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.

[brooklyneast05]

i think it's absolutely ridiculous to say that people of the same ethnicity exert the same behavior, people of the same background, yeah maybe, but not ethnicity. that's WAY too broad

[Spirited Away]

i think it's absolutely ridiculous to say that people of the same ethnicity exert the same behavior, people of the same background, yeah maybe, but not ethnicity. that's WAY too broad

You're kidding me, right? If you had argued that "background" also cover way of life, class (high/middle/low... etc), and even level of eduction then maybe you can lead into the differentials. But you're actually telling me that "ethnicity" has nothing to do with "background"? Generally speaking, one's ethnicity explains one's culture and background (do I really need to open up a dictionary and prove this, or can you do that on your own?).

It's even controversial to say ethnicity is independent of one's background, but how can anyone say with so much confidence that background is independent of ethnicity? Look at the 2000 cencus and see the statistics for yourself.

As for ethnicity and behavior (if you must distinguish it from background), you've never seen a group of Blacks or Hispanics, or even Asians dress a certain way? There is usually a distinct style that each race have set. I'm stereotyping here because it's hard not to when you generalize the population (so don't take it personally). I've been to several schools in my days (financial reasons) and I promise you, that each and every school I've been to have a least a few of these groupies who dress the same, using same speech...etc.

Alright Sandra, let's say the two Chinese girls do behave like complete opposites and believe in completely different things, etc. When Chinese New Years comes along though, you bet that they all expect the same thing from their elders: the red envelope (for money). My point? Ethnic adherence is innate... well, in most of us anyway. Each race is stereotypically expected to do certain things, to act a certain way. Stereotypically I say, but we all see it generally as a fact (i.e. the red envelope).

Now, there are people who do things outside of what people their race/background/culture will do normally, but we are speaking in general terms, are we not? Personally, I don't see that many of us pushing away our traditions/cultures/backgrounds. If you are one that embraces the ideal that "there is one race: the human race", then more power to you. But the few who do, cannot speak for the many who do not yet share the same philosophy of life (unfortunately).

yobaka3, I am "oriental". I just think that word is really awkward. Now, if someone called you a chink... and looked serious doing it, well... you can kick their racist ass.

Yea... it's time to go to bed... I'm not as young as I used to be... and I got work early tomorrow. Goodnight people!

[brooklyneast05]

You're kidding me, right? If you had argued that "background" also cover way of life, class (high/middle/low... etc), and even level of eduction then maybe you can lead into the differentials. But you're actually telling me that "ethnicity" has nothing to do with "background"? Generally speaking, one's ethnicity explains one's culture and background (do I really need to open up a dictionary and prove this, or can you do that on your own?).

sorry, i have no clue what ur talking about. i never said anything about background and ethnicity being related. all i said was that u cant say ethnicity determines peoples behavior. u can't say that because im African American i behave a certain way

so i dont know what ur novel rant was about but i dont think it has anything to do with my post, since ur going on about background. all i said was background might effect behavior, but not ethnicity alone.

[DarkImpressions]

sorry, i have no clue what ur talking about. i never said anything about background and ethnicity being related. all i said was that u cant say ethnicity determines peoples behavior. u can't say that because im African American i behave a certain way

so i dont know what ur novel rant was about but i dont think it has anything to do with my post, since ur going on about background. all i said was background might effect behavior, but not ethnicity alone.

I totally agree with you!

[Spirited Away]

sorry, i have no clue what ur talking about. i never said anything about background and ethnicity being related. all i said was that u cant say ethnicity determines peoples behavior. u can't say that because im African American i behave a certain way

so i dont know what ur novel rant was about but i dont think it has anything to do with my post, since ur going on about background. all i said was background might effect behavior, but not ethnicity alone.

That's unfortunate. My novel rant was about you needing to look up the definition of ethnicity. The fact that you did not see a connection between background and ethnicity was my point =) Novels are good for you. Read some.

I even broke down what background has to do with behavior (independent of ethnicity). You missed that, too. Reading comprehension is good for life, you know? So, practice!

