February has brought me to a sticky moment here at Between These Pages. This month is Black History Month. Or African American History Month. It all depends on who you reference. In many places the terms black and African American are used interchangeably, but are they truly interchangeable? It’s a question that’s particularly tricky for me to answer. I want to be as respectful as possible. I want to be as informed as possible. But the fact is that as a white woman, I should never be the final arbiter of which word is more sensitive or appropriate.
From what I’ve read (and we’re talking internet googling here, not grad level research work so please forgive and feel free to explain anything I am depicting inaccurately or explaining inadequately) – the issue at hand is this: African-American refers to a specific heritage, coming from Africa, most likely through the slave system. While some feel African-American can and does include newly immigrated Africans, others believe that newly immigrated Africans will self-identify by their country of origin (Nigerian or Kenyan for example). Furthermore, the term African-American seems to be exclusionary; there are people of African heritage elsewhere in the world (besides Africa)! Finally, many people from the Caribbean islands (Jamaica, Haiti, etc.) identify themselves with the heritage and history and struggles unique to their island even if they are currently also American.
Black, on the other hand refers to skin color, completely omitting the question of heritage. In some ways it is more inclusive, allowing for people of mixed background to self-identify as black as well as removing the continent of origin. But it also defines a person solely by the color of their skin, when we all know that there are a myriad of skin tones regardless of race.
So over the course of this month, while I review books, I’ll do my best to define heritage, and I’ll be using the tags black and Af-Am to try to be inclusive. Please feel free to offer your (respectful) opinions on terminology. I certainly do not consider myself the authority on this.
On another note, WOW my class knows next to nothing about African American history. We’re going to have to work on that. I was really quite appalled this morning when so many of them couldn’t say a single thing about this important part of our country’s history.
It’s an on point theme for the month and a lovely way to open. Race and labels are tricky but I think your approach is a good one.