Why are black people, called African American? Options

[*Sandraaa*]

^ I LOVE your signature. ROFL.

Hahahahahahahaha.

[KayleighKins]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MKiMa2kHc78

[demolished]

You've never been to Camden, Newark or Washington DC have you?

I never did. I lived in California in my whole life. i don't think Asian racism is much a problem since California is very populated with Asians and Hispanic Latinos. I mean, look at the map, Asian countries are near California, Mexico is right next to California. I know Asian immigrants parents are generally racist toward dark skinned and favored the Caucasian. The bottom line is there aren't any major problems down here.



I think southern California is a good diverse area. Racism is never been a problem throughout my entire life.



But it ticks me off when I heard nyc and Texas experienced a lot of racism especially from a man's childhood through adulthood. I really don't understand why race is is such a huge problem. It's ridiculously immature and intolerance. I like to travel to nyc one day. Will I get a black eye if I passed through a group of African Americans? I'm not offending anyone but I keep hearing stores that there are always fighting and active hate among the Asians and Africans Americans.

[kimmytree]

By the way, take a look at the last pages and tell me what I should say to Kimmytree who said that the Holocaust was worse than the Black slavery.

You're completely missunderstanding me. Completely.

Here ya go.

(kimmytree) How is the Holocaust even comparable to Slavery? The Holocaust happened 65-70 years ago. Survivors and people from that era are still alive. At the peak of slavery, there were around 4 million of them in America. Americans didnt capture them or anything, they were SOLD to them. The Germans killed around 5 million, and a total of around 10 million were killed by the Nazi's throughout Europe. And that's not counting the millions who were lucky enough to survive.

So please, I think it's a little ignorant to compare the two. I'm not trying to lessen the tragedy that slavery really was, but it's not the only case of suffering the world has seen.

(sandra) I was referring to the fact that people are always telling Blacks to forget about slavery and move on. Why not do the same to Jews? Why not tell them to move on. I have never ever heard / seen someone telling the Jews to forget about the Holocaust and move on with their lives. SIMPLE!

I wasn't comparing the two - I wasn't saying that Black slavery is much more important. Man ... do not missunderstand me because that's the last thing I'll ever come up with.

I AM SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE SAYING 'GET OVER IT'. You can't get over history, you shouldn't. Don't just make it as an excuse for your miserable life. Simple. That is all I am trying to point out.

(kimmytree) Yeah, I got your point. But you were acting like telling the Jews to forget about the Holocaust would be like Blacks forgetting about slavery. You were comparing the two.

(sandra) Actually it was - if the Blacks should forget about slavery, why shouldn't the Jews forget about Holocaust? Yes, I agree. I was comparing but that wasn't what you meant, was it? Unless you want to change your point of view.

(kimmytree) What? So you think Slavery was worse than the Holocaust?
Why would I change my point of view? You were comparing the two. Slavery in the US was a terrible thing, but it's not something you can really compare to the Holocaust.

(sandra) It actually seems like you think the Holocaust was worse.

I was comparing but not in the way you first thought. Am I right?

(kimmytree) But it was worse.

(sandra) No, it wasn't. It was different. This is my point - they shouldn't be compared ... really.

[kimmytree]

Well no offense, but even looking at threads on createBlog I see a lot of, "My parents would never let me hang out or date blacks or hispanics. They are racist towards them. It's because they are fobs, keke"

There's not THAT many people that go around saying that, but there are people who think that way though. There's plenty of blacks that are the same way. Trust me, I know two people (that arent related) that arent even allowed to set foot in a white persons house. Every race (at least in America) is equally guilty of being like that.

Yeah that's true but, the Holocaust lasted only two years and slavery lasted over 400 years, that's the difference

No, WWII was from 1935 - 1942 I believe. Hitler started targeting the Jews (and the gays, mentally retarded, and other religions) even before the war even started. The Holocaust occured during most, if not the entire war. So thats 7 years, not 2.

America didnt have slaves until the 1670's I believe. The Civil War ended in 1865. So that's only 200 years, not 400.

Big difference.

The primary uses of slavery was not only used in agriculture, but also used for everything. We was your servants and we took care your kids and took care of the slave masters sexual needs against our well(That act today is known as rape).

Thats true, they did do all of that. But why are you saying "We"? Were you a slave? No you werent. When I refer to our country and the people who were for slavery, I refer to them as "they", since I was not alive and had nothing to do with what went on. They were our ancestors, but not us.

If we wasn't educated why did you white folks come and get us? Why didn't you do it yourself? If you claim it would've got done anyway, why didn't you do it yourself? We was educated in our way, no we wasn't educated in your way. When white folks first landed here on America, you wasn't educated in the Indians way, They taught you how to plant corn and potatoes and then you went to Africa and got the black man to do it.

