Are African-Americans considered "immigrants?"?

flaming_liberal415

Actually, I thought they were considered Americans just like the rest of us that have embraced our Country and have worked to support it and build a life for ourselves.

Sway_27

Only if they are really from African and immigrated here. Otherwise, you are simply an American citizen.

Paula Revere

This country was built by Americans! Over 80% of us were born here.

The 'we are all immigrants' propaganda is used by the globalists to justify mass immigration.

There were also quite a few 'free' blacks that lived here - how do you tell them apart from the descendents of slaves?

>;-;<

Actually, Native Americans are immigrants too. They came here from Mesopotamia.

Tapping on your toes

Immigration is the movement of people into one place from another. While human migration has existed throughout human history, immigration implies long-term permanent or forced indefinite residence (and often eventual citizenship) by the immigrants. So yes, those who brought over as slaves still migrated to here. If you were born here, you are not an immigrant. My ancestors migrated here from Europe and did not use slaves, but did help found this country by establishing businesses, and forming towns.

Barbara A

There may be some truth to what you espouse. I would like to add that many, many European "immigrants" came to the north east shores of this country and settled on this continent long before slave traffic began here. These people colonized and "built" America as well. Incidentally, slaves were used in the Caribbean and elsewhere, again, long before this continent was settled. I am NOT an immigrant since my ancestors came to America many generations ago...I was born and raised here so I am a "citizen", bottom line. I am not responsible for the reprehensible behavior of my ancestors and do not wish to be held accountable for their choices any more than you would like to be held accoutable for the passivity of your own.

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

No, I don't believe African-Americans are immigrants, because of the reasons your outline above. In fact, you seem to have your mind made up, so I don't really think you need an answer to that at all.

However, you must also keep in mind that the term "built" refers to many things. As wrong as it is, didn't the White slave owners "build" the systematic distribution of labor and plantation systems on which they forced their slaves to work? Didn't immigrants to the Northern areas--the Irish, Italians, Eastern Europeans, et al--"build" the ambitious port cities of the Eastern seaboard and the factories that kept the Industrial Revolution thriving? Didn't immigrants become pioneers and settle every town and city in the West? Didn't the Chinese immigrants who were discriminated against build prosperity on the West Coast? Didn't Mexican immigrants build the population and formation of the southwest?

This country was not built by one, but by all of our ancestors. Unfortunately for yours, they were forced, but it doesn't take value away from all of the successes of the endless others who came to this country voluntarily to make their lives--and this country--as wonderful, ambitious, and hopeful as they were and it is.

Nik

America was not built. America is still being built. It is an ever ongoing process. The railroads were primarily built by chinese immigrants. The Irish, Spanish, and Italian immigrants were amongst the primary builders of the factories during the industrial revelution. The West coast was primarily built by settlers and the gold rush. I'm sorry, but the role of slaves was primarily a southern thing during a portion of time. I am not an immigrant. The only people here now were either born here or immigrated here.

smoofus70

We migrated against our will. Our ancestors would still be considered immigrants, but not in the traditional sense.

Ms.L.A.

Have you actually forgotten Affrimative Action? How do you think that so many black and poor students have received an education? They were considered special interest groups and Americans of today jumped through hoops to get these things for your generation. I hate to hear that Native Indians are the only natives, that's crap! They migrated here, too. If your ancestors were sold to slave traders, is it my fault? And clearly, if you had stayed in Africa, would you be starving and uneducated like the majority of blacks there? And in today's fast travel services and economy of travel, anyone who would like to return to their native countries are free to do so, aren't they? You should bless your ancestors for coming here to save you from drought and starvation. And be grateful for all of the opportunity you have in the USA! I know I am. Slavery was not used only in the USA, your own tribes used vanquished tribes as slaves, don't forget the Irish and many indentured people who came here. I'd have to say that the slavery issue is a moot point on how much you've benefitted in the long run. The past is the past, all we have is the now and our hopes for the future. Let the past remain there. We all should learn from it and move on.

James

You worded your question wrong. You should have asked "Were African slaves in America considered immigrants?" The answer to your question is no, the slaves weren't thought of as immigrants. And I never say "we're all immigrants", I'm a native born American.

reg

All Americans with the exception of the Native Americans, are immigrants. They all came from somewhere else. Come to think of it, even Native Americans came from a nomadic Eskimo tribe that crossed the land bridges during the last ice age from Russia across the Bering Sea to the norther part of Canada.

imback_missme

I suppose your right,but what happened in the past has nothing to do with you or I,except for the fact you are better off being born in America,at least its not a 3rd world country.And look at the bright side you can always move to Africa if you'ld like.

immigrants is people that came to these lands no matter if by force or other but also the ones born here are not counted as immigrants and yet some get housing before the people that live here do.

