Ever since some deranged white man suggested to a whole group of other deranged white men that they navigate ships toward Africa to steal African folks away from their homes, their cultures, their histories, their … selves and sprinkle them like pepper flakes all over this earth, black folks have had serious issues.
Now, we can add to that massive heap of externally inflicted psychological canons (consider here the disproved, yet incredibly apropos Willie Lynch letter) that these deranged businessmen initially used to complete the devilish deal of separation, a new question that’s sure to have us all chattering, conver“sating,” and clinging to any other “unAfrican” identity — kablasian, half-Asian, Cherokee, or “other” to avoid admitting who and what we are in this still-strange land. The crafty U.S. government, which is now, ironically, led by a brother, is actually publishing in the U.S. 2010 Census a question that asks black folks to identify their race as “black, African American … or Negro.” Question No. 9 also includes selections of white, Native American, Filipino, Native Alaskan, etc.
While many African Americans are upset, claiming the inclusion of the outdated term “Negro,” is insulting and insensitive, others, including representatives at the Census Bureau, say older African Americans still prefer to be called “Negroes” and they would like to provide a space on the form for such a selection.
Like my peers, I must agree that this is foolery. If the U.S. is a progressive nation, we must embrace progress without compromise. While I understand that many people might still consider themselves “Negroes,” I also know that some people openly call themselves “n—as.” Will there someday be a box for that? No, I’m not ignorant enough to believe that being a n—a is the same as being a Negro, but the point here is in understanding progress in who and what Africans who were once enslaved in this country, are, being proud of that history and making it official.
We haven’t been Negroes since we moved to the front of the bus. Rev. Martin Luther (our) King paid the ultimate price for our new birth certificate in being called Afro Americans. And in the ‘90s, our scholars decided that in our naming there should be no abbreviation. We are Africans. Neither us, nor our government should forget that, or try to shorten it in any way. As Italian Americans aren’t “Itali” Americans, we aren’t Afro Americans. We are Africans who built America. That’s an empowering statement. A powerful identity. The government knows this. And if any of us haven’t yet gotten the memo and accepted the history, the government can start that revolution by erasing one simple word. Something tells me our elders are just smarter than they think. –grace octavia, an African American novelist
