In 2004 Dr. Henry Louis Gates insisted that African and Caribbean immigrants as well as bi-racial students were trumping American Blacks in numbers at top-ranked universities. In 2008 I blogged extensively about my experience within the Afropolitan culture, the social/intellectual circle where Africans [from abroad and second-generation] mingle and organic global consciousness is commonplace. My 2008 assessment? Africans and Caribbeans were trumping American blacks on the corporate climb as well as the artistic. [Black folks may still carry that horrible disease: immobilized by slavery and segregation].
Well, the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education released a report yesterday that seconds Dr. Gates' assessment as well as mine. Africans, Caribbeans and bi-racials are putting American Blacks to shame in higher education. But the bigger issue remains: many of these immigrant and "second-generationers" are not interested in identifying with "African-Americans" yet continue to benefit from affirmative action. Interesting paradigm, no? Most of these programs were built to bridge the racial gap created by historical and inhumane redlining. In other words, they don't care to be lumped with us, but they certainly appreciate the opportunities our intense struggle created. So, what do you think about THAT?
Keith Josef Adkins is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and social commentator.