‘I’ve Been Told I am not Black, but I Consider Myself One’ – Rapper AKA

‘I’ve Been Told I am not Black, but I Consider Myself One’ – Rapper AKA

Yesterday, South African sprinter Wayde van Niekerk broke the 400m world record to win Rio 2016 gold medal, but his victory was reduced to an ethnic debate on South African Twitter, prompting rapper AKA to make an interesting statement about his identity.

Wayde, according to the popular southern African ethnic label, is ‘coloured‘. This is a term used to describe people of mixed origin who possess ancestry from Europe, Asia, and even ethnic groups such as the Khoisan and Bantu.

The coloureds are also called ‘Bruin mense’.

And so, when the athlete Wayde made history, his victory was reduced into a coloured vs black debate and who should take credit for that milestone.

Colored community feels it's wrong for us to claim #BlackExcellence to Wayde's victory because he's colored https://t.co/AshRMDdhJx

— 21 on 27 (@Monthati_M) August 15, 2016

“Are Coloureds saying Wayde isn’t #BlackExcellence,” the rapper AKA hopped into the conversation, visibly upset. “First off let’s be proud that a SOUTH AFRICAN smashed the world record and claimed Gold representing our country.”

While AKA gave the Coloured Twitter credit for Wayde’s victory, he also noted that it is also #BlackExcellence. “To say Wayde’s victory does not fall under black excellence is equally ridiculous.”

In May of this year, AKA was described as the first ‘English rapper’ to go platinum in South Africa. Though he partly agreed with that, the boyfriend to Bonang Matheba lays claim to his South African identity in its entirety, refusing to be relegated only to one ethnic group because of ancestry.

“I have been told numerous times, especially here on Twitter that I am not “black” … Fortunately, it’s not up to “people” to say who I am,” AKA said yesterday, adding, “I identify 100% with being Coloured (in terms of upbringing and family) and at the same time consider myself “black” within that context.”

See his tweets:

Before I comment … Is this the issue? Are Coloureds saying Wayde isn’t #BlackExcellence? https://t.co/RRwZNcxbZa

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016

First off let’s be proud that a SOUTH AFRICAN smashed the world record and claimed Gold representing our country.

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016

We also need to recognize that Coloured people have been stereotyped to death. We all wear cavellas and talk the same apparently.

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016

Now to deny Coloured people this as a victory for their community and “race” (excuse the pun) is ridiculous. However …..

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016

To say Wayde’s victory does not fall under black excellence is equally ridiculous.

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016

I have been told numerous times, especially here on Twitter that I am not “black” … Fortunately, it’s not up to “people” to say who I am.

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016

I identify 100% with being Coloured(in terms of upbringing and family) and at the same time consider myself “black” within that context.

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016

If someone can be proudly Zulu for instance …. Someone should equally be able to be proudly, Coloured.

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016

On heritage day for instance …. What do Coloureds celebrate? We all have heritage, but where do we actually come from? …

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016

My grandfather on my moms side is dark as Wesley Snipes ….. He sure as hell looks black to me bruh ….

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016

At the same time my Mom’s Mom could pass for a white person(and in the old days, ACTUALLY DID) …

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016

The crux of the issue is identity …. Because being “Coloured” in 2016 is waaaay more complex that it was in say …. 1986

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016

The narrative in most sections of the Coloured community is that we were “black enough” before 1994, and not “black” enough after it.

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016

Fortunately, we get to decide how we see ourselves. What we identify as and where we fit in.

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016

In closing ….. bruin ous, we are the main ous. Ⓜ️

— AKA (@akaworldwide) August 15, 2016