Help a white girl out

[sandnsea]

I just noticed on an African American blog, Black Heritage Month. The White House has it as African American History Month. And then there is Black History Month.

I like people celebrating their heritage. I don't want us to all become WASPy clones. So I personally prefer a Black Heritage approach.

Is there any reason that focusing on Heritage would muddle African American History?

Do you think one is more divisive than the other? Or does one have the potential of being exclusive or ignoring important historic events?

[Ed76638]

1. Its all the same thing.

I think you're just caught up in the semantics of it all.

[sandnsea]

3. Heritage is not the same as History

Heritage is inclusive of all sorts of things, including customs and practices inherited from ancestors which may or may not be part of written history. Heritage is vibrant and alive.

History is a collection of facts on a page, and completely dependent upon who is doing the writing.

[Captain Hilts]

6. That's exactly right. nt

[sandnsea]

8. So do you like Black Heritage Month?

Really trying to have a discussion here. Thanks. :)

[Captain Hilts]

9. As a white person, it's not really my call. I feel more comfortable with the term 'black'...

in part, because I'm referred to as 'white', which is okay. To see 'African-American' on the same check-off list with 'white' is crazy.

I think the term 'African' is carelessly thrown around a lot in a way that diminishes the wide variety of countries and cultures there in a way we don't do to Europeans. I have friends from Ethiopia, Uganda, etc.

I like the culturally-neutral 'black'. I also know some black Americans whose families have been here for many, many generations that just don't feel all that much kinship with Africa. Then again, in the DC area, and in my other city, Toronto, there are recent immigrants from Africa for whom the term takes on a whole new meaning. It's a lot like the difference between a Texan and a 'Texian', I guess.

[suston96]

2. Oh, I dunno. There could be African-Americans who are white. Emigrated from South Africa? nt

[DCKit]

7. Theresa Heinz Kerry comes to mind. n/t

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

4. It would probably just be better to start including non-white history in school curricula

After all, a lot has happened in the world outside of Europe/North Africa/the Middle East and it's pretty handy to know it. Especially since we're supposed to be a multi-cultural society.

Edited for the third declension neuter ending.

[Captain Hilts]

5. The term 'African American' comes with cultural assumptions. 'Black' is descriptive. nt

[kiva]

10. I hadn't realized how much weigh there are to these terms

until a couple of years ago when I was discussing a young British woman from one of my classes. I started to call her African-American, then realized the term was incorrect and that it did indeed come with those cultural assumptions you've mentioned.

[Captain Hilts]

11. Well, English and Canadians are kind of sneaky. They come to the US...

and dress as we do, and talk as we do....then the Maple Leafs or QEII comes to town and suddenly DC's crawlin' with 'em!

[kiva]

12. Hah, I knew I wasn't the only one who was aware of

their infiltration. But there is a foolproof way to ferret them out...make them say 'aluminum.'

[Captain Hilts]

13. Some Canadians sneak under the radar with that test..but you'll sure clothesline...

a lot of English with that one!

Al-ew-min-EE-um.