I meant educated as in being able to read and write. Americans bought slaves from African tribes. We did not steal them or anything. I guess slave owners purchased slaves because it was a cheaper way of getting the work done. If there werent any slaves, they would have had to work in the fields, clean, build things, and everything else that slaves did. What do you think they would have done, just sit back and do nothing? It still would have gotten done... they did it before having slaves.

You're right, the Native Americans did teach us alot of things. But Blacks didnt. They just did our labor work. Please dont get me wrong, I'm definitely against slavery and racism. It's a terrible terrible thing that shouldnt have ever happened. But still.

There are a lot of people that feel the government owes them something. A lot of people that voted for Bush for example. You can't single Blacks out.

What the heck is that supposed to mean? And what does Bush have to do with anything?

[YaGurlSukedMe2SL...]

There's not THAT many people that go around saying that, but there are people who think that way though. There's plenty of blacks that are the same way. Trust me, I know two people (that arent related) that arent even allowed to set foot in a white persons house. Every race (at least in America) is equally guilty of being like that.

Cause ya no, 2 people is A LOT.

[kimmytree]

Cause ya no, 2 people is A LOT.

Well that's just an example. Those are the more extremes that I know of. I go to a really small private school, so I only know around 10 black kids. And then I know 4 Indians, and they're kinda the same way. But then of course there's whites who are like that too.

[YaGurlSukedMe2SL...]

Well that's just an example. Those are the more extremes that I know of. I go to a really small private school, so I only know around 10 black kids. And then I know 4 Indians, and they're kinda the same way. But then of course there's whites who are like that too.

Well think about it, if you go to a school with only 10 black children, how well do you really know racism from their perspective?

[kimmytree]

I know that, but I'm just saying..he brought up the Black & Asian example...and I've seen threads full of people saying that on this website.

It's a shame that people are like that. But just because there's mostly white kids who say things like that towards blacks here doesnt mean it's like that in the real world. At first I got the impression that you think whites do it more, but I think I get what you're saying. But I think all races in the US are equally racist towards others.

[kimmytree]

^ Ooops.

Man, race is such a sensitive issue. :[ I hope one day we are all mixed and there will be no such thing as races or racial profiling. And people will understand that people don't act a certain way, or believe a certain thing because of their race...because they will be mixed with that race as well.

I agree. We all came from the same place... and have the same common ancestors. I just wish people would get that. :/

But I guess its normal for people to be a teeny bit predjudice (I dont know if thats the right word for it?) Like when it comes to helping people or choosing friends, people are more likely to pick someone who they find most similar to themself. Which alot of times ends up coming down to a persons race. But I dont think people are like that intentionally, Its just natural, without even trying to be racist.

Well think about it, if you go to a school with only 10 black children, how well do you really know racism from their perspective?

I'm not saying that I do completely get it. But I havent always been in such a small school, with such a low number of minorities. I've been in public school before. Heck, my best friend in middle school was black. Even though I only know 10 of them, I'm fairly close with most of them. They arent just accquantinces.

[demolished]

Well no offense, but even looking at threads on createBlog I see a lot of, "My parents would never let me hang out or date blacks or hispanics. They are racist towards them. It's because they are fobs, keke"

I see a lot of that in real life too so I'm not surprised their is so much animosity. I don't think coming from another country is an excuse for that. People need to educate their parents. My parents are from Nigeria and Holland and they don't act that way--and if they did, I would do whatever I needed to do to correct that.

I'm not trying to offend you and I don’t hate Black people. i blame the media that influences African American to act in a certain "way", not all. You know what I’m talking about? I'm talking about Black music video, rap artist, hip hop artist, movies, and people that are display in the media. You know media DOES make an impact to people's behavior especially little kids.



That’s why you hear about anorexic and bulimic people. I believe, it came from the media influences.



Maybe, the same concept did influences African American to act in a certain way.

[*kryogenix*]

I'm not trying to offend you and I don’t hate Black people. i blame the media that influences African American to act in a certain "way", not all. You know what I’m talking about? I'm talking about Black music video, rap artist, hip hop artist, movies, and people that are display in the media. You know media DOES make an impact to people's behavior especially little kids.

Are you claiming that blacks are mindless and imitate what they see on TVs like monkeys? Are you being so bold as to say that blacks are like monkeys? What are you, racist?

[kimmytree]

I'm not trying to offend you and I don't hate Black people. i blame the media that influences African American to act in a certain "way", not all. You know what I'm talking about? I'm talking about Black music video, rap artist, hip hop artist, movies, and people that are display in the media. You know media DOES make an impact to people's behavior especially little kids.



That's why you hear about anorexic and bulimic people. I believe, it came from the media influences.



Maybe, the same concept did influences African American to act in a certain way.

I agree. And it's the same way with how rap music is degrading of women.
I think it's also extremists like Al Sharpton and others (both black and white) that go overboard and create problems among their own people. It's like alot of civil rights activists jump on every little thing and make a big deal about it, which ends up making people build up hate towards who they were reffering to.

