Why are black people, called African American? Options

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josh is an idiot
Image removed. - tic tac.

[sweetangel2128]

People don't like the term "black" because your going by the person's color and they are people like veryone else, same blood just a different skin color...they prefer to just be called "people".

[kimmytree]

^ But, the people I know who are like that still insist calling caucasians white. It should be a double standard. Them being called black is no different than calling someone white. I'm not offended at all by being referred to as being a white person, because not all white people are Americans, or Europeans. Russians are white. Some Puerto Ricans and some other hispanic races closely resemble white people. What if you accidentally call a black person an African American, if they're really Jamacian? Or from Trinidad? They would be offended, and I think they would have every right to be.

[Kontroll]

I have a question then... Is it possible for a white person to be African American?

Yes, it is. Dave Matthews is from South America. Therefore African American.

But we stereotype people when we call them African American because we assume they are from an African heritage. Not always the case. So, is it right to call some one African American out of ignorance?

[me1issaaaa]

^ Yeah I guess, if they're from Africa, then why wouldn't they be?

[Kontroll]

^ Yeah I guess, if they're from Africa, then why wouldn't they be?

Exactly my point. If they are from Africa. Most black people who live in America aren't from Africa. They weren't born there. They are Americans.

[me1issaaaa]

True dat. I've come to find out that a bunch are from other places, like Jamaica and the Caribbean and whatnot. I've only met a handful with origins from Africa. I know a couple of white families from South Africa [: so yeah, I guess they are African American.

[sweetangel2128]

^ But, the people I know who are like that still insist calling caucasians white. It should be a double standard. Them being called black is no different than calling someone white. I'm not offended at all by being referred to as being a white person, because not all white people are Americans, or Europeans. Russians are white. Some Puerto Ricans and some other hispanic races closely resemble white people. What if you accidentally call a black person an African American, if they're really Jamacian? Or from Trinidad? They would be offended, and I think they would have every right to be.

Well, I think it's because black people were used for slavery long ago so it's a little bit different. But the thing is I really dont' enjoy being called white myself...I am a human like everyone else so yeah.

[Kontroll]

Well, I think it's because black people were used for slavery long ago so it's a little bit different. But the thing is I really dont' enjoy being called white myself...I am a human like everyone else so yeah.

Oh, my God. I've never heard a white person complain because people call him 'White.'

Ha ha. Truly made my day. Thank you.

[sweetangel2128]

Oh, my God. I've never heard a white person complain because people call him 'White.'

Ha ha. Truly made my day. Thank you.

No problem, glad I could make you laugh

[ReggieM]

there are so many negative connatations with the word black itself what civilized person would want to be called that. Come on now black is the color of darkness and evil while white is basically purity and junk i prefer african american becuase it seems like it has less weight on it than black does. When you say african american you arent thinking (prolly) maybe those ghetto loud kids at your school. But just dark skin people in general


oh yea i wouldnt want to be called black cuz i dont want to hear "darkness" every five seconds from class mates. Is it or is it not very attractive to be actually "black" as in the color. Most african americans would rather be darker than lighter anyday.

[sweetangel2128]

there are so many negative connatations with the word black itself what civilized person would want to be called that. Come on now black is the color of darkness and evil while white is basically purity and junk i prefer african american becuase it seems like it has less weight on it than black does. When you say african american you arent thinking (prolly) maybe those ghetto loud kids at your school. But just dark skin people in general
oh yea i wouldnt want to be called black cuz i dont want to hear "darkness" every five seconds from class mates. Is it or is it not very attractive to be actually "black" as in the color. Most african americans would rather be darker than lighter anyday.

That's why I kinda think African American is a better term.

[Kontroll]

there are so many negative connatations with the word black itself what civilized person would want to be called that. Come on now black is the color of darkness and evil while white is basically purity and junk i prefer african american becuase it seems like it has less weight on it than black does. When you say african american you arent thinking (prolly) maybe those ghetto loud kids at your school. But just dark skin people in general
oh yea i wouldnt want to be called black cuz i dont want to hear "darkness" every five seconds from class mates. Is it or is it not very attractive to be actually "black" as in the color. Most african americans would rather be darker than lighter anyday.

I'm sorry that you have to deal with your color. I know it must be a burden. If you want to be called African American, call me Irish-French Canadian-American. Thank you.

It's just ridiculous. It's stereotypical. Everything we were trying to get away from. Useless rhetoric.

[ReggieM]

idk it only bothers me when people generalize. LIKE OHMEGEE LOOK THERES BLACK GUYS OVER THERE, would you want to be associated with some negative stereotype that u arent apart of? You can find something else to call them i dont really care but SOMETIMES it seems offensive.

Other races dont really deal with it alot cuz its not much of a problem, there are no threatining stereotypes associated with the word"white".

Im tottally fine with being called "black" but people can abuse everything and they have abused this word. African american is to long to abuse lol. For me hearing african-american means breaking away from the stereotypes of our day.



oh wait so you are saying we should only DISCRIMINATE on skin color by calling everyone with dark skin black instead of using the term african-american.?

[*My Cinderella.*]

I guess that's just how society taught us to address. Most time we don't want to offend anyone by saying Black so we just say African American, which can also offend them.

[HakunaMatata]

I'm sorry that you have to deal with your color. I know it must be a burden. If you want to be called African American, call me Irish-French Canadian-American. Thank you.

It's just ridiculous. It's stereotypical. Everything we were trying to get away from. Useless rhetoric.

May you explain to me exactly what's stereotypical? Most African-Americans I know prefer the word Black, anyway.

