We shouldn't have to wait for Black History Month to highlight important men and women who made American history. Today, I'd like to introduce you to a great man and his family who lived in Troy, NY.
What an interesting life he led. I am sorry he did not have children and grandchildren who could talk more about his personality and give us a glimpse of his thoughts and beliefs.
The point I was making is that we are naming these people in today’s article as “African-Americans” when they did not refer to themselves as that title/ misnomer! These people are Americans! Just like you can’t find any information that he was Indian, you also can’t find anywhere that he’s an African! Not all black people are of African origin is the point! My family roots are from the Americas and we have been miss classified as “Africans” when I talk about native roots I’m not talking about Native American from Asia I’m referring to copper colored American Indians that are black skinned people who’s origins come from the paleo Indian / ancient Mississippians from the south eastern states of America we are a different branch of the tree! Sorry to bother you! I was just making a valid point on his ancestry!
I am aware that there are dark skinned people in this world who do not have direct African ancestry, and if they do, it's millenia removed. Case in point the Aboriginal Australians, and there are others from around the world. Skin color doesn't make one African. BUT, the majority of Negro people in the US are decendants of various peoples from Africa. It would be great if we all could be just "Americans," but society has not allowed that to happen. Since Western societies have historically failed to give credit where credit is due to the accomplishments of African Americans, as well as other minorities, it is important that their ancestry is noted when lauding their accomplishments.
GDB may have not thought of himself as "African" or a descendant of African people, but his society certainly did. Why else make a big deal out of his marriage to a white woman? Why else deny him an education in Troy's white prep school? If he travelled to the Southern US, he would have been forced to ride in the colored car, drink from the colored fountain, and God help him if he looked a white man or woman in the eye and didn't act subservient. He was African enough for them. I can understand your frustration in being misnamed, but sometimes black Americans are just black Americans.
Loved this article even though i think the “African” title is a misnomer! These people did not consider themselves African they called themselves negro / colored people because all indigenous peoples were forced to assimilate into the newly established USA where you had to fit into two boxes white or colored. It’s obvious they were natives they knew the land and how to cultivate it better than anyone else! Theirs literally no proof whatsoever that these people come from the continent of Africa! Not saying that no Africans came over but not all POC were Africans! I wish we would give credit for our own unique achievements & history as copper colored people originally from the Americas!
Amber, I must confess to be confused as to what you are referring to. Of course people from the turn of the 20th century did not think of themselves as "African American," that term has only been used within my lifetime. We were always "Colored" or "Negro" up until the late 1970s, when people became proud of being called "Black," and later "African American." I don't see what that has to do with Native Americans. If GTB had some Native ancestry, which is certainly possible, perhaps on his mother's side, it is not mentioned anywhere I can find, and I didn't not speculate as to such in this article. I really don't get what your point is. Of course this country's First Nation people contributed greatly to this country. But what does that have to do with the article or its subject? Please enlighten me.
What an interesting life he led. I am sorry he did not have children and grandchildren who could talk more about his personality and give us a glimpse of his thoughts and beliefs.
The point I was making is that we are naming these people in today’s article as “African-Americans” when they did not refer to themselves as that title/ misnomer! These people are Americans! Just like you can’t find any information that he was Indian, you also can’t find anywhere that he’s an African! Not all black people are of African origin is the point! My family roots are from the Americas and we have been miss classified as “Africans” when I talk about native roots I’m not talking about Native American from Asia I’m referring to copper colored American Indians that are black skinned people who’s origins come from the paleo Indian / ancient Mississippians from the south eastern states of America we are a different branch of the tree! Sorry to bother you! I was just making a valid point on his ancestry!
I am aware that there are dark skinned people in this world who do not have direct African ancestry, and if they do, it's millenia removed. Case in point the Aboriginal Australians, and there are others from around the world. Skin color doesn't make one African. BUT, the majority of Negro people in the US are decendants of various peoples from Africa. It would be great if we all could be just "Americans," but society has not allowed that to happen. Since Western societies have historically failed to give credit where credit is due to the accomplishments of African Americans, as well as other minorities, it is important that their ancestry is noted when lauding their accomplishments.
GDB may have not thought of himself as "African" or a descendant of African people, but his society certainly did. Why else make a big deal out of his marriage to a white woman? Why else deny him an education in Troy's white prep school? If he travelled to the Southern US, he would have been forced to ride in the colored car, drink from the colored fountain, and God help him if he looked a white man or woman in the eye and didn't act subservient. He was African enough for them. I can understand your frustration in being misnamed, but sometimes black Americans are just black Americans.
Loved this article even though i think the “African” title is a misnomer! These people did not consider themselves African they called themselves negro / colored people because all indigenous peoples were forced to assimilate into the newly established USA where you had to fit into two boxes white or colored. It’s obvious they were natives they knew the land and how to cultivate it better than anyone else! Theirs literally no proof whatsoever that these people come from the continent of Africa! Not saying that no Africans came over but not all POC were Africans! I wish we would give credit for our own unique achievements & history as copper colored people originally from the Americas!
Amber, I must confess to be confused as to what you are referring to. Of course people from the turn of the 20th century did not think of themselves as "African American," that term has only been used within my lifetime. We were always "Colored" or "Negro" up until the late 1970s, when people became proud of being called "Black," and later "African American." I don't see what that has to do with Native Americans. If GTB had some Native ancestry, which is certainly possible, perhaps on his mother's side, it is not mentioned anywhere I can find, and I didn't not speculate as to such in this article. I really don't get what your point is. Of course this country's First Nation people contributed greatly to this country. But what does that have to do with the article or its subject? Please enlighten me.