Observer

Issue date: 2/6/07 Section: Observations

What does it mean to be black? I prefer to be called African-American because it gives me a sense of having a group of people with which I can identify myself. However, nowadays, defining one's self as black differs from each person. I feel that some black people define themselves by the culture instead of the DNA. How can you define someone of their ethnicity by comparing them to a stereotype?

There is much animosity between blacks, either by social or economic status. For some people, if you act a certain way that is not similar to their upbringing, then you aren't considered "black". Within the black community, there is so much hatred toward each other; that it is causing major problems. I understand the anger towards people who do the immediate cross over to the happy place of the suburbs and don't acknowledge where they came from (what I don't understand is the urban legend of several athletes who start dating under their skin color as a form of prize and not love and they're still considered blacks. But I don't understand people trying to keep black people at a certain level, not giving ourselves higher expectations to achieve.

Why can't we be as successful or even more successful as those whose skin is lighter, without calling each other "white wash" or "Oreo"? There is more to life than the latest trends in clothes and buying cars, or thinking we should live by the stereotype that has been given to us and not want other things. Although it is an American icon, the family TV comedy, the Cosby Show, was a victim of criticism when it first appeared on NBC, because it wasn't a show that displayed African-Americans in real life, supposedly. To think that there were no African-American doctors, lawyers, or any kind of professional career was unthinkable. Or what about African-Americans in rock and roll music now. Did anyone forget about Tina Turner, Prince and Little Richard, all are African-Americans, who were huge parts in the Rock and Roll music industry who were great influences and paved the way for several music artists (of all ethnic backgrounds and music genres) today?

I think if African-Americans want to stay together as a community, we have to learn to love and praise each other for our own achievements and to not judge someone because their lifestyle is different.

Ashley-Nicole Weatherington, sophomore, journalism & media studies major, minoring in women's studies

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