What are the correct ways to describe people of African descent?

Question

I work in a multicultural environment in which people from all over (Africa, African-American, Guyanese, Jamaican, Hati, and European) work. Recently I was telling a story about a person from Denmark who has a very dark skin but now lives in America. I described them as "black," and an African-American person corrected me and told me to say African-American. This person I was talking about is not African, and not American. I was in the company of people actually from Africa, and they didn't know what to refer to them as either (they themselves call people Black-Americans and are offended when people refer to them as African American). How would I describe someone who is of darker skin/African descent and from Europe in a politically correct manner. And what do we call white people these days?

Terry

Answer 1

What to call "people of color" is a topic that is constantly changing. It was not too long ago that "*****" or "colored" was the proper, respectful, term to use. In the 1960's and 1970's it became politically correct to use the term "black." Now, the preferred word is "African American."

In the past two years, I have had two black people in my French class in college. One was from Kenya. She is black, but does not qualify as an "African American." Another student was from Haiti, again not an "African American", however, you can't deny that she is black. I have a friend whose family is from Jamaica, the small island in the Caribbean Sea. His mom and dad are naturalized citizens. Does that make him an "African American"? Some of the black people I know don't really think so because his family was not involved in the history of the United States and did not experience the civil rights movement.

As for me, if you are a person of color, let me know what to call you. I don't want to offend anybody. If you want to be a "black American" or an "African American." I will use that term. If you want to be a "noir américain", c'est bon. If you prefer to be a "person of color", a colored person, or a *****, I can live with that, too.

Personally, I am what is referred to as a white or Caucasian. You can't refer to me with any nationality other than American, because I am a mixed breed of nationalities. If you want to refer to me as a white guy, that works. Or call me "Whitey." It would be inappropriate for you to refer to me as a "European American." If you refer to me as such, you will end up with me giving you a very puzzled look.

Smile when you call me "Whitey." It indicates that you respect me. Respect is a two-way street.

Answer 2

I heard Whoopie make this statement 20 years ago when an interviewer asked her about working in Hollywood as an African-American.

My family has been in this county 300 years, I've never been to Africa, my familys' never been to Africa. I'm an American, and I'm black.

Answer 3

I have friends who are black, and neither African nor American. They prefer black over PC as it evens everything out. You wouldn't automatically call a white person Irish-American if you didn't know their origin. Black is appropriate.

Answer 4

Ya know, I think I would ask them what they would like to be described as instead of trying to choose a label for them in a situation.
If you have to say anything, state the truth, he is of African origin... resided in Europe, currently lives in ????. Not all Africans are of dark skin though.
At all costs, try to avoid the issue and you need not be challenged with that scenario for them.

It is hard to find a WHITE race these days. What most people are considered to be white are called Caucasians...no matter what color they are, I call them my friend, my colleague, my neighbor, my partner, my associate.

Answer 5

don't even listen to the black american guy, they are not african americans, many blacks in america are to dumb to realize that everyone in africa is not black, they just assume everyone is and to tell them other wise will just get the race card played on you.

call them black, that is what they are, they call us white, that is what we are.

or you can call him danish, he can call you american. just refer to everyone what citizenship they have.

Answer 6

I would say unless the story has something to do with their race then the best and only way to describe them is by their first name.

Answer 7

I'd just stick with black and white - its not derogatory, just descriptive.

Answer 8

i agree with the above...call it like you see it

Answer 9

I thought you americans used the word ******* for such people.

I would use negroes.

Answer 10

A spades a spade.