Lark Voorhies Has a Point: Black Americans Aren’t African Americans but Just Americans

Let’s put aside the fact that Lark Voorhies has some deep problems and focus on the point that she was making – black Americans aren’t African Americans. Yes, black Americans have African ancestry, but the vast majority of us have never even been to Africa and know little about our history or genealogy over there. The depths of our history arise from the United States.

Africans who come to America describe themselves as African Americans, which is more fitting since their connection to Africa is much stronger than ours. Obviously, there’s a difference between those of us who are born here and those who just came over. Quick, name what tribe your people arise from in Africa or speak in an African dialect. You probably can’t do either of those but you can name the U.S. city your grandparents were born in.

Calling ourselves African American discredits our plight in this country. Our ancestors didn’t willing come over to this country to seek a better future, but instead were forced over, enslaved and dehumanized to which repercussions last to this day. And besides, we don’t normally refer to white Americans as European Americans, so why can’t we just be American, too? After all, it’s in our blood now.