A question for African Americans. . . ?

Question

Just wondering what is an appropriate term to use when referring to African Americans. I have always preferred and used the term "African American" or "African" (if one is really from Africa). How about "black" or "colored". I have heard my work peers use the latter two but I am not sure if that is okay with the African American themselves.

Please, responses from African Americans ONLY. I want your real answers and not just other people's opinions.

Answer 1

Black or African American is OK, if you HAVE to use a name tag. I'd rather you use my name though.

Personally, though, it's like lumping people in a category and some of us don't like it. I'm multi-racial, but looking at me most people consider me Black, though my green eyes do garner some questions. I don't like being lumped in a generic category. That's just like calling all Latino people Mexicans. To them, that's an insult.

The terms colored or ***** are not good terms to use, however. They have long been associated with hate and discrimination in the US, and has since become more of a derogatory term.

Black refers to anyone in the world with dark skin or descended from dark skin people that are not of European decent. This includes Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East, and Asia. It is being debated whether the definition should expand to include any of Australia's Aboriginal tribes.

African American refers to any Black American that traces their ancestory back to Africa.

Answer 2

There will never be a right answer in regards to what to call people that are of African descendants. Personally, I do not like anyone to call me African American simply because I am not African nor American. However, my ancestors are from Africa but I was born in South America. (No I am not Latino) I am just a woman with beautiful brown skin. Since there is no sensible official term for people like myself, Personally, it's best to refer to me as a black woman, if you are trying to refer to my race. Again, there will NEVER be a correct answer simply because there is so much difference within the "black" race in terms of where we originated from and trying to fit in to American society.

PS very good question.

Answer 3

I choose black. I can't trace to Africa and my family tree branches off to Germany as well as U.S. (Native American blood). African American raises different issues depending on the person. My husband would be irritated with being called African American because he is Haitian and white French. African American for me would be denying the other races I have in my bloodline. And I cannot identify with Africa. I am an American, and prefer to just be called by my first name.

Answer 4

Black. Call Jesse Jackson an African American.

Answer 5

Use African-American, more people will get offended if you was to call them Black and/or Colored.
African-Americans aren't Black.
They are Brown.
So why would you call us Black?

Answer 6

When referring to anyone it would be appropriate to use their name...p.s you have work peers that still say colored? where in the heck do you live and what era 1950's?

Answer 7

i'm not african american but i think it's ok to call them black if you don't have any intentions of insulting them

Answer 8

black

Answer 9

call them by name

Answer 10

call them ******* thats what they call themselves, and if that doesn't work try *******, coon, or darkie and for the rest jungle bunnies