Black vs. African American?

Question

Is "African American" still the correct term? Why? I think that unless your family has come to the U.S. within three generations--you, your parents, or your grandparents--or if you can trace (specifically) your complete heritage back to Africa, then you shouldn't be considered "African American." What do you think? If you are black/African American, which do you prefer? And why can't we all be just plain Americans?

I am not black/African American...I'm just curious.

Answer 1

I don't understand it - unless you hold dual citizenship - you are American. If you hold a dual citizenship then you are African American. That's the only way that i think is logical.

Also - what about South Africans in American - they are technically "african american' aren't they? And from what i know - the majority of south african's are white.

I am American - but i am also white - i am 25% native american, 25% Italian and the rest is divided among Irish, Dutch and some other things some of which could be African - but i am american - white hienz 57 variety. If i was 'off the boat' from England, i would probably consider myself English, but me, my parents and 3 of my 4 grandparetns were born here - baby, i'm american!

I am not offended by being called white - b/c that's the color of my skin. And think of it this way - if there were five people standing in a room, divided by color, maybe 3 white peole and 2 black people - but the 3 white people were maybe one from South Africa, one from the USA and one from France and the black people, one from Spain and one from London - all living in the US now. If you refer to the "african american" - you're not referring to the 2 black folks. If you refer to the black man who is balding instead of the "african american" who is ... you have a more concise view. Most people mean no harm by saying "black" or "white".

I also think people are much too sensitive where race is concerned. There are many worse things to be called then black or white. American encompasses so many different things - America is a big melting pot - there are so many different traditions and beliefs that come with being "american".

I think it also depends on if you are asking if "Black" is offense considering race - back in the early days, race was commonly thought of as being three divisions of mankind; the Caucasian, the Mongoloid and the ******* races. Webster's New World Dictionary has this definition:

RACE: Any of the major biological divisions of mankind, distinguished by color and texture of hair, color of skin and eyes, stature, bodily proportions, etc: many ethnologists now consider that there are only three primary divisions, the Caucasian (loosely ‘white race ), ******* (loosely ‘black race ) and Mongoloid (loosely, ‘yellow race ), with various subdivisions: the term has acquired so many unscientific connotations that in this sense it is often replaced in scientific usage by ‘ethic stock or ‘group .”

Good question and some very interesting answers.

Answer 2

Nationality is a people having common origins or traditions and often constituting a nation. Existence as a politically autonomous entity; national independence. Is that which is use to describe the culture group, heritage and customs of a people. It is what used to tie you to who you are and your families of the Earth. Just as people are proud to be a American, Japanese, Ghanaian, etc are proud of their heritage. Proud not only because it's theirs but because that's who they are.

The term use to describe "Blacks" can change many times. In regards to who they are and the heritage they have. By calling Blacks, American would mean they share the culture, heritage and customs of this nation. On the surface in seem normal yet not realistic. Over 95% of their history here they where treated as stanges and oppressed as animals. Most were oppressed by the only nation in the only land they have ever known.

Referring to them as American is like saying that's who they are. No black person is the image that America has taught them. Eventhough Black is no better than ***** or ****** it's better than American. Blacks consider thereself blacks that live in America, Because America at no point in time represent anything about these so-called "African Americans"

Answer 3

Why do people feel this only an issue for people of African descent?
3rd and 4th generation immigrants from all nations get to have parades recognizing their heritage, even if they've never been to
the ancestral country of origin!

If you are of African descent by one generation or 10 it's your right to claim it.

Define yourself don't let others define you. I live in NYC, Irish American parade is the nations largest, followed by Columbus day which is officially Italian American parade. American is my nationality, and that only tells part of the story.

Answer 4

I'm in Canada so I guess I would prefer black, I also don't like African Caribbean and my relatives have been there as far as I know for more than 4 generations maybe even 5

Answer 5

In response to Big Applz. When you fill out a census or application it doesn't ask if you're Irish American or Romanian American, it just says Caucasian. After a few generations the nation of origin becomes trivial.

Answer 6

As far as I know "African American" is still politically correct for "black" skin. I think both descriptions are inaccurate as well as potentially offensive. Unfortunately, until we get it out of our heads that genetics has something to do with a person's worth, people will still insist on classifying each other as belonging to different groups.

Answer 7

Your heritage is everlasting. Every other group is keen to understand that. What makes you so intent on having no heritage?
It doesnt make sense. Perhaps if you would investigate and become aware of your heritage then you wouldnt be so vulnerable to reject it.
When you dont know who you are, you set yourself up to be victimized by your ignorance - in other words people attack you and you have no knowledge of self with which to defend yourself.
they dont dare try that with me because I am aware of the Pan-African experience world-wide. Negative comments about us usually is someone who hasnt done their homework and you become the victim when you dont know your history!
You are indeed in trouble if you have to ask someone else who you are.

Answer 8

I prefer human...

but seriously. "African-American" is simply a culture of its own. There are "blacks" all over the world who comprised of several backgrounds different from that of African Americans.

Answer 9

Charlize Theron is from South Africa. If she wanted to obtain US citizenship, would she be considered African American? What about other races that are from Africa? I apologize if this is a naive question.

Answer 10

Probably African American. I'm Native and wouldn't want ppl calling me a Red Indian. Native American is perfect wording.