Like the whole "nappy headed hoe" incident awhile back.

[kimmytree]

But it's not blacks that just listen to that..it's everyone that listens to that. You know the majority of rap music around the world or even in America, is bought by white people?

Thats true. But guess who's making most of it.

[*Sandraaa*]

But it was worse.

All I needed. Thanks though.

Even though I only know 10 of them

You know more Black people than I do and I'm Black. *sigh*

[kimmytree]

^ Well, you're from Europe right? I think I remember you saying you spoke French. Your English is pretty good for it being your second language!

[*Sandraaa*]

Yes, I'm a European and thanks. I try not to make so many errors but I fail miserably =(

[Spirited Away]

But it's not blacks that just listen to that..it's everyone that listens to that. You know the majority of rap music around the world or even in America, is bought by white people?

I'm not sure what this is about (because I haven't read the thread), I just want to make note of your statistics.

Here, you're assuming that the population of Whites and Blacks is at an equal. If this is the case, then yes, your statistic of more Whites buying rap than Blacks would be a logically sound piece of evidence (to support whatever you're trying to support). However, considering that Whites is still the majority, you'd have to prove your claim by giving a percentage (or ratio) of Whites buying rap music to Blacks buy rap music, or else your claim is invalid and untrue. In lay's terms, Whites outnumber Blacks, so saying that more Whites buy rap music than Blacks is a moot point.

Oh... about the topic... I don't have a problem with calling a Black person Black, or a White person White so long as he/she doesn't have a problem with it. If the person is offended, then I will just call them whatever he/she wants to be called. After all, you have to respect others for them to respect you.

[Spirited Away]

I meant exactly what I said. The post I was replying to seemed to be inferring that rap music solely affected blacks. I replied trying to show that blacks were not the only people that purchased rap music, and the majority of money that goes to this industry (which in turn promotes it, and helps better it and helps it grow) is from white people.

I wasn't assuming anything, and I wasn't inferring anything else that you stated in your post.

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't get all of what you just said from the two sentences you originally wrote:

But it's not blacks that just listen to that..it's everyone that listens to that. You know the majority of rap music around the world or even in America, is bought by white people?

Now that you cleared that up... Are you saying that if Blacks act a certain way by listening to rap, then Whites who listen to rap would also demonstrate those behaviors? Because I didn't get that you were saying that. All I got was, something about the economy of Whites buying rap music, too, which confused me since the person you quoted was talking about media influence.

[Spirited Away]

It's okay, I was being sarcastic. Once I read the post that you responded to, I didn't see the connection until you cleared that up. Let's not argue if rap music(or the media as a whole) has any influence over anyone's behaviors, because that deserves its own thread (don't you think?).

Behavior wise, yes, I agree that if there is bad influence, anyone who listens (no matter his/her race) would have the equal opportunity to be affected. However, do you not think that people of the same background/same culture/same ethnicity exert the same behaviors, generally speaking?

[xKatt]

Oh... about the topic... I don't have a problem with calling a Black person Black, or a White person White so long as he/she doesn't have a problem with it. If the person is offended, then I will just call them whatever he/she wants to be called. After all, you have to respect others for them to respect you.

Agreed. That's how I go about my day. If they ask me to call them something else, I'll call them that. Like when people say I'm "Oriental" I ask them to call me Asian if anything.

[Spirited Away]

Hahaha, a co-worker of mine from when I worked at the Y referred to me as "that oriental girl over there" once. She's in her late 70's so I forgive her. I don't think people realize how awkward the word "oriental" sounds to us (when describing our ethinicity).

[Joss-eh-lime]

i think black is more accurate...but i like how african american sounds much better, personally.

[*Sandraaa*]

However, do you not think that people of the same background/same culture/same ethnicity exert the same behaviors, generally speaking?

Absolutely not. I am Black but I don't have anything in common with Black Americans or regular Belgian Blacks.
I know Asians (actually 2 Chinese girls) who act completely differently.
I think it depends on the family and how much their culture means to them. There are some who take it lightly and others to whom it means their world.

[KayleighKins]

Hahaha, a co-worker of mine from when I worked at the Y referred to me as "that oriental girl over there" once. She's in her late 70's so I forgive her. I don't think people realize how awkward the word "oriental" sounds to us (when describing our ethinicity).

My ex boyfriends dad once described me as a chink. Sebastian showed him my picture (this was a long time ago) and he said, "What are you, dating a chink?"

I was really offended. It's hard to imagine, but there are lots of white people who assume I'm Asian out there, because I guess I kind of look it. I don't look the way most white people do. And so even though I'm not Asian, I still feel offended when I'm called names like that.

And also my cousins are Asian, so I was pissed off on another level too. I forgave him because he has Bipolar Disorder and wasn't taking his meds, so he was a little off at the time.