Harris 1

Jamison Harris

Professor Diaz

English 002

22 October 2010

Black and African American: Conflicted

“The adjective ‘black’ has separated itself from ‘African American’, to the point in which

the two words are no longer synonymous.”(Brewster) The term “ black” is usually associated

with phrases like, “ Why do you have to be so black”, which implies a negative connotation.

Whereas, the term “ African American is typically linked to successful “blacks” who have

chosen to educated themselves and leave behind their “black” vices. How can these terms, which

so accurately describe a race of sun darkened people who roots stem from Africa and have been

raised in America, utterly defy each other in definition. The negro race has allowed society to

define itself and to create distinctions between what is African American and what is black.

Where in reality, a negro is defined by his character and not by whether or not he is black or

African American. Society has established differences between what is functionally black and

African American, however, the two terms are the synonymous and describe a proud race of

people. Black is usually associated with the rougher side of the negro, whereas the African

American is a successful asset to society. However, in reality the two terms are not defining

attributes but adjectives describing race.

Throughout history, the term black is usually associated with evil things. In political

theory, the color black is associated with anarchy and the destruction of legitimacy.

Symbolically, the blackest of nights are supposedly the most likely for spirits and devils to

appear. In fictional stories, the knight in shinning amour or the white fairy is always in
 Harris 2

opposition to the witches and creatures dressed in black. When the white man finally discovered

the black man, the black man was believe to be substandard or inhuman because of his dark hue.

There in an inherent negativity that has been associated with being black. The black man

of today is like the field negro of past. The field negro was the slave who despised his master for

forcing captivity upon negroes. The field negro would attempt any means possible to sabotage

his master and escape to freedom. The field negro, just like the black of today, represented the

evils of blackness.

“Being black” is associated with all the stereotypes and failure within the black

community. In society, black men are commonly stereotyped as gang-bangers, jail inmates,

pimps and thugs. Women are described to be voluptuous and sexual, while maintaing an abrupt

sense of independency and an intolerable attitude. Families live in poverty stricken areas and are

always searching for means of survival. Black children are depicted as either being the coolest,

envied by all for their arrogant swagger and hilarious antics; or as the ignorant child whose

inability to learn prevents them from advancing in life. To be black is to be ghetto and unruly.

These are the negative connotations that have been attached to being black. Being black

associates with a certain mantra to resist authority, to scheme, and to live a frugal lifestyle. To be

black is to live within the confines of the darker side of the negro.

In comparison, African Americans are defined as the lighter side of the negro. Today

African American would have been associated with house negroes. The slaves that were

complacent and eagerly assisted their masters in their daily duties. “The house negro would love

the life of his master more than he cherished his own.” (Malcolm X) House negroes enjoyed the

privilege of the masters favor at the expense of the other slaves on the plantation. They received

nice clothes, better food, and received easier tasks the field negroes.
 Harris 3

In the exact same fashion of the house negro, todays African Americans are seen having

the skill sets the contribute to society. African Americans are seen as the middle and upper class

of negro. African Americans are educated, speak and dress well, and want to achieve success.

African American men are gentlemen and father figure to by emulated. They hold distinguished

positions in the work place and bring home impressive salaries. African American women are

modest and good, domesticated housewives. African American children are bright and respectful

to authority. African American families are whole and not disturbed by infidelity and fathers

walking out. The caricatures created by the words black and African American have created a

conflict within the negro race.

There is an obvious problem in the way that blacks and African Americans are defined.

The negro race has allowed a sketch of “black” to describe a negative connotation unless in the

exception of rare successful black, athletic skill, entertainment, and sexual prowess. These

classifications are simply wrong. The time has come for semantics to be cast aside and for black,

African Americans to embrace their lineage. Black and African America describe a people who

have risen for nothing and established greatness. Instead of running from our heritage we need to

embrace who we are. African Americans are black, and if you are black you are African

American. The two words aren’t indicators of lifestyle but of race. The stereotypes that have

established in America are divisive and are mean to destroy, not harbor unity. It is the differences

in lifestyle that establishes black culture.

The adjectives black is not separate from that of African American. They are both

synonymous, describing a race of people living within the United States. There are blacks that

portray the race in both a positive and negative connotation, however their actions don’t place

distinguish if they are black of African American. Black is usually associated with the tougher,
 Harris 4

grittier side of the negro, whereas the African American is an ideal asset to society. However, in

reality the two terms are not defining attributes but adjectives describing race. The black

community is barrage with unfair, over exaggerated, inaccurate stereotypes. The true meaning,

however, of black and African American is to overcome and deny these stereotypes on a daily

basis.
 Harris 5

Works Cited

Brewster, Shaquille "Afrikan." Lecture.

Brill, Norman Q. Being Black in America Today: a Multiperspective Review of the

Problem. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas, 1999. Print.

Haralson, Han. "Dancing with the Black Dog." Christian Ethics Today - Home Page.

Web. 03 Dec. 2010. <http://www.christianethicstoday.com/>.

Raspberry, William. “ The Handicap of Defintion.” Howard University Student

Handbook For Writers. Ed. Elaine Maimon, Janice Peritz, and Kethleen Yancey. New

York:

McGraw-Hill, 2010. 314-15