Am I African?

it’s such a pity, because Africa, more specifically South Africa has so much potential. It’s easy to get despondent when you have such things as violent crimes, illegal immigrants, corrupt politicians, mismanaged government departments and a non-existant public transport system. The beautiful beaches, mountains and wine farms almost, almost make up for it - but not quite. South Africans in general feel as though the end product is so far out of reach, that we will never achieve it and hence they have no confidence. i don’t blame them. i’m one of them. 2010 should be interesting, to say the least

It is ridiculous to assume that race signals the continent to which you belong. The populations of the world have been migrating and “inter-racially/culturally reproducing” since time in memoriam. If one asserts that only black people are from Africa, then one stops history, past and future. That’s not possible.

Judging by my name, my family originated from somewhere near Jerusalem. My skin tone places me towards Britain. And the past few centuries of my family’s history and accomplishments (pre-Colonial, Colonial, post-Colonial, anti-Apartheid, post-Apartheid) place me squarely in this little Southern African corner of the world. My one and only passport says I have nowhere to simply escape to, other than SADC countries, should I be tossed from SA. And my heart and mind place me firmly as an African. Race be damned.

(Think that was more a comment to leave on Chippla’s posting but, ah well.)

Improved leadership and political commitment to the long-term development of Africa is desperately needed, as is the majority’s commitment to democratic processes, if that is what we really want. Too many people here though are so hungry for power (political or economic) that they promise the world to the desperate majority, and then steal it from under the majority’s noses, and we allow it and even sometimes seem to praise & respect this “intelligence” & leadership.

Dave, wish I could share your optimism about Africa. You know that I think SA has the apportunity to forge a good future, but the rest of the continent, cant see it ever happening. Greedy despots, a west that doesn’t care unless there is something in it for them, endless famine and disease, and the non stop bleating about the terrible colonialists, all this will make sure the dark continent remains just that.In 50 years time, I cant imagine any change, would like to be wrong though.

The Great Bob Geldof sees it. He was on 5fm the other day praising the continent and was extremely optimistic. Lets hope his vision becomes a reality.

Heh heh, I’m African… actually I’m going to declare myself Sefrican-British if the UK goes ahead with it’s “Ethnic Rebrand” mentioned in August last year

People who were born and lived their lives in a country, and claim allegiance to another just don’t make sense to me. Americans calling themselves “African” without having been there, English calling themselves “Pakistani” while abusing the welfare system of the country they profess to hate, South Africans who call me European when my great-grandparents were born in Durban. These are sentiments I despise. SA may not be the place you choose to live - you only have one life and if you want an easier life or a life without fear of crime, that’s your choice. But personally, I will never feel anything other than African.

You’re about as African as curry, Fish!

And you’re about as funny as a fart in an elevator!

I am 32 years old, white and AFRICAN.
And love it.

I was born in South Africa but moved to Canada as a teenager. Though I am white, I am of AFRICAN descent. How am I any different on the inside?

Lmao, how the hell are you of african descent? Lets say I moved to Italy. Would I then become an Italian-Black American, since I was born in the states? No. I’m simply Black. I don’t claim to be an American. I don’t know why I should. I feel like everything about my own ancestoral history has been stolen from me. I can’t even trace back my ancestors who were from Africa. I don’t know where to begin. And sadly most Blacks in America can’t do the same either. I don’t care what you whites call yourselves. To me you are nothing more than whites and that is all you will ever be. You are not my brothers and sisters. You are not my friends. You are not anything to me. And if I ever found out I had white ancestry in my blood, which I know I probably due being in America and all, I will never claim that part of me. That is like a slap in the face to claim something I don’t care to know of. All I’ve ever wanted to know was where my people came from in Africa. All we are given here in America is that Blacks are descendents of West Africans. Ok that is nice to know, but what tribes were my people from? Were they beautiful kings and queens of their time? What techniques did they learn to combat diseases, spice up food, etc? Things like this I will never know. I feel so lost sometimes. I am not even considered African by Black Africans living in the motherland. To them I am simply American, but we do share a common bond. In America I’m a coon, a nigger, a black monkey, uneducated, another statistic, or I’m some sexual whore lusting after white men =/ I think some whites in Africa view Black Africans the same way. I always wonder how the world would’ve been if whites never divided and conquered any place they set foot on. In most history books they have destroyed people simply off of a theory of being superior, and a need to quench their undying thirst for greed. Whites are now everywhere. So is everyone else. But those who aren’t black know who their people were, so why is Blacks do not? I wish Africans in American weren’t stripped of their cultures, native tongues, customs, etc. I wish that when asked about my ancestors I can say what part of Africa they came from, what tribe they were a part of, and of what they stood for. But I can’t. And yet you “white” africans can. Call me what you want, I do not care. I will never accept you just like I will never accept whites in America.

Oh man , thanks Werdz that was a good laugh! Get off your soapbox you ignorant whining person. So easy to always play the martyr and feel sorry for yourself isn’t it. Im African , and guess what I dont know my roots either , but I dont bleat about it. Wanting to know what they used to combat disease , spice up food, you cannot be serious! More important things is this world , sort yourself out and concentrate on the present and the future, not things you cannot change.You born in America, you American , you born in Africa , you African, thats life get used to it.