"Sit Your Black Ass Down!" (Video & Comments About Black People Sitting Out The April 5th, 2025 National Day of Action Protest Marches In The United States)

Reese Waters, April 4, 2025

"#blackpeople #blackconsciousness #protest

Black folks on social media are warning Black Americans not to participate in an upcoming global protest against the Trump administration and Elon Musk.

On Saturday, April 5, thousands of people in the U.S. and around the world are preparing to protest  Trump in what they are calling “Hands Off! National Day of Action.”

According to Third Act, one of the organizations that helped put together this massive Hands Off protest said the event is meant to stand up against those who believe they can take whatever they want—our democracy, our future, our rights. So far, more than 600 events have been planned across all 50 states. Events have also been planned in Europe and Canada.

Black voices on social media took these words to heart and warned Black people of the dangers they could face if they participated in the upcoming protests.

It’s worth mentioning that some Black commentators on the post said they were still protesting no matter what. And although many are warning Black people not to protest in the streets, it hasn’t stopped them from boycotting in other ways.

#blackpeople #blackconsciousness #protest #handsoff #april5 #nationaldayofprotest" "
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WARNING- This video includes a small amount of profanity.

Only two comment in thiss pancocojams' selected comments section include profanity and those words are given with amended spelling.

Click the feature on this video's page for the auto-generated English transcript of this video.   

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a Reese Waters vlog and selected discussion thread comments about African American online responses to the Hands Off! national protest marches on April 5, 2025. 

The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, and political purposes. 

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Reese Waters for this video and all those who are quoted in this pancocojams post.

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
This pancocojams post includes examples of comments from the discussion thread of this embedded video.

These comments were written by Black people and by non-Black people.

The majority of the comments in that embedded video's discussion thread indicate that Black people shouldn't participate in these April 5, 2025 national protest marches. This pancocojams compilation includes examples of those comments as well as examples of comments from that video's discussion thread that indicate that Black people should participate in these April 5, 2025 national protest marches.

As is the case with other pancocojams comment compilations, I'm interested in documenting not just what was said, but how it was said, with a focus on some examples of comments from that video's discussion thread that include African American Vernacular English words or  sayings.

All these comments were published on April 4, 2025 and are presented in no particular order. 

Numbers are given for referencing purposes only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jL-VmWV5D8

1. @angelataylor5982
"SIT YO BLACK AZZ DOWN!!!!"

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2. @Tintintanabulation
"Yes 😊

Please,  stay home,  stay safe.

Let those that caused the problem, fix the problem."

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3. @ElRosco187
"Say it louder for the slow ones in the back."

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4. @miriamkates8151
"Praying for our nation, fasting, praying for the people."

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5. @laurabruno1366
"Resting is my truth 💯🍷😴😴😴🍷💯

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6. @MichaelaDaniels-z7f
"As a black woman, I think it's insane not to do something to help save our democracy. If this country loses the incremental progress it has made to allow for the prosperity of black folks and falls into a white nationalist authoritarian regime, WE WILL NOT BE EXEMPT. WE WILL BE THE TARGETS. I would hope that even if black folks step off the high ground of caring for others who have rarely cared for us, that we would at least continue the efforts of our ancestors by fighting for our own right to exist and experience liberty. I haven't given up on all members of other marginalized communities, but even if you have, at least fight for yourself"

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7. @Its__Kami
"Getting out in the street is not the only way to get things done.  Ask Target! But you do you"

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8. @eboyd2478
"We are doing things, we are minding our business, we are saving our money and not spending at certain places, but protesting in these streets right now is not in the best interest of black America. They want to use us as a scapegoat to call martial law, and we are not giving it to them."

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9.@GRIGGINS1
"I took an oath do defend the country against all enemies both foreign and domestic. That oath was made to Almighty God. I am gonna be out there. I fear God more than Man."

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10. @lovejones92
"No one is stopping you from going. Go out there, be your own person."

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11. @justinnelson4530
"What you talking about Willis?"

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12. @doreenblank4870
"Go out there take to the streets it on you"

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13. @raregem8886
"Do you, boo!"

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14. @gregorymerritt2528
"What you don't understand is timing our people know it's not time for us our time will come. For now White's and the other groups must lead the charge.

We will know when it's our time to move"

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15. @scroogemcduckrich9705
"@GRIGGINS1 do you."

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16. @TheSheasofly
"What exactly is this going to do???!!! HE'S ALREADY IN OFFICE!!!!! MARCHING DOES NOTHING AT THIS POINT. I'm tired... they make me tired.  Sweet naked baby Jesus, last one out has to turn off the lights."

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17. @ElRosco187
"Thank you"

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18. @Bareian
"There's a time to act and a time not to act. This is a time when you just watch, because they've prepared for a reaction to our action. Give them nothing. Don't let the paid propagandist move you into a dangerous situation."

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19. @jcreek2002
"When that guy said, "none of these causes have anything to do with us", I almost spit out my drink. They all literally do have something  to do with you. Because black rights aren't on the list? Those issues still affect you!"

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20. @MeeCee5204
"I agree that we should not be out there marching on April 5th, but we should still do something to better our communities. We can support Black businesses, we can mentor children and we can help our neighbors. So yes, sit this one out, but don't just sit down. Stand up for your family and your community."

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21. @noneyabiz_123
"Building offline and staying safe.  Lovin' on us👊🏾❤️🖤💚"

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22. @Jax_the_Huntress
"POC...stay at home!!  They're looking for a reason to declare martial law and kill us.  Keep doing it by phone. Online. Etc.."

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23. @Doc110-fwg
"Who is begging black people to join?!? I guess there's always someone. BUT every white person I know that supports and backs me has urged me to stay in and they said it's white people's fight. Which I agree. They started the problem with this last election. They need to fix it."

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24.@belindabruceaustin7127
"Okay, we are sitting out of this protest not out of fear, but we tired!! Just because we sitting out does not mean we doing nothing, we still communicating with each other about what's really important, building up our communities, improving ourselves as a people, educating ourselves on all fronts, political,economical,etc.  Noone is afraid of anything.. just not falling for it!  Good try though!!"

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25.@lburton1892
"The Trump Admin is doing everything to provoke us.  Not falling for it.  Watching shows.🍿🥤👀"

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26.@jessicacantu3394
"I am one of the Latinos that voted for Kamala because I know better, and I am with the black community on this one. They did what was supposed to be done when it counted. The rest of the people that voted for Trump and are disappointed, should march."

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27. @s.teacherplanner6108
"Wasn’t the Day of Action on Election Day, Nov. 6, 2024??!! The 92% did our job…. ☕️ 🫖 😊"

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28. @margiefernandez498
"92% black women and 80% black men knew the assignment."

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29. @r-shot8431
"I love how we have all band together to ensure and spread the word to not put ourselves in a situation where we get beat down - this is our time to chill!!"

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30. @TheJapan38
"I'm here in Denver and I can 100% tell you the difference in police response to these protests and the BLM protests. My office is downtown and there have been several protest at the state capitol the last few weeks. There have no basically zero Black people out there and the police response is barely noticeable. Thousands of people out there and just a handful of cops. They even blocked the highway (I-25) and THE COPS LET THEM!!

When the BLM protests happened at the capitol, not only was DPD there, Lakewood, Commerce City, and Aurora Police departments showed up!!! They locked down streets and multiple people were attacked by the cops.

BLACK PEOPLE STAY HOME!!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!!!"

