Whats so wrong with the term African American?

Question

I hear White people always call themselves Irish American or German American. No one seems to have a problem with that. But when it comes to African American, alot of people don't like it. I'm African American, and I have no problem being called that because thats what I am. I feel that it reflects my ancestry and who I am today. I also am part Native American too, and I even feel that African American kind of includes the Native American part of me too. I most likely have European blood in me too somewhere. I think I might be part irish, but i don't know. But I wouldn't call any Black person I see African American, because they might not be American. But thats just what I identify with though. Any other African Americans feel this way?

Answer 1

give me a frickin break. you hear people walk around saying they are irish american and german american?? my a s s .. you never hear that crap. you only hear the blacks have to state they are AFRICAN of which a lot of them are not even of that ancestry. they just like to jump on the band wagon. i knew a girl who had ancestral roots of Aborigines but she was ashamed of that so she calls herself AFRICAN american. how F'd up is that.

Answer 2

Nobody knows your history unless you speak with them. There are 3 genetic groups of race. At first glance you are Black, White or Asian (South eg Indian, Pakistani or East eg Chinese, Japanese) Anything in between is mixed race. Consider this. A black man from England is on holiday in America. He is in an elevator where someone has their pockets picked. Someone has to describe to the police everbody present in the elevator at the time. If he indeed was responsible for the crime, he would never be caught as the police would be looking for a African American....not everyone in America is American. It's a stupid term.

Answer 3

If you are born in Africa, and then moved to America, then you would be African American. Being born here will make you American first, then African, so you are really American African. Doesn't sound as nice, but that's what you really are. My Parents are from Germany, but I was born here, Am I German American?Almost everyone living in America are from somewhere first. So be proud to call yourself just American.

Answer 4

well I am married to a black man, and when he refers to himself as African American I do nor have a problem with it, but i ask him "why do you call your self that if you have not done your ancestry to find out where your family is from. I call myself a Puerto Rican/ French American because that is where my parents were born and raised. His last name is Irish! I have asked others the same question and they have told me that I have a point. I think everyone is responsible to find out their ethnicity and where there family is from before they claim an entire country as their back round! You should not claim something like that by pure assumption!

Answer 5

Nothing is wrong with it, but just don't use the term to descibe every single Black person you see. My mom is Dominican, and people call her "African-American" when she is not. She will correct them and say that she's Dominican or Afro-Latina. I do often hear alot of Whites call themselves Irish American though. But if you want to be caled African American, then more power to you.

Answer 6

I have no problem with being called afcican american. The reason some older people have a problem with term is because some years after slavery was abolished a large amount of slaves went back to africa so they feel like if you left why are you still using the term american.

Answer 7

There are plenty of Black folks who also aren't of African descent. The term Native American is also deceptive. Lots of people are "native" to the US, even if all of their ancestry is European, Asian, or other: they were still born here. It's all just silly. We're all people. Leave it at that.

Answer 8

I don't see anything wrong with it at all. But.........you know white people who say they are Irish American and German American? Where do you live? lol. I have never met a white person say that. All we say is American. Thats it. American and proud of it.

Answer 9

I don't call myself irish-American....but if I were born in Ireland and moved to America I might but I am an American. simple as that. if you are born in Africa and moved to America..go ahead knock your self out...But the term African-American is over used....alot of people use the term and not all slaves came form Africa..so they are mis-terming themselves..if the person can actually trace their heritage to Africa.

Answer 10

Sounds like you are like most other blacks you are a hiezn 57 american ,just ain't sure who all has been in our hen house ,except that we are black.Have you noticed that there are very few true africans anymore because of the mixture most of us are what is called middlers ??