what do african americans prefer to be called?

Question

i'm not even kidding. do they not like to be called black? because they call us white and it doesn't bother me a bit. i'm just curious. i don't want to be rude. =]

Answer 1

I respond to either term ("Black" or "African-American"), but I personally prefer to be referred to as Black. The reason I choose "Black" and not "African-American" is because it seems more accurate to me. While I obviously have ancestors of African descent, my parents didn't emigrate from Africa and give birth to me in America, nor was I born in Africa. Technically, anybody who's born in Africa and emigrates to America and gains citizenship can be called African-American.

But like someone mentioned above, it does vary from person to person.

Answer 2

Americans

Answer 3

I'm a black guy. I'd rather be called Black than African American, since I've never been to Africa and I know nothing about it. I don't even have a clue about the lauguages there. And most Black people have white or Native Indian blood in them as well, so to call us African America, you'd also have to call us European America, etc. Some black people would rather be called African American, I think it varies from person to person.

With all that said, above all I, and many blacks, prefer to be called a person, and not have color be something to label us as because it has certain stereotypes attached to words like Black or African American. I say this because I and many other "black" people get annoyed at places like at work were you see everyone as just being human and you feel human so you feel the same as everyone else, then there's always a few people who have to acknowledge that your black, or the only black person in the company. You feel different after that, like your not the same as everyone else because your Black. And many people treat you as if your not the same as everyone else. Some people treat us that way because they've only experienced Black people throught TV and movies, and not in real life most of the time. So there not sure if some of us acts like what they see in the movies or not. Since we're all American, blacks who want to be identfied as just human American people should be identified as so. The blacks who want to be identifid as your steroetypical black guy from a crime movie, should be treated as such only if thats the way he wants you to treat them.

But by default, we should be called human, or sir or madem, like any other American. Sorry for the long winded reply.

Answer 4

That's a good question and i agree, i can remember whe they prefered black rather then ***** and now they want to be refered as african americans even if they are not. And like u said, they call us white and i dont have a problem w/ tht either. We are, Black, white, brown, red and yellow. It' makes for a colorful world so what could be wrong w/ that. ??????? Now adding more to this guestion after seeing what was written b 4 me... probably has to do w/ stupid and racist remarks like the answer above me that make them refer to not being called black.....

Answer 5

Who knows anymore? Calling them African American is idiotic because an African American is someone who was born in Africa and came to America. If they were born in America then they are simply American just like the rest of us.

Answer 6

Depends on the individual.... but it seems that the younger generation prefers to be refered to as black.
Makes a whole lot of sense to me than african-american really.
I never saw on any forms Scottish-American or German-american so.....

Answer 7

It's very confusing... I heard a black mother calling her kid a "little niglet" the other day... Probably wouldn't go over too well from a white person though...

Answer 8

they perfer Black.. not the N word, not *****, not Coloreds, not boy (to the guys, they actually will make it known to you that the don't like that lol..) just Black.. African - American is too technical..

Answer 9

Try sir or madam, or Mr. or Mrs. or Miss etc.
I Corinthians 13;8a, Love never fails!!!!!

Answer 10

Definitely not african American most have never been to africa..try someplace they have been like...jailed americans..or..welfare office americans..whatever works for you...