Do blacks really get offended if whites don't say "African-American"?

Question

Is the term "black" acceptable? Because "white" is. Although the term "yellow" is kind of disparaging for an Asian, but "black" and "white" are used a lot.

Also, I always that "African-American" meant someone who was born in Africa and then emigrated to the US, and could be black, white, or whatever.

Answer 1

I prefer African American. It is the "N" word I do not appreciate.

Answer 2

I don't like having to identify myself as "white" on forms and such; I am beige-brown, as dark as some guys who call themselves african-american. I am of european descent, so why can't I label myself as european? For that matter, the african-american or other labels make no sense. If "african" denotes those who are most racially related to ancestors in africa, why aren't they just "african" like I am european-- from about 300 yrs back. Africa is a continent, America is a country. Is a person of African ancestry who lives in Jamaica called an "african-jamaican?" Of course not. Same with the bizarre "hispanic" labeling. that is totally based on language, not skin color or racial ancestry. What is wrong with just calling everyone human, for that matter and ignoring skin color or language. Would be a lot simpler. And less racially charged.

Answer 3

Just to be real with you some do and some don't it just depends on were there mind is or what type of person they are, because I know I don't get offended because I know who I am and Who's I am so it really doesn't matter what you call me, because i know that I am a child of God.

And yes that is what it should mean but some times we as humans use words in the wrong places and that just happens to be one of them. If that is the case white people would be European - Americans. Now that is only if you want to go there.

Answer 4

Why does the preferred term change every 10 years? Maybe because some people make a good living out of being "offended" by an old term.

Just remember what the NAACP and the UNCF have in their names - outdated "offensive" words. Get over it. Pick a name and stick with it!

Answer 5

I am a Black American,not African American. I have always associated that term with people from Africa. If I was from Africa,it would be okay,but I'm not so Black is fine.

Answer 6

I prefer being called 'black' oppose to being called anything else. I don't like the term 'African-American' because I was not born in Africa. Though our ancestors are from Africa, that does not make 'us' African-American. We are considered 'Black Americans'. But society still terms us as 'African Americans'.

Answer 7

To tell you the truth I am sick of the entire color thing.We are all the same just different colors.We bleed the same and everything else.But the word Black is a offensive and non offensive word.It depends on how you say it and use it.I don't like the word African American because I am not from Africa.So you would say about a Japanese person-japan American or whatever? The news or paper does not use the word "White" they use the word "Caucasian"

Answer 8

I dont think that African Americans are offended if not called that. When they say African American it means that Black people are of African decent and are Americans. Justs like Latin-Americans,Asian Americans, etc. There is no country called Blackodia or Negodia so when they say Arican- American it is a fusion of both of their heritages.

Answer 9

black....african american....I dont really care so much.

black is probably the better choice of the two because like everyone else already stated some blacks aren't from Africa.

Answer 10

I have a Black son-in-law, and a Black daughter-in-law, and they would prefer to be called Black. African American is, they say, not correct for all Black Americans. Black is always right.

Answer 11

Some people love to pull the race card. If were going to go that way than youll have to find out the backround of every white person and call them irish-german american, italian american..... too....Its stupid everyody has to play this ridiculous game.