I am not trying to step on any toes but...?

Question

I want to know why black people want to be call african americans? What wrong with being black? arent you guys BLACK and Proud.... Does that mean I should be european american since my ancester came from europe... thats just dont make any since to me.. WE ARE ALL americans, black american white americans.. United We Stand Y'all

hey Im not trying to be mean,I was correceted one day in public by a black stranger when i used the phrase black folk...
My husband is oriental and our kids are biracial so i hardly think im a racsit.. just wondering

Answer 1

I can't speak for all, but I do not call myself african american because it sounds like I am from africa and I am not. I consider myself black and not the color black.

Answer 2

Personally, I'd like to be called "Oh great one, ruler of all I survey," but I'll settle for being called by my first name, thanks.

First of all, my skin tone is more of a shade of brown and not black. Perhaps when the slaves were first brought over from Africa, their skin color was closer to black. They were called ***** and then the "n" word. People didn't like that so they they became colored people, then African American, all in attempt to find a more positive name for these people, as other descriptions became like racial slurs.

In an effort to label people, we will never find a totally appropriate term to use as even people within the same race, can be vastly different. African American means that an American is from African (the black part) decent. I've been American all my life, my parents, grandparents, and for over 5 generations before that, have been in America. I have no ties to Africa expect that one day, hundreds of years ago, my ancestors were stolen from their land and enslaved in America.

Why can't we all just now be Americans. As an American, one can still celebrate ones history as ALL Americans (except for the natives) are from other lands.

Answer 3

I understand your questions and I don't think it makes you a racist at all like some have suggested. I have friends of all kinds of skin colors and all but one call them selves simply American. One prefers African American. He has never really said why and I never pushed the question. My best friend in the whole wide world is 1/2 Indian. His dad came from India when he graduated college. If you ask him "what he is", know what he says? "I'm an American" He's proud to be and that's why he's here. I guess African Americans, their ancestors were forced here, it wasn't their choice to be here and so, they want the distinction. They are here because somewhere in the past, their family wasn't given a choice. But when I look at someone, I see a fellow American plain and simple. (unless I'm in a foreign land of course :) )

Answer 4

What do you call a white person from Africa?? Doesn't that kinda confuse things. I think we are all Americans. Americans came from all over the world to make up this country.

Answer 5

In the end, it doesn't matter why anyone wants to be called anything.

Don't blow a gasket trying to figure it out.

You are not black nor African American so you really don't need
to understand.


I want to know why white people are always concerned with what non-white people care to be called? Who Cares!

Just be respectful to your fellow humans and everything should be ok.

Answer 6

because the self appointed leaders of the african american community want it to be so. they want to continue the theme of their race as victims. everytime you mention african americans, it reminds everyone about the time in our history when africans were treated horribly. so, african invokes the thought of victim and without victims, the jessie jackson types would have no power.

the dems like that term too so that they can keep milking the public to buy into their plan of government taking care of you. you know, they think we cant feed our kids properly, dress them, feed them, medicate them, house them.......they want gov to take care of everything for them, because they are victims.

newsflash......new orleans is a perfect example of what the democratic party will do for you. the town is liberal run for decades so it should have been an ideal place to live, everyone without need because the gov takes care of all. well, they (dems who are supposed to be taking care of them) didnt get them out of new orleans and they died.

Answer 7

I think you answered your own question. They are Americans who orginated in Africa, so comes the name African American.

Answer 8

My hubby is black and he don't call his self African not all black people call there self's African and deffo not in the UK
respect
shaz

Answer 9

Why don't we ship them back to Africa and let them be Americans there.

Answer 10

"African by decent
American by accident"

i loved this line from i poem on the subject.