Please clarify this 4 me?10 extra points to the person who doesn't offend me?

Question

Why is it that leo_galpalval(blonde cocasian) asked a question about black people and us calling our selves African American? I was reading some of the answers and I got very offended. It's not because we don't feel excepted in America. I personaly don't like being called blck because my skin isn't that dark. It's brown that's why I like being called African American. So my Question is do we really need a reason 4 what we call ourselves? I don't think we do.I'd even call my self a ****** if I wanted. what does it matter to u

Answer 1

I don't think you need to have a label we are all people. But what ever your comforable with is fine..

Answer 2

Refuse to give a f*ck about what they call you, it just shows their own low level of existence and knowledge. I think you brought up a good point, however. Me personally, I don't have a problem with Black because, to me, Black connotes power and I do feel powerful - not because I have an abundance of melanin (I'm dark brown, btw) - but because I embrace who I am and I love my Self and All people. There is so much behind what Blackness means, it's almost inexplicable to put in a few words. But to wrap it up, this is America, and it was founded on White Supremacy. Some will choose to not associate themselves with it and some knowingly and unkowingly (subconsciously) will, sadly. We've come a long way but not nearly far enough. So the more we talk about it like adults and learn not to be so thin-skinned and antagonistic (on all sides), then we'll get closer and closer to the understanding that we're all just wearing uniforms over our souls where color is no thing. Great question - peace!

Answer 3

If we want to get rid of racism perhaps it would be a good idea to recognize that we are all Americans and just that. The fashion of calling ourselves Italian Americans, Irish Americans, African Americans seems to create divisions rather than homogeneity. I understand that some of the answers may have offended you but remember that only you can decide whether you will be offended or not and that being offended has no effect except to make you upset. Certainly the person who made the remarks is not upset and could Even, perversely, be happy at your discomfort. As you say what you decide to call yourself is up to you and is no one else's concern. However if you want them to agree to use your terminology then it does become their concern. I would try to ignore ignorant people - it really isn't worth getting upset by them

Answer 4

i did no longer examine the question, yet what i'm able to discern is that no longer all black people come from Africa i could assume. There are black people from different countries and there are Africans who're white. From the initiating of civilization, interior the middle east, there have been people who the place very dark skinned, black in shade. that's without doubt one among the actual motives that i think Jesus grow to be no longer white, yet someplace between a darker olive or perhaps darker black. Jewish tend to be olive, yet Egyptians are no longer. while Jesus moved to Egypt as a new child, he mixed in and the government did no longer question if he grow to be an Egyptian, so he could have been darker. that's only my suggestions, are not getting offended by ability of persons, the colour of dermis should not be counted and that i think of the international could get shade blind! Love and peace variety a blonde Caucasian lady!!

Answer 5

I am seriously wondering if there is some self hatred involved here. Sweetie, regardless to what you want to be called... you're black. And you will always be black. Black comes in all different shades. So, the fact that you are not "that dark" means absolutely nothing. Be proud of who you are. A lot of black people don't even like the term African American, being that America is a country that has oppressed and continues to oppress black people. A majority of people in the world will think "black" when they see you. No, I'm not literally BLACK, but I am black and there is nothing wrong with that. And honestly, it doesn't matter to anyone else but you. But, you are the one who has to deal with hearing "black" for the rest of your life. Embrace it. Its who you are.

Answer 6

I really don't think that it is meant to be offensive. Honestly, I think the European-descended people of today feel a lot of guilt about the things that have been done to other races and they don't want any trouble, or to cause any offense. Thus, the words n!gger and ***** are hardly used.

But why call them anything at all? Some people say "call me African-American", others say "I'm not African, I'm American like you, call me black" and some say, "Don't call me either."

So what offends one is fine--even preffered--by another.
And if they ignore a person's race or heritage, they might be considered insensitive.

What is a Caucasian to do?

Answer 7

I am very light skinned and prefer being called Black. My American ancestors made great strides to break out of slavery, get an education and died on the streets to clear the way for a better life here in America. I have met Africans from many countries and respect them. My father and grandfather fought in wars defending the American flag and I am 100% American. While African describes my ancestry, it does not describe my nationality. Hence, if someone must refer to me based on my race..Black works for me.

Answer 8

I doubt a reason to "name" one's self is needed. That said, I like to think of African-Americans as American Africans! I feel any race of ppl who are born here, are living here, and - at least in the majority of cases! - contribute to our society in general, are Americans first! There are Mexican Americans and there are those who would be better "named" as American Mexicans. On another note, I feel maintaining one's ethnicity and culture is fine but it ought to be celebrated at a personal level. I am an American Indian, not a label or a name.

Answer 9

Humans tend to assign labels to make it easier to process information. These labels can change over time due to societal changes. An example of this is the use of the term "black" to refer to people who are descended from African ancestors. I grew up in the 60's and 70's. During that time, the label "black" was used as a matter of pride and as a means of separating from the "white" majority. The phrase "Black is beautiful" was meant as an affirmation of basic attractiveness without having to emulate the white majority.

As more non-white populations moved in, there was an attempt to give everybody an identity that not only acknowledged that they were Americans but also their backgrounds. This is where we started seeing more terms like African-American, Polish-American, Mexican-American and so forth.

However, you're right. You can call yourself anything you want to. If people are willing to accept your own label, then more power to you. If they aren't, it may not be that they are hostile towards you personally; it may be that their upbringing and past history has provided them with their own list of labels.

Answer 10

I don't like the word black people for the African Americans I feel bad that some Caucasians feel better than other races didn't they learn anything from Dr.King.I feel horribly offended when certain people make fun or laugh at a certain race that makes me feel bad people that carry around their hate and express it with other races for example the African American race.

Answer 11

well, it doesn't matter to me. I don't care if you're green or purple or black or white....What colour sometimes does do is to identify what culture you are dealing with..ie Chinese...then you should know a little about the circumstances of that people...their origins, their views on life, etc...granted not always...but in order to hear somebody's story I think it's important to know where they have been and what they are coming from. You can call yourself anything you want--that simply doesn't matter to me either...but it's a truth that the first thing that we seem to notice about a person is their ethnic origin...maybe it's because of the way our language is constructed....One doesn't say 'An american white'--it's more correct to say 'a white american'....not all cultures specify this way...in some languages it is correct to say 'a man black'.