North Africans say that they are not from Africa

Egyptians think and say that they are not from Africa. I've also heard from Tunisians and other North african countries that they are not Africans. The reason being that they are not blacks. what crab is this?

I have heard it before.A friend of mine from that part of Africa once mentioned that he could help me get an agent who  recruits "AFRICANS" becos his school doesn't want  them
I was like."na wa oh"
They can say whatever they like.I am AFRICAN AND PROUD TO BE.
In short,I don tire this world sef.Africa left,Africa right.
Wuna put we for down abeg.E dey like man go bleach.How can I blame MJ for what he did to himself
GOD help us abeg.This one unfair three much

I have some friends from Egypt, but I've never really asked them about this.  Part of Egypt isn't in Africa though, right?

Many people in my country know that we're a member of the OAU... I don't think they know why though. Once I casually asked a friend from back home about her travel plans and she said "...I might go visit Africa..."

How can I blame MJ for what he did to himself

lol "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" Then he goes on preaching "it doesn't matter if you're black or white"
I guess to him, it doesn't matter if you're a woman or a child either.  >joke<

Well, if they said they are not from Africa, then that's it, nobody is forced to be African.

More seriously, I had a friend from Morrocco before, and he used to introduce me as his "African friend". As for Morrocco it was referred as "the country south of Spain". Personally I wasn't offended though. Given the low esteem most Chinese have about Africa, it is not surprising that nobody wants to say he comes from there. But personally, I just don't give a s*** 

It happens everywhere.  When I was at graduate school in the U.S.  I once shared my office with a visiting scholar from Cairo University who always told me he's Greek. A professor from Turkey always told his students he's Greek. A student from Zaire always told me he was Belgian even if he had never been in Belgium. A couple of students from West Africa I met at parties of my African friends told me they were NOT Africans but French regardless of their origins and their African passports.  I see the inferiority reflected by the complex come from inside of those individuals. Most Africans I met did not have this kind of identity issue.

By virtue of my eskimo husband, Im from North Pole.. now crucify me..

but seriously, why would anyone be bothered?? very sad issue..

but seriously, why would anyone be bothered??

Fear of stereotype.

African or not, we are all the same. Created by one God, and shall all die. God made us black because of a reason best known to Him. To people who hate being called Africans, It’s really a shame. Why feel inferior about who and where you come. I’m sure if the oxygen we take in was like gold and silver, all Africans could have been dead by now. Thank God, He treats all equal. “What a mighty and wonderful God “.

You said it all bel 74.
Sing loud "I'm black and proud"
I am getting used to everyone saying "I am not African,even when its obvious"
All I can say is "c'est la vie" It's a free world.

Egyptians think and say that they are not from Africa.

I think we've been on this path before. I even once started a topic " Why lie about where you are from?". I'm of the the opinion that the more we discuss this subject the more we tend to dignify those misguided bastards. People's inability to properly represent themselves will always lead them to seek scapegoats and cheap escape routes. How can sb who doesn't know his/her own domicile least to say global geography coerce you to deny your origin? A chinese friend of mine once bitterly argued with me that Egypt was not an African country. That's what they've been told in schools. LET'S JUST IGNORE THIS BULLSHIT.

The historical precedent behind the North African thinking that they aren't black comes from several sources. 1. With the advent of slavery, it was important to separate the human race by skin color in order to justify it. 2. When Egypt was discovered (which some scholars say was initially populated and built by Nubians from Ethiopia), it was difficult to accept that such greatness could come from Africa so, all traces of black Africa were removed and Egypt was discussed as a seperate country from the rest of Africa. 3. The North Africans traded with the Europeans for many centuries and identified with them since they were closer to them geographicaly. 4. North Africa is separated from West Africa by the Sahara Desert. Since there is no longer a need to cross the Sahara to trade salt in exchange for gold and the great kingdoms of Mali, Songhai, Benin, etc. no longer exist, the N. Africans have forgotten their history. Prior to oil, N. Africans got their wealth by trading gold from Africa to the Europeans. During that time, many of them stayed in these kingdoms and married West Africans. Anyway, I don't mean to write so much. But this is why they don't think they are African. BUT THEY ARE.

I don't get this though...isn't a small part of Egypt NOT in Africa?

A Canadian friend of mine once told me that she doubts Egypt is in Africa or isn't sure about this.  I had to tell her that Egypt is indeed considered an African country.  Anyways, Andy is right, we keep talking about this like they mean so much to us or something.  If they don't wanna be a part of Africa, I don't think they should.  Who cares?

I don't get this though...isn't a small part of Egypt NOT in Africa?

A Canadian friend of mine once told me that she doubts Egypt is in Africa or isn't sure about this.  I had to tell her that Egypt is indeed considered an African country.  Anyways, Andy is right, we keep talking about this like they mean so much to us or something.  If they don't wanna be a part of Africa, I don't think they should.  Who cares?

This is the second time that you mention that a part of Egypt is not Africa, can you elaborate more on your meaning? Unless you are talking about the tiny part east of the Suez canal that borders Israel?

Or maybe you mean continental Africa? In that case, Madagascar, Cape Verde and your country should not be considered part of Africa? Are they Asian or? In the same line, the UK should not be in Europe, Russia should be considered Asian since most of its lands are in that area etc.

Or maybe we need to redefine the whole Africa concept?

Egyptians can say they are not BLACK, this is obvious, but denying that their country is part of Africa...

Below a map of Egypt.

Enlighten me Sabrina 

I feel that it is important for us to know that Egypt is part of Africa because accepting the great achievements as African and not just Egyptian is important for further academic research and demystification of what it means to be African. I'm tired of it all too. I mean as an African American my "label" has been changed several times: Negro-Colored-Black-African American. All of this is about clarifying one's position in the world and in relation to others. If it is accepted that Egypt was a great civilization with great scientific accomplishments, then accepting that it was part of Africa proves that all Africans are capable of greatness and that greatness transcends skin color or race. It's an exhausting fight Sabrina, I'm tired of it. But if I can change anyone's mindset, it's worth it. Peace everyone.

This is the second time that you mention that a part of Egypt is not Africa, can you elaborate more on your meaning? Unless you are talking about the tiny part east of the Suez canal that borders Israel?

Or maybe you mean continental Africa? In that case, Madagascar, Cape Verde and your country should not be considered part of Africa? Are they Asian or? In the same line, the UK should not be in Europe, Russia should be considered Asian since most of its lands are in that area etc.

Or maybe we need to redefine the whole Africa concept?

Egyptians can say they are not BLACK, this is obvious, but denying that their country is part of Africa...

Below a map of Egypt.

Enlighten me Sabrina 

If that part of Egypt is indeed the "tiny part east of the Suez canal that borders Israel" (Asian Sinai Peninsula) then dude, that part isn't that "tiny" after all (area of 61000 km²).  It's larger than: Lesotho, Swaziland, Guinea Bissau, Gambia...and more.
A non-African population of about 60000 people.  Why should the people in this particular area call themselves Africans? Why do you want them to deny who they are just to quench your exaggerated patriotic thirst? Egypt is a transcontinental country.  If 60'000 of them want to call themselves "non-Africans" then technically they're not lying to anybody.