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31.@cynthiawashington9178
"As an 64 year old African American who is educated, I wish I could go March. This is the most anti black president we have had in years. His policies are effecting everyone, especially black people.. Please March peacefully.  🙏 😊"

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32.@yureka88
"One significant outcome of the Trump presidency has been the undeniable exposure of the systemic racism, ignorance, and hatred that Black people have endured in the United States for centuries.

This reality, once dismissed or minimized by some, is now laid bare on the global stage for all to witness. The world can no longer turn a blind eye to the deep-seated injustices that have shaped the experiences of Black Americans.

For generations, Black communities have shouldered the burden of fighting not only for their own rights but also for the broader civil liberties that benefit everyone. From the Civil Rights Movement to the ongoing struggles for equity and justice, Black people have been at the forefront, often sacrificing their well-being for the collective good.

However, there comes a time when the weight of this responsibility must be shared. We have decided to step back, to allow others to confront and address the challenges that we have long endured. It is not an act of surrender but a call for accountability, a moment for others to rise and take on the fight for justice, equality, and human dignity.

On November 5th, we made our stand. We spoke with clarity and conviction, asserting our place in history and our demand for change. Now, we yield the floor, not in retreat, but in the hope that others will continue the work with the same courage and determination that has defined our struggle."

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33. @nm985
"92%’er here. We are not going out there"

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34. @lamorena6379
"To the ones saying, “don’t tell us what to do “ - go on out there with yo bad selves. We’re just trying to warn you like we tried to warn everyone else about Trump. If they want to go out- go!"

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35. @Victoria-d3m3b
"Boom."

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36.@username97112
"And don’t run to GoFundMe for lawyer fees when they lock y’all Black behinds up🙅🏽‍♀️"

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37. @patriciadurr7245
"They voted him in office, let them FAFO"

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38.@cecilr7986
"Nope - we're not sitting out! I will be there, my family will be there and several of my Black friends and their families will be in DC on April 5th"

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39. @Callimo
"Pertaining the Bellas Apocathery lady, I understand where she's coming from: we don't have to be on the front lines, but we as Black people can be support. However, she's wrong that because Black people aren't out there that that's "shameful" somehow. She is free to keep her cape on, but we have to be strategic."

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40.@lemmonharris6117
"92 %er....not gonna be their crash test dummies"

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41. @MichelleHeaden-r4k
"People need to listen the speeches MLK gave the last year of his life.  He explained why marching was becoming an ineffective tool.  He stated America had three evils:  racism, militarism, and extreme materialism.  If we didn't get a grip on these issues 50 years later we would still be marching.  Well, this is the 57th anniversary  of his assassination.  Have we addressed and solved these issues?  We had folks who chose to vote for a 34 count felon than a Black woman; we are the military industrial complex of the world; and materialism?  It's all about the bling and appearance.  Again listen to his speeches The Three Evils of Society and The Drum Major Instinct. They will tell you all you need to know."

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42. @mscoyote50
"How about I don't tell you what to do and you don't tell me what to do."

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43.@MichelleHeaden-r4k
"@mscoyote50  Hey, you free to do your own thing, but if you want some idea of why marching has lost its luster listening to those speeches might give you some insight."

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44.@FriendsWithIssues
"The problem with the last woman's argument was her thinking our attending THEIR protests would mean we would never protest. This is ONE protest we are not participating in. She getting up in arms about something we clearly didn't organize. I dont have to come to someone else's party when I told them don't put raisins in the potato salad. When I have MY party, I'll make it correctly. Until then, tomorrow is wash day 🥱"

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45. @afg-hf6zj
"Im a white dude. Im going to fight in y'all stead. I get it, your 100% right and it's something I hadn't even thought about until this video popped on my feed. I know this admin doesn't give one f--k* about any of us and protesting isn't going to work. However, I feel like I have to at least try. I can't look my grankids in the eye in 10-20 yrs and say I stayed home while we slid headfirst into fascism!! I am taking my inspiration from the civil rights movements of the 50's and 60's. April 5, In the words of the great John Lewis, I'll be looking for some "good trouble"!!!"
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*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

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46. @Patricia-om6rx
"Standing Down 🙏🏽"

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47. @catlover7166
"I definitely understand why black people are deciding to sit this out & i'm sad that their reasons are very legitiamate. I do want to say that, as a white person, i have been actively trying to rid this country of Donald Trump & his supporters since 2016 & i will be marching tomorrow. I'm happy to do my part & i hope more & more white people stand up & make noise.  Whether it will have an impact remains to be seen."

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48.@jawaynedavis4165
"For the sister that said we should not sit this one out and that the bad things that are happening and are going to happen will affect us more than anyone else. I say, we know but the smart ones know that you have to use your brain when protesting and out numbered. Learn from your past sister."

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49. @hrhmystique7158
"We should stop saying 'this isn't our fight.' It is also our fight... we just choose to fight differently! It's called a mass sit out. BTW, the only reason most other groups are able to protest is because our ancestors started this."

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50. @blackcoffee4u-u5v
"I’m in Northern Cali. Based on the Nextdoor app, The hippies from the sixties are ready to “march” tomorrow. I wish them peace and blessings from home✊🏾🙏🏾"

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51. @PBLKW
"It's not our fight. We had absolutely nothing to do with this plan set in motion. It is what it is at this point. What will happen will happen what has been planned has been planned so we didn't vote for this they did so let him fight to fix it"

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52. @Deegrammy54
"@PBLKW Saving our democracy is our fight . We have to live here. I personally am not ready for an interment camp or a new plantation."

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53. @Deegrammy54
"Be safe"

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54. @wildwesley9328
"As a black person, I will be going to my local protest on April 5th. But that is a decision I made for myself! I am living in a predominanly white, elderly small community, where the police are significantly less likely to show out in full riot gear and back in 2020, I wasn't able to protest because I was in the Army and it was clear early on that police were mobilizing to antagonize and escalate to the point where getting arrested was a high likelyhood, so I personally have a bit of energy left that I wasn't able to give when I wanted to most. That doesn't mean that I think Black people should participate en mass, especially in heavily populated cities. Survival is resistance too and  it is strategic to stay home, even to see what the difference in the reporting on the right will be without a sea of black faces to scapegoat. Prioritize finding/strengthening community, because that more that anything, is going to help people get through the chaos and destruction of the co ing years, even after Trump"

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55. @outlandishmccandlish3873
"I'm staying my Brown ass down. I've gone to enough protests and as a disabled Brown/Indigenous person I am leaving it up to yts to prove their selves. Too many ancestors had to live and die for me to get here today and I need to be around and free to carry on carrying on."

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56. @ndacut827
"🎶All I want to say is that they don't really care about us 🎶"

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57. @753studios6
"Stop asking us to fight your battles,we will not be shields anymore…"

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58. @lindakafele9551
"I understand both sides! I will support the protesters as I have always done. I will rest tomorrow. I will take this form of resistance tomorrow.. I have been protesting since I was a sophomore in high school. I am 70 now., I will buy gas for traveling protesters while I rest.though."

