Indians, Jamacians, Brazilians and a number of different countries have very dark skin. So would it be okay to call anybody with dark skin black? Would it be wrong to call somebody african american when they're really not from africa.
For example, you're describing somebody to somebody else.
2006-12-27 07:30:52 · 17 answers · asked by Dennis D 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Lets also add to the fact, that you don't have time to interview them about their family history. Some girl just walked by and you thought she was cute and you want to describe her to your buddy. Would you as a "African American" get offended if you overheard somebody describe another person by calling them black
2006-12-27 07:44:08 · update #1
Dude, I totally get you!
Recently, I was trying to be PC, called a guy African American...he *was* kinda black looking-turns out, he's not! He's a mix of dark skinned people from Puerto Rico and some Carribian island or something. Who knew?
I dont think we need to know everyone's ethnic background, just to describe someone walking down the street, so we dont hurt their feelings, but come on...where does it end?
Im going back to the basics, I dont want to pi$$ off some Indian or some islander by calling them African American...That definition means; of African decent, raised in America.
Lets do this, to describe someone, we'll say, "dark skinned" and if the party you are speaking to says, "is he black?" say, "I have no idea of his actual race, he was dark skinned".
2006-12-27 07:52:16 · answer #1 · answered by ShaMayMay 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Calling someone black just because they have dark skin would be using the term too broadly. African American is a PC term, and in my experiences using it, it is not widely used either. Just ask the person...what is your ethnicity? So you're...(Indian, Brazilian, Black, etc.) And don't ask "How much (Ethnicity) are you? That is the worst question in the world. If someone responds with black but it's obvious that person is not whole blooded, don't persist with more questions about their genetic makeup. When a person responds with one ethnicity, that is the one they identify with...through their childhood, their parents, etc.
2006-12-27 07:37:44 · answer #2 · answered by ndngrlz 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes it is okay. They are usually called black in their native countries. Black Indians, black jamaicans, black brazilians, black cubans, etc. Not everyone from Africa ended up here in America. My man is jamaican, and yes, he is considered black. I'm from America, I'm black. I don't claim to be african american because I have never been to Africa and I know nothing about my African ancestry. As far as I'm concerned, African Americans are the people who migrated from Africa (by choice) to America. And, technically there are White African American's also.
2006-12-27 07:41:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There was this Indian guy from Trinidad who sued my job for descrimination. He said he was fired because he was black. hahah He lost the case because we did not perceive him as black. Brazilians, Jamaicans, puerto ricans, dominicans and many others ORIGINATE from Africa therefore it is safe to say black in my eyes. Anyone who is black originated from Africa, they were just dropped off in different countries from the slave ships and what not. It gets very complicated though because someone who is clearly black african desent can get offended if you call them black. Dominicans are a good example of ones who get offended. They even hate the term AfroLatino which is better suiting for someone who is black and is from a latin country.
2006-12-27 07:36:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, there's nothing wrong with calling anyone with "dark skin" black, but they might take offense because of the stigma associated. Some Brazilians don't like to think of themselves as being black.
2006-12-27 07:36:13 · answer #5 · answered by incognitas8 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it's not okay. Their phenotype may give you a clue that they do have some black ancestry but that does not mean that it is directly black or that they identify that way and it would be rude of you to assume anything about anyone, regardless of their colour if you had never met them or even spoke to them. Stop trying to classify people you don't know and you won't get yourself into any kind of foot in mouth problems. There are many Europeans who are very dark skinned and it would be easy to assume that they are black when in fact they do not identify themselves in this way.
2006-12-27 08:16:13 · answer #6 · answered by mixedfemme 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sure I'm black and I'm not offended when someoone calls me black unless I don't knmow them. But call Jamacians Jamacan, I'm not sure that they wiill get offended if you call them Jamacian. And I think african americans are people who have african ancestors and they are black.
2006-12-27 07:35:48 · answer #7 · answered by $mitty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not OK. Black is reserved for African Americans. Those other groups should be referred to as their ethnic group, if any reference is made at all. Also, for their skin color, just state what color they are like brown, tan, light brown, etc. People usually feel insulted when you say that they are black or dark, because that is not what color they truly are.
2006-12-27 07:36:56 · answer #8 · answered by oh really 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i guess so, in my area it is rare to have brown eyes, so if you do and even have slightly brown skin, you are counted as black, so it must be ok to call them that, it is not a name, it is an adjective describing them, like i am white, and other people are tall, short, fat, or ugly, etc. it would be hard to be offended
2006-12-27 07:34:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You really need to put a bit more work into choosing nicknames for your friends. Calling them whatever article of their clothing catches your eye would be better than that.
"Hey, Necktie! How's it goin'?"
"What up, corrective shoes!"
2006-12-27 07:36:20 · answer #10 · answered by John's Secret Identity™ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