Question for black people...or do I mean African American people?

Question

I often refer to people of color as African Americans. I was just told by an African American that I should stop calling them that because it is stupid and wrong because no one is from Africa and I don't refer to people who originally descended from England as English Americans. She said I should refer to African Americans as black people.

I used to refer to people of color as black people, but one day I was in a college class speaking about MLK and referred to him as a black leader. Another student in the class immediatley scolded me saying, "Don't call us black people! That is racist! To call us black people means you are categorizing us by our skin color which is wrong. You should refer to us as African Americans."

I don't understand why people get so bent out of shape over this. I'm a minority and don't get offended unless someone is trying to be derogratory. How can I reference black or African American people without offending them?

Like several of you have mentioned, I would also prefer to refer to people as people as opposed to "that black guy" or "that asian girl", but sometimes you need to use a term to refer to someone's race.

As for the guy who cussed me out and called me a racist, please feel free to report me and my question to Yahoo! I looked at some of your other questions/answers and I'm not sure if you should be calling others a racist...

Answer 1

well different people have different views on such matters, i am black and i really don't care how you refer to me as long as it is in a non-derrogatory way. and ya know you should not have to choose your words so darn carefully that you know don't what to call somebody. if that is the case, what should i call a white person? and will they get mad if i say "white" instead of Eurpean-American?

Answer 2

Why should I get offended by someone calling me black? I AM black. Well, I'm actually a golden brown, but that's not the point.

We African-Americans are individuals-- just like every other race. One African-American may think one way, while another may think a different way. You can not ask just one black person and think that every single other black person feels the same way. Idiots come in every race. The person who called you racist was an idiot. I bet he has called white people white before. If he actually called them "Caucasians", I'd be pretty surprised.

NOT ALL BLACK PEOPLE ARE FROM AFRICA. Get that through your minds people! Yes a majority are, but not 100%! Some black people hate the term African American. Others like to embrace their African ancestry.

If you are asking ME which term I prefer, my response is that I could care less. As long as you aren't calling me colored, *****, or the n word(doesn't Micheal Richards come to mind??), or any other derogatory term, it doesn't matter to me. There are some interesting links below. The first is VERY long. You don't have to read all of it!

Answer 3

Don't worry too much about it. I'm black and black is fine with me. I mean the first person had a point by saying we aren't from Africa, I mean, most of us were born here. People either my age or a little higher, our parents weren't brought here from Africa, they chose to be here in America to have the better life. And not everyone is categorized to what they are as an American. We all don't say "Latino American, or Puerto Rican American" "Chinese American, Indian American." "Italian American, African American" I think when you do use those terms, it's more for public speaking. Because we all know people will use an easier term, like black white, and I feel we are called black or white because when racism is brought up, all you here about is black vs white. We forget that racism can occur with Hispanics, and Asians involved in the cross fire. And they aren't refered to as black or white they are either called "Spanish, Asian, or Hispanic, or middle eastern". It's just all in today's society. You are not racist my friend. And I see how hard it is to voice your opinion without someone attacking you for it. No matter if you say, black or African American, not all of us will be offended. Just keep being you and showing that you are open minded!




Krazy Libra

Answer 4

I like being call American. At the end of the day Black people in American are mixed with African, Spanish, Creleo, British, and Native American and it's impossible to label us.

Answer 5

Alot of "Black People" or "African Americans" are mixed with white somewhere in their history. So, I guess you should try to find out as much as possible about the individual, before you make a comment. You don't wanna sound racist. I mean, crap, Yopu referred to someone as a black leader, that's so racist. GEEZ lol

Answer 6

Don't worry about it. It varies from person to person, I'm black and it's cool to call me black. I just dont like it when people are like "go tell that white guy to come over here" or "tell that asian kid to move" things of this nature. Can't you just say, Tell that guy to come over here. Or tell that kid to move without throwing their race into the mix? And as far as "*****" goes, It's only and should only be used predominently by black people, because ancestors were called "*******" during the slave era and we took this word that meant such hate and disgust and flipped it around to mean my friend. So this being said, only black people and people growing up in predominently black neighboorhoods with black friends and things such as this should use the word. But still, if you go to another place and those people don't know where you come from then you're using at your own risk. But I personally think the word shouldn't be used at all.

Answer 7

Well some people may not like to be called african americans but the truth is we have many names. There's Afro-Americans,Black,colored(I personally don't like that one). It just depends on who your talking to. And that classmate of yours needs to get a life.

Answer 8

I prefer being called "Black", I have never seen Africa, and have only lived in America. I guess I like being called "Black" because I'm proud of having dark skin. I never say I'm mixed with African American and Filipino. I only say Black and Filipino.

Answer 9

Now at the risk of sounding like a racist(which I am not!!!) some black people seem to be a little too sensitive when it comes to what you should call them.Actually I believe that everyone is way too sensitive and politically correct these days.Try people of color.

Answer 10

Call me black. Call me African American. Just don't call me a N+++ or colored.