Do you ever wonder?

Question

Why most black people say that they're "African American"... thats sooo annoying!!
Im mixed black and white.. So Im not being racist, but I was just wondering.. my mother who is black was brought up to say she was just "American"... because she wasnt born in Africa.. You dont see white people saying stuff like "Italy American" just because theyre ancestors were from Italy!!
Does anyone get what Im saying.. this has been niggling my mind since this morning...
So can someone help me understand?
Thanks

Answer 1

Sometimes people do it to justify the color of their skin, sometimes it make them feel good by saying it, dont worry, just be what you are and be proud of it, that is all that count, you arte a human, forget the color.

Answer 2

I don't know for sure, and I hope I don't offend anyone. The term 'black' goes back to times of conquest in Africa and the name "*****" coming from the Latin word '*******'.
The real blame lies in our System of systems, I think, in that everyone seems to want to put people into categories, whether through their skin color, gender, height, weight, IQ, accent, hair color, the car they drive, etc. This pigeon-holing of people makes it easier for the Corporatists (people who incorporate group thinking into everything) to control and suppress the individual from being independent (which makes it easier to sell things). The term African-American is important because there are so many different Africans, and the general Western-European cultures aren't familiar with all of the tribal names. I know I wouldn't know a Nigerian from a Nubian without it being explained to me. Try not to think of it as a big deal to everyone. The more we work at just being individuals, the less it matters. We can do more by breaking away from the corporatists than we will by arguing about names. Remember that Rosa Parks sat down because she was a tired individual. She won a battle because of her rights as an individual to live as a person. It was a victory not just for people of color, but for anyone who has ever been forced to do something because they were different than a group.
Oh, and you do find a lot of people saying they are Italian, or Polish, or Finnish or German, but their nationality has become ingrained with the American part, so they don't say it. Sometimes it comes up with recent immigrants more than the older ones.

IF you want change, keep it in your pocket. Your dollar is your vote, and the machines don't count.

Answer 3

What Ive learned is than "Black" people are looking for a sense of identity. They dont konw what country they were from: about 125 years ago they were considered property; Its something this country never dealt with. What about Italians taking over Colombus day that has nothing to do with Italy? and all he did was inslae native indians.

Ill never understand completely, but this is the best Ive learned

Answer 4

There really is no logical explanation. African Americans need to find a means to fit in yet this only separates them from who they really are. Mind you not all go this route, many find their confidence in being just an American. I was born in America and have many heritages, I like to choose two as a primary but really in the end of the day I am human living in America.

Answer 5

Very good question, that is something that can not be answered because of the way society is. I hear you on that. But they do say "native American" which we are native to America so that is probably the only correct classification.

Answer 6

That is up to the individual. One might want to keep his/ her ties two countries birth place and the mother land. Some people just their mother land, while others the birth place or country.Don't let what others do define who you are. Do what's right for you. We live in a country of choice.We should be proud of it.There are so many people who wish they did. You are very Welcome to my opinion.

Answer 7

well saying african american is being polite. saying ***`er is really not good. iam half french and some people call me a frog! there is a better way to say things.so just be thankful people don`t say the ***`er word to you.

Answer 8

i guess its because most white people when they say "oh that black person" the colored person gets offended so its just a nicer word....

Answer 9

Pff... nowdays people get so stuck with the kind of formalities. You have to understand.... some people get offended if you call them otherwise... it's stupid i know.

Answer 10

I've wondered that too.