Why do Black Americans.........?

Question

refer to themselves as 'African Americans', placing their ancestry ahead of their place of birth? Whereas the Jews born in Germany for example, refer to themselves as 'German Jews' (place of birth ahead of ancestry). Are they not proud of their place of birth?

Questions are questions, there is good, bad and hogwash answers though. Summarizing it as follows: Black Americans do not refer to themselves as African Americans, it is the American/European/White anti-apartheid liberal society that has labelled them so. Is this not, APARTHEID/SEGREGATION of the first degree? Furthermore, we must all be 'Out of Africa', so to speak. World renowned anthropologists have stated according to their findings, 'The Cradle of Mankind' was in Africa - more specifically 'Central Africa' (approx. 3,3 million BC). Then there is also conclusive evidence to the fact that the 'Khoisan' race emanated from 'Central Africa' as well (38 000 BC). All of this conjures up a host of other questions. "Is God Black.......? As Adam was created in his image and likeness (in the beginning)." As one of the answerers, stated 'get your facts straight'. I will always ask controversial, debatable questions, that make you think. Multi choice type questions are for the lame brained.

Answer 1

Speaking as a member of the race in question, I don't think most Black people call themselves African American. That's just the politically correct term that we have to mark on any forms we fill out. It's got nothing to do with a lack of pride in the U.S. Black people just call themselves Black people, because that's what we are.

I have a question, though. Why were Black people singled out here? There are Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans or much more often just plain Hispanics and Asians. Why doesn't this question address the issue as a whole instead of just a piece of it?

Answer 2

Why don't white Americans call themselves European American or German American, Irish american, etc? And why are are Hispanics called just that? Are there any real good answers? I don't think of myself as anything other than white and American. My family came from Germany, Belgium, and Great Britian. But I don't identify with these people and have never been to these countries. So I wouldn't feel comfortable being referred to as European American or British American, etc. I guess the people decide what they want to be called and we go along with it until someone comes along and changes it.

Answer 3

Actually a lot of Americans relate to their pre-American ancestry. Since we ALL came from somewhere else somewhere around 200 years ago, we often identify ourselves by our grandparents ethnicity. As a culture, Americans value their roots in other countries. Ask anyone what nationality they are and they'll start a litany of "Well, my grandma is Italian, but my mom's side of the family comes from Sweden..." and so on. They'll never just say "I'm American."

Since it's culturally important in our society, blacks need to have those roots too. But they've been so lost because of their history that they've sort of been lumped together as African American.

Oh, and the blacks who ended up in Jamaica, Haiti, etc. also hailed from Africa at one time where they were also taken to be slaves. So it's not that out-of-line to still refer to them as African Americans.

Answer 4

Think they are following the flow, black power, etc. I sure hope they consider themselves Americans too, because if they are not loyal to this country, need to move. I'm not saying that just to black people, either. Same goes for whites and browns who don't love and respect this country. I am blessed to have been born in USA. Think if dissenters had to live, say, in China for a year or two, would be so glad to get back here they would kiss the dirt when they got off the plane.

Answer 5

The Blacks want equality but they are the first to separate themselves by using that term. I refuse to accept that term as they are Americans with an African heritage.
The same reason another Black can call another a ****** but, if a white person called them that then they are a racist. If you look up the definition of the word ****** it makes NO MENTION of Race only that it refers to the person being a lazy person.
They want equal rights but they are the first to segregate themselves from everyone else. Many of my friends are Black and to be honest it never comes down to Black or White but, a Good Friend whom I spend much time with and enjoying life with them.

Answer 6

Since when have we referred to ourselves as african americans? That's a label we've been given. It's on every application I've ever filled out. I have never been to Africa and people in Africa do not consider me african, it's only the people here who have stamped us with that label.

Answer 7

It's not about what is written first. The noun has a higher definitive status than the adjective. You are primarily human and secondarily male (I assume). That would make you a male human.
Often the term "Jew" isn't used to refer to a geographical region (this was especially the case before 1948) but to a religious orientation.

Answer 8

I have no idea why it is done like that , maybe someone else can enlighten you on that. It certainly does not mean that I am not happy about my place of birth, why would you think that? Even with all of the problems, I love the United States and there is no other place that I would rather live

Answer 9

There you idiots go again generalizing, because you're ignorant. I prefer to be called just American and just so you know society has actually placed those terms on us. When I go apply for a job, African American is what I have to mark, that's just the way it is.Get your facts straight.

Answer 10

The term African American SHOULD denote nationality, not race. One of my fellow workmates was born in Egypt and he is now an American citizen. That makes him African American. American blacks call themselves African American because it is a fad. At one time they were called colored people, Negroes, blacks and then Afro American. The popular term now is African American.