Category talk:African-American film directors

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Does anybody else disagree with the existence of this category? Don't these people have a nationality or any other distinguishing feature? It may sound a little extrimist, but isn't this a bit on the nonsense side? I mean, there isn't a "white film director" category... Paulo Oliveira 16:56, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Very much extremist. African-American and Black culture is an important field with many distinct characteristics of its own. Also, the fact that there are very few Black filmmakers in the world makes it important to recognize those who are. THere's no need for a "White film director" category, because in most English speaking countries, white people are the privilaged majority and the "default" race. THe systematic bias at Wikipedia has already resulted in a drastic undercoverage of Black-related articles, which is one reason why I don't contribute or want to contribute anymore--it's an overwhelming task that isn't being properly handled. Don't disrupt Wikipedia just to prove a point. --FuriousFreddy 2 July 2005 16:16 (UTC)

You didn't understand the message I tried to convey and I didn't convey the message I wanted to... the right way, at least. American film makers are American film makers. If I were to be called a Portuguese/Black movie director I wouldn't be glad, but offended (just talking about minority makes it look as if we were special people and needed special attention: were not, we just want opportunities). I mean, my distinguishing feature isn't that I'm black, that's not what defines me, even if I am part of some minority (as you put it). People just don't fight for what they don't want to. In the States also there was Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, in Portugal (10% of the population is black) there was no suck movement: if we want work, we can get it (I see tons of opportunities everywhere): if you apply hard to a subject you'll get there! That's my point of view, but... it's the fact that I'm a citizen of Portugal that makes my movies look more "European", not me being black. My intention wasn't to disrupt anything but to hear from other people. Sorry if any of this sounded racist! Paulo Oliveira 12:19, 1 August 2005 (UTC)

• There's a naming problem with this category anyway. Are these directors "African-American" or are they "black"? Because they don't mean the same thing. 81.131.249.202 11:43, 11 August 2005 (UTC)

"African-American" is a U.S. Census-approved term used to identify persons whose ancestry lies with the indigenous peoples of sub-Saharan Africa (a white person from South Africa, for example, is not an "African-American", as their ancestry lies in Europe, not Africa). The term "Black" can be considered offensive by some (as can "white"; no one is actually colored black or white), which explains why "African-American" is used. This category was named as it was apparently so that non-American black people (Carribeans, native Africans, European black people) could be included. --FuriousFreddy 15:50, 11 August 2005 (UTC)

For these reasons I think a title like 'African-descended film directors' would be better. African-American culture is starting to dominate other black cultures - in some cases it is communicating feelings of oppression, alienation and suffering (which are undoubtedly prevalent among African-Americans) into other black communities. --MartinUK 18:04, 8 May 2006 (UTC)