Why do people who are not black...?

Question

Say that you should speek African when your African-American?!
I hate that!!

Answer 1

The black people in America are NOT African-American UNLESS they were born in Africa. If you are born in the USA then you are AMERICAN!!! Be proud of your heritage but remember what country you were born in.

I myself am french but born in Canada. I do not classify myself as French Canadian because I wasn't born in France!!! I am Canadian!!!

My husband is an American, born and raised in the South. However his family originated in England. Should he call himself and English-American??? I think not!!

Answer 2

I can understand why you hate it. I really hated it when a man came to my college to lecture on racial profiling, and kept talking about "Killing the cops." My grandfather was a cop! His son (my uncle) became a priest and served in the black neighborhood of Lawndale in Chicago. My uncle ultimately wrote a book about his experiences during the Civil Rights Movement in Chicago!

Actually, some blacks don't even like to be called African-American. They don't want to be lumped together with the new immigrants from Africa, with a much different experience. See the article below.

Your question reminded me of this article. This article made me feel better, because I use the term "black" for Americans who have ancestry from African slaves. The term African-American sounds too formal, and I worried about being "Politically Correct."

Anyway sociologists say that the idea of race is artificial. I am white, both sets of my grandparents were from Europe, either Ireland or Poland. I have a niece whose dad was Jewish, her sons fathers are black. Her mom is now married to a Filipino, so what do I call my family? My nieces and nephews have ancestry from Africa, Asia, and Europe. And the most "American" is the "black" ancestry.

I can't call myself black, because I have no black ancestry, I haven't even been married to a black. When did my family become "American."

Riding the train through Mississippi, the blacks were visibly darker than blacks in Chicago, are they "blacker?" What would a black Chicagoan say if I said he was "whiter?"

Anyway, I hope that you understand that such people are ignorant. A few may really not understand, there are still portions of the country that are really all white. I met a person from Idaho who had never seen a black person until she moved to Portland. Some people, especially children may be curious, and not really know any better, due to their parents.

Some people can be educated, sadly many can't. I hope you explain to them that your family has lived in America for a long time. I hope that you always remember that you should be PROUD of who YOU are, and of all the good qualities of your family and community. Try not to hate these people, because hate only creates more hate I hope that you try to educate them about your Americanness, but after that, ignore the ones that you can't educate. It is a waste of your time.

Answer 3

Actually, I don't care for the term African-American. I'm not a European American.. I'm an American. I'm not saying you should speek American either, we have multiple accents, etc. in this country. Mostly we should all just respect each other and use terminology/words appropriate for the situation.

Answer 4

Most of the Blacks of America were not even born in Africa.

Now if someone was actually born in Africa and such a person is an American citizen then that person would be an African-American regardless of Skin Color.

For instance Dave Matthews and Teresa Heinz Kerry are African-Americans but they are White (they were both born in Africa).

However if a Black was born in America but not in Africa then they are not African-Americans, they are Americans.

Im White myself but I wasn't born in Europe so im not a European-American, I am an American.

Answer 5

They are pointing out the stupidity of the whole idea of African Americans

Answer 6

What!? That is crazy.... first of all there are a million different languages in Africa, exactly which one are they expecting you to speak... and is this just black people or do Egyptians count as they too are African.... and what about Jamacians... because they are black should they speak African too... people are ignorant. I am white and I would never even dream of saying something stupid like that. Don't let it get to you girl

Answer 7

Honey, we are not African American. We are simply American and it's tiring that we are constantly labeled that way, asked to check that off on papers, and are commonly taught to think of our selves as that in American. Yes, Africans are our ancestors, and we should acknowledge our heritage but, the point of the matter is that we are not African, and whoever said that to you should **** off and stop asking ignorant questions.

Answer 8

although im sure not everyone thinks that way. im guessing its proabably becuase they r tired of African-Americans identifying more strongly with their African roots then their current day American citizenship. so its possible its meant sarcasticly. its also possible they r dumb and hearing the word African they think u used to live there.
moral of the story? everyone could do with a little less sterotyping, a little more pride of their roots, and a lot more one-ness and brotherhood in our current nation, regardless of roots or color.

Answer 9

Firstly, there is no such language as "African".

Secondly, if you wish people to respect you, you must respect yourself, which includes learning to speak and spell English, if you live in America.

Notice I wrote "speak" not "speek". This is to indicate to you that I am not stupid.

Answer 10

What about people who have dark skin but are not from Africa? Do they have to speak African American?