Why are black people, called African American? Options

[*Frénésie*]

I don't know if you read my post earlier on in the discussion, but there is only one race. There are variations within a kind. Therefore you have whites, blacks, latin, asians, and whatnot. We aren't different races. Yes, we have different cultures but actually it is our cultures that make us different for the most part. THere is only a .012% difference between all humans. That's very small. The reason poeple look different is because of where they are from. If you breed one group of people with the same group of people, you therefore will get that group of people. Hence, why there is so much of a certain type of people.

We are all human, so that is a species, or race as we call it. There are just variations, that's all.

We are talking about the same thing, or almost. There is the human race, no doubt. But in the human race, there are variations, exactly like you said. 'Variation' is considered as another race within the human race. Jesus, I'm having an headache.
We are the same if you talk about us eating, drinking, farting, laughing and such. But our cultures, our lifestyle, our beliefs make us different from eachother. We are human, yes, but in a way, we are different. That's what makes the world what it is; diversity.

I find it to be ridiculous when people say: we're the same, we eat, fart and our blood is red. Seriously, that isn't all.

Let me put it this way; in the univers / whatever you want, there is only 1 HUMAN race. True. But within the human race, there are Blacks / Asians / Whites / many more. It's not a terrible thing, that's the way it is. There isn't only ONE race. I highly disagree with that.

The difference remains in whether you use the term race as a scientific concept, or else as a way to define a social group that share X number of exclusive characteristics.

Scientists have been abandoning the idea of biologically distinct races amongst humans since the early years of the XXth century, and talk about the black/asian/etc.., population and/or cline.

It's all about social, baby. I don't really care about scientists and their theories. Like you said;

Presently, the concept of races within the human specie has more to do with cultural studies than with scientific evidence

[viugiufgjhfhjfhg...]

I think we're on different pages here. I was arguing against that specific concept D: .

But the thing is, the term race can't really be applied to make distinctions amongst humans because there's no sufficient scientific basis to prove there are different races within the whole human group.

There is a Black population, a Caucasian population, etc... under the Human race. However there isn't a Black, Caucasian, etc... "sub race" in the biological sense of the word; hence why the usage of the concept of population/cline is more correct in relation to the empirical evidence provided by science.

[kimmytree]

If I call some one a 'Nigga' why is that so bad? It shouldn't be. It's just a synonym of black. It's not my fault some one abused it and now we all have to pay for it. I call my friend a 'Spick' all the time.

Okay... so then that would give people the right to call me a Nazi then, right? (Me being East German) Ummm no. I dont think it works like that. Just because its a "synonym", or "someone abused it", still doesnt mean that its okay to use.

[Kontroll]

Okay... so then that would give people the right to call me a Nazi then, right? (Me being East German) Ummm no. I dont think it works like that. Just because its a "synonym", or "someone abused it", still doesnt mean that its okay to use.

I call some one I know who is German a Nazi all the time. I call my black friend a 'nigga' all the time. Same with another girl I know. I call Jeremy a Spik. I guess it's just the outlook on life you have. I live how I want. I don't take most things seriously. If I have a problem with it, I just tell myself that it's not a big deal. And it's not. It's just because you have racist groups like the KKK and the Nazi's.

[hi-C]

The United States wasn't formed on "freedom of speech only when it doesn't offend your neighbors."

Yes, it was. Why do you think people can sue for libel and slander?

[*Monochrome.*]

I call Jeremy a Spik.

Its spelled "spic" by the way.

[demolished]

I dont see the terms as racist. I wouldnt even consider the words to be close to "racist" or some way. To me, it's just a normal word, not bad.

[Kontroll]

Its spelled "spic" by the way.

[kimmytree]

I call some one I know who is German a Nazi all the time. I call my black friend a 'nigga' all the time. Same with another girl I know. I call Jeremy a Spik. I guess it's just the outlook on life you have. I live how I want. I don't take most things seriously. If I have a problem with it, I just tell myself that it's not a big deal. And it's not. It's just because you have racist groups like the KKK and the Nazi's.

