please explain the term african american?

Question

i am interesrted in this term which i have noticed is used alot in america to refer to black people.

i know that often people who have lived in america for a few generations like to be called italian americans, for example. i assume this is because they are still part of their italian culture/want to remember that thier grandparents or whatever once lived in italy.

but most black people in america have been their since the start and basically built the country. i assume that the majority of african americans feel completely american in that most of their relatives are from america and spoke/speak english as a first language, eat american food etc. (if i'm wrong please correct me)

is this term used because 'black' is offensive? are people very proud of having african heritage? i cant help feeling that if i was called 'african american' i would feel like people thought i was slightly less american than white people, who ive never heard refered to as 'europian americans'

Answer 1

I know a white guy who's a true African American. He was born in South Africa, and now has US citizenship. However, if his white ancestors had come to America--under whatever pretenses--4 or more generations ago, I'm not sure he could still claim right to be called African American. If so, then I'm English American.

Answer 2

People without a home. America IS NOT the black mans home. Why do you think we get so many handouts...America's GUILT!!!!

I mean, we built the dern country but couldn't vote without the clan and bombings and lynchings until the 60s!!!!! Slavery ended in the 1860's and blacks couldn't vote w/o fear of DEATH for another 100 years and WE should feel like Americans!!!!!

No, the term "black" IS NOT offensive. AND we don't have to be called "AFRICAN" to feel less American than whites....we have been feeling like outsiders back when we were ni.gg.ers, jigaboos, coons, and "property". Remember 9/11 when all the black people were like "today we finally became American"!!!!!! That's how most feel ALL THE TIME and it ain't got nothing to do with the term "African American"!!!!!

Answer 3

I happen to be African-American, or black, or just American, I use all three terms interchangeably to describe myself. I don't see anything wrong with it. We need to respect what someone wants to be known as.

One thing I really don't understand is why some people (I'm not saying you) get so offended by the use of the term, but we celebrate St. Patrick's Day, and Columbus Day is a day when many of Italian descent show ethnic pride. Indeed, some people seem more proud of foreign flags than they do the US flag. But yet, the term "African-American" is the only one objected to. Why is that?

I think it is best to see all people as equal human beings and as one family. But unfortunately, our society is so race-obsessed and all of these labels- black, white, Asian, Latino, Native-American, Jew, mixed, etc, etc- have become so ingrained in our minds that they don't look to be going anywhere anytime soon.

Answer 4

Black people come from all over the world so the term "African American" is used to describe a specific group of Black people. When you use the term Black that is very broad, your talking about people from North America, South America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Caribbean Islands etc...

Answer 5

You are quite right!

The term african american refers to black people in an effort to be politically correct. This has gone over the top and is as you say still discriminating.

It is a no win situation.

Answer 6

African American is a really idiotic term. The correct way to refer to Black Americans either Black Americans or simply and preferably Americans.

Answer 7

African American is generally considered more acceptable than "black" and yes, most are quite proud of their African heritage, despite the distance between them and their African ancestors.

Answer 8

I don't think "black" is offensive at all... though sometimes white people feel wrong to use that term, and would rather use "african american", though I think that term is erroneous in its own ways. They call themselves both, but use "black" more often

Answer 9

its just semantics, the current "pc" phrase. I hate it, if you live in america and are a legal citizen, especially if you were born here, you are an american. If you dont like it, leave.

Answer 10

depends on who you ask, not all blacks go by "African American"

it was chosen by so called "black" leaders to be better than "colored", "*****", or worse

when blacks leave the US, they are almost always referred to as AMERICAN, which usually causes culture shock, esp when they travel to Africa