Why is it black people/african-americans can call themselves black or african-american, but...?

Question

...when a mexican-american calls themself mexican-american, people get so offended? except black people/african-americans are free to call themselves black or african-american.

is everything people have been saying about this wrong? because if what you all say is right, then a black person calling themselves black means that the color black comes before america or that they have some special alligance/loyalty to the color black.

i call myself mexican-american and no one where i live has a problem its just the people on this site that have to be such ******* about it.

its my right to call myself whatever i want! it won't make me any less of an american.

oh, and i live in dallas, texas

Answer 1

Don't worry about it.

African Americans are not expected to wave the African flag, note. Most wouldn't know which one to wave. They are Americans and that is what they choose to call themselves. If you want to call your self Mexican American, fine. In this board I think people are just trying to take your pulse to see if you think you are American, with an honored Mexican tradition and background, or are a Mexican who just happened to be born here, but considers himself Mexican.

Mind you, it is none of their business either way.

You are not going to please everyone on this. Just please yourself.

Answer 2

I've never heard of anyone getting offended by a Mexican-American calling themselves a Mexican-American. And I live in Texas, with lots of Mexican-Americans, as well as Black/African-Americans. My husband is a Puerto Rican-American (though he doesn't call himself that because all Puerto Ricans are already Americans), I'm an Irish-American, and I work with a Polish-American and a German-American. It's an ethnic and cultural roots-thing, has nothing to do with putting the ethnic group before America (who made that up?) and people just need to lighten up about it!! After all, the only people who didn't come here from somewhere else are the Native Americans ... and in some cases, the former Mexicans who lived in this area before America.

Answer 3

I've never been offended by someone referring to themselves as a Mexican-American, as long as they are the American part. If they're here illegally, they are most certainly NOT an American.

However, most ethnic groups self-segregate by putting their race or national origin in front of American. For example, I am a Korean-American (or Asian-American, if I'm being more general). I don't use that term very often, as in my personal opinion, I am simply an American. But I am proud of my Korean heritage as well, and I have no problem with any Mexican who is an American citizen being proud of their Mexican heritage.

Answer 4

Oh, well, I'm a Mexican-American and nobody's offended.

I never even heard of anyone being called, Irish-American or Italian-American, or Mexican-American and getting offended by the title.

The only thing I can think of that may offend people is when someone calls themselves Mexican-American and they're here Illegally.. If they are here illegally then they aren't Americans.. You can't call yourself a Mexican-American until you're an American citizen.

Answer 5

I too don't know why we don't all refer to ourselves as Americans,but it doesn't bother me to call people what ever they prefer to be called.I am American from German ancestry but I don't call my self German-American,I know my history and why would others care.I don't understand the hyphenated Americans identification but as I said if that makes all people happy I will do it .I respect all people and its their right as it is yours to be called what ever you feel best about
Back in the US history people were called derogatory names by stupid people,those names became synonymous with bigotry,so when African Americans gained their full civil rights in 1969 the people threw away those names and used black as a proud new unity name,Black Power,Black Pride etc,as time passed and people changed the symbolic names changed and now the term is African American,that may change as the years pass too .Again I am just an American,but I respect your rights as to your name of choice.
I just want the illegals to get out of this country and come in the legal way get legal or don't come here.

Answer 6

I have never known anyone to get offended at hearing the term Mexican American. I don't see anything wrong with it. The reason why we call ourselves black because this term is much less offensive than colored.

Answer 7

I don't have a problem with the term Mexican-American, but it can be misleading. I don't know if you are talking about being born of Mexican parents in North America, South America, or if you are a US citizen with Mexican ancestors. Hispanics and others gripe when we use the term American if you're wondering why I pointed that out.

Answer 8

Didn't you just ask this question? I believe I gave a book for my answer....

Chill out.. African-Americans did not choose to be here in the very beginning-- so it's only respectful to be specific. However, many and most prefer to be called American...

I know I didn't state that fact, and I'm sorry I left it out the first time, but, we did not ask for millions of Mexicans to come over here to introduce them to slave labor. They volunteered for it-- as they still are doing it...

--Rob

Answer 9

Why are we afraid of true terms? Black,white,yellow and brown are colors that describe skin. "Black" American should only further describe an American. If you were born in Ethiopia and became an American citizen, YOU'RE AN AMERICAN.. these hyphens are a bunch of divisive garbage.

Answer 10

You are right to ask this question. Negroes came from Africa, they have nothing to do with America, while you Mexicans are descendants of various Native American tribes and you are American in every sense of the word.
Don't pay attention to the as4holes who hate you. They hate themselves!