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59. @truewisdom4me
"Thought about going out to join the movement…but decided to stay put. I did my bit in November by voting for the black woman and volunteering at the polls. Thinking strategy since we do need to find ways to fight this ish. ✊🏽"

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60. @JoyceJackson-j8g
"November 5th was my Protest. ALL of a sudden, those who failed the "Assignment" are protesting ,well ya'll do Ya'll"

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61. @scottpeterson7500
Staying home from the protest includes boycotting Target and Walmart and Amazon etc. Lots of ways to protest that won't put in physical harm

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62. @julieroberts5036
"Periodttttttt"

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63. @e.mountain1637
"You break it, you fix it. We aren’t rescuing you from your bad choices anymore. You broke what took us 400 years to build. It’s your turn to do the work now."

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64. @auntiesiccola1448
"Rest is resistance. The young sister is just young. The black community will mobilize the time is right. Our ancestors were smart when they had to survive. If that last sister feels strongly that she needs to go on April 5th, as a community we should rally around her and support her- by sending her off with our “Thoughts and Prayers”."

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65.@ras9875
"MAGA needs to clean up the mess THEY made"

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66. @bluinquizitive
"The sister that said that we want yt people on the front lines...I agree but add the dumb ass black who voted for Trump ass well!They ass are just as much apart of the problem as yt people!!"

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67. @alanchristensen5735
"Fully support black people staying home. I will be there trying to stop this injustice."

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68. @pitbulprincesita0503
"To my black brothers and sisters, "sit your black asṣ down!" We got yall. It's our turn. Yall relax and just watch and pray from home.

Respectfully of course,

-a white passing Puerto Rican"

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69. @anitahall6183
"Thanks for reminding us FBA ‘s not to get in those streets!!! If these black folks saying they gonna go let them go!! We ain’t gonna stop you !! But don’t come back complaining about being jailed or pepper sprayed!!! These folks don’t get it at all!! There’s some in every group!! Can’t save everybody !!! Be the martial law target if you like!!! Our ancestors have spoken loudly and clearly this time!! It’s not our fight to fight!! Time for other groups to fight for us for once  in their lives now that this stuff is affecting them real hard like we’ve had to endure for over 409 plus years!!!"

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70.@Cheryl_in_TX
"Y’all can support the protests by cheering us on from the comfort & safety of your homes!

After 400+ years, y’all have earned this rest!

Rest, my brother!

Rest, all my Black siblings!

After yall been standing up and fighting and marching and protesting for so many years, it’s  now OUR time, our duty ,to stand and march and fight and protest!

We got you!

I got you! 💙"

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71. @jalyahs
"Mission understood. I have plenty to do at home for now. I got my black a$$ out to vote. I did my black job."

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72. @heidicondello4156
"I wholeheartedly agree with this video. The regime is looking for a reason to scapegoat black people. You have fought for the last 400 years, it's time we use our white privilege to fight this battle. I fully intend on winning this no matter how long it takes. I am sick to death of capitalism racism and the complete hatred that is spewed in this country. God bless the black people. Stay safe!"

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73. @tw2334
"They need to show the same energy they did on J6 and talk to their own. Because every major movement has started with Black people and bodies in this country, yet none of the credit is given and reduced to a footnote in our own stories. No, thank you this "

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74. @wandasimpson1158
"Go to the black nursing homes  volunteer, help the elderly in your neighborhoods,  when we were growing up my parents fed us and the neighborhood kids who’s mamas were working, share clothes that your kids have grown out of.  None of these things  take marching. Times are going to get tough but those of us over 65 we know how to take care of our own ask  us."

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75. @deniseboldea1624
"As a white woman who voted for Harris,  I  do not blame the Black community for not joining the protest.   You're absolutely right that Trump and  his Facist goons are looking for a reason to attack the black community."

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76. @fredsawyer5948
"This is dumb and petty. It's trump-style poorly thought out. What's happening affects black people too. And if there comes a next BLM type incident, we would want allies who don't  "sit it out"."

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77. @tallsmile28
"This march has nothing to do with us. Don't sacrifice your life for them."

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78. @MS-715-7Y
"You just KNOW something's not right, when suddenly all of these other ethnicities and nationalities want to focus on encouraging black communities across the country to "join them".

NOPE.   SOMETHING'S WRONG, HERE!

These white and "other" people have been using black people for fun, games, abuse and exploitation, ridicule and indifference, kicks and political gags since....forever.

But we are to now believe that, like in "The Grinch who Stole Christmas", that these same peoples' hearts grew THREE SIZES THAT DAY, APRIL 5TH!😍🥰😁😇   And so overcome with joy, respect and appreciation for the black communities, they became a new collective race of loving and caring folks who would now welcome us with open arms henceforth.

But truth is, these folks are EXACTLY like Trump himself, who said; "I don't like you, I just want your votes...!"

They don't like us either....they just want our voices and bodies...and then we can go kick rocks."

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79.@aallen9287
"I have been dealing with the whiplash of Dodgey DOGE since January and still have a job as a federal employee. My Black ass is not going out in the streets. Monday - Friday I protest by going to work as a DEI hire and getting my work done. I sure did earn a day off from protesting and justifying my existence as a federal employee. 😂"

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80.@beatrixpendragon
"Stay home, friends. The white folk broke it, let the white folk fix it. Keep up with your silent work."

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81.@BarlsJr
"I was at a rally last month here in CT and was one of the few Black people there.  I'm going tomorrow and will probably be one of the few Black people again. I understand why some of y'all are sitting down, but to me this is too big of a fight.  There's too much on the line.  This is the time to unite and show this wannabe dictator that the people of this country are done with him.  They can't stop us if there are millions of us."

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82.@anamoronta158
"Reese, we the brown, blacks, red, Asians carried the torch took the dog bite, the water , tear gases. So THE WHITES OWE US THIS ONE. THEY HAVE OUR PRAYERS N WILL TWEET, TIC TOK TILL WE BLUE.!"

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83.@dmorales70
"If you voted for Trump or was a member of Blacks for Trump or Latins for Trump, take your butt on there, you owe."

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84. @karlaschmid8757
"Or didn’t get off the couch to vote."

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85. @LoisMann-g4u
"ANY ONE OF THOSE ITS YOUR TURN IN THE MEAN TIME CALL UR REPES AND BOYCOT BOYCOT BOYCOT"

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86. @psyche3278
"Agreed.  There are plenty of ways to resist.  Boycotts are working.  Writing your congressional representatives."

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87. @AlvenaSalley
"Yeah we can.  We are protesting with our black dollars.  Protesting in the streets will not work in this administration. This fight needs to have a white face."

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88.@yapdog
"Only Yt people can dismantle Yt supremacy, not us Black folk. We sittin' this one out."

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89. @Takes12know124
"Silence, doesn't mean abscence. The one lady is assuming that black people aren't doing anything. She should know by now, that the best moves are made in "silence". If we were "vocal" about what we are doing, they would try to stop it, or take it over. Our silence frightens, and triggers them. Just like our skin color🖤💯"

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90. @SarahEthelinde
"I think we need to be out there in the streets. I will be out there in the streets. I do not forget the people who've lost their lives for us. I'm respecting their fight by going out to fight."

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91.@RbAnGa21
"This brother right here 100% gonna show with my white and latino brother and sisters"

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92.@pamelamann5324
"Nope i won't be out there"

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93.@powerlocalmedia5130
"You  broke it you fix it! I voted for Harris!"

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94.@CarlosEmilioEsq
"I agree. I'm a brown-skinned Latino who voted for sanity. 89 million sat out the last election? Time for them to do their duty. PLUS, imagine the optics of millions of WHITE Americans marching on the streets and protesting! You can't spin that sh-t.* It will prove to the world that not all white Americans agree with this Administration!

