Haven for the Human Amoeba

From what I have heard, the term "African American" was originally coined by racist, anti- black groups and was intended to be a derrogatory term implying "Not a true American". Under no circumstances should a racist term be used to describe people.

Furthermore, when you refer to someone as "Some other nationality-American", you are always referring to their immigrant status. Africa is not a country. Do you see the difference?

Lastly, the fact that most blacks in the US have origins in Africa is irrelavent given that there has been too many generations after that to still count. You are allowing the fact that you are still black to cause you to jump to he conclusion that you are still African. For that matter, everyone in the world is of African descent - that's where Scientists claim that Adam and Eve lived.

So therefore, I don't use the term African-American because it is disrespectful. I think others should avoid that term as well. The term "Black-American" or simply just "people" is much more respectful.

Dennis.

On 28 Jul 2005, 06:50 +00:00, Contemplative One said:

Gunhild,

Hello and welcome to the Haven for the Human Amoeba.

Thank you so much for your timely and informative post to the group, it is much appreciated.

Here in the United States, Black Americans have not always had the privilege of being able to determine what they were referred to by the dominant population. Although it is common knowledge that most Blacks in the United States are of African descent, all history/knowledge of the countries from which the Blacks came from in Africa (over 400 years ago) has been long forgotten.

Just as White Americans of European descent make distinctions of heritage with such names as Irish American, German American, or even the generic European American, I feel (as do other Black Americans) that it is quite legitimate for Blacks to claim Africa asthecontinent from which they are descendants. So the term "African American" DOES and should apply to Black Americans because they ARE of African descent, just as most of the White Americans that live in the United States are of European descent.

Once again Gunhild, thank you for the wonderful introduction and for your timely reply to this post here in the Haven.

Dennis Hawkins said:

So therefore, I don't use the term African-American because it is disrespectful. I think others should avoid that term as well. The term "Black-American" or simply just "people" is much more respectful. If you think the term African American is derrogetory in nature and choose not to use it, I don't have a problem with that, but I don't find it offensive or racist in the least and am comfortable using it as a self-identifier. While I am also comfortable self-identifying as a Black American, I am curious how you would describe an American of Mexican descent whose ancestors lived in the United States for 300 years. Americans of Mexican descent? Americans of American descent? or just as "Brown Americans?"

.

See, to me, "derogatory" or "racist" means doing things that harass or annoy a person for no reason on the subject of race. I'd call a person from where-ever whatever the hell they want. It's THEIR identity. Who the f*** am I to dictate that to them? Of course, it's also their responsibility to let me know what they want, too. Especially if the issue is important to them. And please, I beg you, keep it under six syllables and easy for me to pronounce. That's part of enjoying and being considerate towards anyone. That's just a quality human relationship.

I think a human's identity is like a multifaceted diamond. There are many faces. And the emphasis on each can shift around.

You could argue that "America" refers to the CONTINENTS of North, Central, and South America. And "people" could refer to all homo sapiens on planet earth.

I do think the connection of Black people in the US to West Africa is a bit closer than mine. I come from Africa too, but my connection is more distant. They were kidnapped from home much more recently and are closer cousins. So what's the investment in not acknowledging that?

Nicole

On 28 Jul 2005, 13:49 +00:00, Contemplative One said:

While I am also comfortable self-identifying as a Black American, I am curious how you would describe an American of Mexican descent whose ancestors lived in the United States for 300 years. Americans of Mexican descent? Americans of American descent? or just as "Brown Americans?"

How about just "people" or "Americans"?

Interesting trivia - 50% of the babies born in the US today are Mexican-Americans.

Ken,

I just looked in the photo section of the group and saw the wonderful photos you posted. How long were you in Texas, and what cities did you visit? Was it hot?? Is gas really cheaper there than in other parts of the country?

Thanks for sharing the photos of your trip to Texas with us.

