(ThyBlackMan.com) Republican Presidential Candidate Herman Cain has announced that he doesn’t appreciate the idea of being labeled an “African American.” During an interview with Bloomberg, Cain said that he prefers to be called an “American,” stating that the word “African” on the front of his racial identity limits him and inaccurately describes who he is.
“I don’t like people trying to label me. African-American is socially acceptable for some people, but I am not some people,” Cain said.
Some have agreed with Cain, stating that there is little reason for most black
“African-Americans/Blacks/Negroes have no true sense of identity,” Gaynor wrote. “If you’re African-American, you’re more than likely far removed from the African continent and culture.”
“Cain couldn’t be more right. Identity is quite arbitrary, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with omitting “African” from our nationality,” Gaynor stated.
Cord Jefferson, an analyst with BET, took issue with Cain’s remarks, referring to his remarks as simply “dumb.”
“Believing that it is somehow inaccurate or unpatriotic for a person to call himself an ‘African-American’ rather than just an ‘American’ is absurd, and this is a question that needs to be put to rest,” Jefferson wrote.
Herman Cain’s remarks about the pitfalls of being called an “African American” remind us of the kind of assimilation expected by those who somehow feel that blackness is a liability. The truth is that our dark skin is reflective of our African roots, and not knowing anything about Africa is no excuse to deny ourselves access to thousands of years of storied and valuable culture. White Supremacy 101 tells us that we can be successful in spite of being black, rather than finding success because we are black.
For some reason, Cain seems to think that by connecting himself with those who enslaved his forefathers, he is somehow attached to the heritage of his blue eyed brothers and sisters. But the reality is that when he denies his genealogical roots, he is disrespecting those who carried the blood that runs through his veins. Personally, I’d be ashamed to have a great grandchild who decided to negate my connection to him simply because he knows nothing of his history. Instead, I would expect him to do the research necessary to learn where he comes from, rather than pretending that he came from someplace else.
When I wrote a column on Your Black World regarding how Herman Cain’s politics might be identifiable to many African Americans who falsely believe that they are liberal, his supporters seemed to think (as communicated in emails I received from one of his representatives) that I was open to the idea of endorsing him.
Let’s be clear: I don’t endorse Herman Cain and I think he’s dangerous for America. There is nothing wrong with being an African American, and by resorting to such shenanigans to appease his Tea Party base, Cain continues to reduce himself to a political cartoon character. He should be smarter than that and run his campaign with a bit more dignity – there is little pride in pretending to be someone else.
Staff Writer; Dr. Boyce Watkins
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. For more information, please visit http://BoyceWatkins.com.
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As a conservative member liberal of a predominantly liberal minority, this article disgusts me. Liberals don't own blacks; and you certainly don't own other blacks. Who cares if Cain chooses to identify as an American first?
You're showing bigotry in this article. There's nothing wrong with taking pride in your roots, but you seem to be suggesting that Cain should see his roots as a reason to separate himself from whites.
You also said that he aligns himself with those who enslaved his forefathers, but no one alive today has ever owned a slave, nor have they likely likely ever known anyone who ever owned one.
You also express a desire to see people succeed because they are black, and you seem upset at people who think otherwise. But tell me, why should skin color have any influence whatsoever on one's success? To believe that you are more special, or that you deserve more, simply because of your skin color...is that not textbook racism?
It goes both ways, pal. No one should be discriminated against because of their color, but neither should anyone receive special treatment because of it.
Cain doesn't want to be labeled. Neither do I, nor do many Americans. And think about the term "African-American." You're not from Africa. Neither is Cain. Usually people will say, "but that's where our ancestry hails from," but if you submit to the Theory of Evolution (which most Liberals do), then everyone's ancestry hails from Africa.
This man truely scares liberals to death. It is so interestting to see liberals who were quick to call anyone a racist that spoke ill of Obama have no problem trashing a black conservative, remember Clarence Thomas. If Mr Cain peels off even 20% of the 24% estimated conservative black population he wins and puts an end to this reign of socialist terror.
I'm not sure why we all aren't just "American". Sure, there are adjectives that we all use to describe ourselves, but I don't refer to myself as a European/Native/African-American. With my mother being a professional genealogist, I am well aware of my history and my roots and I am extremely proud of those that came before me. They each endured their own struggles, but I don't feel the need to let each label define the individual that I am today.
I find it odd that you refer to "For some reason, Cain seems to think that by connecting himself with those who enslaved his forefathers" as if the white people today enslaved his forefathers. Let me be clear, slavery was and is not humane, but you would be hard pressed to find white people in the United States of today that have slaves or were alive during the time it was prevalent in this country. Maybe white people should call themselves European-Americans. Or maybe you should just read about the fact that the various peoples of European decent abandoned their hyphenated names several generations ago. African-Americans should do the same! Herman Cain 2012 would be fine with me...
Again you liberal bashing writers don't get it you just called Herman Cain dumb and you think that because some supposed Intellectual elite did it it is ok. Well let me tell you it is not ok and you will make people like him more so thats ok bash away lets see where it gets you. The people want real change not socialist change get it.