+645 Why do we say African American? I don't call myself German American, I was born in America, so I'm American. So why aren't we all just Americans? amirite?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

People are too sensitive these days

by Anonymous 13 years ago

White people, you know you want to move from America to Africa so you can be a American-African. HOW COOL WOULD THAT BE?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

YLIA

by Anonymous 13 years ago

YLIA?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

*your* life is average

by Anonymous 13 years ago

You white people just wouldn't understand.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

please enlighten us

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I don't know one black person whose been to Africa.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

*who's

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Your name is appropriate.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

No shit Sherlock.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It's sad isn't it? I wish I could go to Africa. My father went to West Africa 20 something years ago to go learn about his roots. He converted to Islam after learning how Blacks were stripped of their religion/culture and here we are now...

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It's the nicer and the proper way of saying black.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

They call me white, so I'll call them black. Until they call me Italian-Polish-German-Swedish-British-American, I will call them either plain Americans or black. So.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I'm ukrainian and don't give a crap if they call me that or American. Most people call me Ukrainian even tho I was born here

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Communist. wary

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Personally, I don't care if they call me whatever nationalities I am. I am proud to be American, and I don't need anyone to acknowledge my ancestors' places of origin. I don't see why it's such a huge deal for black people.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

ehh, their ANCESTORS did go through a lot of trials and opression, but it's over now. They just seem to do it because that's how they were taught at a young life? The ignorance of prejudice..

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Cuz it's more noticeable. If I didint tell anyor I was Ukrainian, people would assume I'm American.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

If I see people in America, namely in my class, I assume they're American.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Aren't you American though? You just said you were born in America, and in context sounded like you live in America.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Yep, but still everyone calls me Ukrainian and they know that.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Ok. The phrasing just confused me because it sounded like you weren't. And I think another reason why we don't use specific ethnicities for African-Americans/blacks is because of how they were brought to America it's basically impossible to find out where their ancestors were from, specifically.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It's a huge deal because our ancestors weren't given a choice of coming to the America's. They were FORCED here. The least form of respect we can give our hard-working ancestors is to at least recognize where we orginally came from, no matter how many generations go by. That's why it's a big deal, and if you don't understand...well...that's too bad.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

my ancestors were forced here too, in the holocaust. I still don't call myself German American. I'm american, that's what I am. I loved my grandmother and I'll tell you stories all day about her and the troubles she went through, but she was the German American, not me.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I find that people (mostly us decedants) who lost the true value of their heritage and culture would rather just be called American instead of Black or Hispanic or Greek or German or whatever. I'm Black but unfortunately I carry no African culture with me since that was all lost during the slavery. The only "Black" thing I do is eat southern food once in a while. But I'm also half Arab and as I grew older I'm thankful we held on to whatever culture we have and I plan on passing it down to future generations. People don't need to get techincal and call me african-arab American but when asked, I like to tell people my father is so-and-so and my mother is so-and-so.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It's called being 'politically correct'. Political correctness is basically saying I can't call someone a motherfucking serial killer, no matter what they've done, because it may hurt their feelings. It's all stupid, as is calling someone 'african american'.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

@815799 (Vex): Lol I was just about to say it's called being politically correct as well.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It's just part of being proud of their culture and where their family comes from. Nothing wrong with that.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Because black people get mad if you call them black.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I was literally JUST thinking this and I came onto post it and I saw you already had! Oh well as long as someone agrees with me!!!!

by Anonymous 13 years ago

you got this from Steve Byrne, the comedian.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Actually no, I got it from a politician, the media basically attacked her for saying it. It was a huge deal that was overlooked by many. I very much agreed with the idea and wanted people my age to recognize it. Steve Bryne got the idea from her

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I'm white and was born in Africa (still living here). Does that make me african?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

(ArnoldVan Der Walt): Yes.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

(ArnoldVan Der Walt): Haha. Technically, yes. I heard of a girl who lived in South Africa for years and moved to America (she was white). People had to explain things to her because she put "African-American" as her ethnicity on everything.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

(ArnoldVan Der Walt): Yes, it does. Though one of my college applications had Caucasian(European, Middle Eastern, North African Descent). I don't see why North Africans aren't African-American. Or how those from the Middle East are considered Caucasian.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Lots of Middle Easterners are white. A large majority of Lebanese, Syrians, Turks (though Turkey isn't technically in the middle east... that's up for debate) and Jordanians are Caucasians.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It's not caucasian as in white, it's caucasian as in the people living in the area. Because it includes Europe most people use it to describe lighter skinned people. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasian_race http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/caucasian

