Why are black people, called African American? Options

[Kontroll]

I never really liked the term African American, first of all because its just an easy way out instead of calling a person black. Because saying some one is black is closely related to racism, some how.

Technically all people who come from Africa aren't black. If you're Egyptian and you live in America, what are you?

Another problem is that if you're born in the US and you're black, then you're not at all African American. That term only denotes that you previously resided in Africa and moved to the US.

Please discuss to further my knowledge and understanding. Thank you. Oh, and if there is already a topic about this, then close this one. Thank you.

[Comptine]

the reason why many people think the term black is racist is because using the color of a person's race can become racist. for blacks and whites, it's already part of everyday vocabulary. even the two races themselves accept the terms. however, using a color to refer someone's race can become racist in other areas. it's racist to call an asian person yellow or native americans red. the problem is that color as a identify is a risky title that varies from race to race.

african-american is just a term to describe a group of people whose ANCESTORS were from the sub-saharan part of africa.

i'm asian-american but i was born here. just like african-american, the term asian-american describes where my family was from. not necessarily that i was born in asia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_american

african-american and other hypenated americans sprung up when people wanted to describe themselves more than just americans. the first term is usually about their ancestry, not necessarily their previous country/region.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyphenated_Americans

it changes from person to person. some african-americans don't like being called black or being labeled back. the term 'black' brings us back to waybackwhen - when all someone saw was someone's skin color.

nevertheless, the terms black and white has ingrained into our vocabulary. the best we can do is be careful to whom we use the terms to. some african-americans don't care about the term 'black' and other's do.

[*mishyerr*]

I'm not exactly sure why some "African-Americans" get offended when other races call them black. or "nigger." I'm against using the word 'nigger,' but I think it's stupid when blacks are like "ONLY WE CAN CALL OURSELVES NIGGAZ, WE AIN'T GONNA TAKE IT FROM SOME WHITE PEOPLE!"

I guess when people are trying to be polite and cause the least amount of damage possible, they use the term "African American" because it is the nicest way. :D

[Kontroll]

But it's racist when they say we cant say that to them because we're white. Is that not racism? I submit taht it is.

[*WHIMSICAL 0NE*]

^ It's not always one sided. If they throw race back at you then they're just as bad in my opinion.

But I could understand where "black" and "white" aren't politically correct. There are different races, so it's not like we call someone "brown" or "orange" (Idk, orange if you have a bad self tan or something, w/e, just an example).

My first thought on reading the topic title was because their ancestors came from Africa. I guess that means that if I really wanted to I could call myself European-America even though you don't really hear that. A lot of african-americans can trace their roots back to Africa, whereas "white" people tend to be a mix of many different races (so they can't trace their roots back to ONE country)

[Joss-eh-lime]

I think its because all black people in America have ancestors who were born in Africa.

I don't mind the term black..but some people try to stay away from using it.

[Kontroll]

There aren't different races. We're all human. It's the human race. I don't know why people don't understand that.

If you have a Labrador and a Collie are they different species? No they are variations within a kind. Still one species. Why is it so hard to understand that people are all one race?

I understand that their ancestors are from Africa, but my ancestors are from Canada, France, Ireland and what not. You're not going to call me an Irish, French Canadian American. Are you? I really think that people should just loosen up and treat their skin color as a blessing instead of a burden.

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.

It's like substituting crap for feces. Right?

I'm white. You're Asian, black or whatever. It's not something we should get our knickers in a bunch.

[*mishyerr*]

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*

[hi-C]

I never really liked the term African American, first of all because its just an easy way out instead of calling a person black. Because saying some one is black is closely related to racism, some how.

Technically all people who come from Africa aren't black. If you're Egyptian and you live in America, what are you?

Another problem is that if you're born in the US and you're black, then you're not at all African American. That term only denotes that you previously resided in Africa and moved to the US.

Please discuss to further my knowledge and understanding. Thank you. Oh, and if there is already a topic about this, then close this one. Thank you.

I don't think "Black" is a racist term. I'm Black, and I prefer it over "African-American," for much of the reason that you stated above. My ancestors may have been from Africa, but I'm not. And what you said about Egyptians goes for white South Africans. They have more of a claim on "African American" that I do. (Also, I'm not quite sure about this, but it seems to me, since Egypt identifies more with the Arab world than the African world, that they would be called "Arab American.)

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.

