Ever since i was young, my traditional Guyanese family has always talked down "Black" people. As a result, I have shyed away from refering to myself and other Caribbean/ West Indian people as "Black" people. On applications that ask for race or ethnicity information, I ALWAYS check the "OTHER" box and write Caribbean or Guyanese.I dont refer to myself as being "African- American" or "Black". why? Because in my mind and the minds of my family members, our roots are in Guyana- NOT Africa.
(*SB* Please dont confuse GUYANA with GHANA... i get offended. its like calling a Japanese Chinese.)
I understand the history of the Diaspora- dont get me wrong... I just dont identify with the whole "African- American" title. In my eyes, I am an American-Guyanese or Caribbean/ West Indian individual.
Do you think this is ignorance on my behalf or am i accepting my own view of my self- identity?
I think you can claim any race you'd like. If your not African American your just not African American...but when sayin someone is black..I think its just a skin color. And I would consider you as a black person ...although you are rom Guyana! It isnt ignorance...just your personal preference!
ReplyDeleteWere you born in or have you ever been to Guyana? If not, then I don't see how you can not call yourself a black person... Also, you're pretty dark. lol kidding but seriously, you're clearly black.
ReplyDeletei understand what youre saying "ANONYMOUS"... Im Black because of my skin. but when speakin to people or like i said- filling out applications, i claim Caribbean or Guyanese.
ReplyDeleteTo piggy back what Robyn Latice said up there... i dont believe in referring to people's race or ethnicity as a "color" if that makes sense. im a Guyanese American who has a darkskin tone. literally, im dark brown, not black. lol
*shrug*