Colour should not matter
published: Thursday | February 23, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I agree that we should not have to worry about our colour. I am a Black American, but actually I am really an African American as the term goes. My great grandfather was African and my great grandmother was an American Indian. So I am really an African American, but I have really not thought of it that way. I, too, adopted the term.

My understanding is that this phrase became more popular after the author, Alex Haley wrote the popular 'Roots' series which was seen on television by millions. Black Americans then adopted the term as identifying where we came from: our roots. What I think others from other countries might not realise is that when our African ancestors were brought to America through the generations, our customs and culture were lost. We lost a sense of who we are.

What I have always admired about Jamaicans is that you have a strong sense of culture and you know where you came from. Even abroad you still keep your culture, with food, lifestyle, etc., but in America, you might get a relative who was taught the old stories such as myself by my grandmother, but it is rare.

I am, etc.,

B.P.

am229@city.ac.uk

Essex, London

Via Go-Jamaica