Question for the Black American crowd?

Question

What is the reason that black Americans want to be called African American? Why not just be called American and leave the black part to the obvious? I only ask because it seems to me that by wanting a title that you just seperate yourself from the rest of America and isn't that what you DON"T want? Meaning equal treatment and consideration and respect.

Answer 1

you are right, but this is how it goes in most cases someone and i am not sure who decided that we would be called african american that is what is on almost all applications and then the term just grew on us. my sister told me the same thing that you said so that is why she prefers to be called black i personally dont mind because no matter what i will always be Taniere (thats my name) as long as i am not called anything derogartory, but anyway not all black people say oh i want to be known as african american (and i say not all because i am quite sure there are some that do what to be known as african american)but when you mark that x in that box all the time you begin to just say yeh i am african american at any rate i like your question your manner was very respectable you did not say "why do blacks want to be called african american when they have never been to africa" you know what i mean; but i feel like your question was positive and you didnt have to be positive so i appreciate that and i hope that my question helped you although i can assume that you knew that anyway, you are looking for a better answer and seek and you shall find i just gave you my side on the subject.

Answer 2

I would love not to have to fill in "black/African American" on an application or a test sheet. Personally i feel that i should be able to say I'm an American just like anyone from Ireland would say that they are Irish. I also believe that older people had to start to demand respect by having other races begin to call us Black/African American instead of other choice words. Honestly, I've never been to Africa and don't plan on going anytime soon. Now we need to get over old problems and demand to be everyday Americans. Thank you for asking this question.

Answer 3

That's a real good question -- one of the best I've ever read on here, in fact.

You should get points for asking such a good and honest question -- not have to give up points for it.

I think a lot of has to do with the fact that our culture, our families, originated in Africa. Just as Sylvester Stallone's family originated in Italy, which is why he's often referred to as an Italian-American.

I think that African-American, Cuban-American, Irish-American, Italian-American, etc. are a positive reflection of both our diversity and our unity. All of these terms are different on the left side of the hyphen, but all are the same on the right side -- namely that we are all Americans.

This is a unique blend of cultures and ethnicities that you won't find in too many other countries in the world.

Myself, I don't care if someone calls me black. If calling me an African-American suits them, that doesn't bother me either.

I tend to self-describe as Cuban-American. Cuba was where my family lived beginning around 200 years ago (as far as we can tell), and I was the first member of either my mother's or father's family to be born in the USA.

Answer 4

The want to be called african american or black is a self-identity thing. It is true that we are all american and want to be treated equally, but every application I've ever seen asks for a race. I personally prefer to identify as black or black american, simply because I am not from Africa; in fact some Africans do not appreciate black americans calling themselves "African" American for that very reason. I do agree with you, that if we expect equality we should not separate ourselves, but in many ways we don't have to separate ourselves; society does it for us.

Answer 5

First I enjoy the honest question and the intelligent answers. Think of the African-American designation along the same lines as an Italian-American, Chinese-American, etc.. It is is "link" to your country/continent of origin.

Taking it a step further, if a person questions why African-Americans would want to be given this designation and not questions why individuals of European or Asian descent celebrate their designations says a lot about our society.

Again, there is nothing wrong with this honest question and I applaud it. But for a person to ask that question and pose it as if something is wrong with African-Americans presents another problem.

The majority of nationalities in this country have some type of cultural link to the country/continent of origin. Why would one feel entitled to question an African-American designation?

T

Answer 6

This is a very good question.Keep in mind you will have diffrent answers from all kinds of African-Americans.First off ,Black people did NOT put this to a vote.We were NOT asked what would you like to be called now?Black people had nothing to do with this.This was just another way for "the powers that be(white law makers)" to classify us and put us in a catagory.Again,we had nothing to do with this!I would prefer to be called an American,but it's NOT my decision.My ancestors have been here for over 400 years.I have no ties to Africa.Africans don't like Black people.I'm no more African than YOU.(assuming your CAUCASIAN or non-African)The jest of this statement is ,it was never OUR choice.If given a choice I'm sure we all would want to be called Americans!!!!!!!!!!! I AM AN AMERICAN,no matter what!!!

Answer 7

Saying we are African American is something we were taught from birth to call ourselves. There is really nothing wrong with it. Yes we do consider ourselves American. Even if we wanted to change it's sorta hard. On every form your fill out it ask whether or not we are African American/Black(no hispanic) . People put this title on us and we put this title on ourselves. Look at hispanics who legally live in the USA. A lot of people still call them Mexicans. Half of them aren't even from Mexcio! Most black American's aren't directly from Africa and some don't consider themselves African America cause they aren't. Black yes, but not directly African.

Answer 8

we never asked to be called African American. that's a label the white man put on us. we have to choose it. When your filling out an app for a job it doesn't say black American, it's says African American. matter of fact the Africans that come over here don't even like black people. So i say blame the white man for that title, but i can say it's better then being called a *****. then a lot of white people would be getting their asses kicked

Answer 9

I think people like to be called African American because it shows a part of their heritage it shows where they come from and who they are. Yes ultimately we are all Americans ( those of us who are legally here in the country-- but that's a whole 'nother topic) and in that we are equal but we did not become Americans the same way. Just like my life as an American if different from those who are Latin Americans. Yes they are Americans just like me and you but they have a Latin flair to their American side. Just like some White people are Dutch Americans and so on. Its not that Black people do not want to be included and have equal treatment its more so we don't want to forget where we came from or who we are, just because we live in America. Or Korean American yes they are Americans but they do certain things that are particular to their culture. Doesn't make it wrong it just gives them a more specific identity.

Answer 10

The fact is, blacks attached the name. It is equally as sickening as Black History month, jungle bunny, and any other name associated with blacks. Are they black Americans? No they aren’t; they should be Americans. As long as blacks alienate themselves, they will be disrespected and actually hated.
If Asians can live in America without the extra BS, blacks can also. As long as names like African American exists, the other groups in America will hate them more and more. Oh, this is not overcoming anything, it is making matters worse.