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 athe n word if I wanted. what does it matter to anyone?

Answer 1

Many white people say "black" because they assume "African American" if formal and uptight and stand-offish. "*****" is old-fashioned and often offensive, so black seems to be the socially accepted standard.

Anyway, it is said as a norm and no offense is intended. Everyone who sees you can tell your skin is brown instead of black. But "white" people don't have white skin, you know, it's a light, sickly shade of yellow with pinkish-reddish capillaries showing through in some places.

So there you have it, most "black" people have brown skin and most "white" people have yellowish-pinkish skin. The words are just a naming convention that is short and supposedly inoffensive.

Answer 2

"Why is it that leo_galpalval(blonde cocasian) asked a question about black people and us calling our selves African American?"
...caucasian. I'm not trying to bust balls or anything but people will have a slight tendancy to take you serious if you spell correctly. There's even a spell checker.

"I was reading some of the answers and I got very offended. It's not because we don't feel excepted in America."
...accepted

"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.
...First off, were you born in Africa? If not, then I agree with a previous poster saying that it would be wrong to call you African American as well. But if you like being called African American, that's fine. Feel free to have a preference on how you would like to be addressed. What about whites that are born in Africa, and then emmigrate to USA? They have more right to be called Africa American than all the decendants of African tribes that NOW reside in the US. The key word is decendant.

"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 athe n word if I wanted. what does it matter to anyone?"
...You're absolutely right. It doesn't matter what you call yourselves, and you don't need a reason. But don't try and be politically correct about it when it benefits you.

Answer 3

I didn't read the question, but what I can figure is that not all black people come from Africa I would assume. There are black people from other countries and there are Africans who are white. From the beginning of civilization, in the middle east, there were people who where very dark skinned, black in color. That is one of the top reasons that I believe Jesus was not white, but somewhere between a darker olive and even darker black. Jewish are typically olive, but Egyptians are not. When Jesus moved to Egypt as a child, he blended in and the government did not question if he was an Egyptian, so he must have been darker.

That's just my thoughts, don't get offended by people, the color of skin should not matter and I think the world should get color blind!

Love and peace form a blonde Caucasian girl!!

Answer 4

You make a valid point my dear. I am Australian. A white Australian born and bred here. My family has been here only four generations after coming from Scotland, England and Ireland.

Australian Aboriginals are called Blacks too but they are Australian. They actually like to be called Indigenous people instead of aboriginals.

The only time anyone needs to know your race is when they are taking a cenus of the different races that make up the USA.

Other than that you and every other citizen are American, not African American, not Latino, not White, but American.

The n word is offensive to me even when two African Americans call themselves that because I know what trials and torment your people went through for centuries.

Martin Luther King Jr's dream still is a dream until we all drop the inferrence of race in everything we do.

Answer 5

I do not know why people, especially Whites are offended by the term African American. I have always called myself a German American. I am American first, but proud to call myself German, thats my background. I am not a liberal goofball either trying to be open minded (usually in a phoney way) and just jump up and say, I support blacks because...
There is no reason whatsover for people to be offended by that term. Maybe its a vestige of lingering racism, it must be, to think that black people are less patriotic, or less American. And I sure as heck don't throw the racist term around too much, so these words are serious.
No, we don't need a reason for what we call ourselves, some blacks don't like the term either, theres no law that says we have to or don't have to.

Answer 6

The truth is, not all people of color are from Africa. You might be from Tahiti, Dominican Republic, Guam, or a multitude of Asian, and Indian places. That's why I don't think it's proper to call every one of color African- American. You, yourself said your skin isn't that dark. How sure are you of your ancestry? I'm not that sure of mine but I know there is at least some German, some Irish, some English, some Cherokee, and I think some French. The people that were born here should only be referred to as plain old Americans. If you were born in Africa, then moved here, I would say that it would be proper to call you an African-American. I'm a Heinz 57 , so how would you like it if I wanted you to call me a German-Irish-English-French-American from now on? Do you really want to guess what everyone's ancestry is? It's the same thing. To me it doesn't make sense and bear in mind, I love some individuals from every race and ethnicity.

Answer 7

I think you have all the right in the world to be called what you wish. Problem is with the exception of the people you have asked to refer to you as african american nobody is going to know this is what you prefer. Most people use the term "black" as a gereral term meaning no ill will. I am caucasion and would typically be referred to as "white". Am I actually white? Not really. I am normally tanned brown most of the time. People have used the terms black, white , red, yellow, etc. etc. none of which usually actually applies for so long that it is the normal standard practice.

Answer 8

Words and names are powerful, that is WHY we use them to describe ourselves. You seem genuine, but I think using the word ****** (and I spelled it out to prove how offensive it is) even in a joking way is foolish on your part. I do feel African American is the wrong termonology to apply to "black" folks. If you are a citizen of the US you are an American first. So, actually you should be called American Africans, and that applies to all nationalities. Like you I always thought "black" was a poor term to describe individuals as well as "white", which caucasion people certainly arent. But those words work in law enforcement because quick word references are needed to identify the different races . Your on to something, but as I stated American African is the way to go. Peace.

Answer 9

The reason it is odd for me to grasp calling someone of originally African heritage is for a few reasons. 1) we ALL originated in Africa and spread out across the world from there. 2) because any random *******(Sociological classification) in America could be from the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Haiti, India, etc. 3) because there are white people from Africa. 4) I know many black people that get offended by the term "African-American" because a) it singles them out. b) they may not be African and c) because there is a huge difference between an African and an American whose family was brought here 300 years ago during the slave trade.
You never need a reason to call yourself anything, you are more than welcome to call yourself whatever you want. It only matters to people who are insecure and have a bug up their *** about being 100% proper at all times.
I would call you by your name if I knew it, "that girl" if me and my friends were talking about you and I didn't know you, and then refer to an article of clothing you are wearing or other distinguishing feature to further specify.
If I would ever refer to you by race, however, I would say "black", simply because of all the people I grew up with and around-that is the most widely accepted term. Now, if you are light-skinned and your heritage is questionable, I'd just say "that brown girl over there". It's not really a compliment, but it's not that offensive. Getting irked over that would be akin to me getting mad at you for calling me "white boy"., as opposed to Scot-Irish-German-Native American(Cherokee and Blackfoot).

Answer 10

You have the right to refer to yourself however you want to AND if other people are caring and thoughtful they will respect your wishes.
You own your mind, body and soul and nobody else has any right to tell you how to relate to yourself.
Here is a thought - - -
When somebody tells you things like that person did then you immediately have a clue that person has an 'attitude' problem.
Sadly, people with' attitude' problems can also be horribly stubborn ( stubborn - as in they think they know much more than everyone else ).
You sound like a real sensitive and bright person and I would just ignore people who say opinions such as that.
I hope this helped a little bit And I hope you have a real nice day !
All the very best to you,
Karma doll