I'm still doing my bit. Walmart, Target, Sam's Club, etc. are all dead to me. Coors, Miller, Titos, Grey Goose, Bacardi are history to me. Hell, I don't even buy Land O' Lakes butter any more! Every day, every time I need to buy something, or I need a service, I am protesting any brand or company that gave money to Trump and MAGA."
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*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

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95. @juwalker1
"Yep. It's tribal. And I'm standing with mine. I'll be sitting at home, binge watching Netflix. And as usual I will be writing/submitting messaging to my local & state govt reps and federal Congressional reps. I do know that works based on the many  responses (both via phone and email) I've received in return. Peace to all. ✌🏾"

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96. @thomasinajones6684
"I am reminded of the 54th regiment sent in to take Fort Wagner during the Civil War. Black men led by Colonial Robert Gould Shaw were slaughtered while their white counterparts hung back. Those men and every other black soldier helped turn the tide of war. We, as a people, are not strangers to putting our bodies on the front line. It's your turn."

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97.@juanitaowens6507
"April 5th I'm good just gonna chill out. Been there done that just gonna chill my black ass at home and let the leopards eat somebody else's face. Don't trust that march! You better 💯 collectively fast and pray and give it to Jesus Christ God Almighty let Him take care of everything 🙏🏻 Blessings"

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98.@andrephillips7413
"We need to go.. this is a trick of the enemy. Sitting down and doing nothing is NOT a choice"

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99.@PERRYS_PROPS
"I've been an activist for over 50 years and have participated in every major march, protest, and rally. I spent the last 12 years screaming at the top of my lungs about the dangers of trump. Very few listened. Even today people are still supporting trump. This revolution will be televised for me."

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100.@rozamakamaka
"If anyone feels unsafe - stay home! I’m a privileged white woman, I’ll go and protest and use my privilege for good."

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101.@blackeyedlily
"As a white woman, I totally agree with this message. I definitely do not want to see this administration, scapegoat black people, and use them as an excuse to commit violence and enact martial law. And I do fear that is what they would do."

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102.@lbangione
"They stayed at home on November 5th. We’re staying home on April 5th! 🕺🏿"

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103.@Rosaland1313
"You ain’t Neva lied 😎"

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104.@BigWallyWilkes
"Me and my Black family showed up and voted for Kamala on November 5th. On April 5th me and my Black family will be at home resting. Not our fight."

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105.@GRIGGINS1
"i find it curious that the two groups that don't want people to protest are these Black Youtubers and Tik Tokers. And Hardline MAGA types. I smell a rat when these two groups are saying the same thing."

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106.@jackmartinez5674
"I'm Puerto Rican and I have never tried to deny my afro-latino heritage like so many others unfortunately have. That's why I know that throughout American history I know that black people have always fought for EVERYONE without hesitation, no matter the consequences. And everyone else has let them down and chose to be selfish. Not that what I think matters, but I don't fault them for sitting this one out. Also, they don't need any white saviors anyway."

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107. @shadow_self_25
"This election was a wake up call. We've been trying to fix something we didn't break. The ancestors told us to "sit our Black asses down." ✊🏿"

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108. @IslandLatina2
"Fellow sista of 🇩🇴 and I voted with the 92%. Afro-Latinos know the deal and voted accordingly".

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109. @Blue7Horizon
"The people that voted for former VP Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz knew what would happen and acted accordingly. The time for solidarity was on November 5, 2024, but I do pray for the protesters and hope they will be safe."

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110.@kparkermillennium
"On November 5th when SISTAS, the 92%, felt and expressed that WE were resting, I didn't know it would land like this. But then again, I did. Because when Black Women lead an effort, we move something. Prayers to all of my collective Black family. I love y'all. You hear me?"

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111. @sharonwilliams6082
"Well Chile , I'll be sleeping in on April 5th. I'll be sitting back and doing nothing. I voted for the competent black woman"

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112. @DeniseDirect
"STAY HOME MY BLACK BROTHERS AND SISTERS THIS IS THEIR LESSON TO BE LEARNED!!! They got to handle this!❤ PLEASE SENDING LOVE AND LIGHT FROM ALABAMA ❤ ABUNDANCE AND GRATITUDE 🙏"

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113.@alexisf22
"Amen they voted for this let them do it"

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114.@moonfox18
"I voted for Kamala, donated, volunteered, and will be marching tomorrow. I was born with white privilege and I'm going to use it to fight for those without.

Stay safe and choose survival ❤️"

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115. @mamiejackson3862
"That part from our ancestors voice! This is not our fight we protested November 5! You reap what you sow, its reaping time!"

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116. @purplebuttafly8
"Harriet Tubman was right on point with that Underground Railroad. We're doing what she taught us! Ban together and protect our community. This is how we're protesting. We will NOT be baited in!! 🤫"

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117.@lyndanewman2188
"It's about time we stand up for you! I don't blame you one bit for sitting this one out. We can not use you as cannon fodder. I stand FOR YOU!"

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118.@ElRosco187
"Thank you"

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119. @LoisMann-g4u
"GOD BLESS YOU 🙏"

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120.@Mrwmrwmrwr
"A Black day of self-care sounds right to me."

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121.@robin1392
"I ain’t going , I have been marching for 40 years"

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122. @M3ME72
"Hell no WE WON'T GO😊"

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123.@dweb
"For the love of liberty for all, the US Constitution, blind justice, and honest representative democracy please liberate the US from MAGA! 🙏✌️"

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124. @MotownMimi
"💁🏻‍♀️Sis asks “…you think they’re gonna look out for us?” NO! Which is exactly why we’re chillin’ like a villain on April 5th."

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125.@thetruthcanbedifficulttoaccept
"Sit yo BLK @ss down 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 period!!!"

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Some Foundational Black Americans (FBAs) Told A Woman Who Learned About Her Black Ancestors During Her Genealogical Search To "Stay Out Of FBA Business"

NYTN, Mar 28, 2025

#findingyourroots  #nytn #ancestry  #familyhistory #genealogy 

I shared the story of my enslaved ancestors, and suddenly I was being told to “stay out of FBA business.” This video unpacks the backlash, the gatekeeping, and what it really means to claim family history when you weren’t raised in a single identity. If you've ever felt like your roots didn’t fit the rules—this is for you.

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video of Danielle Romero whose genealogical search led to discovery that her great grandmother's Black ancestry. This discovery led to the creation of her YouTube channel. This particular video in this channel focuses on Danielle's response to a statement from a woman who identifies as Foundational Black American (FBA)* that Danielle should stay out of FBA business.

This pancocojams post presents a compilation of some comments from this video's discussion thread. 

The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural and historical purposes. 

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Danielle Romero for this YouTube channel. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
* Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/06/article-excerpts-about-population.html for the closely related June 2024 pancocojams post entitled "Article Excerpts About The Population Referents "ADOS" (American Descendants Of Slaves) And "FBA" (Foundational Black Americans)."

Also, click the tags below to find other related pancocojams posts.

****

PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
I consider myself to be African American (Black American) who is culturally pan-African.

If I correctly understand their positions, people who use the terms American Descendants Of Slavery (ADOS) and the Foundational Black Americans (FBA) lineages.wouldn't consider me eligible to use those lineage referents because I'm unable to verify that one of my ancestors was enslaved in the United States. My mother's parents were from Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados and I can't trace any enslaved Black American ancestry on my father's side. (My father was adopted from New York state by a Black family in Michigan. I believe that he was Black/White racially mixed, but I don't know anything about his ancestry.)

