why do so many white ppl insist on callin black ppl african americans 100% of the time?

Question

i use to work with this black guy who was born and raised in europe, and it made him Pissed to be called an african american, first of all when you say that youre assuming all black ppl are from africa, and most the black ppl i know prefer to be called black, its just white politicians who said that african american is more racially sensitive, but these same ppl arent callin themselves european-americans

Answer 1

I KNOW!! It's because America has become the most politically correct on the planet! We've become so focused on not offending others that we use these phrases that offend! Whenever a white person mentions African-American to me twice, I stop them and say, "Just say 'black.' I'm black." It wears me out! If you want to get down to it, I'm simply American!

Answer 2

There is a whole lot of ignorance out there and it's coming from all races, and it's really really sad! Instead of spending all of your time on the internet, try picking up a good book every once and a while. And for your information "ALL BLACK PEOPLE ARE FROM AFRICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and if you don't know this, you're just plain ignorant and you need to be educated. I don't care if you were born in the U.K., Latin America, Africa, America, if you look Black, your ancestors are African and it's a beautiful thing so be proud of it and stop telling everyone you're not Black because you only look foolish. And here's a news flash...ALL of our ancestors are African, and yes that goes for White people too, but that's another story that I know you're not ready for. I'm African American and I don't mind being called Black, African American, or African because I know who I am and I know who came before me. It's just that simple. To be on the safe side, call people whatever they choose to be called.

Answer 3

Because the term african-american is so awkward.

I mean, some of them ARE NOT EVEN AMERICAN and others are not too related to africa unless you go back a long time.

I suspect this is the LEAST grievance that blacks in the US have. Distribute the wealth evenly and I'm sure they will be happy with the term black.

Answer 4

I hate the idea of political correctness because it's so overblown, but I really don't know what the least offensive thing to call blacks is. In a professional setting, I would probably say african-american, but in a regular setting I would say black.

I don't know, it's probably not safe to assume that black people prefer to be called african american, or black, so, maybe the best thing to do is to just call them people :)

Answer 5

I've only known one African American in my life. He was a white immigrant from South Africa. Black americans who call themselves African Americans are very ignorant people.

Answer 6

I wouldn't want to be categorized. I have red hair and everyone thinks I am Irish, I am Italian. Then I get comments about maybe I don't know my father. I hacks me off too. People are ignorant.

Maybe we should all just be Americans or Europeans or Africans reflecting the country of our nationality.

Answer 7

According to the TV(Nat-Geo) we're all black.
Just different shades of black according to
where we moved to after leaving Africa.
The climate and food change etc.
So am I white/black African American??
Are there black/Mexican African Americans??
Who decided we needed all these labels??
I wouldn't introduce my next door neighbor to you as
the black /Japanese girl....She has a name, and I
would introduce her as Miss Scott or Mickey.
I would not like to be introduced as her white friend.
Or her Scottish/Irish American friend. We need change.
Lets start a trend..just don't use any labels.

Answer 8

In my experience, its the white people who haven't been around many black people, or maybe are uncomfortable around black people, that insist upon referring to us as "African-Americans."

It irritates me slightly, only because most of the time, I know they're doing it to be politically correct, but it sounds so contrived.

Answer 9

I think American should be good enough. It's the best thing to be.. I only know one person that's ever been to Africa and he's white (Caucasian,Anglo,European,of low skin pigmentation)

Hey Superstar...what do you mean "white people" ????

Answer 10

bc here in today society especially in America white people like to put people into racial category based on their skin complexion. Just becuz u have very dark skin does not make u black especially if u were born in another country. Alot of people consider their ethnicity based on what country they are from. It is very insultimg to call someone african american and they were not born in africa. its just a screwed up society!!