Question for black people?

Question

Do you prefer being called "black" or "african american"? and why?

I think saying "african american" is dumb, since white people aren't "irish american" or "english american".....but most people say it to be politically correct.

Answer 1

just call us black cause not all black people are from Africa. some are from Jamaica, the Netherlands, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, or even Cuba. I've seen alot of blacks from Venezula and even Mexico. i'm half Trinidadian but most people don't even know that a country called Trinidad exists so when people look at me they're not gonna say oh look she's Trinidadian, they're gonna say i'm black. but if they call me African, they'd be wrong. so being called black is just fine with me even though that's not what our true ethnicity is. it's the same with white people, you're not really white, you could be Irish, Russian, Polish, Swedish, Scottish, German whatever but do you think people are going to be able to tell?? no so they call you white.

Answer 2

I am an African living in America, and NOT American. Therefore, I rather be called Black or an African. Not African-American. Black is a racial category, and African-American are ethnic group, such as Latino, Caucasion, Oriental, etc

Americans have no clue of the difference between Ethnic and Race.

Ethnic: - Race:
African-American - Black
Caucasion - White
Oriental - Asian
Latino - Hispanic
Native-American - Indian/Indiginous.

Answer 3

Black because I am NOT American and have nothing to do with America. When using the term African-American you are talking specifically about Black Americans not Black people as a whole.

And in my opinion Black people are African in the same way White people are considered European. Some Black people are directly African (born and raised, have family there) and others are indirectly African due to slavery. But for those of us who are indirectly African we prefer to be called by the specific nationality that we feel we belong to. Eg. American, Jamaican, Brazilian etc.

Answer 4

I prefer human being, but if I have to be a color, I would rather be called "black".

African-American indicates that I'm from Africa....and I'm not. I was born in America - as were my parents, and their parents, and their parents and so on. I think I'm far enough removed from the continent that I cannot legitimately claim it even if I wanted to.

I'm actually uncomfortable when people call me AA...they seem too uptight and it feels like they're trying too hard. I'm just a person. Relate to me as such instead of being worried that I'll be offended.

Answer 5

I depends on your take, also to the people who said that people in jamaica wouldn't be considered african because they aren't from africa, overlooked one big thing, the term "african" in african american refers to the ancestors, so black people in jamaica, puerto rico, brazil, trinidad, and other places in the americas would be considered "african" because no black is native to this side of the world, they were brought over through slavery, remember slaves just didn't come to the U.S.

But I prefer the term "black" american because I am not from africa nor are any of my close relatives, only a small percentage of my ancestors.

Answer 6

Black is fine with me but if you call me African American I wouldn't care either

Answer 7

Black or Africa-American works for me because you see I was around when America made Black an ugly word so my people were ashamed of being Black.

I hear non-Blacks on this website talk about how they are just Americans but ask them about their heritage and they quickly tell they're a little German, a little Italian, etc.

Answer 8

Black because most people get all upset when they hear the term "African-American." I avoid drama at all costs.

Answer 9

I am a Black man from Mississippi, I prefer being called Black.

Answer 10

hmm...I don't know. I like being called my name. But other than that, to me it doesn't matter because I do happen to be African-American (my parents are from Africa). Not everybody does, though.