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE NYTN YOUTUBE CHANNEL

 https://www.youtube.com/@nytn

Description

A good story reminds us that we are all more connected than we think.

I'm Danielle Romero and my content is all about exploring the nuances of American identity and unearthing hidden historical narratives. My great grandmother Lola left her heritage behind in Louisiana when she moved to NY in the 1930s. Last year, I decided to uncover our family story and begin finding our roots. I'm still on the journey of hidden heritage, genealogy and finding out how our family history fits in the context of community history!

Why NYTN? I was born in NY and now I live in TN! Sometimes it's best to just keep it simple.

[...]

United States

Joined July 31, 2022".

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

With only a small number of exceptions , these selected comments from this showcased video's discussion thread are from people who identified themselves as Foundational Black Americans (FBA),   Black, African Americans, American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS), Black Caribbean, or racially mixed (Black and another/other race/s or ethnic group/s). 

All of these comments were published in this video's discussion thread from March 28, 2025 to April 2, 2025.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jSr-uz83yo

1. @tycoon-j6q
"FBA here. I have been watching your channel off and on since its inception. You have been genuine from the beginning. Some of us are confused when it comes from people who can "pass." America has mislabeled people from the beginning on purpose, so we are all trying to figure this thing out. Be proud you have found out the truth."

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2. @nytn
"I really appreciate you saying that!"

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3. @ronaldtaylor4198
"Black American here your channel is very informative keep doing what you do 🌹."

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4. @vicferrmat4492
"I am Black and I love your channel. Your content is factual and evidence based, that is the important thing.

The information you provide is of interest to all humanity.

Keep doing your good work."

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5. @roxannewatson4785
"Then why are yall mad that Black ppl have something to say about it. I mean she and ppl in the comments are very close to saying it's not Black ppls business. Some have said it."

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6. @rgold_
"She’s definitely stuck her foot in her mouth in the past, but so have we all 🤷🏽‍♀️ I enjoy some of her content. Nothing too egregious yet."

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7. @Sumayyah-Kr267
"@vicferrmat4492 I subscribed also because it's evidenced based and she accepts all of her ancestry not just the Caucasian ancestry I was intrigued by how her grandmother hide part of her ancestry and was white passing"

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8. @KAH-7
"@roxannewatson4785

We're saying it's NO ONE ELSE'S business to Police it⁉"

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9. @hasinsaunders260
"I do identify myself under that accurate historical account by definition FBA. However we all are not under one umbrella when it comes all matters. Case and point I'm a poor man's historian. However history is like a mystery novel the more you find out the more intriguing it gets. Plus as a historian, don't they know that their were black women who passed for white, even in Hollywood and Broadway. So to say by looking at you you can't acknowledge your heritage is paposterous. Many of our people black people are her complection and pigmentation also there's a history to prove It. So sister woman teach about your ancestors your family and more power to you and yours. They will learn the young sometimes don't always do what they are told. A salute you sister😊"

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10. @BrokenCrayonsstillcolor18
"For anyone, your history is your history!!!!!  I’m a Black woman with an unknown family history and there are Black people who are aware of or have discovered their white ancestors - it’s their story/truth.  I have watched you on this journey and appreciate your honesty in discussing the truth.  You exist because of choices your ancestors made. With DNA advances you are not the only “white” person discovering their Black ancestors.  Whether hidden or stolen, the truth is the truth.  Your story, our stories, are American stories and so much has been stolen/hidden for too long.   Some comments may make you feel some kind of way but I suggest you ignore those who obviously don’t understand the assignment or are easily led by the “algorithm”.   I love and enjoy your history content!  ❤"

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11. @williamsanders1585
"Love your content and how you present it.  I'm an African American male interested in and researching my own genealogy. I'm blessed to have found you and the stories you tell so well. Always great to find truly good people nowadays, and you have certainly shown where your heart is.  Congratulations.  BTW, this is the very first time I've ever left comments in a chat."

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12. @sanaaangel95
"As an African-American woman with Congolese ancestors on my father’s side and multiracial ancestors on my mother’s side. I’m from Atlanta, GA originally. Many people who commented are speaking out of their ignorance or fear of their true identity being revealed. I never find fault in your channel because I find your channel very interesting and relatable. I’m still curious about my ancestors and claiming them as my own including Blackfeet Native Americans. Keep sharing your content because history is beautiful and it makes us who we are today!"

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13. @JacquelineMontpellier9074
"This happened when I acknowledged my  6.4% Native American. I identify as white but I hold a very special place for the Native American woman ancestor. She represents bravery and strength. I’m proud of her but I don’t claim belonging to a tribe since I didn’t experience living the culture. Just acknowledging her with gratitude 🙏🏼🕊️💙"

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14. @Ice-c-o8q
"Hey, Cuz!  Even though I'm black I know that you are my cousin. My Creole grandmother from Louisiana has relatives who live in West Monroe, La. And I have Goines and Chavis relatives as do you.  Don't pay any attention to those haters. They probably don't know their ancestry as well or as far back as you do.  The things that you have discovered about your ancestors including pictures are phenomenal! I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL!!! Keep up the good work! 🎉🥳🥰😍👍🏿✌🏾"

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15. @nytn
"thank you <3"

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16. @jacklyneverage3881
"I am a FOUNDATIONAL BLACK AMERICAN aka American Freedmen. I fully support your channel. I am subscribed to you. You do excellent work! There is nothing wrong claiming your ancestry and speaking on the topics you discuss because it is your lived experience.  Keep doing the good work and educating us on the complexities of race and ethnicity.  Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us. My apologies that you experienced such gross disrespect to you. This is not representative of FBA. Peace and Blessings."

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17. @AJ-mt9zt
"Why are you apologizing for people that you never met and never said they represented all FBAs?? Those people should apologize for their own actions and people don't have to feel like just because someone shares a skintone with them that it represents the entire group. People are individuals."

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18. @trinaewatkins2804
"Likewise, I appreciate the channel as well….I think that we all have many ancestors….all of them important.  It’s unfortunate that we cannot talk in a manner that helps  unravel history and ancestry."

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19. @liltoaster7308
"A lot of people on all sides misconstrue or purposely misrepresent what FBA actually is supposed to be. At its base, being a Foundational Black American is pretty simple and it comes down to being a Black identifying (Black identifying as in it's use on federal demographics documentation) individual born in the United States with ancestral ties solely to either chattel slavery as it happened and developed specifically within the borders of what would become the United States, and/or Freedman status in the US prior to the Emancipation Proclamation (all enslaved or those with Freedman status also listed as Black in documentation as well). Sometimes the 1870 US Federal Census is also used as a cutoff point. It's function is to address the existence of Black Americans as an ethnic group among other Black ethnicities, whether they're also from the Americas or Africa, and many titles such as ADOS, Soulaan, Afro-American, Negro etc. have all been used and considered, but are often too imprecise when addressing the Black American ethnicity as a whole. Many use the title correctly but unfortunately some people may use it as a gateway to express xenophobia or over-exclusionary. On the flip side, some may purposely misrepresent the label with a negative bias or even try to take away from the Black American ethnic experience when possible. There's absolutely nothing wrong with you claiming/researching your ancestry though, but like you stated, it could be problematic for you to speak on the behalf of an ethnic/racial perspective that you may not have or understand fully."

