Why do black people want to be called African American?

Question

For half of the black people out there, there great grandparents weren't even from Africa. They were born in America, so why not just call them black people? they call us white...i mean really. Do you see an Italian Man saying, "You caleld me white!I'm Italian-American" if there grandparents were italian? Really,why?

Answer 1

To honor and R E S P E C T their ancestors.

Answer 2

Well, your question and the answers you received gave me a platform to say some small things that I felt about America.Thanks.

Before I came to America, it was a huge country where blacks and white and browns and everyone in between lived here in harmony though I knew there would be some differences too. I watched Oprah Winfrey show with the same enthusiasm as I did watch 'one tree hill'. I cried with happiness when the country would make all its efforts to rescue one American( it was nor black or white or brown for me, it was American) and laughed at the jokes and humor of Will Smith or Tim Allen. I cried when Twin Towers were shattered and was happy to know that my friend who lived in Texas donated $100 for the rescue ( even if he didn't have enough money for himself at that time). I never knew who were there in Twin towers and all the people's lives affected by the crash, but my life was affected too as I has this love for the country who loved its citizens,irrespective of color,race, religion or belief systems. But after I got here, I was saddened as I see this America is not the same America I saw from a distance. And that is not because I didn't see the realities of life, It's because there are people who are always trying to create gaps and burning bridges. We have to stop that, and the journey of thousand miles start from one step, and I'm putting that first step ahead.

Answer 3

I'm happy to call anyone what he or she wants to be called. However, I do think that in all fairness, African Americans should cut people some slack in this area, especially since some African Americans themselves want to be called 'Black.'

By the way, white people aren't really white. We are also just another shade of brown.

Answer 4

I don't want to be called African American, I hate that. I'm a Black Man in America

Answer 5

first let me say i dont know why were called african amreicans because there are few blacks that are only african american here and few whites that are pure ca...( i wanted to use the proper term but i forgot it and I dont really feel like asking someone right now)...white. We are all mixed with something. I personaly think we should abolish all words like that, they only divide us further. From now on Im not black im not white...im just D-Man, plus to say what race I am would take forever black,indian,white...i got em all lol.

Answer 6

I'm 57 yrs old since i can remember they at first where Negroes then colored then brown then African Americans now black but to each other they refer to each as the "N" word but when a white person says that we're racist but they can call us Honkies or crackers but that's alright tho .

Answer 7

People of all skin colors evolved from early human from Africa so the point should be mute.

And if it is okay call someone "white" then is certainly okay to call me "black".

Answer 8

Not all black people like that. I am American. Period. I've never been to Africa, have no desire to go and feel no connection to the continent whatsoever.

(Boy Monkeyluver, you are full of "Why do black people" questions today, aren't you?)

Answer 9

I cant not see why you got a problem with calling us African Americans. Unless you want ta take away our heratige and identity. We be a proud people. You owe us so much.

Answer 10

I call them by thier names and they are Americans. They are People, just like you. you're an idiot for asking such a question and that is why America is seperated. We should all be proud of our anscestry and not belittle anyone elses. That is what makes us all unique.

Answer 11

I think they'll do so until the next PC term comes along. I'm old enough to have been through many acceptable names for us (*****, colored, Afro-American, Black, African-American). I wonder what's next.