Why do black people in America call themselves African-American, when most of them do not come from Africa?

Answer 1

Post slavery created a lasting identity crisis amongst most Blacks and even some Whites which is why we capitalize Black and White when we relate the words to race. Native born American Whites considered themselves superior to an immigrant White person even though they looked just alike.

Whites were not especially happy about freed slaves being called "American" just like them despite the fact 98% of freed slaves were born natives of America. Most of these freed slaves were half Black mixed with White to half Native American and Black or a combination of the three. There is evidence claiming the average Black American is about 40% Native and Whites are between 25 and 30% Native American.

At any rate, we went from Slave to *****, to Colored, to Black, to African American. I personally blame the US Government for this. They never took proper steps to mend us as a nation after slavery. A black skinned native person from England considers themself and is recognized as British and not Black-Brit. This is testimant to England abolishing slavery 79 years earlier then the US. Once you were free, you were a citizen. at least by name. The US Government never did that, all they did was place band-aids on everything with the 14th, 15th, and 16th Amendments, and we witness every day the un-equal effects of those.

At any rate, it is what it is, and for the record I call myself Black and it works for me.

Answer 2

The ancestors come from Africa. Like how If you are German, then you emmigrate to America. You'd say German-American. It's part of your heritage plus American blood. It's just politically correct. Some people don't like being called African-Americans because they may have come from France or somewhere else. So, you can't say all black people are African-American, they come from all different countries. Saying black is African-American all of the time is like stereotyping because they have darker skin. Caucasians live in Africa too.

Answer 3

Ancestrally, yes they did. What I find a bit strange in all of this is that they are making that distinction when most other cultures do not. Those of German ancestry rarely say they are German-American, and want everybody to know it, the same for Russians, Polish, English, French, Scottish, Japanese, Chinese, Viet Namese and so on. Why does there have to be such a distinction unless there is some kind of inferiority complex, which if there is, there really is no cause for it.

Answer 4

It's for ethnic differentiation. Any caucasian person can claim to be american and noone will know the difference, wherever you're from: Sweden, Germany, whatever. You're all Caucasian so you might as well be any American. Noone can tell you're from Germany by your skin tone. A ******* person can't hide his skin tone. It's effing obvious. So for descriptive purposes, the word African American, indicating that they are originally of African Descent (All ****** are from Africa, Duhh?). And the word "Black" is a bit inapropriate. We're Brown, NOT Black. And "White" people aren't white either. They range from pale pink to tanned. White is what they chose to call themselves because it separates them from us. Besides, white indicates purity and good while black indicates evil and bad, attributes stemming from racism. The use of the words "White" and "Black" came from the "White" people themselves. We want to be called African American now. End of story.
And Jonnes32 or whatever your user name is, you're a moron for making that comment. As well as whoever the first racist asshole was.

Answer 5

When do we just become Americans? How many generations have to live and die before we stop hyphenating ourselves. Irish-American, Italian-American and so on. Patrick Henry said, "Today I am no longer a Virginian, but an American" when he signed the Declaration of Independence. We should all rethink what he meant by that.

Answer 6

Just so you know, I am an Irish-German American.

My ancestors came from Ireland and Germany.

So if by now you don't get it, the ancestors of most African-Americans came from Africa. Maybe not by their choice but that is where they came from.

So, tell us. Where did your ancestors come from???

☻☺☻

Answer 7

Actually my experience has been that most black people have not adopted the term for the very reason you mentioned. They're not all african. Also, what about a black person from the UK? African-american? They're not even American!

Seems to be a construct of my uptight caucasian bretheren. Mainly those pandering for "politically correct" kudos.

Answer 8

Most of you guys are clueless. African-American is the equivilent as Caucasian American..It refers to race..There were not countres in Africa when we came here so we literilly are African-American..

We call oursleves that for the Same reason why Native Americans are called Native American or French Canadians are called French Canadians, or White South African call themselves Afrikkan..We have a long history here (since 1619) and are preserving our portion of American culture..

Answer 9

Lol! Bless...

It's because their ancestors were African! And were taken to America, in the slave trade, had babies and, voila! You have an 'African American' who has never been to Africa.
:)

Answer 10

They all do come from Africa at some point. Lots of people refer to their ancestral heritage. Ever been to Boston? Lots of people there refer to themselves as Irish-American or Italian-American even if they themselves always lived in the US.