Why do black people say they are African American? Most of them have never even been to Africa.?

Answer 1

because that way they can claim they are a minority & are being treated unfairly.

Answer 2

Perhaps, you should ask why do SOME black people call themselves African American. Don't lump us all together like we all work with one brain. Personally, I DON'T call myself African American for the simple fact that I've never been to Africa. Also, no one is originally from America except for Native Americans so why should I be the only race to put my ancestory in my identification.

Answer 3

I agree with Theo!! I say I am African-American because I am an American of African descent. And by the way I know where in Africa on my mom's side I come from thanks to DNA testing. Guess what I am from 3+ countries on her side alone that it's better I say African-American since generally that is where my ancestry is from. I also have European ancestry, but then what African-American doesn't? Most African-Americans are descended from ethnic groups all over Africa that it is WAY more convenient to just say African-American instead of getting specific. I suggest you ask African-Americans why the identify as such BEFORE you make an idiot of yourself!

Answer 4

Because they have roots originally from Africa and are American born. Some people don't like using the term "black" because it may sound harsh and very black/white as opposed to a term that reveals a region/country more respectfully. Hispanic people usually don't answer people's inquiry of their race by saying they are "brown." Asians don't say "yellow" and Native Americans don't say "Red." Nonetheless, the term "black" for african americans has become very widespread.

Answer 5

I don't call myself African-American either.

But, then you'll have to redefine what an African-American is. What about white people from Africa(South Africa)? If they came to live in America, technically they would have the right to call themselves such.

I've never been to the continent & wasn't born there so I don't feel I have the right to call myself "African-american".

Answer 6

That's true a lot of Afro-American people have never been and some probably never intend to visit Africa...
We call ourselves African American, because our ancestors were originated from Africa.

Answer 7

Well the "n" word hurts feelings in the 45yr old and above crowd.
***** smells of the Jim Crow daze and the 65yr old plus crowd couldn't wrap around the idea of Black. So it's African-American for them.

Some like to say African-American because truth be known we have not "assimulated" yet and may never be allowed to assimulate.

Answer 8

Because "black" is inaccurate. I don't know if you've noticed, but skin comes in a whole lot of different shades. My family is German and my skin is extremely light, but I've seen kids from mixed race families with skin as light as mine, with classic African facial features. Should they be called blacks? Would you want to call them Noses, because the nose is different?

African American doesn't work completely, because people with similar features were stolen into slavery from other parts of the world too. It's a compromise term. A good one.

Answer 9

well I don't call myself African American 1 because I'M mixed and i really can't call myself African or African American .I'm 1/4 native American , 1/4 black and 1/8 Italian.but i some don't agree with u because 2 they are of African decent.

Answer 10

They should indeed name themselves after someplace they have been, I suggest jail Americans, crackhouse Americans, or welfare office Americans. I believe the reason they do this is because they want to bring segregation back by setting themselves apart from all other Americans. It all started with black entertainment television, Ms black America, and all the black colleges we have here in Atlanta. I mean why go thru all the trouble back in the 60's to go to white schools just to seperate yourselves again. So now who are the segragationalist?

Answer 11

Because they are a decent of the African culture. Its like an African who who can speak was born in America and can speak English.
I've heard of Mexican Americans who have not been to Mexico.
GO BACK TO HISTORY CLASS!