African American?? who says whites can't call themselves european americans?? read the details and respond

Question

For the record, African American DOES JUST MEAN AFRICANS BORN IN AMERICA! It also means blacks that can trace their hertiage to africa, beside, All blacks CAN be traced there, even the ones born in uk, canada, and germany, etc! No one DIDN'T MAKE IT A CRIME TO CALL YOURSELF EUROPEAN-AMERICAN. It's just a state of mind that that's a bad thing. There's nothing wrong with calling yourself European-american or irish-american. You just don't call yourselves that because you don't want too. So, what's the excuse now??

Answer 1

its not that we need an excuse, its that we dont have a reason for it

Answer 2

The name African American was a very bad choice right from the beginning. For one thing it's too long. For another it's deceiving. If a person of Dutch ancestory lived in South Africa then came to America and raised a family, would he be an African American ?
When a diplomat from one of the African countries is here visiting, would he be classed as an African American ?
If a real black skinned person from Australia lived here would he be an African American ?
The people here who are called African Americans should come up with a better word to describe themselves. Black doesn't do it, some are as light as those of European background. ***** ( black in many languages ) was used for a long time, and is still used by colleges, but I guess it's too short and easy for most African Americans.

Answer 3

Hmm, have to wonder where does this come from in you. Do you have your family tree all the way back to your African roots? To me the statement African American is kinda like a contradiction - because they are both - to me - nationalities. The statement "I am an American" is saying that you are a citizen of the United States - so by saying "African American" are you then stating that you are a citizen of Africa and America? I am a Hawaiian - I was born before Hawaii was made to be a state - and since they stole the islands from the Hawaiians - I cling to my Hawaiianess. Am I an American? Yes because the United States says I am - do I pay tax, yes. So is it really all just what is in ourselves? By saying that you are African American are you stating that you are black? I would think that it would be obvious - although my niece who is black says she is Hawaiian which she is - so what do we all really mean when we say we are " __ "? What is it that we really mean? For me it is the part of me that I am the proudest to share - beyond that I am Hapa.

Answer 4

I call people of European descent European American. I view "whiteness" as a mentality, usually associated with racism, ethnocentricism, arrogance, ignorance, entitlement, and/or low intellectualism. Some descendants of Europeans in America have a "white" mentality, some don't. I view "black" as being more of a mentality as well rather than a genuine ethnic affiliation, usually associated with people who are descended from those enslaved by above mentioned group.

Answer 5

For myself, I'm a proudly unhyphenated Canadian. No ties to any other continent or country. No divided loyalties. As for race, I'm a caucassian. My colour is rather pinkish - not white, not black, not brown, red, green, yellow or purple. By the way, I've only ever seen one black person. It was a fellow who'd been dead for about a week. Have seen lots of various tones and shades of brown, but no living 'black' people. Isn't it a shame that ****** in the United States can't be proud to be, well, Americans. Of course, if they're are really proud to be Africans they have the liberty to move back to their 'homeland'.

Answer 6

But why do it. We are all American. Shouldn't that be enough? When you go to another country people don't call themselves African-German, or Irish-Canadian. They are proud of the country they live in. We know that everyone has a heritage, that's what makes us unique. But this is why there exist problems in the world because so many people want to stand out.

Answer 7

As a multi-racial person with brown skin, I can tell you I have NO descendants from Africa, and therefore should NOT be pigeon holed into calling myself African-American or black.

Answer 8

I think maybe we need more context. I do refer to myself as a European American, having that heritage, and I'm perfectly comfortable with Americans of African heritage referring to themselves as "African-Americans". No problem.

Answer 9

I don't see where the problem would be a lot of my White friends call themselves Anglo-Americans because they are not sure what part of Europe they come from. Maybe we should all just be Americans....

Answer 10

It can become complicated. For example what about Tiger Woods? What is he? Afro-Euro-Asian-Native American? My granddaughter would be Euro-Asian American. So what? Politeness and respect for your heritage is a great thing, but it's better not to stereotype or "profile" people. What do you think about that?

Answer 11

I don't see what the big deal is. I consider myself European American because my parents are European.