There is such a thing as being anti-slavery but pro-racism. Take Uncle Tom's Cabin for instance. Stowe was decidedly against slavery, but look at her characters: the hero and heroine were two Black people light enough to pass for white, and the darkest character was also the most subservient one.

[Kontroll]

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*

But by creating new words and definitions aren't we just segregating them more?

The problem is that we are so offended by things. I'm not saying the solution is to get rid of the term 'African American' but we need to stop being so afraid to say what we want, as long as it's not hurtful. If I call some one 'black' is that being hurtful? No. Then why is it politically incorrect for me to say it?

[pandamonium]

thats a good question. its because you still want to be considered by your nationality. Like they call me Fil-Am because i am filipino american. But i was born in america so really am just american. But when people are describing you they cant just call you american they have to say your nationality.

Think about it. When someone asks "what is he?" and you say hes "american" it doesnt provide that much information about the person. So i think that African-American is used to describe someone due to their ethnicity. Your heritage is african so you are an african american just as im a filipino american.

And its funny, cause in my culture usually when you say American they think of some white guy. I dont really get it right now but yea.

[Kontroll]

thats a good question. its because you still want to be considered by your nationality. Like they call me Fil-Am because i am filipino american. But i was born in america so really am just american. But when people are describing you they cant just call you american they have to say your nationality.

Think about it. When someone asks "what is he?" and you say hes "american" it doesnt provide that much information about the person. So i think that African-American is used to describe someone due to their ethnicity. Your heritage is african so you are an african american just as im a filipino american.

And its funny, cause in my culture usually when you say American they think of some white guy. I dont really get it right now but yea.

Right, I get what you're saying about the lack of information. But, let me ask this. Just because he is black, does that mean he if from Africa? What if he was born in Jamaica? Wouldn't calling him African American therefore be categorizing him in the wrong place?

[pandamonium]

Right, I get what you're saying about the lack of information. But, let me ask this. Just because he is black, does that mean he if from Africa? What if he was born in Jamaica? Wouldn't calling him African American therefore be categorizing him in the wrong place?

ah ya got me lol. i dont know what to say to that, i never even thought of that. i guess its just mainstream ignorance (if that makes sense?) what i mean is that one person says african american, everybody thinks african american.

just like when people say "race" instead of nationality or ethnicity when infact all humans are a part of a race.

[Kontroll]

I'm just trying to make a point here.

We should be living in a place where we shouldn't be afraid to say what we want to. The United States wasn't formed on "freedom of speech only when it doesn't offend your neighbors." I should be able to call anyone anything I want. I mean, when it's not used in a demeaning way, then it can't be wrong. Right?

[hi-C]

But by creating new words and definitions aren't we just segregating them more?

The problem is that we are so offended by things. I'm not saying the solution is to get rid of the term 'African American' but we need to stop being so afraid to say what we want, as long as it's not hurtful. If I call some one 'black' is that being hurtful? No. Then why is it politically incorrect for me to say it?

"Black" isn't politically incorrect. It all comes down to a matter of personal preference.

[Kontroll]

"Black" isn't politically incorrect. It all comes down to a matter of personal preference.

But considering there are so many people, how are we to know who thinks what? People just generalize and just go with political correctness.

[viugiufgjhfhjfhg...]

I'm just trying to make a point here.

We should be living in a place where we shouldn't be afraid to say what we want to. The United States wasn't formed on "freedom of speech only when it doesn't offend your neighbors." I should be able to call anyone anything I want. I mean, when it's not used in a demeaning way, then it can't be wrong. Right?

Theorically you are totally correct; however in practice your personal freedom ends where other people's begin. So there's always a kind of tacit agreement with regards to what can be said about certain topics in order to not cause unwanted or unnecessary controversy.

Of course, this can be easily exploited under the premise of political correctness; but it seems that the general tendence in communications is towards a bigger liberalization of contents as long as subjects that were treated as taboo topics are being talked about more openly.

This would imply that eventually the euphemisms coined along the way will fade and possibly disappear, but that's a strictly hypothetical conjecture.

[Kontroll]

Theorically you are totally correct; however in practice your personal freedom ends where other people's begin. So there's always a kind of tacit agreement with regards to what can be said about certain topics in order to not cause unwanted or unnecessary controversy.

Of course, this can be easily exploited under the premise of political correctness; but it seems that the general tendence in communications is towards a bigger liberalization of contents as long as subjects that were treated as taboo topics are being talked about more openly.

