These are the words of Uloma Ogba, an African student at Purdue University.
(purdueexponent.com) One African student said she is tired of having to distinguish herself from other black students. On application forms, Uloma Ogba usually marks “black,” but if the forms have only an African-American box, she marks “other” and specifies African.
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Ogba is a Purdue graduate student from Nigeria, who came to the United States six years ago to attend college. She said she would like to be differentiated from black American students, but many people have misconceptions about the two groups.
A recent study found that more than a quarter of black students in some universities are first or second generation immigrants. The study, which appeared in the American Journal of Education, indicated that important differences between black American and black immigrants may be ignored by higher education institutions.
Purdue records the country of origin for its immigrant students, but not their racial identity. There are several choices on the Purdue application form: Hispanic American, Native American, African-American and Asian American. There are also boxes for white, other and unreported.
“Most international students mark unreported,” said Brent Drake, associate director for enrollment management and analysis reporting.
Ogba said it can be tiring to explain the differences between the immigrant black students and the 1,385 black American students at Purdue.
Ogba also disagreed with some of the data from the study. The study reported immigrant blacks have distinct advantages over non-immigrant students in gaining acceptance to selective schools, having statistically higher SAT scores and having a higher likelihood of one or both parents who attended college.
“I have worked hard to get to where I am and am somewhat offended when people see me as merely filling a quota,” said Ogba. “I came from a country where I am in the majority, so it is still hard for me to wrap my mind around the many differences people seem to focus on in this country.” (source)
You know, in a lot of ways I do agree with her. The only problem that I have with this is that as soon as one of them gets wacked on the side of the head by a police officer, all of a sudden they become “African-American”.
When I think of the term “African-American,” I think of Black Americans who are generations deep in this country. Therefore, I’m Nigerian-American & don’t consider myself to be an Af-Am because I’m a 1st-generation American.
It’s hard to explain to certain people because they can easily take it the wrong way & assume that I’m snubbing Af-Ams when I’m really not.
Technically, I am very much an Af-Am due to my lineage, but I just don’t feel it fits me due to my parents being Nigerian immigrants.
Strangely enough, I’m not considered Black by some Af-Ams. They feel that “Black” = Af-Am & not Black foreigners.
I understand this young woman’s feeling of being marginalized into a group that doesn’t fully identify her lineage.
How sad it is in 2007 for us to still be looking for a place to land in identifying ourselves as people of color. Interestingly enough, I noticed again on my birth certificate the word “NEGRO” in the “race” column. I still hover the labels between “Black” and “African American” myself, and only choose depending on the form I am filling out.
The bigger question is WHO defines YOU? And WHO holds the barometer? Sad questions huh?
I can’t wait till there is only one box to check. HUMAN.
I still hover BETWEEN the labels “Black†and “African American†myself, and only choose depending on the form I am filling out. (syntax fixed)
Interestingly enough, I noticed again on my birth certificate the word “NEGRO†in the “race†column.
Dang! Are you that old??
Just kiddn’
I’m African, plain and simple. Our leaders used the hyphenated term African-American to bring us back to that which was lost. During the negro era, the propaganda against Africans was so negative that most negroes didn’t want to be associated with the continent–and frankly, many feel that way now.
Let the imagery of Africa change to sunny beaches, cruise ships, available diamonds and mansions and the same folks who disparage the term African, now, will want to join on the bandwagon.
Italians don’t mind just being called Italians–even though they’re born and reared in America.
I do appreciate the Nigerian American’s sentiments, though, and agree with her critique. Keep in mind, though, that after centuries of legalized educational oppression–not to mention other oppression–the average grassroots Black at the bus stop is not going to be able to discuss the issue informatively.