<p>Recently I had a discussion with an Ethiopian about the “African-Americaness” of Barrack Obama. He said that the President could not be considered African American because his ancestors did not have the experience of slavery.</p>
<p>It is clear that next to black people in general, African Americans are the most held in contempt folks in the world. West Indians don’t want to claim us, Africans don’t want to claim us. </p>
<p>Well. Let’s get something straight (she says with the energy and force typical of angry black American people) if it were not for the organization, insight, intelligence and power of American blacks, Asians, African people from Africa and Carribeans could not come here and enjoy the privilege and opportunities that they do. WE black Americans engaged in a centuries long struggle to ensure the rights of all people of color in this country. And I am not just talking about the Civil Rights movement, which made it possible for that Ethiopian man to come to America and not have to sit on the back of the bus. In New Orleans Plessy vs Fergusson was the result of concentrated, organized and focussed attempts to overcome the black codes. They may have failed on the books, but the effort led to other efforts as well as to a blueprint for blacks in later decades to push forward. </p>
<p>That is why white professors at Universities are resentful, suspicious and uncomfortable around Black Americans. They know that we are savvy and aware and will fight for our rights at the slightest provocation. And vigilance is a part of prevention. As far as the experience of slavery- Total B.S. In investigating the history of Africa, the experience of colonialism often involved the enslavement of the indigenous populations on their own ground. And if it was not Europeans colonizing and enslaving native peoples in the Congo Algeria and South Africa, there was strife and oppression among the tribal peoples- as horrible and psyche damaging as slavery in America. Come on Black Folks! Wake up and stop frontin’! I am from Baltimore-a nd I know that there is a difference between a black person from Baltimore and one from Philly- but WHO CARES! Stop trying to distinguish yourselves Africans, from your more despised black American brothers and sisters. Do not let the vehicle of propaganda being dispersed by the dominant culture color your perspective on us Black Americans. You are not better, your experiences with Colonialism and racism are not "better’ than ours. And I will fight any dumb Black American who tries to distinguish himself from other Africans out of internalized racism. Yes, we are all different- as individuals and cultures- but lets not white supremacy divide and conquer, creating another caste system with which to keep our interests and activisim divided.</p>