Why do people call themselves African Americans just because they have dark skin?

Question

I am not racist, but I believe if you are born in this country, and so were your parents, then that makes you an AMERICAN. Most people who associate themselves with an actual race are more than likely comprised of many different races. The truth is that 90% of the blacks and whites in this country can't trace or haven't traced thier lineage back more than 3 or 4 generations. So then why can't we just be AMERICANS, instead of dividing ourselves by imaginary differences.

Answer 1

i completely agree whit u , it is sad the way Americans divide themselves just whit the excuse of wanting to differ each other . in my opinion it only perpetuates what should be no more and that is racism .

it is time for all Americans to stop judging people for their color of skin instead of their actions . this not only can be seen when it comes to blacks but also when it comes to the Latinos , it really bothers me how people judge entire races just because of the actions of one person . just look at the mess people had done about the debate about the immigrants all they think about is in what they see on TV and not about each individual which has done nothing but to work .

it is the same whit blacks people look at blacks and all they think about is in walking away from them and do not see them just as people walking by , i just think is really sad and it really bothers me . black people deserve to be called just Americans as anyone else .

Answer 2

I see nothing wrong with calling yourself a Greek American, Chinese American, Italian American, Russian American, Polish American, etc. I'm none of those things. I'm from French heritage, but for some reason French immigrants have never called themselves "French Americans." Maybe that is because they didn't come over to the US in large numbers. Most were here before the US existed, so they became Americans just like everyone else who was here at the time the country was established.

I guess when you have maintained enough of your culture to feel an affinity with other people of the same background, you get the distinction. Personally, I am thankful for all our hyphenated American cultures. They make us the interesting, colorful culture we are today. They are American before they are Greek. They have assimilated without losing what makes them different. That's a perfect solution as far as I'm concerned.

Answer 3

I consider myself american. But as I'm sure we have all noticed, when filling out applications there is no "american" choice. It is not a personal decision to label ourselves, it's something that we face everyday.

White, Caucasian
Black, African American
Asian
American Indian
Hispanic

When they put an AMERICAN option on that paper, you should let us all know. I'm sure the hispanic, asian and white people consider themselves american too! This question is ridiculous and so are most of the answers.

In the year 2006 people still find time to be racist and say ignorant things. Some of these responses are plain sad. " to give themselved identity" "cause they don't know whether they are african or american" Blah blah blah! You are all idiots and questions like this just trigger stupidity!

Answer 4

And you think being born here makes you an American. Why not North American and South American that way we all can be Americans and not divide the countries or even have borders? What do you think.

Answer 5

Well, if you have to describe a black person, how could you do so without stating their race/skin color. I understand the whole african american thing. There a lot of black people that aren't even african (black people come from other parts of the world too). We should just call people black, white, asain, blah blah blah. It's not offensive, it's fact.

Answer 6

how many white people you know with dark skin? i think this is the only country where american is put at the end of a race. instead of african american or european american why cant we just be african or european? why do we have to put american after everything.

Answer 7

I agree with you, but I call myself African American because I can't go into a library and trace my families genealogy back to Europe, because they were considered nothing less than property back then. I know that utimately my ancestors came from somewhere in Africa... I guess. Lol!

Answer 8

Black sound OK to me but not to everyone and since I'm white I guess you can call me white! I hate the word Caucasian! BFD, but you are not African Americans, or Mexican Americans or Russian Americans----AMERICANS!

Answer 9

do you have a source for this 90% figure , seems kind of high to me . but i do agree that we shouldn't label people . but how would they know what race you are on your applications for school and stuff , they have to make sure anybody that isn't white has to pay their full way somehow

Answer 10

Im an AMERICAN, AND THAT IS IT, who makes up these rediculous words to define who we are anyway, we are so far culturally from AFRICANS, hell they pretty much dont have anything in common with us anyway, at least in LOS ANGELES. Do I REALLY CARE, NAW. WE ALREADY KNOW WHO WE ARE!! BLACK AND BEAUTIFUL TO ALL THE HATERS OUT THERE (SMILE)