Why does American insist on calling all black people African-American?

Question

can't they see that not all black people are African -American and to label all blacks as such is offensive. I'm West Indian and i'd prefer to be called West Indian or just simply black, instead of having to be labeled as something that i'm not.

Answer 1

I completely agree with you!

The term African-American was coined back in the 1980s by Jesse Jackson.

As a Black American, I do NOT conform to this label. I am an American who is black. My ethnicity is African and Indian decent. I know nothing of my African roots (though I would like to know) but I do know of my Indian roots since my mother is half Creek.

In my opinion the term African American means someone who was born on the continent of Africa, knows of their African heritage and became American.

In my opinion when Black Americans use the term "African American" they are negating the rest of their heritage. We should be proud of all our heritage and embrace who we are.

Labels do not make the man or woman, the content of their character does.

Answer 2

Some people are too ignorant to make such distinctions as mentioned and some may not know that some people prefer black to West Indian or black to Afro-American. I was taught in college that for the blacks born and living here in the U.S its important to refer to them as Afro-Americans. I learned this in classes like Race Relations in the U.S and the history of African Americans. However; as of late, I have been told that some African Americans are wanting to be called black. Perhaps this has much to do with the current state of our nation (conservation coup) and the backlash of political correctness. Sometimes it is confusing for those who want to be senstive to others sense of identity and just goes to show us how all this labeling of this and labeling of that can take us away from the fact that we are all human beings first.
thanks for your question it was informative

Answer 3

Americans are Americans, no matter the color, just like people are people. However, money and power are extremely influential things, and if you are a "Black" or "African American" leader, the best way to keep that money and power is to convince enough people to perpetuate your hate mongering. Instead of celebrating the combined efforts of all races that America is to becoming a stronger union, these leaders try to convince Americans they are different, and use hate tactics disguised as in the best interest of one group over another instead of striving for total equality. Wake Up! It is not "White" America that is screaming at the top of their lungs to refer to ANY group of people as anything other than AMERICANS.

Answer 4

I like your mindset! I never have figured out that one either. But I am convinced it started with the majority of blacks preferring the description. I am a very dark skinned person and of 99% Europeon descent (on moms side it was Polish and Austrain) I would not liked to be called Polish American. Daddy was Germany/English and those do not sound good either. I always thought of myself as AMERICAN.
My maternal grandparents may not have been born here but I could not care less as far as my description of myself. I am proud of how hard they worked and what they accomplished but the place of their birth does not limit me to any one description. I am an American!

Answer 5

African American replaced a derogatory name all black people were called for many years.
It was intended to sooth those black folks who were offended by the other shorter name.Some people take offense too easily.

Answer 6

West Indian people usually are of African descent as well. The indigenous people there were NOT black, that's for certain.

Answer 7

Because West Indians came from Africa? African-American denotes ethnicity/race, not nationality.

Answer 8

I prefer that much more than being called Black. African american is so much classier and when they call you african american just correct them

Answer 9

The term African-American was coined to deter people from the "old" terms such as "coloured" or "*****"....blame Jesse Jaskson or wear a sign.

I call them black people.

Answer 10

because the american blacks requested they be called African-American about 20 years ago,,the ones today who dont like it need to say what they want to be called...its the PC way to be