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Yeah imagine how hard it is for me to choose one of those. I'm mixed...half Black half Arab. I don't see how Middle Easterns are considered White either...it confuses me as well.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It's very simple: crusaders. Go to Lebanon and you will find blue eyed, blonde Christians whose roots are traced from way back when. This is a picture of Queen Rania of Jordan: http://sleeplessinamman.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/queenrania.jpg She is very much Caucasian. Not all Arabs are dark skinned.. if you go there you'll see for yourself.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

If I go there? Hello smart pants, I just moved there so I know exactly what they look like. I'm talking about Arabs who have 100% Arabic roots like Saudis and Yemenis for example. They are ALL dark-skinned as far as I can see. Believe me I know Arabic history. Those white Arabs we call them Shamis because that area known as "Sham" is where most the fighting took place back when the crusaders fought them.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Smart pants? Does that make any sense? Do you mean smartie pants? Hahaha. No need to act snobby and butt-hurt because I simply tried to clarify something that confused you, and I too know exactly what they look like. I lived in Saudi Arabia and Morocco for a large chunk of my life, but that isn't even the point. Just because 100% of your blood isn't Saudi or Yemeni doesn't make you any less of an Arab. Yeah, a lot Middle Easterners are dark, but a lot of them are white as well. So, regardless of where you're from, you'll still be a Caucasian. Let's not get off subject now, dwelling on the crusaders won't really solve anything, I only brought them up as evidence, neither will these "Shamis" you speak of.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

haha I read your argument and I'd like to point out, its a little too late to try not to get off subject.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Yeah, that was a pointless argument, I was hoping it would be more exciting.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Because people are stupid.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Why do people assume black people care so much? I'm black and Idgaf if someone calls me black. It's a part of me. I'm proud to be black.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

it's not just black you should be proud of. Be proud to be American. I have a black friend that wishes people just called her American. That would be the essence of being treated as equals

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I'm black/Asian and I WANT people to call me black, or Asian, whatever they feel like at the time, which is usually black. African American is just stupid. We won't get offended.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It can be offensive to some people to be called African American. What if you are from Jamaica and people call you African?

by Anonymous 13 years ago

That's what my mom always says (:

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Or Haitian.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

my teacher totally dissed people that call themselves african american :P (I'm from south africa)

by Anonymous 13 years ago

because people are too afraid to say black. Its really not offensive, I have black friends and they dont insist that I call them African American.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Those Blacks are usually very confused about who they are. They are Black. Period. I'm Black and I acknowledge that and I'm not offended to be called Black. They want to get all technical maybe because they are not as "black" as our slave ancestors were. Whatever just say it to humor them.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

No, i was saying I call them black and they dont get offended. The OP made a good point, i mean none of them have ever even been to Africa. Black people that were born in Africa, I could understand them being referred to as African Americans because that is their native country.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Oh crap sorry i didn't see the "don't" there. -_- I need to put my glasses on.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

oh haha, i know how that is. Im blind without mine

by Anonymous 13 years ago

what about the girl from mean girls she was raised in africa but shes a ginger 0.o

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Ive read african too much, now it doesnt seem like a word.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Hahah, I love how all these comments are about the post and your's is hysterically irrelevant. :P

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Hey cool I'm German too :D

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I actually dont like it when people call me black. It's not the color of my skin so why call me that? I see your point though and I understand I wasn't born in Africa and came to America, but I prefer to be called African American.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

I'm always confused about this sort of thing. When I was little because Asians are called "yellow" and Europeans are " white" I always mixed them up because most Asians are paler than a lot of Europeans. We just need better terms. Because black and white aren't accurate but neither is African-American.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Sorry, but who really gives a fuck? I'm still going to be me, whether you call me black or African American.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

It makes absolutely no difference. If a black person doesn't like to be described by their skin tone, then out of respect we should call them African-American; but honestly, it's simply an adjective. There's no need to get offended, since "black" is no better or worse that being "white". By the way, I'd like to point out that it's slightly annoying (depending on the occasion) when people from the USA call themselves "American", considering how America is the name of the continent, not solely a country :P

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Do you propose we call ourselves United States of American? It's just a shortened version. Besides we say Europeans and Asians.

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Yes, but you don't hear, for example, a Spanish person calling themselves "European" when they are speaking of Spain... It's no big deal, just something I wanted to point out, now that all the comments are discussing names...

by Anonymous 13 years ago

Ugh.....I hate posts like these.....Always end up being some sort of arguements about race.

by Anonymous 13 years ago