A co-worker and I were talking about the term African-American the other day. Its one of those “politically correct” term (which is not too politically correct by the way) that I just can’t stand. I would much rather put down my ethnic origin as black.
<getting up on my soap box>
And, but the way it is an ethnic origin—it is not a race. We all belong to the HUMAN race. Skin color does not denote race. So the other term branded term: Racial Equality—is totally incorrect as well.
</getting off of my soap box>
With me skin color has never been an issue. After all, if you peel off the skin we all look exactly the same under it! Same color blood, same build of blood vessels. Same organ, and ll the same colors. All by God’s design.
My dad use to say that we were colored! Well in actuality, I guess that’s closer than black. But by that reckoning then every human is colored! Try that one out sometime! It seems that there a lot of people that have not noticed that “black” people are not black; “white” people are not white; Asian people are really NOT yellow and so on. At least if I hold up a white crayon to my wife or anyone on her side of the family, I don’t see any striking similarities to them and the crayon color. Similarly, I hold up a black crayon to my self or my side of the family I don’t see any striking similarities there. I can believe that when the slaves were brought from Africa, they were black. I’ve seen some really dark people (and for me, that’s saying something!) but since being brought over to this land and the inevitable mix between ethnic groups, what they call black now is not black any more. Many different shades of brown–yes, but black–no!
And “white” people, come in all different shades as well–None of them even remotely close to the color white. Which is why Crayola was smart enough to come out with a FLESH colored crayon (much closer to pink or peach). At least they’ve been paying attention. Hmmmmmmm.
My whole point is—I was born an American. I’ll always be an American. God willing, I won’t be going to Africa and will not be changing my citizenship to there. I’m proud to be an American and living in the land of the free and the home of the brave. And I can do that without having to be Black, or White, or Red White and Blue! I wrote a poem on the subject once when I was a very young teenager. I’ll have to add it to my post later. Just wanted to throw my thoughts out there.
Oh! One last thing before I close this post out. I didn’t tell you about what started the whole issue! We were talking about an individual from South Africa who came to the United States and became a citizen. When he was applying for a job and put down on a form that he was African-American they wouldn’t let him and told him he had to change it. A lot of people don’t realize it, but South Africa is primarily white–as was this man. But he truly is an African-American. So, at least in this one instance we can see that the “politically correct” term just didn’t fit….especially since, it was clear here, that the difference was ethnicity/skin color. The world we live in!
Please comment, I’d like to know what YOU think.
The Imponderable One 
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