Steve R

there are many black immagrants,however you are correct for those blacks who descend from slavery,but most do not.but as with any race of people if they believe their homeland is a better place to live it is not hard to go back

tetlitea

Well in the sense that immigrants are not native to the land then yes African Americans are immigrants (all be it those of us descended from slaves know our ancestors came by force). America was built by immigrants, none of the "ruling" class did any of the hard labor. Railroads were built by Asians, Africans and middle and lower class Whites.

There are 2 ways to look at things I guess.

ShadowCat

Agreed! Most migrated from Mississippi, to Chicago....There is No Comparison and I wish the Illegal Alein Movemnt would leave it alone, their plights not like that of any other Americans!

D.B Cooper

If it were so bad for black people in the United States, why are so many native africans, haitians, and other blacks literally dying to get here?

If it were so bad for you, why don't you move to ANY nation on Earth with a 99% black population.

steddy voter

I completely agree with you, except to say that only part of it was by slave labor. There were lots of contributions by others, as well - indentured servants, the exploited Chinese labor, later immigrants, etc. I have actually pointed this very thing out to others in other questions I've answered in the past. When a person is moved against their will, I don't consider that to be emmigration or immigration. Good for you for pointing that out.

DeLeon Leon

I get what you mean, but you forget the Eastern Europeans, Mexicans, and Chinese that came here. Their presence was key to the developments of the U.S in the industrial era of this country. No disrespect, but picking cotton and working on fields, sometimes even mines, was only the beginning. Cotton didn't make this country what it is today, it only sustained it's wealth in early colonial times. The industrial era made slavery obsolete. Machines were able to do much more then slaves could in shorter periods of time. So.... basically..... it's sad, but .... that's what it is..... The U.S exploited the immigrant workforce into taking themselves to the next level. The Chinese and Irish built the railroads, the Mexicans did a vast amount of work in the fields of the south, Eastern Europeans worked in factories. Not to mention the businesses they started. African-Americans weren't enough at that point I guess.

oma_30701

First there are no African Americans there are Americans of African decent the same as I am an American of Irish decent. All of our ancestors came here from some where else unless you happen to have some American Indian in you. No you weren't forced your ancestors may have been but unless you are over 100 you weren't forced, oh and of course the Irish, Chinese and others had no part of the hard labor you speak of. If you don't like it here why not immigrate back to Africa where your ancestors came from... Simple solution to your problem.. Once again i will try to explain we are not Mexican American, Asian American, African American, Irish American, German American or any other kind of American if we are born in the USA we are Americans period. Now our ancestry may be one of the above countries but we are Americans now lets act like it...

Bill

It was an involuntary migration (relocation from Africa to here), so if you stretch it I guess it's acceptable. I see your point though.

Main Entry: imÂ·miÂ·grant
Pronunciation: Ëˆi-mÉ™-grÉ™nt
Function: noun
Date: 1789
: one that immigrates: as a: a person who comes to a country to take up permanent residence

NEed Help ? Do you ?

yea we are all descended borders.

Say the truth!

Well said, Terry H...

mrsbasketballgirl

No!!Blacks were born here so why would they be consider an immigrant!!!

dovebird

no stupid are mexican americans immigrants? no

spqr_us

Why do some black people always run around with chips on their narrow little shoulders?

Let's try to be tinsy bit more accurate shall we Mr. Poor Ole' me. Master of Victim hood...

First of all the Virginia colonies were settled initially primarily with White Slaves and indentured servants and captive tenant farmers all of whom were Anglo. Many of their direct decedents are now running the world. Africans (sorry dude) came later primarily because they ran out of white slaves. boo hooo....

May I bring you some cheese for your "whine" sir?

Also the last time I was in New York and San Francisco I noticed that they and many cities in between were full of African immigrants. Is not Barak Obama proof of this?
Dude you sound like you've been listening to Al Sharpton and Mike Nifong a little too much.

Sorry but most of us black white and brown turn out to be descended from slaves on one landmass or another.

My little brown wife is Thai. There is a portrait of the Thai King Rama V on our wall. He freed the common people that were held as slaves and indentured servants in Thailand in the same generation as the American Civil War.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama_V.

During that period the ruling elites who have enslaved us all regardless of nation or race began to learn that the price of slavery was revolution. This isn't an African thing. Have you not heard of the French Revolution, the storming of the barricade a generation before of Bastille Day? This is a human liberty thing.

Immigrants come here to avoid repression and slavery. But many of our ancestors of all colors came as slaves. Illegal immigrants are never welcome and they come mostly for handouts and money. They have been a crime wave of rape, theft and violence. They are a scourge.

Black Americans are such a strong and vibrant people, why do you sell your soul and your destiny to wear the sack cloth and ashes of the victim. Can't you see that it just gives the elites and the demagogues power over you and your life?

!!!

You're right. The Native Americans aren't immigrants either.

Carmencita

Are you from the south?

TopPotts

You're right in one way. But immigrants also had a lot to do with building America, but not neccessarily improving it, and unless Native American, everyone here is an immigrant.

Chuck...Your Next U.S. President

Enslaved immigrant...that's what that is.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: