Why is it preferred now to call black people African Americans instead of black?

Question

I know they are the true color black just like I am not really white. But if you prefer to be called African Americans then should I demand to be called European American? And my neighbor be called Japanese American? If you are an American, you are an American. If you were born in Africa and then came to America and became a citizen, then I can see being referred to as an African American. But if you weren't born in Africa, why do you want to be referred to as such? I don't understand this. We all have our ancestorial backgrounds, our races, our cultures, our faiths, and our skin colors. Being called white doesn't bother me. I think being labeled as a Caucasian is stupid. And I have seen European American as a option on forms in the past year. I crossed it out and wrote WHITE.

Sorry if I sound rude. That's not my intention. I just am trying to understand why African American is preferred if you weren't actually born in Africa. Thanks for your insight!

Answer 1

Because it is politically correct. Most I know refer to themselves as black. There are bigger problems in this world to worry about but it is the easiest argument to make nowadays.

Answer 2

Black is not an identity. It has no connection to the planet. Neither does white. Anyone who says they are white, usually doesn't have a clue about their ancestry. Otherwise, they'll happily stand you up against a wall and quote how many fractions of every ethnicity they even think they are! "I'm 1/8 Irish, 1/16 French, 1/4 Pensylvania Dutch...
African-Americans were kidnapped and lost more than their liberty. We lost our culture, language, religion, and ancestry. At least, rightfully, claiming our African heritage connects us to the planet. Having also been called sub-human, this is important. Of course, it is still a matter of preference.
A final thought is that America doesn't fully embrace us anyway. I'd prefer to be called Kidnapped African living in America, (KALA) but you'd probably have a problem with that too, wouldn't you? Just call people what they like. No skin off your nose, is it?

Answer 3

Just considering the fact that you are referred to as white does not imply you do not have the correct to invite to be referred to as European American. The means plenty of Americans see it, if you do not talk English, than its special. And because English is largely spoken in Europe, plenty of white persons don't seem to be interested. But then, lots of them will insist you name them Irish or Welsh. Black persons are the identical, so a few will insist you name them African American, even supposing they have on no account been there earlier than. Americans mainly are evidently curious of non-Americans, considering the fact that for a few rationale even WE believe we are dull.

Answer 4

Well I call myself Nigerian American. To me, African-American is a term used for people who are the descendants for slaves which I am not. I don't know why America has to label everyone, we all just people living in America. BTW no one is literally Black in color. Black people come from all over the world, places like: Cuba, Brazil, Bolivia, Belize, Jamaica, Haiti, Barbados, Venezuela etc.. People from other parts of the African Disapora would not be referred to as African-American. But at the end of the day I can settle for Black or just my given name.

Answer 5

That's wrong. As I understand it, African-American includes recent African immigrants to America. Black Americans are American citizens of several generations, whose anscestors survived the horrors of slavery. It's wrong and ironic, in my opinion, that recent African immigrants can come over here and get grants and stuff reserved for our Black American brothers because those immigrants are considered African-American.

Answer 6

Ask Jesse Jackson.He's the one that came up with that term thinking it was more appropiate than "black." Since I'm practically a mixture of everything (Black,Indian,White,Hispanic),I don't quite identify with it.You are not being rude,you just want to know why all of a sudden we're African-American.

Answer 7

I don't know many Blacks who call themselves African-American. I see non-Blacks doing that the most. You can't generalize based on what a few people want to be called. What difference does it make? If you want me to call you European-American, I will. Stop looking for things to whine about.

Answer 8

Because all Blacks are not of African Ancestry.
I'm white and born in the US, Does that make me a Native American ?........No my ancestry is from UK. You are being rude !

Answer 9

I am a Dutch-Canadian, but i'm rarely ever called that. Blacks used to be called ******. This is a term used to describe blacks by geneology. ***** is an Egyptian word for black. Arnold Zwartsenegger is German, and his name means black *****. Yet, he is white, and nobody calls him names. If you want to be called American, then you have to erase racism. I am never called "whitey," except by blacks. ***-see-***-sah!

Answer 10

Your logic is right on and I think you did a nice job of communicating it. But it's not really about what's logical and what makes sense. It's about living in our culture and getting along.