That IS racist. Well, maybe racist isnt the word for it, but its offending. The first and last time I ever called someone a nigger, she and about 5 of her friends chased me down and beat the crap out of me.

So you think it's okay to call a German a Nazi? When you call someone a Nazi, its like associating them with the MILLIONS of people that died as a result of Hitler. What if the person had family die as a result of the Nazi party? My grandmother lost all 4 of her grandparents, her father, and several other family members due to them. I know if anyone ever called me a Nazi, I'd make sure they'd never be able to say it again.

Your right, you can live how you want - but its wrong.

[Kontroll]

That IS racist. Well, maybe racist isnt the word for it, but its offending. The first and last time I ever called someone a nigger, she and about 5 of her friends chased me down and beat the crap out of me.

So you think it's okay to call a German a Nazi? When you call someone a Nazi, its like associating them with the MILLIONS of people that died as a result of Hitler. What if the person had family die as a result of the Nazi party? My grandmother lost all 4 of her grandparents, her father, and several other family members due to them. I know if anyone ever called me a Nazi, I'd make sure they'd never be able to say it again.

Your right, you can live how you want - but its wrong.

Well, that's a sad story. It's not my fault that some one did that. I'm sorry people hold grudges instead of letting things go. Well, as I stated before...As long as it's not used in a demeaning way then how can it be bad? Dude, how do you know it's wrong? How do you know you're not wrong? Ever think of that?

[demolished]

I guess she mean that ... people should be more considered and aware of the term's meanings rather than just using the word out of our sake.

i could be wrong, just a thought.

[Kontroll]

I guess she mean that ... people should be more considered and aware of the term's meanings rather than just using the word out of our sake.

i could be wrong, just a thought.

I'm not stating that I should be able to run around on the streets and shout out random 'racial terms'. No. I'm simply saying that I should be able to go up to some black dude and be like, 'Hey, what's up nigga?' If they can say that to themselves, and we can't say it to them, then that's pretty racist. Proclaiming that one race can't call another race something else. We get called cracker and whitey all the time, but once the word 'nigger' comes up in the air, guns start going off. Why is that?

[*Frénésie*]

I think we're on different pages here. I was arguing against that specific concept D: .

Haha. Grr.

But the thing is, the term race can't really be applied to make distinctions amongst humans because there's no sufficient scientific basis to prove there are different races within the whole human group.

There is a Black population, a Caucasian population, etc... under the Human race. However there isn't a Black, Caucasian, etc... "sub race" in the biological sense of the word; hence why the usage of the concept of population/cline is more correct in relation to the empirical evidence provided by science.

But there is! Under the human race, there are races. <= me trying to be annoying.
Anyway, I get your point. But how about this:

Under the animal race, there are different 'species' and under the 'species', there are different races. Ok, I'm thinking of the 'dog race' here. Why can't that apply to humans? Be kind to explain that. Merci beaucoup.

[*Monochrome.*]

Sorry,I just had to pointout when people mispell insults directed to my people.

[viugiufgjhfhjfhg...]

Haha. Grr.
But there is! Under the human race, there are races. <= me trying to be annoying.
Anyway, I get your point. But how about this:

Under the animal race, there are different 'species' and under the 'species', there are different races. Ok, I'm thinking of the 'dog race' here. Why can't that apply to humans? Be kind to explain that. Merci beaucoup.

Nyeh =P

Well, under that premise (and the current scientific opinion on the matter) humans belong to a single subspecie of the homo sapiens sapiens. The current division of humans in "races" seems to have more to do with cultural and social differences than with biological traits (which would be the case of dogs).

I hope I am not confusing you as I did with myself when typing this x(.

[*Frénésie*]

Oh my God. I actually understood that. I'm going crazy! I still think that we're on the same page or maybe I'm going nuts.

