African-American vs. American?

Question

Why can't African Americans simply be called Americans? Aren't they Americans too, or do the white folk need to allienate them.

I'm not saying the term "black" against American or "African American" but just African American vs American.

We need labels because the American Government feels that my best friend isn't American, but African American. Why? Why do I have to be a LatinAmerican? Puertoricanamerican?

Answer 1

I'm black and I couldn't agree more...I mean, i've never been to Africa in my llife and the Africans do not consider me African at all. It's a title we've been given and we're stuck with it.

Answer 2

I think if you'll crack a book,or read newspapers from the past and get a bit more knowledge you'll find that it was not the Caucasian peoples design,but rather people who were tired of being called what they are,and in fact they themselves used as
a word and others to describe themselves,to separate themselves from all other society in an attempt to make themselves more unique.
In fact many long years ago when this word first was being used and I remember it clearly,most of us said the same thing what are they starting now? Why must we call them
African-Americans,aren't they Americans with culture from other lands like all of us???
But rest assured this was not something we Caucasian people started.
Maybe we should have a national vote, since they still use the word colored to describe themselves,and black,and *****-this latter taken from the race they are the *******.

Answer 3

We are Americans. Technically we aren't even African Americans. Only the blacks that come from Africa and are 100% are African Americans. Blacks from America have so many different cultures in them that we really aren't "African". We're just black point blank.

Answer 4

Personally, the only race I consider myself a part of is the human one.
Secondly, I was born in the USA so,technically, I am a USA-ian. Anybody from the "new world" is American in one sense or another.
I call myself American though.
Now, I do have ancesters that came from many places (though I don't think any were from Africa).
Time to stop grouping people by skin and start getting to know each other. We just might be suprised at how many friends we'd have if we did!

Answer 5

neither

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 stranges 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 6

white folk need to allienate them, LOL

I think a better way to stamp out racism is to take this off forms all together. What difference does it make when I buy a TV if I'm black or white. So why do they have it on the warranty registration. We all should just be considered American. The only one that really needs my race on a form is a doctor because certain illness are race related.

Answer 7

How would you describe some1 on the news by just calling them americans. African American ancestors are from Africa.Every1 knows that.

Answer 8

Because in America people will put you in a group. It's like an obsession or something. And some people who aren't ameircans don't even think you are american if you aren't white. Sad, but true. I feel the same way you feel about this. People who are citizens of the U.S are americans. Period. Cut the other crap.

Answer 9

Yeah I'm not american, but I'e always wondered why. White people aren't called 'White Americans or European Americans', in latinamerica you are usually just called latinamerican.

Answer 10

the term american is no culture, by adding background like african american it just define our race. Africans were meant to be in africa not america.

Answer 11

I didn't realize the white people alienated blacks. I think they do that them selves (and not all of them). White folk as you call them don't have a WET or a white chamber of commerce or white museums or their own white holiday. Please. I consider black people as American as anyone else. I personally feel like this is a racist question asked by a racist person