Written by Delineation is crucial for Black Americans because it allows us to claim our own unique heritage, history, and lineage separate from Black immigrants who come to the U.S. from Africa, the Caribbean, and other regions. While all Black people face racism, our experiences are not the same, and our lineage as the descendants of enslaved Africans in America has shaped our specific struggles, culture, and contributions to this country in ways that cannot be lumped together with those who immigrated here by choice.
One of the biggest issues Black Americans have with the lack of delineation is the way Black immigrants often attempt to appropriate our culture while simultaneously being anti-Black toward us in political and social spaces. Many of them adopt our slang, music, and style, but when it comes to politics, they frequently vote against our interests, align with anti-Black policies, and participate in anti-Black rhetoric. They benefit from the Civil Rights struggles that our ancestors fought for, yet they rarely acknowledge our specific contributions or the debt this country owes to Black Americans specifically.
Delineation is also necessary to stop the financial and political scamming that happens when all Black people are grouped together under one umbrella. Programs and policies that should be targeted toward Black Americans—such as reparations, business grants, and scholarships—often get hijacked by Black immigrants and their descendants, who claim Blackness when convenient but do not share our lineage. A prime example is how U.S. foreign aid (like USAID) disproportionately benefits immigrant communities from Africa and the Caribbean while Black Americans remain at the bottom economically. Despite this, these same groups push us to continue voting Democrat, even though that party’s policies have not benefited us in decades.
For too long, Black Americans have been expected to support a political party that prioritizes immigration and foreign aid over the needs of our own community. As we wake up politically, we are shifting our votes and demanding policies that benefit us, not just the broader “Black” category that includes people who do not share our lineage or struggles. Just like other ethnic groups (e.g., Irish Americans, Italian Americans, Jewish Americans) claim their specific heritage and advocate for their own interests, Black Americans must do the same.
By claiming our identity and delineating from other Black groups, we can focus on building for ourselves—economically, politically, and culturally—without interference from people who only see us as a stepping stone. The future of Black America depends on us recognizing who we are, standing firm in our identity, and refusing to be used by outsiders who do not have our best interests at heart.