Oh yes, completely agreed. But I don't see much evidence of that in black ethnic identity. Especially in America.

Blackness is all too often defined in opposition to "whiteness," another made up concept, which in turn, especially lately, has been taken to be everything black people need in order to thrive. Studying hard? Speaking properly? Rational thinking and delayed gratification? Nope, sorry black folks, that's all "acting white."

I certainly don't see "black" as a negative quality. But it's too often associated with negative things. Or is allowed to be associated in ways that "whiteness" isn't. I linked Michael Smith's excellent "Black Murder Is Normal" in the article. It sums up beautifully the way we tacitly endorse black negativity in ways we don't for other ethnicities.

Thanks for the list of names. I haven't heard of a couple of them. I'll definitely be checking them out. More positive portrayals of black indentity are definitely needed.