Edit--- oh, and Goodmorning to you and everyone =]

[brooklyneast05]

sorry then
my point was u said this

"But you're actually telling me that "ethnicity" has nothing to do with "background"?"

no i wasn't actually telling anyone that ethnicity had nothing to with background, considering i said nothing about it in my post. i said ethnicity doesn't determine behavior, while background might. so i don't know where u came up with the idea that i was talking about ethnicity and background not being related. so yea i think u miss understood me, show me where in my first post that i said ethnicity has nothing to do with background, and i'll correct whatever u took wrong

[Spirited Away]

sorry then
my point was u said this

"But you're actually telling me that "ethnicity" has nothing to do with "background"?"

no i wasn't actually telling anyone that ethnicity had nothing to with background, considering i said nothing about it in my post. i said ethnicity doesn't determine behavior, while background might. so i don't know where u came up with the idea that i was talking about ethnicity and background not being related. so yea i think u miss understood me, show me where in my first post that i said ethnicity has nothing to do with background, and i'll correct whatever u took wrong

Okay, you're saying that ethnicity does not determine behavior, but background might, right? Let me know if I'm wrong where you're concerned so I won't misunderstand again. Now, I'm saying that background is part of ethnicity (by definition). If you're referring to background of "class, education, way of life" (as I've listed before), then the 2000 census will tell you that is a connection between ethnicity and background (as defined). Thus, you contradicted yourself, to my belief, when you said background might affect behavior and ethnicity does not because they are related.

The problem here is that we can't seem to agree on the definition of ethnicity, I think.

[brooklyneast05]

i'm not sure whether we have the same definition or not, or the same opinion. but i think u took my first post wrong, and maybe that's because i didn't word it the way i wanted, and i think in my second post i clarified more what i was trying to say when i said

"all i said was background might effect behavior, but not ethnicity alone."

i should have used the word alone in my first post, background, ethnicity, ect ect are all very related. but i thought that people were saying ethnicity ALONE determines behavior, and i don't think that just ethnicity can determine behavior. but i do agree that it can have an effect to some extent, although no not in all cases because it just depends on the person.

[*steve330*]

Ethnicity is derived from background. Nurture > Nature.

[brooklyneast05]

agreeeeeed with suzzetteee 107%

[Spirited Away]

I see what you all mean now... but why I grouped background/culture/ethnicity together was because of the textbook defnition. Breaking it up that way does make ethnicity a bit irrelevant, but that was why I didn't =) It wasn't my point.

Okay, while people of the same ethnic group may demonstrate different behaviors, but they can also demonstrate very similar behaviors. So, (1) they can be completely different, and (2) they can be completely the same as well.

Look at the general population of the US, and tell me which of the choices (1 or 2) do they exert more of. (1)similar or (2) different behaviors.

I'm asking that you guys look at the US (even the world), as a whole, not on individual basis. If, as a population, Blacks exert different behaviors from other Blacks or that Asians do not behave the same way as other Asians, then I concur with you guys, absolutely. But unfortunately, de facto seperation of the races is still very much apparent, it shows through housing, economic and general characteristics (education, way of life...etc).

I'm sorry, but Asians in general, no matter Chinese or Vietnamese, will depend on Asian markets for the most part. They will go to Chinese New Years celebrations, no matter where it takes place. They will typically drive Asian-made cars (though generally speaking, because personally, I prefer American cars). China town is big with all Asians, not just Chinese. That's just a few examples of how just being "Asian", nationality aside, can influence decisions and behavior.

[*Sandraaa*]

Alright Sandra, let's say the two Chinese girls do behave like complete opposites and believe in completely different things, etc. When Chinese New Years comes along though, you bet that they all expect the same thing from their elders: the red envelope (for money). My point? Ethnic adherence is innate... well, in most of us anyway. Each race is stereotypically expected to do certain things, to act a certain way. Stereotypically I say, but we all see it generally as a fact (i.e. the red envelope).

I see your point but I'm too in love to actually explain. Let me calm down first. WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Quand tu étais jeune, what happened? I've always wanted to ask! Haha.

[brooklyneast05]

Quand tu étais jeune, what happened? I've always wanted to ask! Haha.

j'aussi

always = a day and half for me

[*Sandraaa*]

O_o. It's moi aussi and I don't understand.

