Excuse me, but Your Negro Is Showing: The Tale of the Negro Who Didn’t Know

Excuse me, but Your Negro Is Showing: The Tale of the Negro Who Didn’t Know

Black Person Defined

A person with dark skin who comes from Africa (or whose ancestors came from Africa). Source: wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Note to readers: For the propose of this blog entry “black person” is referencing the American societal categorization of a black people, no matter the ethnicity or nationality of origin based on visible physical features of African descent. In short the way American society views a persons physical characteristics as opposed to what the person identifies his/herself as.

(I.e.: On a job application in the race/ethnicity section you may be asked if you are –white, not of Hispanic origin, -white of Hispanic origin, -black of Hispanic origin, -black not of Hispanic origin, and so on.)  Simply because they want to know if you are Hispanic, which one are you black or white? Although all job applications will not ask race/ethnicity questions in the exact manner given in the example, many do.

Real Life Experience

I can recall a time when I was the Historian of the Black Student Union as a college sophomore. Doing my duties I went about campus to recruit members, but I didn’t get far before my excitement was stifled by a confused Negro. I say this not to call names and belittle the brother who was a black Hispanic, but as a means to describe my encounter with his state of mind. The conversation went something like…

Me: “Hi, I’m Lola would you like to be apart of the Black Student Union? We’re having an interest meeting today”

-Confused Negro: “No! (He makes a face of disgust) Why would you ask me that? I’m not black.”

Me: “But…yes, you are (my confusion showing on my face)”

-Confused Negro: “No, I’m not! I'm Puerto Rican! (he’s angry with me at this point) ”

Me: “OK, well thank for your time …bye??

The type of face the confused man made when I called him black. "I'm, not black."

Another instance I recollect a classmate of my Children and TV course getting into a heated debate about her beloved boyfriend when topics of race and ethnicity came up. She proudly declared that her boyfriend was not black, but Dominican. Needless to say she was dismayed to find out that the man she loved was absolutely, unequivocally black. To give a visualization of the man he was the hue of actor Wesley Snipes as well as having Negroid features such as a wider nose and coarse hair. Nothing about him said anything else other than black, which is fine; however his being from a Spanish speaking country had the young lady in denial about what was right in front her face on a daily basis.

Actor Wesley Snipes

 Media and Entertainment

There are black celebrities who are of Hispanic ethnicity; however while they wear their ethnicity with pride they continue to wear their race with pride as well. For example La La Anthony, TV personality and wife of NBA star Carmelo Anthony. She is a proud Latina, but will also proudly state that she is a black woman as well. Actress Rosario Dawson will also claim her black heritage and state in interviews that she is of Afro-Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban descent as she did in Latina magazine. Then we have others who are obviously black by race although Hispanic by culture and ethnicity who all, but flat out deny being black. For example I was reading an interview in a popular black magazine, I think it was Essence. The star interviewee was Zoe Saldana who is a black Dominican and Puerto Rican actress. The interviewer made sure to note that as she was obviously about to inquire about race the actress (Zoe) quickly changed the topic, clearly not wanting to discuss it. The interviewer showed annoyance at Saldana's elusiveness about being a black Hispanic.

In “Latina” magazine Rosario Dawson noted her obvious black heritage once again Zoe Saldana made no mention of her race being black or any African heritage. By no means is this a personal attack on the beautiful Zoe. I loved her movie Columbiana, but it is a good example of something that can be witnessed time and time again in black culture. Not to mention that many black people have supported Zoe’s movies where she portrayed black characters i.e. The daughter of Bernie Mac in the Movie “Guess Who”, and Nick Cannons love interest in the movie “Drumline”. Why play a black character, enjoy black support and then fail to claim the same people who are your supporters? Is it OK to only be black when convenient for some celebrities?

Some lovely ladies from all Diasporas of Hispanic culture featured in Latina magazine including La La Anthony, Rosario Dawson, and Zoe Saldana

Why Does It Matter?

One might question “why should anyone care about who claims the black race?” It’s wonderful to embrace your culture and ethnicity with open arms rather you’re American, Haitian, or Cuban etc, but we must embrace all of ourselves, not just portions and pieces. You can be black and proud without feeling the need to hide under the guise of what society deems more acceptable. Denying our visible African ancestry not only eats away at the fabric of self love, but it inhibits others from gaining knowledge and love for those very same aspects of ourselves which we may deny to the public. In short if you don’t love the black in you, neither will anyone else. It starts with us.

While ethnicity may vary, race is not something one can just readily choose or opt in and out of at convenience (in American society). You simply are who you are. Nothing to argue, nothing to fight, it simply is.

Cuban women

What I Had To Learn

A friend made an excellent observation she basically reminded me that historically in many other places in the world as well in America some black people “still have an internal struggle”. The word black is automatically seen as offensive and insulting; even among people who are obviously black themselves. I call it an inferiority complex, some of us are still ashamed to admit to being who we are and take offense to an outsider who sees us for exactly who we are. We’ve had a long history of racial struggles in the world and are still having some, so the psychology behind the negative association with being a black person is understandable, but not excusable.  

                                                                                   Solution

Black Chinese

Let’s catch up together and show each other that though out of many nations we can still have unity, but in order to do that I realize we all need to take more time to educate ourselves about our brothers and sisters in other nations and their history. For example the black Chinese, black Mexicans, Haitians, etc. Just because you’re a black American doesn’t mean you should be free of understanding the struggles and history of black people in other countries and vice verse. It’s our duty to each other, so let’s learn together and teach each other

(Note: Research the black Chinese dynasty Xia Shang Zhou BC time period)

Questions for the Readers

Have you had any similar experiences with black people of varying ethnicity's denying their race? What do you feel is a solution to create more self love within the black race as a whole? If you are Hispanic and have been considered black, did it upset you and why? Your feedback is much appreciated and respected. Please no cursing in comments lets all respect each other.

(Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights to these graphics on this blog)

 Remember: “Don’t just be black, be proud of it”~Lola C.