Black Vs. African-American: Which Do You Prefer?

In a world where identity theft has run rampant; we need to take a look at a basic identity crisis...are you Black or African-American?

Yes, this is slanted toward the ethnic group of distinct color. All others are welcome, and even invited to read to learn a little more about us.

From the very beginning, we as a people have suffered from identity issues. We have always gone by the names others have given us.

We have been called Negroes, Colored, Afro-Americans. And those are the "nice names".

We have also been called niggers (yeah, I said it) , jigaboos, darkies and worse.

Now many of us go by the moniker of "African-American" only because someone else made it sound good. But if you really look at what that really means, maybe you'll change your minds...

I'll give you an allegorical example:

We have two young men. Born the same day/time/year in two different places.

Male number one is named John. Male number two is named Mike.

Raised by loving parents and educated in the local school systems. Both do well and begin the search for financial aid to attend college.

John applies for aid and receives enough paperwork to paper a part of the Great Wall of China. He gets word of receiving it with a high interest rate and short repayment plan. Typical for a young man like John.

Mike also applies for aid, and has a few sheets to sign and gets financing at a low interest rate and long-term payment plan. Also typical for people like Mike.

This sort of treatment continues throughout their lives. John gets what he asks for after "jumping through hoops" while Mike need only ask it's given him. Almost on a silver platter.

Even when they look for work after college, it continues. They each apply for a job with the same company. The same job. They have identical resumes and educational backgrounds. They each have the same amount of experience in this their chosen field.

Mike is chosen over John. Although they each receive the same job; John's title is the difference in what his pay scale will be, and the benefits he will receive.

Both Mike and John do the same job, the same amount of hours. They sometimes even help each other with projects relating to these jobs.