[viugiufgjhfhjfhg...]

.... D:

The "races" division amongst humans can be applied, although not in a biological sense but in a social /cultural one?

I mean, I agree that it can be done but I don't think it should since there's no empirical base to it. >.<

[me1issaaaa]

Black people get offended when they're called black? That's like white people saying, "I'm CAUCASIAN, bitchhh." Stupid.

[Kontroll]

Black people get offended when they're called black? That's like white people saying, "I'm CAUCASIAN, bitchhh." Stupid.

Haha. Yeah, exactly. I don't know if black people get offended when they are called black, but it's just the princliple of my being able to say what I want. Not to be afraid of saying what I want, cause that seems a little brainwashing. Don't ya think?

I don't know...to me it seems that instead of making a law, they just imply that it's wrong. Maybe not calling some one black, but just in general. Like the word 'retard' is no longer acceptable. But retard literally means 'slow'. So, I don't know what's wrong with it?

[HakunaMatata]

Black people get offended when they're called black? That's like white people saying, "I'm CAUCASIAN, bitchhh." Stupid.

I've heard of both races getting offended by the terms "Black" and "White". They simply don't want to be definied by a color (or, if you want to be all technical about it, non-colors). As stated many times before, it's just a matter of preference. Either, imo, is fine.

[Kontroll]

I've heard of both races getting offended by the terms "Black" and "White". They simply don't want to be definied by a color (or, if you want to be all technical about it, non-colors). As stated many times before, it's just a matter of preference. Either, imo, is fine.

Really? You've met white people who have been offended by the term 'white'? Weird.

And I love your signature. About the teenagers and alcohol. Cause it's so true.

[Aerjae]

Egyptians in American are called Egyptians. I don't think the term African American is bad. At least you have the right to be know as an American as well instead of just African. It's a better name than of what they used to call them back then. uhm. negros. < There! I don't like THAT word. The spanish. shesh.... I'm spanish! aahh!

[Kontroll]

Egyptians in American are called Egyptians. I don't think the term African American is bad. At least you have the right to be know as an American as well instead of just African. It's a better name than of what they used to call them back then. uhm. negros. < There! I don't like THAT word. The spanish. shesh.... I'm spanish! aahh!

Well the point we are making is that Egyptians live in Africa. They aren't black, but mostly influenced by the Arab culture. But none the less, they live in Africa. So, therefore if they lived in America, they would be African American.

We use the term African American to describe some ones nationality by their color. Is it not so that white people can be African American? The majority of South Africans are white.

[kimmytree]

^ There's nothing wrong with considering yourself an Egyptian American, because she is able to trace her heritage that closely. Same with South Africans. Would a French person living in France refer to themself as a European? No, they would be specific and call themselves French.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't alot of blacks living here who are from Africa have a hard time tracing back their origin to a specific African country, mostly due to slavery? Thats such a shame. When someone cant trace their heritage any further, then I think you should consider yourself to be "from whatever continent I'm from" American.

For myself, I'm lucky enough to be able to half way trace my heritage back to mostly German, and my father is a German citizen, so I consider myself to be a German American. But if I couldnt narrow down my exact country of origin, then I would consider myself a European American, which is what most whites are.

I guess she mean that ... people should be more considered and aware of the term's meanings rather than just using the word out of our sake.

i could be wrong, just a thought.

Yes... that's exactly what I meant. Thanks.

[*Uronacid*]

Hmm, you may see it that way, but others don't.

I remember this video we watched in English about how a lot of the black community was against reading Huck Finn, even though that book is AGAINST slavery. The important thing about that film (no matter how stupid) was that there were people who were still hurt by the use of nigger in the book.

By using Af. Am., people can avoid tense feelings.

I agree, it would be nice if we could all just shrug off our skin color and not give a shit. I don't care if people call me 'chink' or whatever. shrug*

So, I mean... you said you don't care, but can I call you the forum "chink" from now on?