Should Blacks Be Called African-American?

[Stacyzee]

I remember a while back, I had a friend that was a Black American. She had parents that were born in Africa.

I also had another friend, that was a Black American. She had parents that were born in Trinidad.

Although, these two girls were the same race they were given the same name by society, an African-American.

How can we call a black person an African-American when they know just as much about Africa as you and I? This person has assumed an identity they probably know very little about. If anything, they know more about the ethnic groups they are directly associated with rather than one they have to trace hundreds of years back to.

My Trinidadian-American friend being given the title African-American, made me think that in a sense society is dissociating her with own ethnicity. It also made me think, how come Caucasian people aren't called European Americans?

Yes, Blacks should be prideful of their ancestors.

They fought hard so Blacks could be where they are now.

They stuck together.

They were a strong set of people.

A great majority of Blacks have no immediate or direct trace with Africa, that ethnic background is one that existed hundreds of years ago which does not fail to run through their veins.

The only thing they have in common with an African is a shared phenotype. However, if you place someone born in Africa in the same room with an African-American you will realize how different they are in culture, food, and language.

Lets use other examples of Blacks, how about those born in America with no Caribbean background? How about those with parents from Cuba, Guyana, Britain etc.? Should they be called African-Americans? Blacks, what title do you like to be referred to as?

[Anonymous]

In the last 50 years, American culture has gone through a succession of terms which were deemed "acceptable" for referring to people of the Negroid race. When I was a child, "colored" was a respectful term. Then it became "Negro." Later, it was Afro-American, Person of Color, Black, African-American, and perhaps there are a few others that I am forgetting. Every time there is a new term, someone decides that some other name would be "more" respectful and using the old term is now suddenly "disrespectful."

The problem here is that it doesn't matter what name you use, because any name can be used in a respectful way or in a disrespectful way. This constant name change is all about the exercise of power, forcing the majority to do something to accommodate the supposed sensibilities of a minority.

If I call a black person "colored" nowadays, I will be castigated as a racist. But. . . guess what? The organization that fights for the rights of black people still calls itself the National Association for the Advancement of COLORED People. How hypocritical is this?

[RainbowFanGirl]

Well, you don't see whites being called "European American". I think it depends on the person and their pride in their heritage. You can call me, black or African American, or even just American. I was born and raised here in America.

[Stacyzee]

I think you can be prideful of your heritage without having to technically erase your own.

[ConsultantIsBack]

This ^^

[madhatters4]

i personally think black (african-americans) should be called Americans. White people should be called americans.

If some asked my ethnicity then i can say i am ________, _________, ________, etc but we are Americans.

It's not about being ashamed or not proud of your history but it's more about honoring the place you were born, raised and ultimately truly identify with.

[SomeGuy37]

I'm white, and have several friends, all American, for several generations, but their skin is 'dark'. I don't call them 'Black' because I am offended that some need that segregation!! They are my friends, and that is OK, for me! Why does their skin color matter?
Segregation, and Slavery, in the US was HORRIFIC!! Why do people need to maintain that, using terms like 'Black; or "African-American' or 'Colored'? When can we just accept each other, and not 'see' skin color, and not need those words?
Do 'African-Americans' really want to be separated, by the terms, or would they rather just be 'Friends' and 'Co-workers' and not be defined by their skin color?
I know that for some, there is a 'cultural thing' that they want to maintain. My ancestors came to the US, and tried to fit in, and become 'Americans' like they expected, then!! Norwegians, Germans, Austrians, but all very similar-looking, fair skinned!!
I don't have an answer, but I don't see 'color' with my friends. Maybe that is the first step...

[redeyemindtricks]

I know a blond white boy who went to college at Long Beach State on minority scholarships, back in the day, by checking off the "African-American" boxes.

Turns out he was born in South Africa, and his family immigrated to California when he was a toddler. So, he was absolutely telling the truth -- he was literally "African-American", in the most direct way possible. Actually born in Africa, and, now, American.

I think they tried to take his scholarship away when this came to light, but, eventually, he was allowed to keep it. Lol.

Just goes to show how the whole PC thing sometimes has unintended consequences.

And, yeah, don't even get me started on the stupidity of referring to all white people as "Caucasian". Lol... The Caucasus is part of the Middle East and Western Asia, peeps.

[Spiorad_Aisce]

I very much agree with you on this - It seems every few years there is a new appropriate phrase for Black Americans - I may be mistaken here but it seems to be phenomenon associated with the US, in Europe and other places you are just black, white etc. Possibly yes if you go back far enough the vast majority of American Blacks are descended from slaves brought to US and the Carribean but that said the white population in the US is white and if the feel the need to they can say I am Irish American, Italian American or Poliish American etc, I think the same courtesy should be extended to Black Americans instead of classing them all as African Americans.

[cavmanier]

I agree with you. I think there's a general aversion of insulting black people and calling one 'black' may be interpreted as rude or inconsiderate. I think people subconsciously use 'African American' to minimize disrespect.

I've never heard the term European American and only have heard Asian American or Mexican American a few times. Many more Asians and Mexicans are directly or recently from their respective country though so that makes more sense in that situation.

So the reason in my opinion is not wanting to offend black people. I don't see any other reason, but I am curious if someone else has noticed another possibility.

Kind of relating to what you were saying, I have known some black people from Africa, and I could pretty much tell without even talking to them that they weren't from the US. It's pretty interesting.

