Blacks-how about calling yourselves American-Africans instead?

Question

Dont put another countries name in front of your birth country. You were born here in America-put America first!

Whats wrong with my idea? Its not being racist. Its being Pro-American. Put America first if you were born in America. They can put African in it-but put it last. Whats wrong with that idea?

It fits with other cultures as well. I would be considered German American by some. But i would NEVER EVER PUT GERMANY in front of America when describing myself.

Answer 1

The term "American Africans" implies that black people live in Africa, and they are American like Africans
Ok-American Africans- Africans who have American heritage, (which does not make sense because America is not an ethnic group; just a country.)
And some Black people were not born in America. Those are the only reasons I could think why some people may not like it, I don’t like but thanks for trying. Most people of darker complexions prefer to be called black; it eliminates a lot of confusion. As for all the personal attacks, I feel that people feel more comfortable insulting someone than finding an actual refutable reason. I honestly don't see anything wrong with the question; it was an honest question and I gave an honest answer; it is really that simple. Just next time use correct terminology... Africa is a continent.

Answer 2

Because not all blacks are from Africa. I am Jamaican, and I get called African-American all the time. Sometimes it really gets on my nerves, but I try to understand that not everyone knows better. Just because someone has dark skin, does not mean that they are African, therefore how can you refer to them as African-American. I have a Haitian friend that gets VERY offended when someone refers to her as African, I can see why she gets upset, but how can people tell by looking what country you're from? I don't know why you have such a problem with the word black, I get it's a better way to categorize than African-Americans. So to request that black call themselves American-Africans is just a silly. I refer to myself as black. I will not call myself a Jamaican-American or an American Jamaican, because I far as my birth certificate goes, I'm an American.

Answer 3

Well, in this case American is the noun and you usually put the put the adjective before the noun.

Next, some of us aren't African, we're Americans of African decent with other heritages mixed in.

So, I do consider myself American, a Black American.

Answer 4

Because in the term African-American, "African" is modifying "American"... So what it is saying is " I am this type of American".... You are proposing that they call themselves "American-type Africans"... They aren't Africans, so that would be silly.... They are Americans. African-Americans... See? Not Africans, American-Africans... So your problem with "putting Africa first" is actually just a quirk of the English language. In many other languages, the modifier (African) WOULD come last. In spanish it would be (translated) American of Africa. See? So blame the English language for putting the African first. The people themselves aren't at fault for that, nor do I question their loyalty or love of our country.

Answer 5

What?? That's sounds ridiculous. I'd rather just call myself Black (even though i feel that its not really a correct term for us.) than call myself African-American because "African-American" is not a correct term seeing as how I nor anyone in my family for hundreds of years has even SEEN Africa. I refuse to call myself that until people that have ancestors from Ireland call themselves 'Irish-american'...People who are descended from England call themselves 'English-american'...people who have descendents from Spain call themselves 'Spanish-American'..etc...etc. as a matter of fact, I STILL wouldnt call myself that seeing as how AFRICA is not a Country, its a CONTINENT. Maybe if i find out which COUNTRY in Africa my descendents are from i'll change my ideas, but until then im just going to consider myself an American that is Black.

Answer 6

I consider my self to be a Black American not African American. Do you know why? Because while I was being placed into the womb I WAS BLACK 1ST! AND..........my ancestors were not from Africa. Oh yeah..........did the family history. But I'm still Black and Loving it!

Answer 7

It's the label game that's destroying us all.

Why not just plain old 'American?' What's wrong with that?

If they are Americans - whether by birth or naturalisation - why the differentiation?

Answer 8

considering the fact that my heritage extends way beyond Africa, I'd rather just be American and that's it.

Answer 9

Hyphenated apellations are part of a campaign of divisiveness.

Answer 10

i really like your effort, but if that had to be the case, we would just drop the word Africa and just be Americans. you may call us Americans