I have heard people call Barack Obama African American. Does this mean Donald Trump or Joe Biden are European American?

[Anonymous]

Updates

+1 y

Can Barack Obama be called European American as well since his mother is white?

[EricSummer]

As a European I think it is fine to classify Biden and Trump as European American. Trump's roots in Germany are known and are fairly recent. Biden often highlights his Irish descent, and most of the rest of his ancestors was likely from Europe, too.

Now for Barack Obama I respect his choice to identify as Black which I think is the same as African American. However, about half of his ancestry is also European.

[Pterodon]

Yes it does

[menina]

Yes, I would say that it makes sense to call Donald Trump and Joe Biden European American. Their ancestors were from Europe. In fact, I think that if black Americans are called "African American", then white Americans should be called "European American". But that doesn't happen because many people assume that being from the US equals being white. That isn't always the case since the US is a very diverse country.

As for Barack Obama being called "European American", I don't think it makes sense. It's true that his mother was white, but he identifies as a black man. Also, people don't see him as someone of European descent, they see him as a someone of African descent.

[Asker]

Because his skin looks more dark than light

[Asker]

Also I think many non-Americans are aware Europeans and Africans were not the First Nation of the USA

[menina]

Yes and also because of his features.

[menina]

I agree. I guess it has to do with the way they learn History in school. And also because Native Americans were killed.

[Asker]

There is a lot of videos on YouTube about the native Indian Americans.
Also I think a lot of people in South America know white people and black people are not the first true Americans.

[menina]

Yes, I also think they do. Native Americans were killed, persecuted, forced to become Christians and their lands were destroyed. But I still find the American continent fascinating.

[Asker]

You wrote before “ people assume that being from the US equals being white.”
I don’t believe that’s true. I think it is well known in many countries who the native Indian Americans are. Especially in South America.

[menina]

I understand what you're saying. I don't know about South America but what you're saying makes sense. I'm talking about people from the United States and from other parts of the world.

[Anonymous]

Obamas father was from Africa. Technically he's Kenyan American. Trump might be described as German American just as JFK was considered Irish American. Joe Biden may be considered Irish American. African American usually means those descendants of Slaves in the US otherwise Charlie Theron could be called African American.

[Opinion Owner]

Andrew Tate is more African American than Obama because his father was African American

[BeMuse]

Obama is Kenyan. People that call him an African American are trying to hide his past.

[EpicSnail]

Yes, I believe Trump has German ancestors, and doesn't Biden have Irish ancestry?