Why are black people, called African American? Options

[USCavalry]

if black people are considered as african americans shouldn't white people be considered as caucasion americans or european americans and so on with all races. nah i'm prob just talking jibberish

[fameONE]

if black people are considered as african americans shouldn't white people be considered as caucasion americans or european americans and so on with all races. nah i'm prob just talking jibberish

Yes, you are (talking gibberish, that is).

[salisbury]

Well technically all blacks came from Africa, and so did all Caucasians, Asians, Indians, Hispanics...anything. The human species originated from Africa.

And it's not the same as calling a Korean, Chinese. Africa is a continent. Korea and China are countries.

Just for the record, I don't mind being called "black".
The black panthers is nothing like the KKK.
They were created to promote civil rights and defend themselves. They shouldn't even be said in the same breath as the KKK.

the black panthers promoted civil rights and defending themselves as a cover. while they may have done that, they were a terrorist group; promoting marxism.

[fameONE]

the black panthers promoted civil rights and defending themselves as a cover. while they may have done that, they were a terrorist group; promoting marxism.

Enough with the conspiracy theories, why don't you cite something credible? And no, a website isn't credible unless it cites works, quotes or transcripts from those who created, or were involved with, the party.

kthxbye.

[31miracles]

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?

you're clueless aren't you?

The word "nigga" carries a cultural connotation of a feeling of pride for being African American or dark. Therefore, if you aren't African American, you have no right to refer to someone as a "nigga". "Nigga" is used between two people who know each other, where they understand that "nigga" is not used negatively. For your own safety, don't call anyone a "nigga".

On the other hand, the word "nigger" has been debased over the years. "Nigger" has been transformed into a derogatory word that refers to African Americans. "Nigger", along with being black, implies a lower class status (like when slavery was present). That is why "nigger" is way worse than "cracker" or "whitey".

[31miracles]

Why are you calling someone else clueless?

No one from any race should use that word, and to me the words are exactly the same. People have been trying to justify the one that ends in an "a" for the longest time, and I don't understand why.

I'm calling this kid clueless, because throughout this topic, he has been showing his limited understanding of the topic. Also, he has made remarks (I understand that he might think they are not racist) that can be interperated as derogatory.

and I explained why people can "justify" the one that ends with "a" and why it is different from the other one. Just read what I wrote, and if you object with any of my points... please tell me.

[*Frénésie*]

Grrr ... this is ridiculous. WHAT ELSE SHOULD BLACK PEOPLE BE CALLED? How about me? I'm European, so what should I be called (apart my name, of course)? Negro European? African European? I am Black, black, black, black. You're Asian, Asian, Asian and he's White, white, white. It's not an insult. JESUS CHRIST! Black Americans ... some of you amaze me. You get angry for the littlest shit.

You're BLACK, accept it. It's got nothing to do with racism.

Arrgh, you all should come to Europe, I mean, LIVE in Europe and hopefully you'll understand.

Example: Look at that black boy, he's a great dancer.

Is that considered as racism?

FYI, in Africa, it'll be exactly the same. People won't say 'that black guy ...'. But if they saw a European, I BET YOU that they'll say 'That White man ..'. It isn't racism.

Jesus lord!!

[USCavalry]

ya i agree, white, black, asian, indian, pacific islander or w/e you are is not meant to demean a person's race. Some people may feel uncomfortable being labled, or perhaps the one using the term uses a particular tone that affends the other. Just don't start calling people blackenese.

[JerzDevil]

you're clueless aren't you?

The word "nigga" carries a cultural connotation of a feeling of pride for being African American or dark. Therefore, if you aren't African American, you have no right to refer to someone as a "nigga". "Nigga" is used between two people who know each other, where they understand that "nigga" is not used negatively. For your own safety, don't call anyone a "nigga".

On the other hand, the word "nigger" has been debased over the years. "Nigger" has been transformed into a derogatory word that refers to African Americans. "Nigger", along with being black, implies a lower class status (like when slavery was present). That is why "nigger" is way worse than "cracker" or "whitey".

wow u r an idiot arent u, where r u from kentucky, kansas? f**k outta here ... u obviously havent experienced the real world ... some blacks are fine with other non-blacks saying the term "nigga" cuz it can be used in a way to greet your homies like "waddup nigga? its been a long time man, we gotta chill soon niggga!" ... safety my ass. was that used in a offensive term? NO!!! some blacks are cool with it ... dont care if an asian says it, a hispanic says it, etc etc ..... i know a lot of mexicans who say that NOT IN A BAD WAY and the blacks don't care .... ok. if your saying "nigger", i definetely understand .. but don't get me wrong on this

[thatBLASIANchic]

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

Well I get pissed as all hell when anybody says nigga, don't stereotype everyone into saying that. And I know a lot of black people who don't give a shit when anybody says nigga. And being white and sayin 'nigga' is a f**k of a lot different then being white and saying 'nigger'.

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.

No they don't, I'm half-black and my grandfather is from the west indies. [Barbados] =]

[hotsoup]

Honestly, I read the first page of this and just skipped to the end so excuse me if I leave some stuff out.