[Queen_KZ]

I agree. I also found it strange that I have to identify with African American when I've literally never been to Africa and not of my family members for generations are from there. I'd probably feel slightly better about it if it at least said Black American, which of course would raise a whole lot of other issues (partially because we are brown and not black) but it's better than lumping us all as African just by color. If you're gonna group is by color, just do it and stop trying to be fancy and beat around the bush

[Redshift]

I personally think it sounds absurd. First African-American is someone from two continents. A black guy from New York is as much African-American as a white Canadian whose parents were from South-Africa. It makes no sense to say where are your ancestors from since if we dig deep enough we are all Africans. It makes a lot more sense to simply state the country where you were born. If you're born in country A but lived most of your life in B then you're a A-born B-ian.

[Cosytoasty]

I've never understood why a country that is called the UNITED States loves to divide itself up based on the country your ancestors came from. You're all Americans.

We love to have a joke about the Scots or Welsh (lol) here but when it comes down to it, we call them British (for now anyway xD).

[hazoplmeught]

i have no problem with it what so ever. Kinda how negro wasn't offensive at first but now it is because of how it was used (signs everywhere for segregation and was used in may derogatory ways). African American doesn't have that many negative things attracted to it to make it sound bad

[Stacyzee]

It's not bad. I don't mind the title either. In fact it doesn't offend me the slightest (we are descendants of africans) however have you never questioned it?

[hazoplmeught]

i have before cause my parents are haitian and i wondered if i was haitian American, but at the end of the day we all came from africa. No big deal. Kinda like calling someone irsh or german, which where separated for thousands of years. Yes there are different types of white people lol. Kinda like North, west, south, and east Africans look different.

But at the end of the day, its not a big deal, just as long as it isn't a word that was made to be or understood to be derogatory by most, i dont think much of it

[clampfan101]

Not if they where born and raised in America, at least. It's no more racist than call people like me white. Not calling them African-American being seen as racist would mean people like me being called white instead of American would be racist.
The only difference I see between the two sets is that black and white is shorter. They're like nicknames.

[chintita]

agreed, african-american just sounds weird in reference to a Caribbean person in america.

[Parakeeta]

I think we should be called colored. Really, it was and is more political correct that the other options. It just came out in a rough time period, so that gives it a bad rep.

[palek]

My wife is African-American, being as she used to be an African National but she's been an American citizen for 30 years. I think we can all sort it out from there. ; - )

[mutedaisy]

I'd be sooner claimed by a Native American tribe than I would with any African nation lol I'm glad others question the tittle, because it's ridiculous.

[Josht11]

Well white people moved willingly to america so they don't wanna be called europeans but blacks seem to have lots of pride in their heritage and wanna be called it.

[Maxemeister]

I've met plenty of black people who don't give two flying shits as long as it's not hurtful.

[Stacyzee]

There's a difference between accepting a title and then questioning it. A great majority of blacks accept the title because it lies within their identity however I can't tell you how many actually view it the way I described.

[Stacyzee]

It's not something that gets someone outraged enough to be infuriated by it.

[Maxemeister]

I think what's perfectly fine is: Black, white, Asian, etc.

It's not hurtful. Just an easier way to identify

[Stacyzee]

Yes, I agree.

[kristyle]

Exactly, no need to be so politically correct. As long as it is not offensive with intentions of harm it does not really matter.

[Maxemeister]

@kristyle Indoubitably!

I like black and white because it's quicker and rolls off the tongue better than "caucasian" and "African-America" ugh

[kristyle]

Exactly, why must we sound so technical, just keep it simple.

[Maxemeister]

@kristyle Lol the PC society we live in

[redeyemindtricks]

@maxemeister "Caucasian" has always annoyed me the most, because it has an actual geographical meaning (= people from the Caucasus -- roughly the same as "the Holy Land" plus the western former Soviet republics, Armenia, Azerbaijan, etc).
I still get confused even now when people use "Caucasian" to refer to Anglo white people with British/Irish/French ancestry. It's like, srsly, guys? That's like calling Brazilians "Mexican". Lol.

[Relentless_Hippie]

No no no no non on o non no non on on no. They're just black and should be called black.

[TripleAce]

Well thats America. In USA you are labelled a certain way

[Sunflower19]

Agree! Just grew up saying African-American out of respect! Haha

[Anonymous]

I dont understand why they need to differentiate them selfs. why not just be American.

[Stacyzee]

Society in general needs to label racial backgrounds. In order for us to accept and embrace different cultures, and racial backgrounds we have to first acknowledge their differences.

[Opinion Owner]

so should i go around calling myself a german american?

[Stacyzee]

My response was in reference to racial backgrounds.
If I am Black and you are White, and I am going to not acknowledge our differences then how can I be accepting of what I choose to ignore?
Anyway, if you want to label yourself German American, you have every right to if someone asks. No one says run around shouting it out, you'd look a bit stupid wouldn't you? If someone asks your background you have every right to acknowledge it by saying what you are.

[Opinion Owner]

i dont understand why it would be stupid for me tell everyone my heritage but blacks should? How would we acknowledge our differences if you ignore my side of it.

I hope it doesn't seem like im arguing just argue I just truly don't understand the need to differentiate.

[Stacyzee]

This article is solely speaking about Blacks being called African-Americans.
They have assumed an identity when chances are they know very little about it. My entire question in this article, is that should they still be called African-American? Shouldn't that be dropped?
That's what's in question.
I am not saying they should replace the "African" part with where they were born (example. Jamaica).
Sure if they're asked their ethnicity they can say what they are.
But is it really necessary to be called African-American?
That's what I am discussing, what you are speaking about is confusing me and straying from my original point.

[Opinion Owner]

ok thanks. to me its silly if you born in the US to call you self anything other than American.