is it politically correct to call a black person african american?

Question

if so, why? because many, if not all, were not born there.so why is this right.i dont go around saying that i want to be called polish-irish-native american

Answer 1

nope. you're right, not everyone is born in Africa. so just say black. great question!

Answer 2

You have discovered an important reality here, my friend...and that is the difference between POLITICALLY correct and ACTUALLY correct.

Let us take Italians in America, for example (as an Italian, I can slander my own if I choose)...
First they were Italians.
Then they were guineas.
Then they were wops (WOP - With Out Papers - how many immigrated)
Then they were degoes.
Now they are respected Italian-Americans.

Myself, call me an American. Do not call me an Italian-German-Cajun-American. Do not call me a White-Anglo-Saxon-Catholic (almost WASP, not quite).

Finally, remember that each term ALWAYS comes to mean that for which it is used. Medically, a person with downs syndrome is "retarded." We cannot call someone "retarded," though, as it is not ~politically correct~ (never mind that it is actually correct). Why is it bad, politically? Because "retarded" has a negative connotation. So, we called them "mentally challenged." Soon, that term came to have a negative connotation, too. Today, they are considered "special." Even this nice term is beginning to, or already has, the same negative connotation. Whatever name we use to describe these people, it will soon have a negative connotation. Being retarded is not something anyone would choose.

Thus, being a N*****, *****, Colored, Black, or African American...each term will simply come to mean whatever you already think of "Willis" or "Jeffrey" down the street (assuming they are black).

Answer 3

An even upgraded to the term of being African American
(because of so many claiming the parts of South Africa) ...

And Identify..... African American to be "Black American" but who really cares if you are black, the bottom line you stand as an American.

Answer 4

Great question. These days, I have no idea what's politically correct anymore. Therefore, I'm not politically correct, I guess. I'd say, they're black, because I'm white! Unless I'm supposed to say I'm an Italian-German-Polish-English American. Come on now, I'm white. They're black.

Answer 5

Don't forget how black people in the US can have roots in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Brazi, Cuba and other places. To refer to them as only African-American can deny them part of their heritage. That's why, although it's a little more contested, I think the term "black" works better since it can ecompass people of African descent who also have roots in other lands.

Answer 6

Just as PC to call me European American. I take no offense in being called this. To me it is calling me by what my heritage is. It's like Asian American or Native American. Heritage, not about immigration.

Answer 7

I have often wondered that myself. But here is my stab at trying to explain it as I see it. We were originally from African. In the era where blacks are now proud of where they came from, which is Africa, but we were born Americans, hence the word African-American. May God Bless

Answer 8

tammy, why can't someone CHOOSE what he/she wants to be called?.

If an American-American decides to be called, 'African-American', why can't you accept it, you DON'T HAVE TO KNOW WHY, and he/she DOESN'T HAVE TO born in Africa to be African.

African Americans are called by this to HONOR their roots, where as Europeans don't. African Americans are proud to say they are Africans, and Americans.

B L A C K P O W E R

Answer 9

Black people have unique conditions which aren't shared by other races and they constitute a distinct minority. So that's why they have a different term, African Americans.

Answer 10

as a black person I would rather just be a "black". I would rather not be referred to as AA. People are just trying to make things politically correct. We dont call white people Euro americans , they are just "WHITE"

Answer 11

You're right, it isn't. A black person is decided on the darkness of their skin, so in theory, it has nothign to do with the contenient of the ancestory.