[brooklyneast05]

O_o. It's moi aussi and I don't understand.

wow
moi aussi
i dont know why i typed j'
well, cause i was thinking me too not i too but yea
thanks

moi aussi*

[*Sandraaa*]

You're welcome ... loser.

[Spirited Away]

It's after a song by Supertramp that goes like this:

When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful,
A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical.
And all the birds in the trees, well theyd be singing so happily,
Joyfully, playfully watching me.
But then they send me away to teach me how to be sensible,
Logical, responsible, practical.
And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable,
Clinical, intellectual, cynical.

And so on... =) Meaning I was a lot happier when I was young.

Ah, love. For the moment, love sucks.

Flames to dust
Lovers to friends
Why do all good things come to an end?
--Nelly Furtado

That's what happened to me since I left cB. I know what it's like to be "too in love". I'm happy for you, but be careful of who you give your heart to. I know we can't help it, but try to be careful at least.

[Spirited Away]

So you're asking me to talk about the black population as a whole? Or of the population? If that's not what you are saying I apologize for this misunderstanding to follow, and hope you can further explain it to me. =]

Okay, there is a much larger population of blacks in Africa--or even Nigeria or Zimbabwe or Zambia (if you want to compare countries) than there is in America. There are thousands..maybe even millions of different tribes in Africa. Still, if you want to compare countries--there are many, many tribes within the different countries. No two are a like, and most of them are COMPLETELY different from each other. They are all part of the same ethnic group, they are all black..they are all different.

Even in the US. Blacks in the north behave differently than blacks in the south. The same way that people in the north behave differently than people in the south. I think where you live, and how you were brought up in whatever area you live plays a muchhhhhh bigger role in the way you act--than what ethnicity you are.

Maybe Chinese and Vietnamese was a bad example, but I think that since people of those ethnicities all grew up in different places (now I'm talking about all the Asian countries: The Phillipines, Japan, Vietnam, China, Korea etc) they behave differently, because of their culture. Would you agree? Even within Korea. North Koreans and South Koreans are completely different than each other. A Chinese farmer would act differently than a Chinese business man--because of their background..and a Korean would act differently than a Filipina because of their culture.

Ah, I have to help with dinner so I'll ask a quick question: do you believe in ethnic group behaviors?

Oh yes, I understand that there are differences in tribal cultures across Africa, but the fact that you mentioned that there are tribes is an example of ethnic behavior. I do not doubt that other ethnic groups (aside from Blacks) have tribes. Lest someone else fault me for being ignorant about the rest of the world, allow me to give another example. Our taste in food is also an ethnic behavior. Yes, if you say that Koreans have different tastes than Vietnamese in food, I would agree to a certain extent. However, that slight difference cannot be compared to the deeper distinction in Asian foods versus foods that are culturally attached to Blacks/Whites/Hispanics.

There are Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese foods that are similar to the Korean's kimchi, that are served with the same purpose.... noodles are famously and widely eaten across many Asian cuisine. Oh, Filipinos have a lot of Spanish influence. That would explain their greater difference in behavior.

Yes, ethnicity surely is not the only thing that affect behavior =) This simple thing I agree. But to say that it has nothing to do with behavior is underestimating racism.

Meeeeep. Gotta go.

[Spirited Away]

Oh I edited... it's kina hard to pay attention to this and cut onions. hahah.


Yes, ethnicity surely is not the only thing that affect behavior =) This simple thing I agree. But to say that it has nothing to do with behavior is underestimating racism.

[*Sandraaa*]

I'm Black and so is Suzzette but I'm wayyy more sophisticated than her I'm cooler and better in every way. See?

Honestly Fae (I don't know your name), I think it depends on the person and their upbringing.

You know, I totally understand you. Most Black people in Belgium act the same, really, but there are some who don't ... like my family for example. I don't have the time to explain, I've got a rendez-vous ... haha, I'll update later.

[*steve330*]

^Prices of eggs in china. Will they rise or fall?

[*Sandraaa*]

^ Boring. Let's talk about Homer Simpson instead.

[xKatt]

Who's watching The Simpsons Movie when it comes out?

[*Sandraaa*]

Is that an order?

[*Sandraaa*]

Better.

This topic is quite dead. It has all been said.