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MissJones
I need a nap!
Member since 5/05 22136 total posts
Name:
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Really dumb question regarding people born in an African nation
I have a boy in my class who is Egyptian. Now, Egypt is in North Africa. We were having a discussion the other day, I guess it was about voting and it got into when women and African Americans could vote, yada yada yada. Anyway, he raises his hand and tells me that he is African American. I went  and said, "Okay."
Seriously, I feel so dumb asking this, but is he? 
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Posted 11/16/08 9:53 AM  |
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metagefken
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/08 679 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Really dumb question regarding people born in an African nation
is he a citizen of the U.S. or are either of his parents? if so, then yes he is an African American.
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| Posted 11/16/08 12:06 PM |
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MissJones
I need a nap!
Member since 5/05 22136 total posts
Name:
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Re: Really dumb question regarding people born in an African nation
Yes, he was born here. Seriously, probably the dumbest question ever, but I had to think about this one.  But according to Wiki (which I know is not the MOST reliable), this is the definition: African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa. But another definition is this:an American whose ancestors were born in Africa.
Message edited 11/16/2008 12:57:27 PM.
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| Posted 11/16/08 12:54 PM |
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PattyCake
LIF Adult
Member since 2/07 1007 total posts
Name:
Hope
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Re: Really dumb question regarding people born in an African nation
If he is a citizen of the U.S., he is technically African American. A lot of people from Egypt just classify themselves as Egyptian though.
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| Posted 11/16/08 12:56 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: Really dumb question regarding people born in an African nation
this is why I don't understand the AA term. it's not always accurate. not everyone from Africa is black, and not every American who is black is from Africa. And what are blacks called in the UK or Germany? European Africans?
there are plenty of white people in S Africa and there are Middle Eastern people in Egypt and other African nations like Morocco.
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| Posted 11/16/08 1:05 PM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
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Re: Really dumb question regarding people born in an African nation
He is African American, as are Americans from Morocco, Lybia, Lebenon, Alegeria and the rest of North Africa. White South Africans who are also Americans are also "African American".
I personally think African American is a very misleading term. First, in order for that to apply, the person in question must be American. And plenty people aren't. Second, people expect African-American to be black, and plenty of African-Americans are white.
Message edited 11/16/2008 4:02:56 PM.
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| Posted 11/16/08 4:01 PM |
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