Black vs. African-American?

Question

All right, this really frusterates me - and I was curious what everyones' thoughts were on it. Why is 'African-American' politically correct? My belief is, unless you were born in Africa and then became a US citizen, you're not African. I mean, I have family in Germany, and I don't go around demanding to be called 'German-American.' Why don't we just all stop referring to each other as 'black' or 'white' or 'democrat' or 'republican' and go on to use what we all are - AMERICAN? Technically, someone like Charlize Theron is an African-American versus someone like Jamie Foxx or Sean Combs.

I don't deny there is racism in this country, and I've grown up in a partially racist household. I, personally, am not racist. At the same time, I can see where the race card is being overused. I mean, some black people would have a fit being referred to as 'colored' and yet they gladly take money from the NAACP. Maybe I'm just blowing off steam...but does anyone else see this too??

Answer 1

We all start out the same way--naked and dependent on others to nurture us. We all end up the same way--dead. What happens between birth and death is up to each individual. You are responsible for your actions--it's called choice between right and wrong. When anyone of any nationality,religion,gender,sexual orientation complains that they weren't treated properly, don't put it on the label society, or yourself, has put on you. Blame your behavior. Didn't get that job you wanted? Maybe you didn't present yourself properly. Can't read or write very well? Doing your homework and getting help if needed would have provided you with these skills. Blaming failure on whatever "label" you have is not the answer. If you can't speak properly, dress correctly, read and write, you won't be able to get anywhere in life, no matter who you are. Unfortunately, many people still have a problem separating behavior from nationality, religion, etc., and tend to clump all people together. An example might be the following: Take 5 Corvettes--Red,White,Black,Yellow,Tan. You buy the Red Corvette, and 2 days later it breaks down. Do you now hate all Red Corvettes? Of course not. You take it to be repaired, and if that doesn't work, you probably get it replaced with another Red Corvette. I know life isn't that simple, and there certainly have been times in history when ALL different types of people were persecuted for their color, religion, even their family name. Certain sectors of society seem to forget that any inappropiate behavior by them will cause others to think of their particular grouping as all being that way. America is supposed to be a melting pot, meaning that we all are equal. Labeling people like cans of soup only causes problems by making people think of only one way towards them. When I said cans of soup, did you think Campbell's? Well, it's good, but so are all the other varieties out there. Treat all people with an open mind, and you may be surprised to find out how much alike we all are.

Answer 2

I agree that the term African American is ridiculous

but not for the same reason.

In my opinion being an American citizen does not make you an American.

It just means that you're not going to get deported in 4 years.

And I don't see it sensible to categorize such a diverse country with one race/name.

I'm quite sure ALL black people would have a problem with being called "colored"

Being referred to as "colored" is just as derogatory as calling

a WHITE person "cracker",

a Chinese person "chink",

or a Mexican person "wet back"

so let's just leave that out of this situation.

By the way, Charlize Theron's mother is German

and her father is French.

If you don't want to call them "democrat" or "republican"

then what do you want to call them??

Everything needs a name, dear.

Otherwise there'd be no politics, races, nationalities, genders, religions, or anything for that matter!

Everything would be anything,

and there would be absolutely no order or sense of structure in the world.

The "race card"?

What's THAT about?

Yeah many people play the "race card"

seeing as racism still exists,

it's not a surprise that not just BLACK people will have a problem

with being treated poorly based on something that is only skin deep

and they have no control over.

The NAACP has been around since 1909,

so changing the name would require them to change all their merchandise,

that includes seals, pins, apparel, and checks, etc,

which would obviously cost ALOT of money,

money that the government will not see fit to spare.

Let me remind you that the money those certain people are receiving from the NAACP

is THEIRS to receive

so you really have no business objecting to that.

And you know what,

in my entire life,

I have NEVER met a black person that didn’t want to be called black

or a white person that preferred being call Caucasian.

In fact,

statistics that have been taken since 2001 have shown that only 15%

of black AND white people prefer being called the politically correct term

(African-American and Caucasian)

So all of this “steam” you’ve been “blowing off”

was very unnecessary.

By the way,

this is a site for questions,

not a site for you to “blow off steam”

Answer 3

Charlize (As far as I know has noty accepted USa citizenship), so she would be European-African ?? LOL.

I also do not understand the term African-American. I am african and my family has been in africa longer than some 'african-american' people have been in america. I am however a white african.

I can only assume that the term black-american has hurtfull memories, which is why we avoid it. In South-Africa, coloureds are not black, but a totally unique ethnic group.

Answer 4

well you had me for a bit...i can go with not saying african american because like you said they are not from africa and i don't get called an irish american. Where you lost me was with calling everyone just americans. Sometimes you need a description. To me (and my 2 best girlfriends are "african american" and hispanic, and my best guy friend is a gay jewish guy) saying "did you see my friend Betty? She's about 5'6, black, wearing a red dress." is not offensive you are describing the person. Same with hispanics, gay ppl or white ppl. No one seems to think describing a white person as white is offensive...

Answer 5

You are correct. African Amrican is a misnomer. If you were born here you are American. The liberals have decided that they must apply labels, and as long as labels are applied there will be a certain amount of racism. Its time to move forward and stop this division of people.

Answer 6

It's just a weird American thing. Every black person I know is perfectly happy being called black.

But then of course I'm from England, and so "African American" doesn't really apply.

Answer 7

Unlike many other cultures, and societies, American blacks have, since the end of slavery, long sought a national identity for themselves, much like Mexican Americans, who once referred to themselves as 'Chicanos'. This can happen in societies where the connection to the source culture (in this case Africa) has been long, and brutally severed, leaving, in its wake, a large group of peoples in a land not originally native to them ("expatriated" by force), looking for a national identity.

Answer 8

Italians call themselves Italian American, Irish call themselves Irish Americans, The Natives call themselves Native Americans, and Asians call themselves Asian American. Why can't blacks call themselves African American. Always trying to hold the black man down.

Answer 9

there was a white guy in our town who was from south africa. he put "african-american" on an application for some kind of relief, but i never did hear how it turned out

Answer 10

Yes