Why do blacks want to be called African Americans?

Question

The term African American is a geographical description not a racial one. Erine Els is from South Africa, he is white as the day is long and if he immigrated to the United States he would be considered African American. Additionally, Egyptians (who look Middle Eastern) are from Northern Africa, why do we not call American Egyptians African American? I am tired of all the political correctness.

First off, in the 60's blacks called themselves ****** or Afro Americans. Secondly, by no means am I racist. Ancestory isn't a good enough reason, as we all came from Africa at some point in time. And to the guy who asked if I would like being called 'whitey'. I am not white. The terms white and black are just refering to someones skin color.

Answer 1

African American, White American, Native Americans (don't forget them).
Hell they're all just Americans.
Yes all the political correctness is getting so old.

Answer 2

At one time there were German-Americans, Italian-Americans, Polish-Americiands, etc. After world war 1 or 2, the groups stopped referring to themselves by their country of ancestry, but rather simply as Americans. There were blacks and whites, though political correctness required changing the words for black every now and then.

In a speach a few years ago, I think it was Jesse Jackson who popped up and proclaimed that blacks were African Americans. This was in large part to dissociate from white America and to force a division and also possibly to give an excuse or a reason for not embracing American culture. To some, it seemed to be just a reason to stay mad at the world. Now we have African Americans. Some will explain that they originate from the country of Africa, oblivious to the idea that there is no country of Africa.

Interestingly enough, I've noticed that Africans do not regard African Americans as African at all. While the skin color is the same, there are vast differences in outlook on life and appreciation for the world. We thus have Africans, African Americans, and Americans.

Answer 3

I never said I wanted to be called an African American, so don't assume. I have never been to Africa in my life. I have so many other races in my family, why should I be called African just because I have brown skin.

I am an American. I was born here and so was the rest of my family. We are not African. If you want to call me an African-American..then I'll call white people European-American since that is the only race not hyphenated

Answer 4

I am sick and tired of this PC garbage as well. I think it has weakened our country.
However, I don't have a problem with the term African American. And do not assume all black Americans prefer that term.
I am German and Irish. I have always called myself a German American, or at times Irish American (around St Pats). I am proud of my heritage, we all should be.
Therefore I don't have a problem with the African American term. Though it is often used in a PC context. I still hear the term black more than Af American.
What really ticks me off is when these PC white people insist on using the term Asian as opposed to "Oriental". Like you commited a sin and said something wrong. Well, my wife is Oriental and prefers Oriental over the generic PC Asian term.
I hate anything PC. But I just happen to agree with the term African American, don't have a problem with it.

Answer 5

I agree. My background is Irish and Portuguese (dad's side) and Iroquois (Native American) and French Canadian (mom's side).

I don't demand that I be called a French Canadian-
Iroquois-Portuguese-Irish American. I'm American. I've never lived in Canada, Portugal, Ireland, or on tribal land. Most black people have never lived in Africa. They're Americans.

White and black describes what we look like. But my heritage, and the heritage of the average black person whose family members were born and died in this country for at least two generations, is American.

Answer 6

I dont call myself Irish American, if you were born in America your an American! If you put something in front of it, go there and live.

The whole issue with this question is why do black people do it. It`s because of the horrible truth of slavery. Black people want to regain thier nationality. An even worse truth is that white people did`nt just land and start capturing black people like animals, other black people rounded them up and sold them. It was a business, and you can bet money was made on either side.

Dont get me wrong, i think it was a dark time in history, but your ancestors bought your right as Americans! White slavery was going on too. Read your history books.

Answer 7

Blacks do not!

White America chooses to change the name every decade or so...it's like they have nothing better to do.

(*****, Colored, African American) Seems like their biggest problem is to decide on what to call them next...

No other group of people have had to endure such changes...
most of the black people that I know...do have a problem with being referred to as African American but understand that people are just trying to be politically correct.

Answer 8

Why don't people understand Blacks, African Americans do not share a consciousness. We all have preference. And there are many more important thing going on in the world call people by there names.* sheesh

Answer 9

The stupidest thing I've heard was when I was in Europe with a group of people and someone kept referring to our French business associate (who was Black) as African American. He kept looking at her like she was loco.

Another time there were those commercials on TV about making donations to the starving people in other nations. Another idiot also called the people on TV African Americans.

The word AFRICAN AMERICAN is not synonymous with Black.

Answer 10

The problem is that we no longer expect people to be proud of where they are now. Most imigrants in the past came to America and wanted to do anything to become American and put their past behind them. Now, I understand that a large percentage of people we think of as black were brought here against their will, so I accept that they, as a group, are an exception to the rule. But I ask this... how many of them would rather be back in Africa? Or wherever their ancestors are from (while a large percentage were taken from Africa, not all were)?

It's a simple question for the people that came here willingly, and I am saddened by the relatively recent trend of promoting where you came from (Mexican American, Italian American, etc.) as opposed to where you choose to be -- America, and thus American.

However, I admit that it's a little less clear when you're brought here unwillingly... but at some point, everyone has to make a choice. Yes your ancestors were brought here unwillingly, and yes they were mistreated. I hope that most of us are at least a little ashamed of this history; but now that you are here, and effectively given for free the same citizenship that so many others covet, do you choose to be American, or something else?

As a rule, I try to avoid the terms black or African American altogether and refer to people as "people" or by name... and most of my friends appreciate this (of all races). Can't speak for those that aren't friends, as they don't tell me their oppinions.

Acceptance comes from being yourself and being allowed to be yourself. And unfortunately, some of us are bastards... but most of us aren't. Being PC means you know you're saying or doing something "wrong", but becuase you "care enough to word it right", it's OK. In my oppinion, that's crap. We're Americans, and we should focus on what we can offer/do for each other. Everything else is window dressing, either for ourselves or for others.

Does it mean more because I'm giving to "underpriveleged African Americans" or does it mean more because I'm giving to those less priveleged then myself? I think (and at least a few friends of mine from many races) it means more because I'm giving and not asking who it's going to.

Do we have more to do as a nation to "right our previous wrongs" and treat everyone as equals? Yes. But we've come a long way, and focusing on what keeps us different just exacerbates the problem. We're all Americans. Everything else is our history, not who we are today.