Why do blacks in USA prefer to be called African American?

Question

Why do blacks in USA prefer the title African American.they should be called black americans because they dont know anything African:they dont dress like africans,eat african food,they dont want to know what is happening in Africa today.

Answer 1

I'm wondering why white people aren't called European Americans. We come from Europe, shouldn't we be proud of our European ancestry?

Answer 2

Not everyone wants to be called african-american. But the title itself is based off of a false. Even today after the "victories" of the civil rights and black power era, Black people do not have the same status as white americans. In the end the title doesnt really mean anything because if you are not granted all the same protections and freedoms you are not really a citizen, so that takes care of the american part, and as far as the african part is concerned that is a personal thing to accept or not. Even though many people do not actively think about any of the many African nations, they are thinking about us. Recently the African Union made the diasporic population its 6th district granting us delegated votes in their decision making process. This representation, which we barely see in this country, has made Blacks and those who will accept the offer more African than American. Personally I dont ever want to be called an African American. I think the quote is "who wants to integrate into a burning house?" But just think realize that if a title for Blacks in the US should include the word "America" it should only be "Africans in America, or People of African descent in America."

But hopefully we wont have to be here for that much longer.

And regarding the whole thing about Blacks here not acting or living like africans, just think about the music, food, personal styles (hair, head wear), language (gullah, creol, patios), and proverbs that are common in nearly all black communities in the US.

Answer 3

The question may not necessarily be formed inthe most "nice" way but you are making a good point. I am by no means racist, but one thing that bothers me is the term 'african americans' being used for people are not necessarily and truly of african decent and especially those who don't know anything about the culture. I am Irish and American Indian but I simply say that I am a white American because I do not know much about my Irish influence nor my American Indian influence. I know that I do not have the right to claim this status. It is part of my heritage as is African to a lot of black people. At the same time, a lot of black people have Caribbean ancestry but still claim African American. If a person knows their heritage, then sure, claim, but if you don't know, then you shouldn't try to guess and then throw it in someone else's face all the time.

By the way, for those who make the point about ethnicity and heritage, they are two different things. Ethicity deals with traits, background, and associations and may not necessarily be birth related. Heritage is by birth.
And, yes Charlize Thieron is African American.

Answer 4

Why do you have to generalize?
I'm sure a lot of them are informed about Africa and their heritage.

Also, people who claim that White Americans should be allowed (or shouldn't be taboo) because Asian Americans, African Americans, etc. are allowed, are ill-informed. White doesn't give any indication of where the person is from, really. It's just a color. Asian, on the other hand, indicates that the person is from (-gasp-) Asia. Apples and oranges, my friend.

Eh, I don't think most people have a problem with being called black, but why the huge problem with calling them African-American?

Answer 5

Actually many do wear traditional garments of Africa and are most certainly proud of their heritage. There are many who incorporate traditional African dishes in their everyday menus as well. And the title African American encompasses the whole of who they are. Black is a crayon color. African American is an ethnicity or a heritage if you will that is something to be proud of. Too bad I can't say the same for caucasion. WTF does that really mean? And the only other option would then be white. I'm not really white either. In fact I do not know any solid white people and if I did I would think the proper term for that would be an albino since white denotes lack of pigmentation. What difference does it make to you what they prefer to be classified as? Tolerance should be the name of the game.

Answer 6

Blacks can be called whatever they want to be called! But do you know that Charlize Theron is from Africa (the country of South Africa). Does that mean she is also an African American. Just wondering.

Answer 7

They are called so because they were hunted down and brought in from Africa, and even though they do not know anything about Africa now, they are still from African origins.
Black is just a colour, and they are not really black as you can see, so that does not fit their description either!

Answer 8

That is exactly how I feel. I would like to know more about the location and the culture of my ancestors in Africa. At this time, my culture and citizenship is from the USA; I am an American with ancestry from some place in Africa.

Answer 9

No because I'm black but not African American..I'm Afro Caribbean and yes there is such a thing! I'm of Haitian and Trinidadian descent.

Answer 10

I don't know many blacks that prefer African American. African American is a label that the government gave us ( also ***** and colored). We gave ourselves the name black. I can't speak for all black Americans but I know I prefer black over African American.

Answer 11

From my experience, blacks in the US don't prefer to be called African American. Every black person I know (I'm from New York) doesn't mind the word "black". The only people who have ever told me that the word "black" was wrong have been politically liberal white people.