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[|The difference between African American and Black]
The Africans who were taken to America and forced into slavery formed a unique culture in the world that has yet to be recognized even by ourselves. We are proably some of the most confused of those lost in the diaspora in that we have believed that to be Black is both a culture and a race. We define ourselves by our race rather then our culture. While those who are classified as racially Black do share some culture due to common origin, when one examines Black cultures throughout the world one cannot help but notice cultural differences unique to each group. We are such a group and we are as unique as any other group of people on the earth if not more so. We often find ourselves trying to define what Black is, rather than do this it would be better to define what African American is, not as a racial designation, but as a culture. There is a great deal of confusion also, involving our brothers and sisters who come to the Uniteds States and their designation. A common scenario that is often brought forth regarding the term African American. The question is asked that if a White man who is born in Africa and is the citizen of an African country, is he not and African American. I have always found this to be an odd question. It is very rare that we refer to somone of European ancestry as an European American, rather we usually refer to them by their country of origin. We say Italian American or Irish American. A failure to do this for those residents of the continent of Africa, and often Asia as well, is a failure to recognize the fact that the continent is a collection of many cultures and countries. It is also an attempt to steal from African Americans a sense of self and culture. All to often we allow this to happen by refusing to define ourselves by who we are rather than what we are. As an African American you are more than just the color of your skin, you are a way of looking at the world and a set of beliefs. You are a culture. Keep this in mind and your sense of self will be stronger.