One of the strangest aspects of American culture that I never quite understood growing up was seeing Black people and Coloured people being grouped together under the blanket term of “Black.” Growing up in Africa, we always make the distinction between the two races; there are Black people and there are Coloured people. However, that distinction is never made within American culture or media. In some instances, Americans may even take offense to the notion of there even being Coloured people or being referred to as “Coloured.”
There have been many instances where an American would be referred to as Black by American media, when I would never even think to refer to that person as Black.
A recent example is of the South African singer Tyla, who caused quite a bit of discussion among Americans around whether she should be referred to as Coloured instead of Black.
I think there are two major reasons for this confusion in the labeling of the two groups between American and Africans, such as:
1. Most “Black” Americans are mixed race.
The United States of America is an incredibly diverse country, filled with people from all over the world. As a result, throughout its history there have been many mixed race relationships between Americans.
Therefore, many Black Americans are as a result mixed race themselves, often having family members whose family originate from many different backgrounds. While, within Africa most Black Africans are from one Black African tribe or are mixed between two Black African tribes. If an African is born from a family of two Black African tribes, they would just be referred to as black. However, if they are born from a family of mixed race ethnicities, they are normally referred to as coloured.
However, because the vast majority of Black Americans are already of mixed race backgrounds, it makes more sense for them culturally to place both groups under the blanket term of “Black,” even when in the eyes of an African, it’s clear that the person they may be referring to, is not black at all.
2. In Africa, Coloured people have their own unique culture.
In many cases, especially in Southern Africa, coloured people in Africa have their own separate unique cultures, language, etc., compared to Black Africans. This is a major reason why the lack of a differentiator can be very strange to many Africans.
Growing up in Southern Africa, it was not uncommon to hear about neighborhoods that were predominantly Coloured communities. Additionally, I always observed that Coloured people were associated with speaking Afrikaans, rather than any other African indigenous language. There are various stereotypes (positive and negative) associated with Coloured people as well, that one may come across within Southern Africa.
Due to these unique cultural characteristics of Coloured people, the idea of Black people and Coloured people not being differentiated has always just felt wrong.
In concluding, the distinction between “Black” and “Coloured” carries different cultural and historical significance in Africa compared to the United States. While Americans often use the term “Black” as an all-encompassing term for a diverse range of racial backgrounds, Africans typically distinguish between “Black” and “Coloured” based on unique cultural and historical contexts.
The complexity of racial identity, mixed heritage, and cultural diversity adds layers to the discussion, highlighting the need for sensitivity and understanding across cultures. As we navigate discussions of race and identity, we should be able to acknowledge these nuances and show respect towards these diverse perspectives.
Ultimately, bridging the gap in understanding between African and American perspectives on racial categorization requires open dialogue, cultural exchange, and a commitment to mutual respect. By recognizing and appreciating the diverse ways in which race is thought of and experienced, we can work towards fostering a greater understanding between our cultures.
