I don't want to sound racist, but what do people of African American decent want to be called?

Question

This has been a very contovercial issue and I was just wondering if they want to be called black or African American? Or maybe something else. Please help.

I don't mean their names, I know they want to be called that. But say you were talking about a certain person who did something great in history. What race would be correct and polite to say without tring to sound disrespectful.

Answer 1

I like being called American. Yes, I have African , Native American, white, and Puerto Rican decent. I was born in America and I am not just decended from one. All my decendants where here in America at some point. I am American.

Cosmates you have serious issues maybe even racial issues. America is always only black and white. Someone from all races calls another race those degrading names. Your one of them. That wasn't the answer to the question.

Answer 2

No matter what you "call" anyone, you will offend someone. I personally disagree with using the blanket term of African American, because not all "black" people in America are descendants from African people. Sorry, it's just NOT the case. A lot of people use this blanket term and try to throw it in others' faces. Unless you know for a fact you are descended from an African person, then how can you be "African American?"

Answer 3

Decent? Yes, they are very decent people. What do you suppose would happen if we just met a few of these individuals in the course of our daily lives, and learned what their names were. Then we could call them by their names! Brilliant idea, wot?
Why do they have to bear a label, like black or African American or anything else? What do you call people whose parents came from China. Yellow, or Chinese American? Not very often! Most times there isn't a valid reason for categorizing people, unless you are a census taker. Let's just forget about the labels and simply call people by their names.

Answer 4

Should that really matter?

Black people can call asian people chinks or chinese, when they're an entirely different race.Or call mexicans beaners, wetbacks or whatever.They also call white people crackers,white boy/girl and honkeys, if you will. What can stop anyone else from calling them blacks,n iggers or whatever the hell else? Years of "slavery and mistreatment" are passed and it's now modern days, and people shouldn't take advantage of history to be idiots and act offended at name calling.
People are just people anyway.

Answer 5

im not [insert preferred term here] so you might not want my imput, but id say it depends on the person.

at my high school (which is fairly large), there are definitely some racist people and some super sensitive politically correct people, but most people i know dont think its a big deal what term you use. i hang out with friends with different backgrounds and we just say white, black, brown, asian, stuff like that. we dont think its a big deal

someone is bound to get offended no matter what you say though

i congratulate you for being sensitive to other people's interests, and ill check back to see the other responses :)

Answer 6

I want to be called African-American. Simply b/c that is what I am. An American of African descent. But how about calling someone by their name instead of classifying them by ethnicity?

Answer 7

How about calling them by their names?

Answer 8

Black is fine.
when you call someone african american. It sounds like you are scared and that you aren't confident in expressing yourself in what you really want to say.

Answer 9

I'm not Black so I'm not the best person to ask but I call them Black. I'm in to Black guys ;)

Answer 10

They will love to be called by their given names.