• Thread •

Why Somalis aren’t black

The term black is a social construct which has no scientific bases nor serves as an identity. The concept of black was created by European colonisers and before that there was no such thing as black. This term came to prominence after the events of the Trans-Atlantic slavery

The term black primarily refers to people who were slaves or descendants of slaves like African Americans. Because of slavery they have no distinct language culture or heritage so the only means of identity they have is their skin colour

Somalis don’t fit that category they have both distinct & shared language (Somali & Arabic) unique culture heritage and means of identification unlike African Americans nor were they slaves or descendants of slaves. Somalis had empires whilst blacks were being enslaved

. Skin colour ≠ the same race or the same people below are pictures from 4 different men who share same skin tone/colour yet they’re from different races and cultures . A Mexican has the same skin colour as a Yemeni but are they the same or grouped together? No

. Somalis have a distinct identity and heritage which is based on tribes & clans every Somali knows his lineage from now until BC and where he originates from so he’ll never lose his identity Black people however can’t do this due to slavery they don’t know who they are (sadly)

Somalis are uniquely different from black people no matter if they’re dark skinned or not. Their phenotype is distinct, from their hair texture to nose shape to head shape etc.

Somalis had no significant presence in Europe or America pre 1980 when the civil war broke out so it must be noted that Somalis do not share the struggle of Black people who have been oppressed for 400 years in America & Europe. They lived in their lands for millennia

people will often look at how Somalis are usually darker skinned compared to Europeans for example but it doesn’t make one black. If u want to use the color scheme most Somalis aren’t black coz they’re lighter skinned but that is irrelevant as Somalis come in all shades

The term black carries negative connotations usually being a criminal drug dealer,absent fathers etc. these issues do not apply to Somalis at all these are strange (غريب) and frowned upon in our culture. Most of us grew up with both parents and no troubles Alhamduilah

To overview Somalis share no language heritage culture or relationship with black people we are from different worlds have different histories have different principles some of us having similar skin tone is not enough for us to be considered the same people.