According to Smokey Robinson, “He prefers to be addressed as “Black” and he belongs to the “Black Race”. He further stated, ” I resent being called African American because Black people have contributed so much to the development of the United States of America,” the Motown icon said. “I think that when you do that, you’re disclaiming all the things, the contributions that Black people have made to America,” he added.
Smokey Robison is not alone, there are many “Black” Americans like Larry Elder who resent the association and identity of African Americans, and they argue that since they have never been to Africa, they should not be referred to as African Americans. Many white supremacists also support their position as long as they allow and accept the definition that has been imposed on them.
I don’t see a problem with what he said. Actually, I only see one issue: all his years of traveling, he’s never been to Africa?
— Epictetus (@darky07025216) March 7, 2022
According to Smokey Robinson, we should use skin color as the key element of human definition.. in that case, Asian Americans should be; Yellow Americans and Latinos should be; Brown Americans. Italian Americans who have never visited Italy should proclaim themselves as; Olive-Brown Americans.. the list goes on and on.
The issue with Smokey Robinson’s argument is that he draws its logic from a racist and fabricated notion of race and identity. This baseless and non-scientific classification of one human Race into fragmented racial groups is uniquely American and Smokey Robinson born in the early 40s in the United States is a product of such racist education and ignorance. His proclamation that he has never been to Africa further demonstrates his lack of historical knowledge and appreciation for the contemporary world that he lives in.
I have traveled around the world, and unlike Smokey Robison I am yet to see different Human Races.. instead, I have seen varied cultures, ethnicities, and religions which are the true bases upon which humans are classified.
AFRO WORLD NEWS
