Many CADs whether they’re first-gen, second-gen, or part of a diasporic lineage outside the U.S. understand and respect the distinction between their heritage and Black American heritage/lineages.
I’ve met many CADs here in the U.S. actually who are deeply immersed in their own cultures. Whether it was Nigerian, Ghanaian, Somali, etc. but also fully assimilated into American way of life without compromising/sacrificing their identity and even in the BAC (Black American Culture).
They often show a deep respect for our history and don’t try to claim our lineage. They prove we can have coexistence without the hijack. They are fully aware of tethers to and they are mostly despised lmfaooo (they act with a superiority complex)
A CAD only becomes a Tether when:
They deny Black American lineage as distinct, or try to redefine it through a Pan-African lens
They insert themselves into our lineage-based conversations, dismissing the importance of our unique historical and legal claims
They claim or cosplay our culture as theirs while mocking the people
Or when they use proximity to gatekeep, speak over, or exploit our cultural capital.
But being of CAD ≠ being a Tether.
Interacting with CADs is what actually broke the spell of Pan Africanism and made me realize how important it is that we delineate here. The world works by ethnicity.
But if hypothetically a mf start erasing delineations downplaying reparations or start silencing lineage talks using conflations, or trying to co-opt Black American space and change the narratives to their cultural norms and values.
That’s when a line is crossed.
Cads are more than welcome here but the tether behavior will result in ban under identity protection.
