Does anyone else think the term African-American is pretty ridiculous and petty?

Question

I'm white and that is fine with me, what's wrong with the term black? If the term African-American is used for blacks, shouldn't European-American be used for whites to keep things consistent?

People that are offended by the term black largely seem like they are just following the current "trend" and can't really create their own argument on the subject.

I would appreciate hearing the opinions of a black person.

Answer 1

I am Black and that is what I prefer to be called.
African-American is okay.

Answer 2

First of all, the label "African American" is the dumbest, most persistently used phrase in our vernacular. Every time you call someone an "African American," you're making at least two assumptions about the person:

1. That the person is an American. For example, if you saw this guy walking along on a street, you would probably think: African American...which is fine, except for one small detail: this man is British, which makes you a presumptuous cock.

2. That the person is African (because it's inconceivable that black people could come from Haiti, India, Trinidad, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Australia, or Jamaica). Nevermind that; BLACK PEOPLE ONLY COME FROM AFRICA.

Not to mention that every time you give a black person the distinction of being "African American" out of a mixed group, you're making an assumption about an entire continent; not everyone from Africa is black. I guarantee all you politically correct morons out there have never called a white person an African American. Of course you could avoid all these problems by using the same standards on blacks as you would on whites by simply assuming that all whites are from Africa just as you do for all blacks, but that might be too forward, and in a polite society like ours, people would be all too pleased to point out which of the 192 countries you didn't guess they were actually from.

Answer 3

It's fine with me too. I don't care what you are. I am black but look white. It doesn't matter to me whether you call me black (and I am not offended by that term) or African-American. Just as long as you know that I am black - African-American. When people ask me what my nationality is I say "Black". If you want to be called European-American than that's what you should call yourself.

Answer 4

Yeppers. Nothings wrong with it. I use the term black not African American. Lately, I've just been saying American to avoid all of the confusion. It gets really annoying explaining my different ethnic backgrounds to curious people. Not that I mind people asking, it just gets tiring after a while. So American will do just fine, seeing as I and majority of my family was born and bred here.

Answer 5

Iam a black mix and I see your point when ppl ask what you go by I say "black" nothing wrong with that I'm so glad you asked this question because I always thought that too all black ppl are not from africa. What about blacks that are jamaican, haitian or from belize, brasil etc... why don't it all just get dropped why be european-american or african american why not italian-american, nigerian-american, japanese-american and so on that's the problem with the U.S. now why don't we all embrace our heritages isn't america a melting pot for all? so everybody should embrace and be proud of their culture and that their american, but good point though! sorry but I just have to say this to pina colada or what ever her name is african americans didn't come to america to be slaves they were BOUGHT here not by choice to be slaves big difference get your history straight and take it from a black girl that's not a way we connect with our roots!

Answer 6

I do not think that the term African-American is ridiculous because African is part of my culture. Black is just a color and so is white. I do believe you should call yourself a European-American because that is where your ancestors came from. If not for any other reason you should call yourself that to honor them and to be proud of where your family came from.

Answer 7

I know a lot of Black people will disagree with me but here goes. I prefer to be called African-American because I am an American of African descent. Thanks to DNA testing I know where my ancestry is in Africa at least on my mother's side. I am decended from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Moors who conqured Spain. Obviously it is too much to say Nigerian-American, Liberian-American, etc. Especially since I plan to find out my ancestry on my father's side. It is easier and more natural for me to say African-American now that I know where I come from. It fits, but I'm realizing not many of my sistas and brothas agree with me.

Answer 8

Its just one of those things people like you will never be able to understand. It's a personal choice that YOU will never have the privilege to make. Why do you care? Does it bother you that after years of US being labeled by others, we have labeled ourselves? Things can remain consistent without White people identifying themselves as European- Americans. After all, wouldn't that just be white people following a trend? Does it make you feel unimportant or less of a man because its something you cannot control? Why do you feel the need to follow suit? Your probably a closet racist. I bet you don't even know any Black/African American people do you? Your an idiot!

Answer 9

I don't even see what there is to argue about.
European-American is a term that is used. You might discuss this with some of your African-American friends to get their opinion. I am looking forward to when there will be no distinction whatsoever.

Answer 10

That term is purely announcing that our ancestors got here from Africa, no longer unavoidably the human beings alive at present that are called that. I do hate the be conscious Black(like crayon coloration) even with the incontrovertible fact that, I recommend technically, we are brown, and that i've got by no ability seen someone that became truthfully Black, I purely think of it can be a darker coloration of brown. i think i might desire to work out the place you're coming from even with the incontrovertible fact that, yet purely somewhat. to boot, its been happening for this long, why exchange it purely to complicate issues. The solutions you get would be in keeping with individuality, meaning that some human beings like it, and others do no longer. i do no longer understand what to declare with regard to the finished rely, I recommend as long as that's no longer racial, then i'm cool with it.

Answer 11

I find the term HILLARIOUS. I am African. Most of the people who prefer to call themselves have never been to Africa, do not speak and African language and has no interest in Africa. Their ancestors in some instances have left africa on the 1500 (Though I admit not voluntarily).

I find it strange that they want to be called African American. If however it makes them happy, no damage is done. Just funny.

As I said, I am African. My ancestors came to Africa in 1654. My skin might be white, but I am merely AFRICAN, not european-african or Dutch-African or WHATEVER.