Why are black people black?

Speaking with some north americans of central and northern european descent I have noticed something. They seem to think that because most Mexican/Americans are proud of their ancient aztec heritiage that they somehow think that we feel some kind of affinity with north American Indians. I think that the native peoples of the United States have a proud and interesting culture, but they are not very similair to Mexicans, Guatamalans, or people from Honduras. We are usually of mixed ancestry and are more familiar and comfortable with Hispanic culture than native american culture. It is not that we want to be like the Spanish, but wether we like it or not their laws, customs, and language permeate our societies. Yes we are proud of our ancestry, and you will see the aztec warrior painted on the hoods of old chevy's and Impalas in southern California. However, that society is to ours as the ancient roman civilization is to the Italians.