[Moma]

This is an interesting topic to me. I have friends of multiple backgrounds and I have been to many festivals and different countries.

I have said this to a few of my friends who are into non black lizards that non black lizards generally cannot differentiate visually between African Americans, Afro-Caribbeans and Africans from a visual perspective.
By accent yes, and possible mannerisms but if an African can put up a good act (I believe one member said that fake Cali IDs are now the hot cakes in Sweden) that non blacks (and indeed a large amount of blacks) cannot differentiate between the groups.

Please add your thoughts and opinions and I will add to it as we continue.

[Vicious]

While the fake Cali id reports are legit they were limited to one region of Swe. "Hot cakes" is an exaggeration

[el mechanico]

Just for you Moma.
http://www.mixedfolks.com/names.htm

[ElBorrachoInfamoso]

(08-01-2011 03:18 PM)Moma Wrote:  

This is an interesting topic to me. I have friends of multiple backgrounds and I have been to many festivals and different countries.

I have said this to a few of my friends who are into non black lizards that non black lizards generally cannot differentiate visually between African Americans, Afro-Caribbeans and Africans from a visual perspective.
By accent yes, and possible mannerisms but if an African can put up a good act (I believe one member said that fake Cali IDs are now the hot cakes in Sweden) that non blacks (and indeed a large amount of blacks) cannot differentiate between the groups.

Please add your thoughts and opinions and I will add to it as we continue.

It depends on how mixed they are, and the person trying to tell the difference. Someone who grew up NYC is never going to confuse Bryant Gumble for a Nigerian, but someone who has maybe only seen a few dozen African descended people in their life probably won't know any better.
Also, Africa is very diverse, so even someone who is part West African and is clearly mixed, might be able to pass for someone from East Africa if they have a more Caucasian looking nose.

My step-dad is Puerto Rican (very mixed) and he could pass for Al Sharpton, but never for a real black African.

[speakeasy]

Afro caribbeans are a mixed bunch. You cannot put them all into one category. Some look very African like the Haitians. And some are quite mixed like Dominicans. For the most part I can't tell the difference between African Americans and Caribbeans but I can tell between African Americans and Africans.

[Screwston]

Its easy to tell just from the way they dress.

[Theogreat]

Does it matter? You still are Black.

[el mechanico]

(08-01-2011 08:27 PM)Theogreat Wrote:  

Does it matter? You still are Black.

Theo... earyago


http://youtu.be/WFY2kJ96jNY

[azulsombra]

Like speakeasy said,

African americans can usually identify an african before they say a word regardless of dress.
Distinguishing black caribbeans and black hispanics from african americans is difficult from either point of view, especially when only going off visual cues.

[mr.pilkington]

On my trip to Stockholm I enjoyed watching the Africans there try to pass themselves off as African Americans. You would see a gang of dudes rocking Yankee Caps and t-shirts that would say something stupid like "OG California Gangsta".

[Moma]

(08-01-2011 06:57 PM)speakeasy Wrote:  

Afro caribbeans are a mixed bunch. You cannot put them all into one category. Some look very African like the Haitians. And some are quite mixed like Dominicans. For the most part I can't tell the difference between African Americans and Caribbeans but I can tell between African Americans and Africans.

The same way you cannot put the Africans in one category. The difference between Africans and African Americans or Africans and West Indians are not easily made out. West Africans have a very similar look to African Americans.

East Africans particularly some Kenyans, Southern Sudanese and Ugandians have a distinct look by and large that separates them from some of the African Americans but I understand but some African Americans have this look too.
Look at Flava Flav for instance:

Look at Zach Randolph:


These guys are African American. You cannot differentiate them from a real African on skin tone and facial features.

What of this guy:

He is West African but I bet you he could pass for African American.

My point is, from my experience, growing up around West Africans and West Indians, it wasn't always never a clear cut case in determining the difference between the two groups. If you speak of one fresh of the boat as opposed to an African American, then yes, mannerisms will betray but once exposed to Westernising and swagged up, these Swedes will not be able to tell the difference.

@theo - yes you are right but some people believe that there is a marked difference when gaming non blacks and this difference is only ascertained through behaviour, not looks.

[JofSuperman]

I'm African, and having lived in the states for almost 15 years I can still tell an African from an African American for the most part. Obviously never 100%, but I'm usually right. It's something you just know from being an African and seeing so many people of our kind. It's all in the face.

[InternationalSwagger]

I can always tell in the way of speech and mannerisms...I had a layover in Paris, France yesterday which is home a large population of Black people from French Speaking countries and It was so easy to tell they weren't African American by just looking at their facial features then when they speak it's 100% sure. Also most of the Africans I run across don't have the sharp fades and haircuts that most Brothas here in the states rock. I was in dire need of a fade in Stockholm a few years ago and I went to a "Black" (African) hair salon and I was scared to let them dudes even touch my hair and he did a decent job but they cannot cut hair like brothas in the states...We keep our ish lined up and fresh consistently. That is one of my pet peeves about being out on the road for more than a week...I like to keep a fresh haircut and my barber keeps it dope weekly...Can't find a barber on the road in any Euro country :/.

[theIVth]

I dont know how to explain it, but I can tell when someone is of African decent when im around them. They usually have a darker complexion and just have that look.

Someone from the Caribbean is harder to differentiate tho. However, you can still tell that there is subtle difference if you are around them enough.

[afronoob]

(08-02-2011 09:32 AM)theIVth Wrote:  

I dont know how to explain it, but I can tell when someone is of African decent when im around them. They usually have a darker complexion and just have that look.

Someone from the Caribbean is harder to differentiate tho. However, you can still tell that there is subtle difference if you are around them enough.

W.Africans/Caribbeans and AAs are all basically Yoruba/Ibo/Mande with a touch of Fulani though of course the previous 2 have a heavy infuse of Caucasian.
I notice many E.Africans have a semi HOA look mixed with bantu. My sister is still mistaken for Somali along with many female cousins,while I myself am often mistaken for a Kushite people called Borana though some have said I resemble Michael Johnson,the runner.