why are black people called african americans when many, many, many are not from africa?

Answer 1

I believe they do in it in an attempt to segregate themselves. We are all Americans, regardless of where our descendants originated from. There are no other ethnic groups in America who do this. I do not call myself a European American. Another reason is whites are so afraid as being perceived as racist they try to use political correctness to show that they are not. Some white people believe that referring to someone as "black" maybe seen as a racist remark so they try to sugar coat it by saying "African American." It's all stupid if you ask me.

Answer 2

They've been struggling for a name for their race for a long time. They finally came up with the name African-American, which, to me is way too long, and not accurate.
If an Egyption comes here and becomes a citizen, he is actually an African-American, even though he is not ******* in ethnicity. Blacks from many countries, while visiting America are refered to as African-Americans, even though nothing about them is American.
The same problem exists when color is used. You mention black people, although none are actually black. Take the darkest one, swab some tar on his arm. There is a big difference between the tar and his skin color.
In some cases black people are lighter than white people. That doesn't make sense. Some are very light blacks, some people are very dark white. Crazy.

Answer 3

Although many, many, many, many, many African Americans from this generation were not born in Africa, the roots of their ancestry is still in Africa. It defines their race, not so much the city or state that they are from. Did you know that Africa was the original birthplace of all black people? A little something called SLAVERY involuntarily dispersed them throughout the Americas. Just as a Chinese person from Boston wouldn't deny his Chinese ancestry only because he was born in Boston, neither do African Americans just because many, many, many, many of us are born in different cities and states in this great country of ours.

Answer 4

It's funny you posted this question. I was just reading the other that Dave Matthews (of the Dave Matthews Band, of course) was blasted in the media when he informed people that he is African American due to the fact that he was born there. Supposedly they thought he was making fun of black people which was not the case at all. I know that it's not politically correct but I still call them black people, white people, blind people (instead of visually impaired), etc. My ancestors are French, Irish, and Indian but I am simply an American.

Answer 5

Because it is a more acceptable categorization of our culture than most of the negative terms associate with Black Americans. Not that it should matter because we are all Americans. But unfortunately we all know our history in this country which causes this kind of negative dissemination of information about our culture. It seems to me it would be obvious to anyone that people of color aren't black. Are Caucasins people really white?

All of the African-American culture originated from Africa do to the slave trading. Or do they even tell you that in our culturally bias history books.

One last note____It is fine to be proud ones classification, but it
is important that we remember we are ONE people. We are all
here together. Your are no better than me, and I am no better than you.

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Answer 6

Well probably because all Black people originated form africa, but then historically All our DNA linnks us to this one Woman found in Africa. Teh oldest body found.
Why is there any kind of name in front of American period? It should just be American, not African or latino american. Thats more labels more segregation.

Answer 7

at the time "black leaders" came up with this, blacks were being called either really nasty things, or things that didn't really unify them together (colored people meant anyone not white, ***** was antiquated, and recalled bad times). so it was decided that "African American" would allow blacks to feel a sense of place, and be like the "Irish" and "Italian" Americans at the time- just one more group n the melting pot.

but esp now with immigration, that's pretty much going down the tube too.

Answer 8

I think its simply because blacks have been put through so much being in this country...slavery, jim crow laws, lynching, etc. I think its is just something so people can be politically correct. Some blacks might be offended when someone calls them "black". I think its a touchy subject either way because of what happend to blacks in the past. This is the same as someone from Asia or someone from Arab decent, they might not be from Asia or whatever, but are still referred to as Asian American.

Answer 9

Its because they wanted to classify blacks as divided part of America's culture.Which I believe they want to separate the class of race so that stereotypes can be over look and seen in a more respectable manner, also to find a neutral source of understanding from being called colored and other words for so long. Its suppose to be better this way, but it didn't change much.

Answer 10

Why do WHICH people call us that?

I think I would like the question better if you asked, why do Black people call themselves African American?

If you are going to ask the question THAT way, why not ask why are black people called the "n-word"? Of course, if you already understand doing that, I guess you wouldn't need to ask.

Answer 11

Where are they from....Asia???

We originated in Africa...FACT!!! We would LOVE to say...Yoruba American, Ebu American, Tanzanian American, Nigerian American, BUT we have no clue where our ancestor originated and the tribes were mixed up because it avoided revolt (the captives couldn't communicate with person of other tribes).

Why does this bug you. I got a guy calling himself Irish American although he's 4 generations out of Ireland and he also has German and English blood...should I beat him about the head?

All dark people in the West started out in Africa...sorry this bothers you that some want to claim it.

Why did John Gotti keep saying he's Italian? So does Robert Dinero and Martin Scorsese...all are from the USA not from Italy. Why not go and question them and everyone in little Italy.