1. Not all African Americans/Black (Whatever you prefer) come from Africa. That is a common misconception.

2. Speaking in any way shape or form, there is no such thing as race. The idea of race has been given up on in the scientific community for a long time. There are really to genetic differences between being Black, White, Asian, or whatever. However, we do have our ethnicity. Some of us have done research and have discovered exactly where our ancestors originated from and some of us haven't.

3. I'm Black. I identify as either/or simply because I don't really mind. Call me what you want as long as you're not insulting me and if you are, I'll let you know. However, I don't stand for anyone calling me a "nigger" or a "nigga". I'm sorry but neither term no matter what any rapper or comedienne tells you is acceptable in my book. You simply cannot reclaim a word with that history attached to it and it's not our place to be trying. It's not our word, it's the word of our ancestors and past leaders, if they want to reclaim it, let them try.

[LOWinSKANK]

but white people can be called white. interesting.

[magicfann]

black people are called african american because of liberal sissy tree-hugging feminists who want to be "politically correct"

then they realize that they fail

[MrElsewhere]

Has anybody asked a black person what they would like to be called?

Should we brainstorm a new term for blacks that can be deemed politically correct?

[hotsoup]

It really does honestly come down to the person. As long as you're not saying something insulting or in an insulting manner, most people will not get offended if you mess up and call them Black if they prefer to be called African American.

And yeah, the prevailing anthropological theory is people all come from Africa, but when discussing why some people prefer African American over Black or vice versa, it's sort of irrelevant mainly because people trace their ancestors back to the place they were living in before they were enslaved and brought here.

[1angel3]

As an African American, I don't see a problem in calling us African Americans...whats the big deal with us saying it?? Hispanics get mad when you call them Mexican, I don't see a problem in it. For years black people was called many names including 'Nigger', 'Colored', and 'Black' and when the term "African american' came along, we like it and it didn't sound offensive and direspecting. No Black people don't get offended when you called them black, back then we did, anymore.

[*Flair*]

You know, I still don't get how someone could get offended when called Black. Is that an insult now? Is that a racial slur now?

People make huge deals out of nothing. If you're Black, you're Black. I don't see what the fuss is all about.

[*kryogenix*]

It's funny when black people accuse each other of racism.

[*Flair*]

Why is it funny?

[xKatt]

Ha, I remember reading about this from Maddox.

Read the article here

It's all completely true.

However, as much as I hate to say it, blacks sort of brought some of these things upon themselves. Non-blacks are in a quagmire right now as to what will or will not offend blacks. I'm not saying everyone is like this, but for the most part blacks are ultra sensitive and it's not entirely fair. A black person can spit on a white person and call him a cracker without being labeled a racist, but can a white person spit on a black person and call them a nigger without being labeled a racist?

African American and Caucasian are terms used to try and remove the reminders of "the past" (which blacks today didn't even go through) which blacks are so sensitive of.

I agree though that it's stupid when people will make an effort to either pretend to be blind to a person's race or try so hard to be politically correct that they turn out to be more racist than to begin with, but whites are only trying to be conscious of your feelings. Forgive them if they fail miserably. It just doesn't seem like you black people are ever happy with how we treat you.

[*Flair*]

I could debate some of your points but I'm far too tired. Anyway, African Americans and Black Europeans are completely different. We (Europeans) have got better things to do than getting mad because we were called 'Black'.

You know, this is SO surprising that I even discussed it with my friends. Seriously, I don't see what's offensive. No matter the explanation you give, I'll never understand. It's just too ridiculous.

[DominicanaMel]

There aren't different races. We're all human. It's the human race.

Amen.

[Note]

I don't see why they should take offense after the whole nigga and niglet crap becoming a everyday thing.

[*kryogenix*]

Why is it funny?

You're kidding.

[xKatt]

You really shouldn't assume that.
Where is everyone getting this from? This is example has been used a lot in this thread, and I don't get it. Do you really see this happening?

Yes? Otherwise I wouldn't have said it.

Why can an all-black club be created in a highschool and not an all-white club? What about an all-black college and not an all-white college? And I'm not saying everyone is like this, but blacks seem to want to be treated better because apparently whites owe them something.

None of us went through that past, and do you know any blacks that go around demanding this or that? If they are, it's most likely a joke. Because that's what racial slurrs and racially sensitive words/phrases have become these days. One big joke. That's why there are misconceptions across the board. It's not fair to single blacks out.

Racial slurs and racially sensitive words/phrases aren't a big joke. You said yourself that the N word was deemed the most offensive word by several different groups. So how could it be a joke?

How often do you really see blacks lashing out for being called "blacks"? Stop saying blacks are this, or blacks feel like this, or blacks feel like that. You're assuming. This is what could be happening in the are you live in, but you cannot assume that all blacks feel that way. I certainly am not, and I don't know anyone who is.

Personally, I've never heard blacks lashing out for being called blacks, but that wasn't my argument. I'm simply saying what's happening now. I don't necessarily agree with it, but I see things from both sides.

&&
I'm not assuming!

1. I've seen racism happen between blacks and whites before, and whites really can't do anything without getting their asses kicked!
2. I'm not saying all blacks think or feel or act one way:

I'm not saying everyone is like this, but for the most part blacks are ultra sensitive and it's not entirely fair.

I personally think everyone just needs to settle down and stop trying to be "politically correct" because it's getting quite ridiculous.