My name is Alissa Christine. The reason why I always include my middle name in introductions and omit the last name is two-fold. For one, I don’t like my last name. What is your last name?, you ask. I’m not telling because I don’t like it. Also, my first and middle name together mean, Triumphant entry (Alissa) in Christ (Christine). Ever since I realized this about six months ago, I decided to use my first and middle name together all of the time. Jesus Christ is just as much a part of me as my own name, and every time I see my name written I remember why I write both names.
Least important, is the fact that I am a junior, broadcast journalism major. One day I plan to be a national political correspondent. Oh, and lets not forget what I don’t consider the most important or telling, but definitely the most obvious thing about me, I am a pretty Black young female.
I don’t prefer the description “African-American” for several reasons. The first is that an ignorant white male a long time ago stripped an entire continent of its originality and differences, and replaced it with the word “African”. It was a long time ago and people are over it and even some natives of the continent call themselves Africans when they are in the United States of America, but its history is insulting.
Also if someone can tell me where I am from in Africa then that person can call me African-American. If not, then please call me Black. Why? The word Black doesn’t dismiss this country of the plight of my ancestors as the word African-American does. To call me Black reminds the speaker that I am a person of no history except that of slavery. And an African-American is the person whose parents lived in Africa, but he or she was born in the United States. I, on the other hand, have no idea how far back my ancestors are from Africa and no one should forget that. I am just as “from here” as Native Americans, as far as I am concerned.
Besides, contrary to popular belief, Black, to me, is not a negative thing. Black people are those who are born in this country and also don’t know how far back their ancestors lived in Africa. Black people have overcome slavery, imminent extinction and even Jim Crow. That is something to be proud of. Furthermore, I strongly believe no matter how many people soak money and time out of my peers claiming to be able to look at them and tell them what country they are from, no one will ever know for sure. I don’t know my true heritage and that is not because I am too lazy or uncaring to look it up as White people who don’t know there heritage must be. I don’t know because it is impossible to know. But, I don’t feel sorry for myself because I know my origin and destination are both in heaven. I don’t want empathy from anyone. What I want is to be described as Black. And there is no shame in that at all. But then again, maybe it’s just me.