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20. @chrisconnors9449
"FBA website mentions being of black aboriginal descent also.. and those who are freedman.. and those that are of mixed native & African ancestry. All 3 of those groups are also incorporated into FBA. According to Tariq Nasheed and their own official website breakdown criteria. I know a lot of former African centered Afrocentric folks hate that but it is what it is."

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21. @jbrown8601
"Good breakdown. Personally I think the term African American is enough, there is need for this "black" identity politics. The lines between us are thin blurred and have very little real world affect.  After doing my own research I discovered that I am truly  firmly African and American. Those Black Belt, Carolina coast roots run deep but guess what? The African roots run deeper, where did our enslaved ancestors come from. I know it is the current trend to identify as this or that but really it doesn't change history or your dna. Not even addressing the elephant in the room that division has been used and continues to be used to keep afro/black peoples bickering amongst themselves while getting whooped by the global power structure."

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22. @chrisconnors9449
"@jbrown8601 

For those who only have African ancestry.. sure… but those of us who also have indigenous Native American ancestry & European ancestry as well.. for others to expect us to just ignore that just to fit in with some Afrocentric slave trade narrative is ridiculous. Just because some Africans were brought here and intermixed with my Native American ancestors that doesn’t just magically erase my ties to this landmass and erase my native ancestry."

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23. @jbrown8601
"​@chrisconnors9449 yes as I wrote, I am firmly  African and American."

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24. @chrisconnors9449
"@jbrown8601 

The issue isn’t so much the title..

it’s more so the lack of a concise definition. Too much that is left out of the definitions of these titles. I see how you are looking at it.. but If I look up the definition of African American it’s pretty much only about Africans that came to America. Again That doesn’t define large majority of us black Americans here who have more than just African ancestry."

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25. @reiserkeiser
"None of it is "problematic" for her to speak on. She's literally speaking about HER family. You have to remember, these are all just made up labels, anyways. Black, White, FBA. All BS. Means nothing"

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26. @liltoaster7308
"@reiserkeiser  What I described as potentially being problematic is speaking on behalf of an ethnic/racial group that you may not be part of nor share experiences with. A scenario in which that happens can lead to an inaccurate understanding of said ethnic group. Because she has a large platform, she also has the potential to disseminate inaccurate information about an ethnic group that she may not be able to represent. It's true that these labels are social constructs, but because we live in a society (many would argue world) that places great importance on those constructs, they play a very significant role in the shaping of our lives, respective histories and communities. It only means nothing if it truly does not affect you."

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27. @beaujac311
"@ I will say this about her, she is not a group who tells you how you should think.  I've seen FBA "members" saying that they have no connections to Africa at all.  Is that a true statement?"

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28. @claudexandam
"@beaujac311 

FBA is a lineage, not a group.  Yes, some if not MORE FBAs are NOT AFRICAN at all."

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29. @liltoaster7308
"@beaujac311  FBA is just another name for an ethnicity that already exists so I'm not sure if referring to it as a "group" is accurate unless we define ethnicities as groups. As for your second point, Black Americans (or FBA) are culturally and natively (not indigenously) a North American ethnicity, not African, but they do have majority African DNA and share a small number of cultural similarities. The overwhelming majority of Black Americans however have no existing (and/or) modern familial ties, political ties, tribal affiliations, geographical ties, national ties or religious connections with Africa. A few historical cultural elements have certainly survived, but the vast majority of that connection was systematically severed as a result of slavery."

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30. @beaujac311
"@claudexandam  It's a group that you join.  If a lot of people knew the tenets of FBA they would say " that is not me".

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31. @beaujac311
"@liltoaster7308  It is a group.  I know what FBA is and I would never claim to be a part of it.  The term FBA is not synonymous with the terms Black American, Afro American, African-American et al."

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32. @liltoaster7308
"@beaujac311  To be fair I don't really claim the title "FBA" either because there's so much surrounding the title and how it gets used, but I'm most certainly apart of the ethnicity it describes so I can't deny that heritage either. I'm just interested in describing the term accurately."

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33. @beaujac311
"@liltoaster7308  Another of the problems I have with the term is Tariq Nasheed.  He's a hustler.  He saw ADOS and did not like them using slavery in their name.  So he made up another name and saw the money making potential in it.  That is how he see race as a way to make money.  To me him and Dr. Umar are birds of a feather."

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34. @SunnyDaysAOK
"@happyfire777 No. Not at all. African American historically has been a term used to describe Black African descended people. The term has been in use for centuries. However, in the 1980s, African American came back into vogue because it was it focused less on color and more on heritage. In deed, the importance of the term was to reflect that black folks have many different skin tones. It was unifying term.

 

Read a history book."

**
35. @cornileusweatherford1910
"She's not Black she said it herself. Stop caping for people that left "Black" for dead.

FBA exist to stop confusion. Her people opted out of our lineage and they have that right. She can't double back generations later and place blame on the warriors that didn't flee our lineage and lay blame for her people's cowardice of us."
-snip-
“caping ("capping")” = lying

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36. @tonybone132
"I’m FBA and I really enjoy & respect 🫡 what you’re doing. I have been watching you for a few years now and I appreciate your findings. 🙏🏽"

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37. @vanessachantal7218
"I’m a biracial woman, and I appreciate you speaking on every aspect of your ancestry. You don’t need to address these types of comments from ignorant people. What they think is none of your business or ours! Keep being great I’m learning a lot"

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38. @Me-lp1uj
"FBA woman over 50  here!  I have been following your channel and wholely support you and celebrate your journey in discovering your roots!  I agree with you 100 percent regarding negative feedback: don't let anyone silence you, no matter what  your race is: including white folks! Carry on, sister!"

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39. @AKiEM.
"agreed. It’s important to not let anyone claim FBA somehow have one single voice or point of view."

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40. @KidPoe
"Same. It makes no sense to go off on someone for talking about their own ancestors. Those people leaving those comments are unhinged."

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41. @vblake530530
"I’m a Black Man . I got white folks in my family line. Ain’t NOBODY gonna tell me how I talk about my family."

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42. @tabiagebre8168
"Hey, continue to educate. I'm from New Orleans and you're  actually darker than my Sister and she's considered Black 😅"

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43. @dawnd.5290
"Wow !  Please keep doing these videos.  I'm African-American and I love your commitment to historical research and social issues. You are intelligent, positive and honest . You have a right and responsibility to claim your ancestors.  Talking about them sets them free. It helps all of us to be free."

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44. @zitamalaykhan
"But As a Black woman . she does have to respect us....to an extent and she does. Just because our blood flows through many mixed race people that does not give you the right to look down on us in no shape form or fashion....Or tell us how to feel about certain situations. We are not a dress you can just try on and take off when you feel like it.."

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45. @SG85917
"Fba here who supports your channel, don't let the bad apples get to ya"

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46. @infiniterer287
"As an FBA I can say that you're mostly right here but you're wrong about one part:

It's not about power it's about a sense of inauthenticity. FBAs obviously have a deep, layered and often painful history, that has elements that still persist into the present. When you, a person who does not have to deal with the present lasting challenges that a modern FBA has to deal with, claim you are FBA/ADOS, some (ignorant) FBAs take that as if you are inauthentically claiming an experience that you are not having (IE: the experience of being black in America). This is why they lash out, not to have "power" over you but to challenge someone they believe is fake. Now as you already iterated in the video, you are not claiming the experiences but simply the ancestors themselves. Which is fair and honest. This is all that you ever need to remind them of 👍"

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47. @tracyp3567
"Exactly 💯💯"

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48. @FBATIERRA
" @infiniterer287  I agree."

