African American

African Americans, also known as Afro-Americans, Black Americans, or simply blacks are an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to West and Central Africa. Many African Americans have European and/or Native American ancestry as well.

Culture

Main article: African American culture

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African American culture is an amalgam of influences, including Caribbean, European, African and Latino cultures. Very little of present day African American culture is actually similar to that of tribes or clans in present day Africa. Indeed, most African aspects of African American culture have faded and all but disappeared over time. African American culture and present day African culture are quite distinct - from the modes of dressing to the foods, to the languages and styles of music.

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African American music is one of the most pervasive African American cultural influences in the United States today. Hip hop, rock, R&B, funk, and other contemporary American musical forms evolved from blues, jazz, and gospel music.African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is a dialect of English spoken by many African Americans to varying degrees.

Related Topics:
African American music - Hip hop - Rock - R&B - Funk - Blues - Jazz - Gospel music - African American Vernacular English

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Many African American authors have written stories, poems, and essays influenced by their experiences as African Americans, and African American literature is a major genre in American literature. Famous examples include Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Zora Neale Hurston, Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou.

Related Topics:
African American literature - Langston Hughes - James Baldwin - Richard Wright - Zora Neale Hurston - Ralph Ellison - Toni Morrison - Maya Angelou

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