What Am I??

<p>OK so i was born and raised in America.. But, all my ancestors are Libyan..does that make me African American and can i apply as African American??? (BTW I'm light-skinned)</p>

<p>what were your parents?</p>

<p>If they were both Libyan, then you can consider yourself as Middle Eastern descent...not african american</p>

<p>The term African American isn't technically correct, as I know several "actual" African Americans who are white.</p>

<p>The PC term of African American is of a black descent, which you could use I believe if one or both of your parents are black.</p>

<p>If you have to ask what you are, it's obvious that the only reason that you're considering being African American now is to get $. Since you obviously consider yourself white (and probably are listed that way on things like school paperwork and your birth certificate), then the answer is "no," you can't just decide to become black to get a scholarship.</p>

<p>"African American" as used by colleges and the census refers to people of black African ancestry.</p>

<p>so are there any scholarships for middle eastern people or any minority aid or affirmative action for them..or should i just stick with calling myself white?</p>

<p>By ancestors do you mean your mommy and daddy as well as your grandparents? Or do you mean your great, great, great, great granny or something? </p>

<p>I know that in, for example, most Spanish speaking cultures one is considered Hispanic if their mommy was Hispanic. I do not know if that is just a cultural norm or what. And, I am sorry, but I do not know a great deal about your ancestors country of origin. </p>

<p><a href="https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ly.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ly.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>^ here is some information for you</p>

<p>i mean my parents grandparents great grandparents and on and on</p>

<p>No... if you're white, regardless of your grandparent's ancestry, you are considered white.</p>

<p>The National Hispanic Recognition Program competition is open to anyone who is one quarter Hispanic, regardless of race. The National Merit National Achievement scholarship competition is only open to those that consider themselves of the Black race.</p>

<p>You were born in America, you're American.</p>

<p>Libyan ancestry could be several things, but likely you are either African, Middle Eastern, or Caucasian descent.</p>

<p>"African" doesn't mean countries in Africa, it means "black." Most Libyans are Middle Eastern descent - most "black" people trace descendants from sub-Saharan Africa.</p>

<p>Since none of us know you, this is a question for your GC.</p>

<p>I guess I'm White....</p>

<p>You might consider checking the "Other" box on the Common App.</p>

<p>that's what i'm going to do.</p>