What is the difference? (For black people)?

Question

What is the difference between African-American, Afro-American and Black-American? What do you call yourself? Obviously only those that associate themselves with these categories can answer so no stupid answers please.

Answer 1

We have been called *******, negras, spear chuckers, jungle bunnies, jigaboos and more. Now is the time for political correctness. These are just various labels that are a result of this political correctness. Maybe, just maybe, we can all just be Americans. Until then we will never be able to take away the space that we have between us.

Answer 2

Afro-American or African-American is what I would select on application forms and what I desire to be called. In essence, the Afro/African identifies my most dominating outside heritage features. No one that I have every encounter or by any such media as TV, websites or books have been the color black. In addition; Afro or African-American is comparably understood as a description of origin; such as French-American, Mexican-American, or Irish-Americans. I will however; be overwhelmed with joy, the day when all Americans (USA), are simply noted as being "Americans" without the prefix attached.

Answer 3

Since African-American is politically correct.. that is what most people say but in reality... most of us Brown-skinned people with African ancestors who were forcefully transported over to America for the purpose of slavery, have never even been to visit Africa, couldn't tell you how many countries there are, and any smidgen of our history there. We are Americans because we are from here, have grown up here and live here. The history we know and were taught in school was American. We are Americans. I for one have never been to Africa and barely have to desire to visit much of it. I know that my ancestors are from Kenya but I am not... I do not mind being called black but I am brown not black. African American is untrue but does not bother me because it is more respectful of our culture. Either way it goes a label of my skin color does not matter to me because I am Jasmine... not a Jasmine the African American or Black-Jasmine!! oh and BTW... I do not know where the term Afro-American came from... it sounds like some lazy person didnt feel like finishing the word African but I do not like it when white people say it... it sounds very derogatory.

Answer 4

I am not "black" but i think the "afro" is short for african and that and african-american is meant fro americans that were born in africa so a person born in america with black heritage would be black-american -but that doesnt sound right so they use african american - like a chinese- american would be someone born in china - i have a question what is caucaisan ? sounds like im from caucasia? or asia?

Answer 5

African-America-Decendents from Africa who have gained citizenship in America

Black American- Black's in America...this includes Jamaican,Haitian, Trini, etc...

Afro-American- White people talkin about blacks trying to be politically correct...I personally dont like Afro-American....

Answer 6

I am not american, but I am black and live in the US so I am often called one of these terms. Personally if I was american I would pick Black-American. I have never even been to Africa and I know most blacks over here never have either. Oh and when people do ask me how I describe myself I say black. Simple, I am black and lovin' it.

Answer 7

I tend to refer to my self as both black and African American. I think "black" is a more casual way of refering to my ethnic group, while "African American" is more of a formal way. I'd also like to add to those who feel that the term "African" American shouldn't be used because most black ppl haven't been to Africa. I think that is ridiculous. Without the "African" portion, there would be no way to correctly identify a group of ppl who have had their ethnic history stolen from them. To simply be referred to as black or American would discount our heritage as Africans. Black people are influenced daily by traditions rooted in Africa, so to say that you don't want to be referred as an African American is kind of insulting (especially since many of your ancestors had no choice in becoming Americans).People from European descent (also known as white/ Caucasian) have the luxury of knowing the origin of their families and therefore are more comfortable in referring to themselves as white or just American. As a black person, I acknowledge myself as an American first, but I also never fail to forget or respect my African ancestors.

Answer 8

I've never been to Africa so I refer to myself as black or just plain American. White people aren't classified as European- Americans so I don't really get why blacks are called African-Americans. We're all just Americans in my opinion.

Answer 9

Afro-American Hispanic, here. That's what I call myself.

Answer 10

There's no difference it's just another way of saying it.
Like white people, Americans,rednecks, Caucasians(politically correct).