I wonder why Barack Obama and Tiger Woods are considered "African American"

reefraff

Active Member
I remember when someone referred to a buddy of mine as an Irish-American. He was less than gracious about correcting her when she proceeded to explain how important it was for him to preserve his heritage. His response was great. "Don't ever refer to me as any blank hyphen American. I am a American first and foremost. Whoopi Goldberg says the same thing.
 
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tizzo

Guest
Originally Posted by fishyCPA
http:///forum/post/2530086
Why can't we all just be American's? What does the race of a person matter?
It's not "race" so to speak, it's your nationality. For example, I am german, irish, indian and Czechoslovakian... whoon that's a long one.
But I see Mia's point.. When somebody asks my nationality, I don't pick one or the other...
Race is white though.
And "nationality" speaking, only pure indians are "american"
 
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tizzo

Guest
Originally Posted by skipperdz
http:///forum/post/2530409
give it another 100 years and we will all be the same color and it wont matter any more


100 years!!?? That's only 1 or 2 more generations. We will not all be the same color that soon.
 

skipperdz

Active Member
well nationality is where you reside, ETHNICITY is your heritage your family tree, 2 very different things. and some people here are getting them confused
 

grim_reefer

Member
i personally will vote for anyone without an annoying face and voice.. sorry hillary, but shes out of the picture for me..
as far as i am concerned, anyone born in america should call themselves American! nothing more, nothing less..
 
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tizzo

Guest
Originally Posted by skipperdz
http:///forum/post/2530693
well nationality is where you reside, ETHNICITY is your heritage your family tree, 2 very different things. and some people here are getting them confused
I got them confused.
You are right, so that being said... "That's what I meant!"

I can't edit cause Pontius quoted me, lol
Just to be clear we have...
race
nationality and
ethnicity?
And they can all be different things right?
 

skipperdz

Active Member
Originally Posted by Tizzo
http:///forum/post/2530670
100 years!!?? That's only 1 or 2 more generations. We will not all be the same color that soon.
i dont know that many people that only have kids every 50 years, however i wasnt actually being realistic either. you figure someone has kids when they are in their 20s, and their kids do the same and so one thats 4-5 generations in a 100 years actually. but still yes i see your point but its not out of reach is what im saying with interracial dating/marriages no longer being seen as taboo
 

pontius

Active Member
Originally Posted by Tizzo
http:///forum/post/2530702
I can't edit cause Pontius quoted me, lol
Just to be clear we have...
race
nationality and
ethnicity?
And they can all be different things right?
ok, I took the quote out

nationality is where a person is born or where they affiliate themselves with
ethnicity and race are pretty similar. technically, race is based visible traits and ethnicity is how a group identifies themselves with each other. but a lot of times it is the same traits that make up race. but it can be other non-visible things too, like religion
 

beth

Administrator
Staff member
Obama is not really of the African American culture. His father was actually from Africa and had no identification with the African American culture in the USA. He was raised by his mother and grandmother, both white. So, I wonder why African Americans identify so much with Obama? His wife is African American, but I assume he met her as an adult. Just because your skin is black, does not mean you are African American. My next door neighbor is from Nigeria. What does he have in common with African Americans? Skin color I guess. What do I have in common with a Russian? Skin color, I guess.
 

salty blues

Active Member
Originally Posted by Beth
http:///forum/post/2532304
Obama is not really of the African American culture. His father was actually from Africa and had no identification with the African American culture in the USA. He was raised by his mother and grandmother, both white. So, I wonder why African Americans identify so much with Obama? His wife is African American, but I assume he met her as an adult. Just because your skin is black, does not mean you are African American. My next door neighbor is from Nigeria. What does he have in common with African Americans? Skin color I guess. What do I have in common with a Russian? Skin color, I guess.

