Why , African Americans , when most are not born in Africa.?

Question

And are several generations away from those that were ?
My grandparents were from Russia and never called themselves Russia Americans , They would have thought that it would call attention to them and they wanted to be known as Americans . How do you feel ?

Answer 1

I feel the same as you. Plus what cracks me up is when they use the term african american and their roots are not even from africa. My spouse is native american (indian). He calls hisself just "american"

Answer 2

Well, I suppose that is a very good way to point out who is black in other words.
Africans are mostly black, therefore, African Americans are black.

Do not worry, discriminating because of the origin, even if having build the country with blood and humiliation is not an exclusive US problem. The Apartheid build two bus stations that now are called first and second class, before: For whites, For blacks.

Once I went to New Zealand and I ended up in an Auckland's hospital. The list of races within I could choose to put myself was as long as the yellow pages....ridiculous.
I chose Other - reserved for Aliens, I mean from another planet, just in case- because it the information was irrelevant in my case and even being caucasic white I cannot accept discrimination.

And the issue of the Americans is not only with races, also with owning a continent that is far bigger than one country. US belongs to North America, America to all the countries located in the continent artificially divided with the Suez channel.

I feel bad every time that somebody is classified as different and on the other side everybody has the word GOD in their mouth. That is pure hypocrisy.

Answer 3

Well it is interesting that on this continenet before the europeans and their slavery folk got here, there were not any blacks. That black skin you see on some citizens really did come from africa, siberia, and such. It is a real rellic of thier original place, that gets passed down from generation to generation. So their african blood volume never changes, unless their is outside breeding with another race. The african skinned and blooded americans you see are just as african skinned and blooded as they were before thay came to the americas.

Answer 4

Also, not every black person in the US is of African descent. I imagine that I would be frustrated if I were a Hatian immigrant to the US and people referred to me as African American. Also a white African could move to the US and be called an African American. I don't think it's the best name. In general, though, I think it's best to call people by whatever label they prefer, as long as you are also comfortable with it.

Answer 5

I think that they are called African Americans because originally the darker race is form Africa, in fact the majority of them live in the African continent today

Answer 6

Because all other immigrants came here willingly from other countries to make a better life so they WANT to be called Americans...African's were forced to come here by slavetraders that wanted to exploit them for their physical strength while the rich white landowner sat on his fat butt. The African people did not CHOOSE to come here for a better life. So...they CHOOSE to be referred to as African Americans because if it were not for the interference of our lazy ignorant ancestors they would be either Africans or American immigrants and subsuquent generations would be Americans.

Answer 7

I totally agree. I think that if the child that decended from an African heritage is born in America, they should be called an American. I believe it is a way to seperate skin color. As I tell my younger siblings (I am caucasian and my boyfriend was born in Africa): "Look at our skin colors (we are all caucasian), aren't they all different shades?" They say no and I tell them that that is how everyone is, they are just different shades. (my siblings are elementary school aged and I am in college).

Answer 8

Because they are black so they do under as african american cause of their heritage and ancestries America is a white country the black people didn't come from there for the very beginning they move over thats why...........

I dont have problems with it is just the name of their enthic

Answer 9

You are more intelligent than 99% of the blacks, I'm confident, and do not need to have a label to make you feel special.

Answer 10

...may i REFRESh your mind as well my dear..that in defense of your statement...'there were no blacks before the europeans and their slaves came here'..
that BEfore they came here.. the only native people ..
the only original people here were the indians?@!!..
so as far as im concerned everyone should be called americans...
oops..christopher columbus was a spainish european as well im afraid..