what the diffrence between a black american and a african american?

Question

why dont we call white people (europen americans or french americans, german american)?



i'm black( carmel) but i dont consider my self african american even though i have ancestors from africa. i know 1 or 2 africans
who dont consider them selfs like me and i feel the same. kinda like white and black or mexican and asian etc..........also i have just as much white ancestors as african and just as much indian ancestors.SO WHY CANT I CLAIM BLACK,WHITE,INDIAN ON PAPER WORK THAT ASKES FOR YOUR ETHNICY?

Answer 1

I think if you have lived in the country all your life, you shouldn't be called African American. That's like I don't like being called White or European just cause my ancestors were from Europe.

Answer 2

For Steph08. The reason is because dark was always considered bad and evil. White on the other hand the opposite not to mention the origin of why we were called this not pretty. It was meant to degrade "blacks" from the very beginning. "white" on the other hand always meant priviledge and power. Go to Australia and you'll understand how the blacks are treated out there. Black- Essentially anyone with really dark skin, usually used to describe those of African descent although commonly used to describe those from Oceania/Pacific Islands. AA- A person of African descent or an immigrant from Africa to America. Therefore Canadian Africans would not fit into this category. A lot of Carib. people don't like being referred to as this term. Being from Caribbean descent neither do I. My country worked hard to gain its own independence and develop its own country to be called from a place that's an ocean away on another continent is obscene. We don't call white Americans, British American and we don't call Macedonians, Greek Europeans or what not. If a country fights for its independence and wins, it should be recognized. Not to mention Caribbean people are a mixture. My family alone includes Chinese, Latino, Indian and "black." Were tired of people telling us what we will be called. Its our lives and we will tell you what to call us as you have tell us what to call you.

Answer 3

Good question! If your born in Egypt and live in the USA does that mean that you are "African American"? I would check "other" when it asks for your ethnicity. I am "white", but when I read an application from someone else I don't care if your black, Hispanic(or is it Mexican????) or purple, red or blue! If you meet the requirements for the job I don't care what color your skin is. I did read a response form someone who attempted to answer this question. My I am amazed what a 3rd grader can say! His response was the "asshole euro-Americans kidnapped the blacks". The sad point is most warring tribes sold the prisoners to the Europeans. Yes, eventually they did start kidnapping, but blacks sold blacks into slavery. Even in the US, blacks owned slaves, rare but true. Good question though!

Answer 4

First of all black people have fought for an identity in a country that treated them like animals. Blacks have gone through a variety of names to fit who they are and American of African decent was selected. It was turned around to African Americans. People just left it alone. I personally am not black I am brown but that was given away to Mexicans. Who aren't really brown but a darker form of caucasian of which they are. Black is really a derogatory word because the association of the word black is dark, scary, unknown, evil, dirty, death. That is why whites love using the word in association with us. Consider that white is clean pure good and we know white people aren't white until they are dead. They are really a pink color. That is why it is so easy to stereotype because that word can be used so negatively. If you don't want to called either of the two let people know it. Just say I am a American, if you go to other countries and they ask you usually tell them American, not African American because you know in your heart that is what you really truly are. You also can not claim all those other races because I know you are aware of the one drop law you got one drop black blood, you are black. Period. White people are the only ones that go around claiming all these nationalities. Whats the point. White is white and they know it.

Answer 5

African american sounds like a racist second class citizen label to people with dark skin. BTW, some africans are caucasions. Also, there's some dark skin "black" people descended from other countries, like Haiti, Jamacia, etc... You can claim whatever ethnicity you'd like on paper but people still tend to label more by the outer appearance, and esp with people with some 'black blood,' the old 'one drop' rule. In defense of some of us, we sometimes use this label without even thinking & don't mean any disrespect. Sometimes white people are called like you mentioned,(german american, italian american), but not nearly as much as dark skin people.

Answer 6

Black American and African American are the same group of people. And for why white people are called what they are called. You would have to ask them. As for you, consider yourself whatever you like and scribble in all your various ethnicity's on any paperwork that comes you way!

Answer 7

Well its a matter of personal preference of the individual. Its comes down to what you know about your origin and what title accurately reflects that. European, Anglo, Caucasian or just White americans are a established Majority. This is a historical truth and if you disagree; it will not change the facts.

Answer 8

yeah dude,
good point.
afican americans are just as american as the asshole euro americans who kidnapped them. we all came here on boats and have been here the same ammout of time.

Answer 9

Actually, there's no reason why you can't put any race you want on paperwork, as long as that's the ancestry you identify most with.

Answer 10

Political correctness can be a pain in the backside. I guess it makes me a uhh Femme-american??LOL
the key word here SHOULD be AMERICAN.

CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!!!!!