays, and pop culture isn't helping much, but that's another topic completely."
For these six, being called Black or African-American isn’t always offensive, but it's okay to correct those who make the choice to call you African-American or Black. That it is a discussion that could go on among the community. I leave you all with these two questions: What are your views on this discussion and the questions that were asked in the interviews above?
