FOR BLACK PEOPLE IN AMERICA: Do you prefer to be called AFRICAN AMERICAN or BLACK????

Question

When I was growing up, the term was black. I am a Generation X'er. Then when I got in middle/high school, it became the 'politically correct' thing to say "African American". Well, I'm thirty now, and I've decided that I don't know who the hell came up with African American, but that isn't me. I am Black.
Some may say that Black is a color, not a race. Well, I can understand and agree with that. But I also maintain that I am Black. Only because as an American Black woman, I have no identity or where to draw my family lines back to. And we have been very diluted with other cultures as well.
So.....I am proud to be a Black woman. NOT AFRICAN AMERICAN because I am NOT nor have I ever been a citizen of Africa. And my ancestors vary. American Black people are a mixed group. Just look at the range of colors that we possess.

So........American Black, or African Americans.....what do YOU prefer to be called, and why?

Answer 1

i JUST REALIZED THAT WHEN i AM TALKING TO OTHER BLACK PEOPLE I SAY I'M LACK OR REFER TO OTHERS AS BEING BLACK. WHEN I AM TALKING TO OTHER RACES I SAY AFRICAN AMERICAN. I THINK I DO THIS BECAUSE OF ALL THE NEGATIVITY SURROUNDING BLACK PEOPLE IN THE FORM OF STEREOTYPES...AFRICAN AMERICAN MAKES IT SOUND LIKE WE ARE SUMEPNE SPECIAL TO THOSE WHO MAY THINK OTHERWISE. ALSO I GREW UP IN CHICAGO AND IT IS MORE COMMONLY SAID THERE...

Answer 2

I use either term. Im also a generation xer. I don't really have a preference. I agree with the person who said when speaking to other races uses the term African American. When I am talking to my own I ususally say sista or brotha. I guess the bottom line is I don't care anymore It just doesnt matter..

Answer 3

OK, I'm white so my opinion on this makes zero difference and I'm happy to call anyone whatever they prefer (if they let me know).

But I took a video-based class on racial experiences in America at one point and I was always impressed by the personal experience one of the taped participants related.

This was a Black/African American/pick-a-term professional woman probably in her mid-50's. Obviously well-educated and very articulate. She said that, as a child, she had always referred to herself and been referred to as "colored". And she was fine with that. Incidentally, she had gone to segregated schools until mid-high school and felt that that hadn't hindered her either.

Then, the term "*****" became more generally accepted and she hadn't liked it much but had adjusted to that.

Then, in the '70's, the "Black Power" movement gained popularity and the general thrust was towards calling people who looked like her, "Black". She said she really didn't much like being called Black and had barely gotten used to being a *****.

Answer 4

Wow they are just throwing the word ***** and ******* out there in response to this question. I would say I prefer to be called black. But like others have said tend to refer to myself as African American to other races.

Answer 5

I prefer to be called an American. I dont have "Black" skin, I have "Brown" skin. And I am not from Africa, so I should not be called an African. Just because the slaves came from Africa, it does not mean I should keep the African title. Most black people in America are not "Just Black" anyway. Most of us have a mixed background and are only called Black or African American because we have Brown skin.

I'm an American, born and raised here.

Answer 6

Well, African-American is the ethnicity, and Black is the race name. Now, what would you like to call someone by his race, or by his nationality or name?. It is like calling White Americans, "White people".

To me, it doesn't matter, I am Black and I won't have a problem to be called African-American.

Answer 7

I am Canadian, but I just say black. I am proud, and to say "Afro-Canadian" or "African-Canadian" just sounds too cumbersome. I'm not offended by it, I just don't say it. Also, I find that it causes us, as black people, to segregate ourselves from one another, for instance, what of someone with roots in the West Indies or South America, who is also '*******'? I used to be the head of a black youth organization, and the terms we preferred were diverse. Some even preferred 'Nubian' (referring to Nubia)-- I don't see a problem with saying 'black', because I don't say 'caucasian' unless I am speaking formally. I say white.

Answer 8

Can a paleface can put in his 2¢?

I think the whole "African-American" thing came from confused white liberals who are trying to be so politically correct that they offend absolutely nobody (at least in their own minds), but they come across as complete nincompoops in the process. My ancestors (who were very White) came to America from Europe hundreds of years ago, but I'd be very puzzled if anyone decided I should be called a "European-American" or "Dutch-American" so they wouldn't think they were offending me. I'm White; not snow-white, not off-white, just White, and that's good enough for me. I consider Blacks to be Black, doesn't matter if they're black as coal or pale brown. It's not a judgement, it's not racism, it's not insulting or condescending, it's just a casual way of describing ******.

Earth is a planet of many different races. We can't ignore that fact, be ashamed of it, or pretend it doesn't exist - that's silly. We need to accept it, embrace it, and move on to more important things. People need to be less concerned with detailing a person's geneology or background, and more concerned with treating people with simple human respect. That's what it all boils down to, right?

Answer 9

No I like to be called American or by my first name.

Answer 10

I agree with you. I am Black....to me it represents many of the beautiful aspects of my life and who I am.