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49. @beaujac311
"infiniterer287:. I totally disagree with everything you say here.  I'm no fan of Tariq Nasheed.  He's the one who came up with FBA.  All I see him as is a race hustler.  I myself is an African-American who can trace his ancestry to before the American Civil War.  I would never claim to be a part of FBA or ADOS.  I think many African-Americas read what those letters stand for and automatically think it is them without doing any research of those two I don't know what you should call them."

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50. @tracyp3567
"@beaujac311  Nobody is forcing you to agree about anything pertaining to FBA or claim to be apart of FBA do you think because you don't agree with it or believe in it  that it gives you the right to have your own opinion and tell others that they are wrong because you don't agree with it?"

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51. @DavidRucker-i4w
"@infiniterer287  she needs to address the fact that Lola couldn’t handle the pressure and sold out. Yt people will watch a company fire folks for being black and just say “oh well that sucks” rather than quit working for a racist company. People like Lola are part of the problem. She was an opportunist who didn’t stand on business and as a result had a bunch of confused ancestors. Just ignoring this will never heal anything."

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52. @beaujac311
"@tracyp3567  All I tell is to research FBA before saying they are a part of it.  That is all."

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53. @beaujac311
"@Bander471  I don't mind losing all credibility as long as I can get these people to research what FBA is before claiming that is who they are."

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54. @roxannewatson4785
"If she has said she is FBA/ADOS she is claiming that experience."

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55. @beaujac311
"@  All I'm asking is if she know what experience that she is claiming.  A lot of people just read the name of those two groups and automatically think it represents them until they see how those groups move."

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56. @ladyhotep5189
"Ive chosen to call myself a Foundational Black American. I enjoy your content very much.  Please don't take these comments too personal.  Alot of our ancestors were r@p3d by their owners producing biracial children. Most of us probably have a white ancestor from somewhere in all the centuries of enslavement.

I've never thought that you were "trying to be Black ". Seems to me you're a woman who is telling her story, family tree ect.

With the reparations argument on the table again alot of us are super sensitive about who can claim a right to reparations.  Alot of us that have decided to "delineate " ourselves and not be lumped in the same group as caribbeans. Africans and no longer want that "African " put in front of American.

You have put out quality content and i don't think you've been disrespectful in any way. I'm not sure if these people only came across one or two of your vids and came to their conclusions or what.  Im subbed to your channel and watch all your videos and think you do a good job. Again,  please try not to take these comments too personal."

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57. @nytn
"Thank you so much for this! I really appreciate you."

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58. @Original1Real1
"I could never tell someone about their own bloodline and ancestors. It is their ancestors and bloodline for crying out loud! The ignorance is astounding!"

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59. @TheeTwanSolo
"As a black man I say, keep talking yo sh-t*. It's YOUR history. The fact that you are accepting of all of your history is phenomenal. Most would hide it, but you are taking time out of your day to share and educate others. As I said before, talk yo sh-t* Danielle. I got your back."
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

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60. @mrs.kpbailey
"Black ADOS here. You don’t need anyone’s permission and/or approval to do this work on YOUR family.

Ignore the chatter. 🙏🏾"

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61. @tchallaseven
"I don't listen to these fools. as a so-called, foundational black american, i appreciate your content and respect your research into your ancestry. we all need to learn our family's ancestry. every piece of it."

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62. @nytn
"Thank you, I needed to hear that!"

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63. @heyelights897
"So now fba's are fools??? how about you don't generalize the total IQ of FBA's from comments left on this woman's video from a few FBA ppl."

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64. @tchallaseven
"@heyelights897  i was only referring to the people criticizing danielle. i never said that all FBAs are fools."

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65. @beaujac311
"tchallaseven:. Do y'all really know what FBA stands for?  If not research it.  Tariq Nasheed started it so you can start there."

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66. @heyelights897
"@beaujac311  I understand completely what it stands for. The words were already there. Foundational. -Black -Americans. He just put together as FBA. Any grouping of us as a way to move forward on 1 accord, I'm with it."

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67. @heyelights897
"@tchallaseven  My bad...I get what your saying.."

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68. @Washitaw
"What do you mean by so-called FBA?"

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69. @tchallaseven
"@Washitaw  i am a black american, a descendant of enslaved africans, a so-called foundational black american. that's what i meant."

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70. @beaujac311
"@heyelights897  No that is not what FBA is all about.  Did you see recently where FBA was saying that hip hop came from only the USA and no influences from other countries or US possessions.  They also make up their own history.  Some of them will tell you that they have no connection to Africa.  They will say that they are the original Native Americans.  As I've said in other comments do some research on FBA.  Start with Tariq Nasheed."

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71. @colberthunter12
"​ @beaujac311 so what I Caribbean influence created Hip Hop, what sounds what dances what images? You do know we were doing all of that before Africans and Caribbean and Hispanic people came over here, we were world Stars before melinated immigrants started coming over here and what were we doing? Making music dances and style.

So once again what are the influences and don't talk about some Caribbean people who came to America and assimilated into our culture and contributed to what we were already doing, contributed not created, apparently Africans and Caribbean and Hispanic people can't understand that part."

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72. @beaujac311
"@colberthunter12  I won't engage you on this subject. FBA like to claim that they created everything the same way that Europeans claim that they created everything.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

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73. @colberthunter12
"@beaujac311  so what did we claim create in America that you think is made up? Give me some examples, which you people never can say, but you have all these complaints about Foundational Black Americans, so again what are we lying about creating?"

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74. @Myopinionmattersthemost
"FBA aren't fools. And Danielle is 100% getting fame by exploring or exploiting her African ancestry. While Black presenting people explore their African ancestry all the time and there's no fan fare or money earned."

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75. @colberthunter12
" @beaujac311  you still haven't answered what Caribbean culture was a part of hip Hop) I'm still waiting. You made that assertion so defend it, foundational Black Americans have receipts for our greatness, show me these Caribbean greatness?"

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76. @beaujac311
"@colberthunter12  I have a problem with Tariq's FBAs because they are about division."

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77. @beaujac311
"@Myopinionmattersthemost  See that's the problem with you FBAs.  Y'all try to make yourself the gatekeeper of whats black in the USA. You are not and will never be.  You sound nuts thinking you can tell her not to discuss her family tree on Youtube."

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78. @beaujac311
"@colberthunter12  Keep waiting."

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79. @Myopinionmattersthemost
"@ I never once stated that I label myself as fba. Also I never typed she couldn’t discuss her family tree. I find it annoying that when racially ambiguous people discuss their African ancestry they get the fan fare and book deals and other monetary perks and undeniably Black presenting people who discuss their African ancestry do not receive the same reception. Historical society has liked to see traditional black things performed/presented by white folks."

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80. @beaujac311
"@Myopinionmattersthemost  No one is stopping you from starting your own Youtube channel."

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81. @Myopinionmattersthemost
"@ I never typed that someone is stopping me. Deflection at its finest."

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82. @yinkent7991
"Everyone who's talking crazy about FBAs in the comments,  don't do that.  Y'all know just as well as I do that a lot of people wanted nothing to do with being FBA and would disassociate themselves as much as possible. It's ok for people to claim their people, but you can't show up to the family reunion and think you can start speaking on family business."

