Why do black people want to be called African Americans?

Question

White people are not called French Americans or German Americans. I mean, you call us white, why can't we call you black? The only reason I ask this is because in some conversation I was having I was referring to this black guy who plowed past me in the hallway and knocked me down, and one of my black friends yelled at me.

Answer 1

I agree, I personally prefer the term black, it sums us all up, lol

Answer 2

I think it's a very personal preference. There are some people that dont mind or prefer to be referred to as "Black" and there are those that prefer to be referred to as "African American". It's not different for "White" people, sometimes they're referred to as "Caucasian".

I think it has to do with being sensitive to peoples ancestry.

With regard to your friend yelling at you, I think that's a little out of line. Who is he to say that specific person wants to be referred to as "African American" oppose to "Black"? He sound like he may have a some personal issues regarding race.

Answer 3

lol funny story! Ne ways it's a conflict all black people are faced with, and let me tell you everyone wants to be called something different. Even blacks who are born in the US will identify themeselves as Jamaican or whatever. To me it's an attempt to distance themselves as better than other blacks. As if claiming an island which is populated by blacks some how makes you not black? I have had many arguments about this subject. It is difficult for all people to contend with. So if you're confused, you're not the only one out there!

Answer 4

not all of them do, and not all black people have African roots. One reason that might want to be called African American is that black sometimes has a negative feeling attached to it, plus unlike the anscesters of white people, their ancestors were taken here against their will, so by calling themselves African-Americans, it could be a way for them to connect with their roots.

Answer 5

Well, I wouldn't yell at you for saying that. African-American is just the politically correct way of saying it, and really, if you think about it, very few of us are actually black...but then, not all white people are actually white.

I guess it's just about being seen as more than just a color.

Answer 6

In my experience, not all black folk want to be called African-Americans, for the same reason white folk don't want to be called European-American.

Answer 7

I don't want to be called African american, I prefer black (but honestly if someone called me either one I one, I wouldn't mind)
not all black people want to be called that..

Answer 8

Maybe it was the fact that you felt the need to point out that he was black. You wouldn't say "this white guy plowed past me."

Answer 9

well if you look at an average "black person" there skin is not black its BROWN... and something about being called black just irritates me and black is seen as something so bad ...and I'm sure if whites wanted to be called euro Americans etc they would have said so and we would be calling them that today

Answer 10

the reason that "they" and others prefer to not call them "blacks" is because for so long they suffered as being segregated by their color BLACK and now that it is 2007 it is more proper to refer to "blacks" as African Americans, as well as "whites" as Caucasians, etc. please don't be ignorant about things like this... the world is so hateful because of things like that.