Identify and discuss the evidence presented by Dr. Ivan Van Sertima that there was an African presence in Ancient America before the coming of Christopher Columbus and the Europeans in 1492. The first diaspora was the African diaspora. Studies prove life started on the continent of Africa. Africans then dispersed voluntarily and involuntarily. There has always been controversy about whether or not Africans were first in the Americas through slavery, which has been proven to be false.
Through his article “Is Yellow Black or White”, Gary Okihiro provides a point of view that identity is imperative in America’s society. Slavery was first introduced to America in 1619 by the Dutch. It began with twenty African slaves and exponentially grew to almost one thousand in thirty-five years. South Asians were introduced to the East Coast during the eighteenth century as indentured workers and slaves. They were given American names and forced to marry African American women.
This component may be the toughest to grasp due to the abstract nature of the term African American culture. What does that actually mean? Africa is a place of many great and diverse nations to say African American though viewed differently is an very broad term if u look at it as classifying a person from Africa that has migrated to the Americas. A proper term for that would be Nigerian-american or Gahnan-american. The term African-American is more geared to those who are generations removed from the home land but are still heavily influenced by the culture of their ancestors for a lack of a better term the “blacks” of America.
She donated her correspondence with America’s great black cultural figures to Harlem’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Maya Angelou is the unequivocal example of a graceful woman. Her words throughout the years have uplifted women, spoke of courage for families and moved the nation as a whole. She has published literature for the masses there is something to motivate anybody that is anyone. Angelou created easy outlets for people in struggle.
Dear Friend, Hello and how are you? I am writing to discuss the various experiences of African Americans throughout history and today. Because I am of that race, and you are not, I would like your honest opinion. Do you feel African Americans have been treated fairly throughout history? The history of African Americans goes back to the discovery of America; we were stolen from Africa and brought to America as slaves with the White Settlers (Schaefer, 2012).
West Africans looked to the Americas as a source of trade, commerce, a place to settle and a place to build new civilizations. The History of African civilization and Africans in Latin America is an important beginning to African American’s because; in world history these two regions were the first areas of the Americas to be populated by African immigrants and we’re also the first people to become African Americans. Africa has been portrayed in popular culture and academic discourse as a continent without history. Africa has history that was once overlooked but, as historians went back to reanalyze African history, they have represented the fact that Africa has changed over time, and that it has been a place of diverse groups of people throughout a long and rich history. Africa, in all of its regions, has a rich, diverse, and dynamic history.
They know how to survive and support each other. She soon realizes that dignity and honor come from the way someone lives life, not from family status. Esperanza now faces the same problems that the other Mexican immigrants do. She learns that immigrants have to deal with poverty, prejudice, and bosses who cheat them. Still, like other immigrants, she hopes that in America she will never run out of chances.
(Sudarkasa 90)” A fellow black scholar in the field, Allen, argued in 1979 that Black family patterns cannot be explained without reference to the socio-economic contexts in which they developed, and this is extremely true. It is important to look at the primary origin of the black family, and in order to do such; it is necessary to look at Africa. A chief distinguishing characteristic of African families is that they embody two bases for membership:
There are many inspirational, strong black people who influence my life in unique ways. Because of their example, I am inspired to do the best that I can in all things. I am reminded daily that everything I do is a representation of myself, my family and my race. I am encouraged to pursue my goals no matter what trials come in my way. My grandmother and my mother demonstrate what it is to be independent, hard working black women in a society where being a black woman is equal to inferiority.
Ethnic Groups and Discrimination Victor Jones Axia College ETH/125 - CULTURAL DIVERSITY Ellen Kang February 5, 2012 Ethnic Groups and Discrimination In 1619 the African Americans were first brought to America to become indentured servants. The prejudice against persons with dark skin existed even in that time. The indentured servitude is why the African Americans became slaves. It was the Europeans who the first movement into making slave trades, and initiated the system of Chattel Slavery. Now there are a few of the tribes that did migrate here.