Black, African-American, Etc... Is there a term we can agree on?

Question

I am 1/2 black, and 1/2 white. White I use as a generic term, as well as black.

I personally find the term African-American offensive. I was born here, and do not want to be hyphenated. An immigrant who is from Africa, and naturalized is African-American to me...(Origin of birth -- Current residence).

A white South African who is naturalized is technically African-American to me, though most would say that isn't correct.

To hyphenate someone who is born somewhere is not proper, as it suggests they are not native to that land.

I do not know alot of my father's (black) side, and lineage, and believe black is most proper. Since blacks were considered property for 400 years, I doubt any accurate records could be found.

Convince me why I should accept African-American if Euro-American is not an official term.

American would be nice, however society doesn't allow that for us currently.

---midwestbr... I understand the origin, of the word *****, as spanish, and ni99er, as what was niger, latin for black. These words have been corrupted and as such may never have a polite meaniug, and will always be negative.
---Some words may have a neutral, definitive use, and meaning, but get dirtied, and taboo. Compare Master and Apprentice to Master and Slave. The first neutral usage has been dirtied by the second.
--Keep that in mind because someone not as polite may go to blows with you over that.

---kisha c, that is a racist statement in itself. I've seen plenty of black/black couples, white/black, hispanic/black couples, among others.
---I see more acceptance w/ my fiancee and myself in the inner city, than the suburbs, and yes she is white. Wrap this around your head, she's not attracted to white guys, so if not me, some other 'colored' person.

Answer 1

I agree with you. I've always just referred to myself as black if for no other reason than it's much more expedient than African-American.

Also, while I do realize that I am descended from African people (my family has done the research and actually traced our lineage back to the African who was first brought here), I wasn't born in Africa, have never been to Africa (though I'd love to visit sometime), and know very little about Africa. My family has been in this country for at least as long as (and longer than many) your average white american family. We've been born, lived, worked, served in the military, paid taxes, and died in this country for generations. Everytime I hear (or read) some redneck racist say that we should go back to Africa I want to tell them that this country was built (literally) on the backs of my ancestors and that I have as much right to be here as he does, and if he doesn't like it he can go back to whatever part of Europe he's not sure that he's from. I'm here to stay. That doesn't mean that I have to take white american crap. It means that I'm going to protest and fight that crap until America gets it right, because that's the Amercian way.

Also while my principle racial designation is black; that's how america defines me and it's who I identify with, my family, like that of most black americans, isn't pure. Ole massa got to some of our women so there's some English and Irish running through the mix ,and some family members married into the local Indian tribe so there's some of that in there too. Do I have to hyphenate all of that? I don't think so. I'll just stick with generic, all inclusive Black...thank you very much.

And to the drtyfckr...the Irish were born in Ireland, Italians were born in Italy... I was born in Texas. I'm staying right here...if for no other reason than to annoy your racist white @ss.

Answer 2

I'm personally proud to be called an African-American. In a way, I will never forget my ancestors who sacrificed themselves and their freedoms to get us to this great country. But on the other hand, if I went to Africa today, I would be so f*cking lost. I wouldn't know the languages, tribes, traditions, religions, anything. So I guess I would rather be called American. I also believe if you take the "African" out of African-American it would allow for a greater mingling of people in the U.S.A, hence leading to the lost of the African/black identity. That is something some Black Americans fear, the lost of their identity and submission into the American/European majority culture.

Answer 3

I feel that the organization being represented must be in a position to pick what it's referred to as. I do not believe one is extra legitimate than the opposite, however I do believe that "human" is probably the most correct time period, and in circumstances in which the race for a few motive have to be mentioned, "black American" could in general be probably the most politically proper. As a long way as the talk is going, I in most cases persist with both the phrases "black" or "African-American," for the reason that that is what I listen so much ordinarily. However, I've heard a few black humans say that each are offensive, so I'm now not fairly definite what the correct one is.

Answer 4

I agree. I am not African so why call me an African American. I also dont like the fact that if you are not white, you are considered a Minority. The only race that is not hyphenated is the white people. Why not call them Euro-American,lol.

I am an American. Born and raised. We should all have one title. None of these other races (whites, asians, latins, etc) were here before the Native Americans.

Answer 5

Where are you are offended by that term "African-American" so are Africans. When I was in Africa a man asked me the same question, "Why do Black Americans call themselves African, when they do not speak Swahili?" Not to mention there are blacks that do not have African back grounds. So I agree with you it is a ridiculous practice to call someone by that term. You are black, white, red, or brown that is a mere fact of genetics, but where you live and call home is a different matter.

I call you an American and proudly stand by you in this great nation of ours.

Answer 6

Generally, I just use "black", if I have to discuss it at all. Primarily, I consider myself AMERICAN. "African-American" is stupid and divisive, and probably a term invented by some white person during the big political correctness push back in the 90's. It's a stupid arguement and black people need find more important things to worry about. Like shutting down the national and cultural embarassment that is BET.

Answer 7

man i like the way you think, ive always wondered why a black person would want to be called an african-american for the very reason you said you diont like it, it makes it seem as if there not full blooded americans to me! i am white and it does not offend me to be called white, the more proper term would be anglo or caucaision <--not even sure i spelled that right haha but its just so much simpler to sat white, its just a general term to distiguish skin color.
if someone called me an anglo-american i would think it very odd. i tink black and white is fine and black people ive known have never had any issue with being called black either. ive actually gotten laughed at for saying "african-american" by black people.

Answer 8

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.

America do not represent my heritage, religion, nationality, culture or customs. It ONLY show the land in which I was born.

The so-called "African Americans" have not culture, religion, customs with with this land. In fact in this land they made a law that say these so-called "African Americans" are only 3/5th a human. This is the same nation the rob any knowlegde of who they were to be into their image. It time we took back who we are and stop allowing others to tell us who we should be.

Answer 9

You shouldn't. It is a ridiculous term invented by the liberals when they got tired of their previous label for blacks. For you I would refer to as mulatto or, if people are unfamiliar with that term, I would say half-black.

I use ***** and black to refer to blacks, but with mixed mulatto is a briefer label.

Using African-American as a label implies the person knows what continent of origin the one they are describing is from, as well as the citizenship status of the one they are describing. Thats why it is a ridiculous label: these things cannot be assumed when talking about a black person.

Answer 10

If you were born in America then to me you are an American, if your mother let's say marries a white man and lets say he is Scottish then you would be Scottish American, It is mans own ignorants that separates us by colour, I will say be proud of who your father is, if he was born in Africa then he would be African the same as I am Canadian and you are American, my father is of the Scottish culture what is your fathers culture or tribe, because it would be his culture that you take, be proud of that.