In the last few decades, people have started using this term in a derogatory manner, in the same way as that the Chinese use Hei gui 黑鬼 to address black people, even though down here, it has almost become the acceptable term to use amongst the Chinese community. It’s the meaning that goes with that term which is offensive, and you would not even begin to understand, unless you start looking at our country’s history from a South African point of view or at least someone who has actually been here.Originally Posted by danmyete
Afrikaner is probably a better word, South African would be more accurate. Afrikaners are black, white, coloured, whatever. Pretty much a nation as you stated as for being American.Originally Posted by danmyete
It’s a complete language and not just a dialect. Sure, when I speak slowly, people in Belgium and Holland would understand, but they would probably just pick up the bud ends of the conversation. I am not sure why I need to defend my language and culture with some one who has obviously no idea on this matter. Theoretical knowledge in this case is pointless. You have a very limited understanding on this topic, your academical talk, however impressive I may be, shows you have no clue.Originally Posted by danmyete
Well, down here it is a term we use, and even the people who fall under that racial group use this term to describe themselves. And in this sentence “It is a rather regressive understanding of what is more properly viewed as ancestry…” you answer your own question on the “ Boer” issue.Originally Posted by danmyete
Ok, you seem to be very hung up on this ancestry thing. You are completely missing the point of it all. In fact, you are completely missing the point of what being “ African” is all about. You don’t need to validate yourself or your ancestry, you are American, you may have some roots in Africa, but you are NOT African. This point seem to upset you allot. Traditionally speaking, you’d find it very hard to be accepted by the local African people (Im speaking Southern Africa here). It also shows me that you have a very twisted idea of this place and her people. You might be in for a HUGE culture shock. Be prepared for that.Originally Posted by danmyete
Worthless analogy, not relevant to this topic at all. The Eagle story is cute, but highly irrelevant in this case. Im African… Born and bred here.. I have the same colour blood as my friend Mbusaso. Do you really find that so hard to believe? You seem to have a very big misconception about white Africans.Originally Posted by danmyete
I believe the Keyword there is “ with accuracy”.Originally Posted by danmyete
I know nothing about European culture (other than the Hallmark traditions we all share in the West today). I cant go and argue with someone from Holland for example, over cultures and traditions that stems from his country and her people. That’s just mad.
Have you lived in Africa before? Better yet, have you ever been to Africa? If so, exactly where have you been? Exactly which African traditions do you follow. In my country we have 11 Official languages, each language group has their own cultural aspects. Some minor deviations from others, but in some cases the differences are HUGE. Non the less, we still have our own Southern African culture, which means I can understand, respect and unite with someone from this region, whether they be black, white- whatever. We are … AFRICAN after all.Originally Posted by danmyete
The same goes for you. I have experienced African Americans on tours (as you say), but I also know a few who live down here now. Down the road from us lives an “ African American”. Even those people admit to the culture shock.Originally Posted by danmyete
In the same breath, you have not experienced Africa – or her people and cultures – in a way to qualify you to speak out about African Combat Arts or the culture surrounding that. All Martial Arts are deeply rooted in culture, which is also very much influenced by way of life and standard of living. You have obviously never had to sleep in a metal sink house with only a paraffin stove and candles to give you light You have obviously never had to use an outside communal toilet, or wash yourself in a small bucket of cold water every single day, or slaughter a cow, or drank the blood from a new born goat, or eat sheep brains, or or or … You have NO IDEA, other than the academical knowledge you may have, about what it is to be living in this continent, how do you actually think you will understand how they fight? You don’t even understand the basic psychology behind their strategy. I have never been in prison, I cannot become an expert on prison fighting arts just because I read up on it? You can try to explain to me what a Mc Donnalds Burger taste like, but unless I taste it for myself, all I will ever have is theoretical knowledge. Nothing more, nothing less. I am talking African fighting arts here – Im not talking fighting in general- just to be clear. I don’t know you, and don’t doubt your fighting skill or knowledge.
Those are basterdised, watered down “ Traditions” that have become part of your African American culture. It doesn’t make you African, just as me following certain Chinese traditions (in Martial Arts eg) doesn’t make me an authority on Chinese Culture. Those are hardly true indications of what Real African Culture is all about.Originally Posted by danmyete