I was looking for other asexual yahoo groups and it seems we get lumped in with the gays, lesbians and such! I think thats why people don't understand Asexuality. We get labeled with gays. I'm no more gay than heterosexual. I guess it's assumed we're accepted by the gay community. Thats not true tho! Altho they might say they accept us, but in reality they just wanna get in our pants like everone else!

I hadn't heard that before. There have been many times that I wished that I was gay though. I don't lke being asexual. I'm getting tired of living alone. I feel like the only kid that didn't get to go on the best field trip of the year.

I think its likely that both gays and asexuals both suffer from a mental birth defect that causes us to be the way we are. I think that we do share that in common with gays.

I know some gays and they didn't have a clue what asexuality was. Like most people, they believed (until I corrected them) that if you aren't straight, then you must be gay.

Dennis.

On 29 Jul 2005, 13:03 +00:00, Ken said:

I was looking for other asexual yahoo groups and it seems we get lumped in with the gays, lesbians and such! I think thats why people don't understand Asexuality. We get labeled with gays. I'm no more gay than heterosexual. I guess it's assumed we're accepted by the gay community. Thats not true tho! Altho they might say they accept us, but in reality they just wanna get in our pants like everone else!

I bought 10 acres of land in South Texas over a year ago on Ebay and I went to see it. It's near a hamlet called Candelaria. Right on the border of Mexico. The only cities I visited were on the way there like Odessa, Midland and Presidio and Marfa. I did go to Ojnaga, Mexico briefly. My trip lasted 2 weeks and NO! Gas is not cheaper in Texas. In fact in Presidio, Texas it was $3.05 a gallon! You'd think with oil and refineries there it'd be cheaper....nope!

The term "African-American" is over 6 syllables.

I know. So is italian american. And mexican american. Greek american gets in there, but that's only because they lucked out and are from somewhere with one syllable. Frankly, I think I'm just lazy. Also, the whole point of this conversation isn't really about words/names. It's about treating people well and letting anyone have whatever identity they feel most connected to without being squished/censored or stigmatized as outsiders. So I tend to put my energy in how I'm treating people, rather than in fine points of grammar/pronunciation, hoping my abysmal failure at PC behaviors will be forgiven.

Ken said:

I bought 10 acres of land in South Texas over a year ago on Ebay and I went to see it. It's near a hamlet called Candelaria. Right on the border of Mexico. The only cities I visited were on the way there like Odessa, Midland and Presidio and Marfa. I did go to Ojnaga, Mexico briefly. My trip lasted 2 weeks and NO! Gas is not cheaper in Texas. In fact in Presidio, Texas it was $3.05 a gallon! You'd think with oil and refineries there it'd be cheaper....nope!

Hi Ken! Just wondering...What did you pay for your 10 acres of Texas? But more important: WHY did you pay whatever for 10 acres of Texas? Any intention there, like,uh,...breeding buffalos,or starting a campground for Asexuals Only or drilling for oil ? Bye, Gunhild

You guys with kids will never know what its like to be alone.

Dennis.

On 29 Jul 2005, 18:04 +00:00, Nicole M Bliss said:

Why must we live alone. we can live together. Love, companionship is not based on sex (even though my soon to be ex-husband says otherwise! LOL). I believe that what awaits me is Grand... I do not believe that I will walk away and say man I missed my chance. 12 years of doing things I was not into for security and love is enough. I have a wonderful son that came from it and I am blessed God gave him to me but this is in no way the end of my search for that one person that is like me. We all have our counterparts. No one defines us even though society may try. God made us and he did not do it to make us alone. We are all created equal and to be part of something bigger and better. You may live alone right now but you are never alone and I know you are aware of that. Take care of yourself. Debra Woods

Actually dennis, that's a great topic to bring up. I think that's an important issue for our community. My mother is pretty asexual and refused to have lifemates (sexual or non). She did not build an adequate support system for herself and she used me as her lifemate when I was a child. It was extraordinarily damaging.

Our community has to be especially careful not to devour our young and use them to keep us company. Our community has to take responsibility to get our social needs met by adults and each other.

I'm happy to be a supportive friend to any lonely parent! We can all brainstorm ways to keep up our social supports!

Nic

You guys with kids will never know what its like to be alone.

I hadn't heard that before. There have been many times that I wished that I was gay though. I don't lke being asexual. I'm getting tired of living alone. I feel like the only kid that didn't get to go on the best field trip of the year.

I think its likely that both gays and asexuals both suffer from a mental birth defect that causes us to be the way we are. I think that we do share that in common with gays.

I know some gays and they didn't have a clue what asexuality was. Like most people, they believed (until I corrected them) that if you aren't straight, then you must be gay.

Dennis.

On 29 Jul 2005, 13:03 +00:00, Ken said:

I was looking for other asexual yahoo groups and it seems we get lumped in with the gays, lesbians and such! I think thats why people don't understand Asexuality. We get labeled with gays. I'm no more gay than heterosexual. I guess it's assumed we're accepted by the gay community. Thats not true tho! Altho they might say they accept us, but in reality they just wanna get in our pants like everone else!

Harvard Applicants May Now Declare Third "Gender"

By Terry Vanderheyden

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, July 26, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Harvard Business School has introduced a change to its application--prospective students are now asked to describe their gender as "male", "female", or "transgender" in an online profile they are required to fill out.

Concerned Women for America's Culture and Family Institute (CFI) director Bob Knight criticized the move to introduce and legitimize the third so-called "gender." "I'm not surprised it's coming out of Harvard," he said, as reported by Agape Press. "Because they've flirted with the idea that, in terms of sexuality, anything goes." He also expressed his concern that this was only the beginning of something that could become much larger: "They've given intellectual respectability to it. That kind of thing trickles down to other institutions."

Knight explained, "The foundation of the transgender movement is the homosexual activist movement because their interest lies in getting rid of the traditional morality of God-given division into two sexes, the uniting of those two sexes in marriage."

Traditional morality that defines marriage as exclusively the union of a man and woman, according to homosexual and transgender activists, is "old, taboo, superstitious," Knight added. According to its adherents, "we have to get rid of that, and everybody can be whoever they want to be."

Agape Press' report on Harvard's third "gender" came on the same day that the Scotsman reported on a Chinese website that is catering to what is increasingly being referred to as a new sexual orientation--"asexuality".

All content copyright 1997-2006 LifeSiteNews.com, http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jul/06072605.html

I don't think that kids should be a substitute for a spouse, but because I am so anti-asexual, I would encourage any kids I might have to be sexually and socially active as early as possible. Kids pattern their behaviors after their parents and I would want my child to know flat out that my anti-sexual and anti-social behaviors are not a good thing. I wouldn't want them to end up like me.

Then again, it could be just a "Do as I say and not as I do" thing. A lot of smokers try that line with their kids and nearly all of the kids with smoking parents smoke themselves.

But nevertheless, people with kids (asexual or not) are always better off than people without.

Dennis.

On 30 Jul 2005, 07:53 +00:00, Nicole M Bliss said:

Actually dennis, that's a great topic to bring up. I think that's an important issue for our community. My mother is pretty asexual and refused to have lifemates (sexual or non). She did not build an adequate support system for herself and she used me as her lifemate when I was a child. It was extraordinarily damaging.

Our community hasto be especially careful not to devour our young and use them to keep us company. Our community has to take responsibility to get our social needs met by adults and each other.

I'm happy to be a supportive friend to any lonely parent! We can all brainstorm ways to keep up our social supports!

Nic

On 30 Jul 2005, 13:53 +00:00, Dennis Hawkins said:

But nevertheless, people with kids (asexual or not) are always better off than people without.

???

No they're not.

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Therese Shellabarger - Civis Mundi - tlshell@...