It's been a few days since I was able to think of a subject worthy of writing about. So I would apologize, but it really takes a lot for me to concentrate enough to write on this blog. I would like to thank Kia and Krystal for their heated disagreement (I think they almost came to blows lol) that has had "My Thoughts" for the past few days.
Growing up, I constantly heard people talking about going back to the "Motherland". (As if they had been before lol) I always wondered what the fascination of a journey to Africa was about. I mean, we are considered "African American", but what would the journey actually satisfy for them?
Fast Forward to now. I still don't understand SOME peoples reasoning for wanting to go back to Africa. (it seems that I have to put SOME WORDS in ALL CAPITALS so I'm not MISQUOTED) I feel like, if you've been tracing your heritage, and you've been studying your culture, and you've found that there is a direct link to Africa, then sure, go ahead and take the voyage. But if you're like most people, who blurt out that you want to go back to Africa, without any type of information of your past, then you're just saying it because it sounds good. Or maybe you do want to go, but what is your basis? I'm going to just say, I have NO desire to go to Africa. Not trying to be insensitive, but I haven't taken the time to track my heritage and I feel if I pretended like I wanted to go to Africa, the decision would be made off ignorance and hypocrisy. I don't even consider myself "African American". (No I'm not Tiger Woods lol but I have a fresh post coming up about that topic so stay tuned)
I would like to know what you think about this topic though, so please leave me a comment on the matter. And whether your comment is shares my view or is the total opposite, "It's Just My Thoughts, Just What I Was Feeling at the Time"
4 comments:
Take the "back" out of "Going Back To Africa" and thats how I feel about it. I would love to see the world, including Africa but its hard to go back to something that I have never been prior. My family history, as told by my wise great grandfather on my mother's side of the fam, links me to West African heritage, and West Africans were of the first batch of Africans enslaved in America. Thats ALL I know about my African heritage, which doesn't tell me much about who these people were before they were slaves. That, is the intriguing part that would lead me to want to go to the "Motherland." I would love to know the rich history of my lineage.
Its just like in the history books, the first record of Africans is usually their bondage and trade into slavery in the Americas.
Well, from what I have heard and seen in books Africa is a beautiful country with a history that is greater than great!! I too would love to go to Africa just cause I love history and really want to travel the world...there is much to be learned from a trip to Africa and that's something I can't wait for. As for the comment you made saying that you don't consider yourself African American...i'm not sure what your basis is for that but I would have to agree. I was just having a conversation about that very topic just the other day. I don't consider myself African American but AMERICAN. I was born in America, have only lived in America and so have my parents. My skin is a beautiful hue of brown just like those bought from Africa to the Americas as slaves but I know of NO DIRECT lineage from my family to any of those in Africa, so I am an America.
Looking at this countries history of immigration, migration and traveling, I notice that those of Asian descent or from the continent itself are identified as Asian Americans, then we have our Latin Americans, Italian Americans, etc. These people know their history, where they are from and from whom they descend but I DO NOT as a result of the screwed up history that that people that look like me have had to endure in this country so with that America is the only country I know of and am therefore an American....GREAT POST BTW!!!
My family did DNA testing to trace our heritage...and we were traced back to the coast of Senegal Africa...So, I think it's cool, and would like to maybe go there. BUT, i'm not planning on buying my ticket anytime soon. I agree with 1BeautifulMind. Take the back out, and call it what it is. If you wanna go to Africa, go to Africa...but I hate when the previous term is used so carelessly. It just seems ignorant to me.
Jus one question..wut do u consider urself if not African American???....just American??
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