In Obama's case, being "African-American" equals votes.
 

rylan1

Active Member
interesting... Did you know that most blacks in America, or African-Americans have mixed ancestory.. I'd say that at least 90% or more have a caucasian ancestor...and that we all have at least 10% mixed heritage... I also would say that many of you also have black or african ancestory in your blood, and wouldn't even know it. If you look at black americans we came in many hues and complexions, we different grades of hair and eye color... If you want to question why these men are considered african american... its because of the standards placed on people of color by (to be politically correct) society... If you had 1 drop of black blood...history tells us that if it was ditinguishable ...you were considered black. ... So truth is that most of the black people you see are not 100% of African origin..
In regards to hispanics/latinos... they also come in various colors/hues... there are light and dark skinned latinos...some whom have more or less european/african origins..not to mention their native american/indian origins...Whats interesting is that a good 80% of the world's population is non-white(caucasion), which is also has played a historical factor to where we are today.
 

rylan1

Active Member
Originally Posted by salty blues
http:///forum/post/2532325
In Obama's case, being "African-American" equals votes.
It doesn't... when has being an african american been an asset in politics? It hasn't... If you made the assertion that being a democrat equals "African-American" votes... than I could listen to that arguement... A local example, is Ken Blackwell, whom I saw on CNN lastnight talking negativly on Obama.. Blackwell is black, and the former Leutinent Gov of Ohio... Everyone thought he was a shoe in because he was black, and he also was a Republican.. so he could still a lot of black votes because of his race... while getting the republican votes... he lost... and most blacks didn't vote for him because of his politics...not because of his race...
So this arguement is stupid IMO.
 

salty blues

Active Member
Originally Posted by Rylan1
http:///forum/post/2532988
It doesn't... when has being an african american been an asset in politics? It hasn't... If you made the assertion that being a democrat equals "African-American" votes... than I could listen to that arguement... A local example, is Ken Blackwell, whom I saw on CNN lastnight talking negativly on Obama.. Blackwell is black, and the former Leutinent Gov of Ohio... Everyone thought he was a shoe in because he was black, and he also was a Republican.. so he could still a lot of black votes because of his race... while getting the republican votes... he lost... and most blacks didn't vote for him because of his politics...not because of his race...
So this arguement is stupid IMO.
When has being a Republican African-American been an asset in politics? Ironic, isn't it. However, in Obama's case he clearly would not be the apparent Dem front runner for prez of the US were in not for the black vote(African-American for pc types). Blacks have overwhelmingly supported him in state after state thus far.
 

1journeyman

Active Member
Originally Posted by Rylan1
http:///forum/post/2532988
It doesn't... when has being an african american been an asset in politics? ....
Exit polls show:
In S Carolina Obama got over 80% of the black vote
In Texas, polls show he received over 85%
In Mississippi he received over 90%
The list goes on...
Clearly, in the primaries, it is an advantage to him. Especially when you conisder they are very similar in their positions.
 

skipperdz

Active Member
Originally Posted by Tizzo
http:///forum/post/2530702
I got them confused.
You are right, so that being said... "That's what I meant!"

I can't edit cause Pontius quoted me, lol
Just to be clear we have...
race
nationality and
ethnicity?
And they can all be different things right?
right it is possible for all 3 to be different
 

skipperdz

Active Member
Originally Posted by salty blues
http:///forum/post/2533136
When has being a Republican African-American been an asset in politics? Ironic, isn't it. However, in Obama's case he clearly would not be the apparent Dem front runner for prez of the US were in not for the black vote(African-American for pc types). Blacks have overwhelmingly supported him in state after state thus far.
so has about every other group compared to clinton
 

rylan1

Active Member
Originally Posted by salty blues
http:///forum/post/2533136
When has being a Republican African-American been an asset in politics? Ironic, isn't it. However, in Obama's case he clearly would not be the apparent Dem front runner for prez of the US were in not for the black vote(African-American for pc types). Blacks have overwhelmingly supported him in state after state thus far.
So you make my point for me... being democrat has a bigger influence in gaining votes than his ethnicity.
 
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