If black is a derogitory term and we are supposed to use African American.....?

Question

why do we have "Black History Month", "Black Caucus", "Black Entertainment Television", etc. What is the rule? When is black used and when is African American used.

Answer 1

I'm black and I like that better than African American because African American takes too long to say and it seems phony. I'm only 22 and we were called black the first 5 or 6 yrs of my life, then I think Jesse Jackson and other people wanted a more PC and distinguishing way to call ourselves which is fine.

But names for Black people seem to go in and out of style, first it was the n-word which was awful, then it was colored, which is awful, then there was *****, then black, and now its African American, I think eventually in probably 50yrs it will probably be viewed as archaic and awful to refer to someone as Black, but whatever, as for now I say Black because I'm used to it.

Don't worry about it so much, just don't say the n word or colored and you'll be fine.

As for what MATTHEW B said earlier, it's not up to white people to decide what they are going to call another group of people, because it's not a label directed towards you so who r u to decide what's offensive or not.

Answer 2

Why? Because it's racist. Period.

'African-American' is the most ridiculous term ever (as are all hyphenated labels).

Most African-Americans have never been to Africa. The only true African-Americans are African immigrants:

PEOPLE WHO ARE ORIGINALLY FROM AFRICA, and have since become Americans.

So what do you call blacks who are not Americans? African-Swiss? African-Iraqis? African-Scots? African-Japanese?

The whole thing is just ridiculous socio-political rhetoric.

History shouldn't be segregated, and neither should anything else. How about just HISTORY, regardless of who participated? They fought and fought for integration and civil rights--and after winning the cause, they self-segregate? It makes no sense.

I am more than half from Hispanic descent. But don't you dare call me a 'Mexican-American.' I've never lived in Mexico. I'm AMERICAN. I was born in America, and I grew up in America. I have American traditions. THAT is my heritage. I don't sit around and complain all day about being 'Mexican,' because I'm not. I'm American. I know who I am, and I know who my ancestors are. But I don't sit around and complain about it all day. I have more important things to focus on--like living my life.

People should be judged by their actions; not their skin color. What is judging and segregating by skin color called? RACISM.

Answer 3

I dont imagine people are ashamed of being suggested as African American Its basically maximum black people in u . s . of america not in any respect been to Africa maximum black people including Jamaican or regardless of position you come back from dont actually have African customs so its like youre about as african as a german individual sparkling off the boat

Answer 4

Black IS NOT a derogatory term. I personally don't care for African American or any other type of hyphened American. We are all Americans, not African, Irish, Italian, French, German, Etc. Americans.

Answer 5

I would rather be called black not African American because my family's roots are in Jamaica not Africa so I find that annoying. Otherwise I don't really see how black is derogatory since it's supposed to be describing the skin color...

Answer 6

I really don't think that African Americans find the term "black" offensive. We're white. Like, "look at that white kid over there." We're a color too, but it's not disrespectful. When i was with my ex, who was black, i asked him this same question, about whether or not he found it disrespectful, and he said no.

Answer 7

Black is used for any African born in the US of slave decent. African American is for people who actually come from Africa including whites.

Answer 8

both black and african-american are names put on us by others first but it all depends on the person you are taking to who have brown skin which they prefer really. But to one of the people who answered the question and said black because she is from jamiaca she needs to realize that blacks there were brought there from africa also so it would be that for off from you being african-jamaica-america if you really want to get technical.

Answer 9

I agree with the other comments - it's not the term "black" - it's how it's used that's derogitory.

Answer 10

I know it's confusing. Saying "colored" was bad, but now people like Tyra Banks calls herself that. I think that's terrible and I think the "n" word is terrible but yet I hear a lot call eachother that all the time. I don't call other caucasians "honki**".