Why do white people always want to call black people African Americans?

Question

I'm not racist and i hope i don't sound it but i've always questioned it. If they feel that they need to then why are white people just white people and not caucasian?

Answer 1

You have to ask the white people.

Answer 2

I don't mind being called African-American but what the hell do I know about Africa. Never been to the continent only know a few of their countries don't know any of the heads of state. Besides my family is so secretive about our family history that even the CIA would be stumped to get answers from them. I am and always will be Black. I love that term. I grew up with it and it fits like a glove. As for my Caucasian-American friends they will just have to put up with me calling them "the man."

Seriously though really I wish America would get over all it's hang-ups and stopped with all the racial categorizing. We are all Americans period, beginning ending that is it American. Especially if we want our country to stay strong. I think there should be a drive to make sure that all Americans have the right education to stay competitive in this world. That employment should be American first and that we stay a strong nation.

Answer 3

Hmmm, I thought the black people themselves came up with the term African Americans after the movie Roots came out and they suddenly got proud of being from african descendants. Rightfully proud, I would say, because of the way white people treated them as less than human in the past. But the term's confusing to me, a little, because most are born here from several generations, so they are American....... Period.
Sometimes some of us aren't sure of the CURRENT popular and politically correct term. At first it was negroes, (which spawned the ultimate epithet) then "colored folk" seemed more genteel, then African American and Black became popular, some like 'people of color'. I try not to use any term. People are people, we're all different colors, so unless color is important in a physical description, I dont mention it at all.
We aren't really 'black' or 'white' anyway, we're more like ranging from beige to brown to dark brown.

Answer 4

Because some blacks get offended if you call them anything other than African American. It is safer for some to choose PC.

My son is black. He calls himself "brown boy".
I've learned to use whichever term the person wants.

I was once verbally attacked by a woman of "African American Ancestry" because I used the word "Descent".
She found "Descent" to be demeaning. I think she had other issues. Hating non-blacks being a major one.

To your second question:
Whenever asked to check a box I consider myself caucasian/white (not of Latino descent). I honestly don't give it much thought. Which really twerps off my relatives who call themselves Mexican. (Both sides of my family are almost 1/2 French, in this case two halves do not make a whole, but rather an American. We've all been in the US for more than 100 years...and now I have wandered into ethnicity. Sorry.)

Answer 5

It's not all white people that will say African American. The ones that do use that have probably been looked down upon by ***** Americans. I don't believe in calling someone African American though unless they or their parents lived in Africa sometime recently, and then moved over here. If you have to trace your ancestors back to Africa more than 1-2 generations then you're too far removed from Africa to be calling yourself that. That's my opinion.

Answer 6

I think most sensitive, progressive white people are confused. They (us, I'm white) try too hard to be potitically correct.

Actually, it is still considered perfectly respectful to use the term "black" amongst blacks and whites alike. I prefer "black" because it mirrors the term "white" and seems to suggest equality (to me, anyway) more than the term "African American." White people are not "European American," right?

What really bugs me (and emphasises our confusion) is when people interchange the two terms in the same sentence. I even once heard a TV reporter refer to a statesmen form Africa, an AFRICAN, as "african American!"

Answer 7

I think it dates back to time when black were called "*******" and I guess that since those days are over the caucasians try not to offend any of the african americans.

Answer 8

I think they are scared because if they call them the wrong thing they might get offended. I don't really think anyone but the blacks kow what to call tehm I would call them People just like us. You can't call them colored because black or white they are both colors and well I guess they think African American is better that calling them the N word. I kow I went on and on and on But I hope this helps somewhat

Answer 9

All of America is scared to speak anymore, especially white people. I think it's a matter of if they say something else they think it might be called racist or offensive. I use black. I mean, it's not a matter of race to me. We're all Americans, aren't we? (can't speak for other countries)

Answer 10

Black is neutral, just like white. A simple fact.
Anything else is pandering to the PC social workers and hand-wringers. A black could as easily be a visting African-African. Hmmm.

If I know them, I prefer their first name, or Mister/Ms whoever otherwise.

Answer 11

Honestly, we're not sure what to call (enter politically correct word here). In the 50's you were ****** or Colored People. In the 70's you became Blacks. Now you're African Americans. You can call each other Ni**ers, but Whites get arrested for it. Personally, I'm not sure what to call (enter politically correct word here). And just in case this offends you, please don't let it. I am not racist. And frankly, my dearest friend, who is also (enter politically correct word here), is of the same opinion as me. So, what are we supposed to call you?