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83. @Washitaw
"Facts."

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84. @choco.es.unlimited
"I am mixed ... my grandmother was full red native. I don't have the stereotype of red native BUT i hold on to my native ancestry as though I'm full blooded.  In addition to, my other lineage. 

I think the issue is, in America, if you have other ancestry, they tell us fbas that we can only be black and we aren't anything else.:

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85. @happyfire777
"@choco es unlimited, You've nailed it on the head. In my opinion. THAT! Also it's about the enslavement of one's ancestors in this country. Actually, it's my estimation a lot of Black folk are FBA and ADOS but the continued African American identifier will disqualify most because then it will be said to make claims with the country in Africa."

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86. @KAH-7
"@happyfire777

WRONG! African American ALREADY has that factored into the definition.

Of a "majority" of Sub Saharan ancestry."

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87. @honeyjazz4147
"I'm Black I was raised in the black culture, but I have Cherokee ancestry,  I don't claim to be of the Cherokee tribe,  I'm not looking for any benefits from them , I  totally get where you're coming from,  you can be proud of your ancestry without claiming to be a  part of it, many people today are ashamed of their ancestry, be proud of all the ancestry that brought you here today!"

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88. @KannIsBornToWin
"As someone who is a FBA, I have no problem with your channel and enjoy learning about your history. The issue is complicated. It’s a rejection of the one drop rule that was forced on us. It’s also a separation from people of African ancestry from other countries and cultures. Especially since our culture is either rejected or hijacked (for lack of a better word). I believe I understand what you are doing. But since you are also profiting from black ancestry that isn’t openly apparent at first glance, it can insult people. But I still support you. Some things are not your fault."

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89. @rebellejacobs777
"I really relate to you ,I'm half Hispanic but a pale redhead with blue eyes and get exactly the same attitude ( mostly from white people) -

My grandmother picked fruit her whole life and struggled to give her kids a better life but I get told I'm not allowed to talk about her , or that I'm ' only Spanish which os white '

I'm NOT only Spanish, I'm Hispanic and that means indigenous too , California indigenous in my case .

I get told not to talk about my ancestors and I WILL NOT listen to these people.

My ancestors matter too, just like yours do .

Your work inspires me and I'm so grateful for your channel, thank you 💕"

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90. @tigerstallion
"similarly, as part native, they wont accept any stories of mixed lineage, but they will accept Italian or Mexican.  These same people claim to be social justice warriors concerned about oppressed minorities."

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91. @rebellejacobs777
"@tigerstallion 

Thank you for replying, it's nice to know I'm not alone 💖

 It SUX, I've noticed that too !

Italian is accepted among Mexican and other Hispanic groups - my cousin is Italian and less Hispanic than me , by blood , and they accept him because he can pass being darker skinned- then I get hate for telling the truth about my blood.

SMH 😞

It's hard , I know you know 💕

💖💕💜"

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92.@bamboosho0t
"There are a lot of "keyboard commandos" on social media, and some of them claim to be FBA.  Bottom line, you don't need their permission to speak on these subject matters.  Keep up the good work! 👍🏻"

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93. @sanaaangel95
"As an African-American woman with Congolese ancestors on my father’s side and multiracial ancestors on my mother’s side. I’m from Atlanta, GA originally. Many people who commented are speaking out of their ignorance or fear of their true identity being revealed. I never find fault in your channel because I find your channel very interesting and relatable. I’m still curious about my ancestors and claiming them as my own including Blackfeet Native Americans. Keep sharing your content because history is beautiful and it makes us who we are today!"

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94. @JacquelineMontpellier9074
"This happened when I acknowledged my  6.4% Native American. I identify as white but I hold a very special place for the Native American woman ancestor. She represents bravery and strength. I’m proud of her but I don’t claim belonging to a tribe since I didn’t experience living the culture. Just acknowledging her with gratitude 🙏🏼🕊️💙"

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95. @tknows470
"Today I learned FBA and ADOS exist. You have every right to be here, and I’m glad you are speaking out and sharing your story and your family history. Your story MATTERS. I was glad to see you display a bit of righteous indignation at the ignorant comments. Bravo, Danielle! ❤"

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96. @jcortese3300
"The dude who said "ain't no white folks in my family" seriously needs to take a DNA test."

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97. @tg8000
"He's in for a rude awakening if he is a true FBA. I'm even considered an afro latina on top of other things. FBAs are a different ethnogenetic group. It is truly a lineage. Most of the blks in the US are 1st, 2nd or 3rd descendents of carribean or african families. So he may not have any wyte ancestors, and that's ok."

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98. @komickazetoons3992
"If it got out that whites in this country had some black dna and blacks had some white dna than maybe we could move past race here in America"

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99. @MerlotBaby
"They don't have whites in their immediate or close extended family is what they mean. Many FBA know we have white ancestors or share a very insignificant amount of DNA with some white ppl lol."

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100. @PhilCherry3
"Many of my family members would say exactly what that man said. “Ain’t no White folks in our family!”  But they have never explored their family’s lineage past maybe the great-grandparents level. But I’m in year twenty of my exhaustive research into the various branches of my family tree.  I have found branches that were lost to our collective knowledge of our family history or were never known to begin with.  Through those lines I have met several White cousins who didn’t know they were anything less than 100% White until their DNA results were revealed.  Many of these cousins had been put up for adoption by their White mothers when they were born.  Many of these events took place in major cities as one of the byproducts of the Great Migration.  In all cases these cousins had been raised with a White identity.  I now know better and will not say, “Ain’t no White people in our family.” "

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101. @the_wb
"Many FBA have a white branch in their genealogy.  But that don't make us white.

Her family white now but a few generations ago one side of her family was not.

So if her even had any questions why she was drawn to anything culturally blk and loving it. It was that ancestral spirit in her bloodline.  Yall hatin on her learning who she is."

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102. @Arkansas223
"Not all FBAs have white DNA, slave owners didn’t rape everyone & not everyone was a slave, and some of us are in small towns in Arkansas never mixed & never moved since slavery ended."

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103. @the_wb
"@Arkansas223  that's 💯 % correct.  But we do tend to overly simply it to explain it, as we know the depth of our lineage is American history itself."

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104.@Below-Average_Joe
"Hey Danielle, FBA person here. I enjoy your channel and no one has the right to tell you not to acknowledge your ancestors. I have had a DNA test twice and I am 85% African, 3% Native American, 12% White. Physically, I look like a dark skinned FBA with kinky hair. I am not trying to claim whiteness or an Indigenous identity, but the facts of my origin are what they are."

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105. @mrkellycottle4592
"I am an American Black male. I applaud your channel. This is so important. Slavery and Race in America is very complicated. There are so many uncomfortable truths about race that most people don’t understand or want to understand. Your family history isn’t unique to just you and more people need to learn that. Thank you 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾"

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106. @JCSAXON
"So they’d deny your children of ancestral connection. It’s another wave of bigotry. Don’t let ‘em grind a ya down. Your research is invaluable ❤✨"

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107. @BabyRaye411
"Girl,  you do not have to explain yourself.  That is your blood, your story. SPEAK YOUR TRUTH!!!!!  No one can tell you who you are!!!!  Much love!   I am black ...... are they the black police.....they only have power if you give it to them.  Keep going girl!!!!"

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108. @tracyclark7560
"good point, do not give your power away.  Speak what is yours and what you know and what you've found.  End of download."

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