Race-ism! can calling some one African American wrong?

Question

Do you belive that calling some one African-american is raceist, i do yet some people dont yet no one calls me naitive american when they talk about me and you dont say oh that ladys german-american bc she has a little german in her but she talks like you and me so why do we do that and why is it not being stopped?

Answer 1

People use the word racism/racist too freely. Classifying people by race itself isn't racist. African-American, in terms of darker skin or "black", is really the most politically correct term you could use. The same goes for those who are termed Caucasian or "white". Generally, some people are never satisified, but that's probably the best it's going to get. You can't expect people who don't know you well to know your ancestry. People who do not know you can only really guess your race by what they see (I don't see why they would even be talking about that in the first place). If they are incorrect, politely correct them. There's no need to get yourself all worked up. If they're using a derogatory term, that's a different conversation all together.

Answer 2

I would say it is not racist. Africa is not a race, it is a continent.
If somebody is born in the United States, then they are American.
The census data is what is keeping the African-American, Hispanic, Caucasian, Asian American stuff alive. The census bureau should stop collecting information like that. Unfortunately, that information is what is used to appropriate monies for different programs etc. That type of information is also collected on job applications and reported to the census bureau. We all have to be classified, even us caucasians.

Answer 3

Because African-American is politically correct, even though they are still black. When you're a victim of a crime, the cops don't ask, "Of what hyphenated descent was the perpetrator?". They ask what color the person was, they also ask what race. People can put on their colorless glasses and chant about not seeing race, but they do, and some times their called upon to distinguish color. So it doesn't matter and it never will. Let them be hyphenated people if they like. In fact, I'm going to hyphenate myself from now on.

Answer 4

It's wrong if the person you called African American happens to come from Jamaica.

It's the politically correct term for right now and it is that race's choice to be called African American.

Answer 5

Well, if they have a Jamaican accent and you insist on calling them "African American," then you're probally being rude. As for you calling one guy African American but nobody calling you Native American is probally because their are more races who have similar appearance to many Native American groups. Asian eyes aren't limited to Asians... red skin and black hair isn't restricted to Mexican folk... etc.

When you're afraid to step on someone's toes, do not stop walking... just watch where you're going, instead.

Answer 6

I believe that your ethnicity (IF you are in the USA) gets changed to American as soon as you enter America. (That's why it should be called ethnic BACKGROUND.) Anyone wants to point out race, however, should say White American, Asian American, Black American, etc. Thus, all names would be equal when talked about. Also, I do find it a little racist: It's not fair we have a common name for people whose ancestors came from Africa but not a common name for people whose ancestors came from Europe or Asia.

P.S. All Black people have their roots in Africa. Blacks from countries such as Jamaica are usually descendants of slaves. Same goes for Whites-whose ancestors came from Europe- and Asians- whose ancestors came from Asia.

Answer 7

political correct-ness is just another way of saying that that they are different, and to me it proves that there is still racism, even in the politically correct lingo. i dont refer to someone as a "black" or "african american" guy, i just say it was some guy, theres really no need to know nationality or race in describing somebody. i dont tell somebody i was talking to a 36 year old guy, right? the little details dont matter!

Answer 8

I don't think it's racist, but it isn't always correct. Not all black people are from (or originated from) Africa, and not all African-Americans are black. Why don't we stop labeling people in the name of political correctness? If you are a citizen of the U.S., you are an American--no descriptors necessary.

Answer 9

i am a white male and i lived in west africa before. in africa they think it's hilarious that we have to keep changing what we call black people every few years. to them we are simply black and white americans. african americans are really people who are naturalized american citizens who came from africa. america needs to get away from all this stupid stuff... also, affirmitive action is a highly racist policy...there are plenty of poor underprivliged white people too.... what ever happened to treating people equally regardless of skin color?

Answer 10

In current textbooks, all people are represented by their ethnic origin. I am apparently a Caucasian European American.