This thread got me thinking of something else. Why is it someone from Africa is called an African American, but someone like me from Ireland is called Cacausin(sp?). What the hell is Cacausin(sp?). Is there a country of cacau or something? Can someone explain?


kevin

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by magician
I was looking for an example of a people whose country is obviously in Asia, but who are dark enough of skin that some misguided social anthropologist might try to include them in thesame category as (black) African Americans.

The point is that there are a lot of people who are Asian who don't qualify under the common use of the adjective "Asian", just as there are lots of people who are African who don't qualify under the common use of the term "African".

My heritage is mainly Bohemian (Czech)/Irish/Scottish/Cherokee, but at least three generations removed from immigrants; if I move to Kenya

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Elements
This thread got me thinking of something else.

 

This is annoying as hell to me. Someone will likely go off on how some people have different problems than others, how their ancestors this and that and the other thing, never once being thankful for the life they have currently over the trials/tribulation/poor economic stance that Africa is currently in(for the most part).

As far as I had heard... everyone's teeth are different too... yet we all find a way(more or less) to brush them. Deal with your heritage and move on.

oh... and btw.... I find it annoying that I'm classified as any race at all when there are "white" or "caucasians" who have only been here 1 or 2 generations, and yet my family has been here 4-5 generations. When will all this heritage linking end?

 

i am a little slow to post.... but 63%+ of us think he is ok to be in the voting........

there is not a "white" or "caucasian" ms america, but there is a "black ms. america".... it seems like a double standard...... not sure why they would even seperate a high school award..... everyone is eligble for the normal award, but then only "african americans" are allowed into this award?

people don't want segregation except when it is beneficial to them.

ps....... i have 10+ houses that are rented to black / hispanic families..... we all treat each other with respect, etc....... (just in case anything thinks my comments are biased)

 

i don't think that he is eligilble for the award because he is not black. african american is a politically accepted term used to describe black people. that is an irrefutable given. i don't know where it originated, nor do i care, for i hate to be referred to as such.

anyhoo, the kid and his friends knew that they were taking advantage of the situation, and no way in hell should the award be given to him, and thus taken away from a deserving black student. there is a reason why this award is specifically for black kids anyway.

the irony...a white south african recieving an award intended for a black student. i guess no one remembers apartheid.

 

I wonder if that school. . . .or any other school will have an award that merits distinguishment for any other ethnic group? For instance, how about a Ghandi Award for students who are of Indian descent? Or, a Sitting Bull Award for native American students? Heaven forbid there should ever be a Caucasion award for anything. Why is it that it's ONLY about blacks?

Soul Fly; you might have hit the nail on the proverbial head. Maybe those kids were trying to show how "labels" and "exclusions" can be misdirected. As an example to consider, let's suppose that there is a caucasion philanthropist who offers ten $25,000 college scholarships for this particular school. His stipulation is that these awards are for white students only. Doesn't sound so great does it? Now, suppose that the roles are reversed and it's a black philanthropist and the awards are reserved for only black students. Would the backlash be the same from the media and citizens as a whole?
Do an internet search for "Pat Taylor" and see if you can locate any articles about this philanthropist and the "racist" accusations this guy endured just for trying to help underprivileged students in New Orleans.

 

Care to elaborate?

I infer from your statement one of two things:
1) The creator(s) of the award feels that black students can not compete with Caucasian students, and want race-specific rewards to honor the best of the inferior.
2) The creator(s) of the award wish to keep black students "in their place" - i.e. segregated.

I would hope that American society has come along far enough to distinguish skin tone and lineage from ability and potential, but awards like this tell me it hasn't.

 

Nothing in the name of the award specifies "black".

[QUOTE]Originally posted by soul_fly
african american is a politically accepted term used to describe black people.

 

The saddest part is that in cases like this racism is being perpetuated by the very people who are being harmed by racism.