Pan-Africanism or Not?

Two selections from our Revelations book, "Pan-Africanism" and "Never African Again", strike an intriguing argument that is significant in the black community. How should blacks in America be identified? Should they be "negro", "African American", just plain old "black"? In addition Pan-Africanism calls for all members of the African Diaspora to unite and suggests that somehow the problems blacks face like prejudice and discrimination would disappear if blacks return to African from which they came. The opposition suggest that black Americans should limit their ties with Africa as it isn't necessarily a direct influence on their cultural experience. It seems regressive to resort back to the essence of African rhythm by sitting around pummeling primitive drums when one can simply download the sounds. That's a humorous anology, but it makes no sense to return to Africa now that blacks have stamped their footprint on American culture. It's also foolish to believe that Africa isn't suffering from issues similar to the issues in America like poverty and prejudice; or worse like genocide and apartheid. My point of view is somewhere between the two. It's regressive to resort to Pan-Africanism whole-heartedly, but it's just as regressive to forget where one comes from and lose culture.