Why are there African-Americans and not African-Europeans or African-Asians?

Answer 1

Because of the ridiculous tradition we have fallen into in America to claim to hate labels on one end and insist on using them at the other.
In the name of diversity we have created a super-sensitive society where people are offended at the slightest mention of a so-called minority's ethnic group. But on the other hand, we must continually point it out: "The first African-American man to...", "The first Hispanic that....", "The first woman on the board of..."

If in fact we were color blind and non-discriminatory, we wouldn't feel compelled to point out these things. Why do we? Well, part of the reason is if we all got along, there wouldn't be much news to report. or anything for busybodies to do. Take away the conflict, and you take away some people's reason for living: Interfering with other people's lives.

That is why we have hyphenated-Americans. Meddling busybodies and those who enjoy such conflict.


(And to Aeirlys, the Africans practiced slavery more than any other "group".Look it up. Reference "Barbary".)

Answer 2

Because for the most part, the origin of the majority of Africans that survived slavery cannot be accounted for, somewhere in the 80's the term African-American was coined to allow for that population to share in the _________-American psyche. Also, it allowed for the continued deleting of the culutral differences for those that have been and continue to come in now. Though they may identify themselves as Jamaican-American, Haitian-American, Ethiopian-American (but here is an interesting thought, those people of African descent that hail from the island of Martinique, can claim legally to be French-Americans), they still get lost in the fabric of this country as those segments aren't recognized.

Answer 3

That's a good question!? Maybe the European Africans etc, don't feel a need to distinguish (or separate) themselves from the majority of their countrymen (may be less racism in other countries)? Or maybe African-Americans take more pride in their heritage...just a thought.

Answer 4

OMG--I have always questioned this.

I have a young African American guy at work and every now in then we get on these Black History discussions. However, he does not like the term Black. So then I asked him what you mentioned in your question. He had to smile and admit he didn't have the answer.

Answer 5

Idk i guess most Africans are born in America witch makes them African American. I am sure that there are some African- Europeans, and African- Asians. But i have a question for you why aren't there any White-Africans?

Answer 6

If something, i think of it somewhat is any other way around (as illustrated via your factor saying you think of Asians are smarter than Africans). No race is greater useful, smarter, greater clever than yet another. show your self, dont come at here speaking stupid and looking out stupid..... my 2 cents

Answer 7

jesse jackson came up with the in the 80s so that africans can have ties to their ancestry, since a lot of us do not know it.

Answer 8

The same could be said for why there isn't a such thing as Asian-European, Hispanic-European or Hispanic-Asian.

What's your point?

Answer 9

Because America is dumb. We think in order to have equal rights everyone needs to be the same...

I think we can all have equal rights and be individuals and be proud of where we came from.

In that case, I am Italian-American, and my husband is Spanish-American

It gets rediculous when you think about it.

Answer 10

I recently spent time in Canada and I found that in Canada the black people are called "Afro-Canadians"

I asked that question here and that is the answer I received.

Interesting though!