I find the term African-American an insult to My Native Africans friends. In the 60's and 70's black worked

Question

What do you think?

Answer 1

how is it an insult. We are of african decent and american. Just like Asian American, Irish American and so on. Other races and cultures do it

Answer 2

The long history is simply that tribal warfare on the African Continent allowed the winners to enslave the losers. Selling their "bounty" to the Europeans who in turn sold them here in the U.S. as well as the Carribean. Since then they as a people have struggled to find an identity. Times change as do chosen names of political correctness. I don't bother trying to keep pace any more. They are Americans and that's about all that matters to me. Incidently, my one African friend, thinks they're all silly.

Answer 3

If you are a second generation American then you should be just American in my opinion. As an immigrant Canadian I think the same should apply to Canadians too. There are too many racial groups in North America that are simply setting up colonies here. It's fine to study the literature, dance, music, etc. of your ethnic roots but If you were born in a country, that's the one that gives you your national identity.

Answer 4

Do your native African friends find it an insult? If not then what does it matter to you? I prefer to call people, people. If they must be categorized by race, then I say let each race decide what they considered acceptable and use that.

Answer 5

Well, blacks are African in blood and characteristics. We, like blacks all over the rest of the world, are a split 5th generation of Africans.The American (colonial European descent) in African American shows the add mixture in African American blood lines that occured during the colonial times.

Answer 6

I think ethnicity versus race (yes, there is a difference) is a huge political hot topic. Growing up Oriental, then Japanese American, onto Asian Pacific Islander and now Nikkei...and depending on the decade and geographical location, labels change. Just be aware and sensitive to the climate we live in. That's all you can do.

Answer 7

I also find it offensive since I have never been to Africa.... and I can see how it is offensive to Africans who were not born in America why can't you just be called African, and why can't I be called American?

Answer 8

How is that offensive exactly?

I think as long as the people who are subject to the terms are not finding the term offensive, then it's fine.

Answer 9

I think people care way too much what someone else is calling them. I think people are people and that's it. Black, white, purple, green, yellow - whatever. It shouldn't matter. Human is the race, not color.

Answer 10

I'm offended that you are offended. So then that means you will have to be offended that I am offended that you are offended. Just try me. I can do this all night long.