This would imply that eventually the euphemisms coined along the way will fade and possibly disappear, but that's a strictly hypothetical conjecture.

Yeah, absolutely. I know what you're talking about. I guess it really only does work in theory, but hey, it can't hurt to try and make a point and then make something happen from that, right?

I just wish people weren't so tense about the whole race issue, cause it really isn't as in depth as everyone says it is in regards to actual races and not racism.

Well, if there is only one race, the human race, shouldn't the word 'Racism' be changed?

[viugiufgjhfhjfhg...]

Yeah, absolutely. I know what you're talking about. I guess it really only does work in theory, but hey, it can't hurt to try and make a point and then make something happen from that, right?

I just wish people weren't so tense about the whole race issue, cause it really isn't as in depth as everyone says it is in regards to actual races and not racism.

Well, if there is only one race, the human race, shouldn't the word 'Racism' be changed?

The concept of racism as we understand it would have to disappear, that is for sure.

What I tried to say in my previous post, though, is that this limitations in language do tend to disappear as long as the people using them become more open in the moral sense. For example, in Spain joking about catholicism is not as frowned upon as it was 60 years ago; however in some places you're still going to get nasty looks if you joke about the Monarchy.

[Kontroll]

The concept of racism as we understand it would have to disappear, that is for sure.

What I tried to say in my previous post, though, is that this limitations in language do tend to disappear as long as the people using them become more open in the moral sense. For example, in Spain joking about catholicism is not as frowned upon as it was 60 years ago; however in some places you're still going to get nasty looks if you joke about the Monarchy.

Oh, yeah. Again. I totally understand. You're basically saying what I am, but ten times better. Haha.

You get my point though right? That's all I'm trying to get across. If I can reach one person then I'm happy. That's what lifes all about. Spreadin' the word, ma man.

[viugiufgjhfhjfhg...]

Oh, yeah. Again. I totally understand. You're basically saying what I am, but ten times better. Haha.

You get my point though right? That's all I'm trying to get across. If I can reach one person then I'm happy. That's what lifes all about. Spreadin' the word, ma man.

Yep, I do. I was only making sure we're talking about the same thing xD.

[espressive]

There aren't different races. We're all human. It's the human race. I don't know why people don't understand that.

If you have a Labrador and a Collie are they different species? No they are variations within a kind. Still one species. Why is it so hard to understand that people are all one race?

I understand that their ancestors are from Africa, but my ancestors are from Canada, France, Ireland and what not. You're not going to call me an Irish, French Canadian American. Are you? I really think that people should just loosen up and treat their skin color as a blessing instead of a burden.

So I guess you could say that we are all race, technically, but "black" or "African American" can be used as description, just as if you're describing somebody's hair color/eye color...etc. In that sense, I don't really see anything wrong with being more specific within a broad subject. Is it necessary bad that we'll call a collie a "collie" instead of a "dog"? No. So what's wrong with calling people "African Americans"?

I tend to steer away from saying "blacks", because I just feel bad when I say it, but "African Americans" is so long. I don't know, I guess with the whole US History and just how the term "blacks" has been used makes me feel like it's a deragatory word.

[*Frénésie*]

Probably because majority, if not all black people came from Africa. In my opinion, an Egyptian would be called "African American" because he / she is from Africa. African doesn't mean black.

I live in Europe but I've never been called an "African European". I'm European and it ends there.
Although, I don't get why nobody says "White American". Only the minorities have their race attached to 'American'. Ironic.

Anyway, yes, there is the human race BUT in the human race, there are also different races. If you get what I mean. We aren't the same. We've got different cultures, and many more.
I don't think identifying someone by his / her race should be considered as racism.

[Kontroll]

Probably because majority, if not all black people came from Africa. In my opinion, an Egyptian would be called "African American" because he / she is from Africa. African doesn't mean black.

I live in Europe but I've never been called an "African European". I'm European and it ends there.
Although, I don't get why nobody says "White American". Only the minorities have their race attached to 'American'. Ironic.

Anyway, yes, there is the human race BUT in the human race, there are also different races. If you get what I mean. We aren't the same. We've got different cultures, and many more.
I don't think identifying someone by his / her race should be considered as racism.

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.

[viugiufgjhfhjfhg...]

Anyway, yes, there is the human race BUT in the human race, there are also different races. If you get what I mean. We aren't the same. We've got different cultures, and many more.
I don't think identifying someone by his / her race should be considered as racism.

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