[Kontroll]

May you explain to me exactly what's stereotypical? Most African-Americans I know prefer the word Black, anyway.

That's awesome. It's stereotypical because we're fitting a group of people into this boundary and it's not always necessarily so.

[kimmytree]

^ Well, someone has to be described some how. If I'm the only "white" girl standing with a group of people of another race, how else would I be reffered to as? Like if someone was talking about me with someone else, they would refer to me as like "the white girl over there". Or Caucasian, whatever. Instead of that, reffering to one as being "light skinned" just sounds weird to me. So what's wrong with calling a Caucasian white, or someone black? I dont think its any different that describing someone by their hair color. Like, saying "the guy over there with the long brown hair".

I know if I was talking to someone about a black person, and they were standing where we could see them, I'd tell the person that "its that black girl over there". Nothing racist implied. But what If I referred to her as being African American? What if she isnt? "Black" wouldnt really be offending, at least I hope not, because I wouldnt have to worry about getting her exact country of orgin correct. Same with calling someone white, you wouldnt have to worry about figuring out if they were a European American, a South American - American (lol), a Russian American, ect. ect.

That's awesome. It's stereotypical because we're fitting a group of people into this boundary and it's not always necessarily so.

Then how do you suggest people go about describing a person?

I have a question then... Is it possible for a white person to be African American?

Yes, it is. Dave Matthews is from South America. Therefore African American.

But we stereotype people when we call them African American because we assume they are from an African heritage. Not always the case. So, is it right to call some one African American out of ignorance?

Okay. So if its proper to refer to a black person as being African American, then in return we should refer to whites as European Americans, correct? That seems to be what you're implying. Dave Matthews is white, so then the typical stereotype then for him would be European American instead of White. But Dave Matthews ISNT a European American. He's an African American. So how the hell is someone who just seems him on the street supposed to guess that he's indeed a African instead of European? Thats why we shouldnt have to refer to someone as "African American" or "European American". Its like an offensive guessing game.

[Kontroll]

^ Well, someone has to be described some how. If I'm the only "white" girl standing with a group of people of another race, how else would I be reffered to as? Like if someone was talking about me with someone else, they would refer to me as like "the white girl over there". Or Caucasian, whatever. Instead of that, reffering to one as being "light skinned" just sounds weird to me. So what's wrong with calling a Caucasian white, or someone black? I dont think its any different that describing someone by their hair color. Like, saying "the guy over there with the long brown hair".

I know if I was talking to someone about a black person, and they were standing where we could see them, I'd tell the person that "its that black girl over there". Nothing racist implied. But what If I referred to her as being African American? What if she isnt? "Black" wouldnt really be offending, at least I hope not, because I wouldnt have to worry about getting her exact country of orgin correct. Same with calling someone white, you wouldnt have to worry about figuring out if they were a European American, a South American - American (lol), a Russian American, ect. ect.
Then how do you suggest people go about describing a person?
Okay. So if its proper to refer to a black person as being African American, then in return we should refer to whites as European Americans, correct? That seems to be what you're implying. Dave Matthews is white, so then the typical stereotype then for him would be European American instead of White. But Dave Matthews ISNT a European American. He's an African American. So how the hell is someone who just seems him on the street supposed to guess that he's indeed a African instead of European? Thats why we shouldnt have to refer to someone as "African American" or "European American". Its like an offensive guessing game.

haha, right you are.

[sweetangel2128]

^ Well, someone has to be described some how. If I'm the only "white" girl standing with a group of people of another race, how else would I be reffered to as? Like if someone was talking about me with someone else, they would refer to me as like "the white girl over there". Or Caucasian, whatever. Instead of that, reffering to one as being "light skinned" just sounds weird to me. So what's wrong with calling a Caucasian white, or someone black? I dont think its any different that describing someone by their hair color. Like, saying "the guy over there with the long brown hair".

I know if I was talking to someone about a black person, and they were standing where we could see them, I'd tell the person that "its that black girl over there". Nothing racist implied. But what If I referred to her as being African American? What if she isnt? "Black" wouldnt really be offending, at least I hope not, because I wouldnt have to worry about getting her exact country of orgin correct. Same with calling someone white, you wouldnt have to worry about figuring out if they were a European American, a South American - American (lol), a Russian American, ect. ect.
Then how do you suggest people go about describing a person?
Okay. So if its proper to refer to a black person as being African American, then in return we should refer to whites as European Americans, correct? That seems to be what you're implying. Dave Matthews is white, so then the typical stereotype then for him would be European American instead of White. But Dave Matthews ISNT a European American. He's an African American. So how the hell is someone who just seems him on the street supposed to guess that he's indeed a African instead of European? Thats why we shouldnt have to refer to someone as "African American" or "European American". Its like an offensive guessing game.

Ok answer me this. What if the whole group were white or maybe only black. How would you announce a certain person then since you can't do it upon color?

[kimmytree]

^ Then I guess you would be specific. Like, "the tall girl with blonde hair and a red shirt" Idk.

[Mr. Slowjamz]

i love Dave Chappelle .

[sweetangel2128]

^ Then I guess you would be specific. Like, "the tall girl with blonde hair and a red shirt" Idk.

Still, calling another human black is an insult because they are human no matter there color now if you talking about describing what they are wearing that's different.

[Simba]

"Black" people aren't black.

"Black" people =/= #000000

[kimmytree]

Still, calling another human black is an insult because they are human no matter there color now if you talking about describing what they are wearing that's different.

How is it insulting?