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Do you feel that it is more acurate to call Americans (when referring to race): Black Americans, White Americans, etc. OR African-American, European-American, Asian-American, Latin-American, etc.?
What do they call the Black Italians, the Black French, the Black English, the White Africans, the Chinese Indians, or the Indian Australians, for example? Or is there a racial identifier at all?
They don't, because they aren't wrapped up w/these hypersensitive politically correct stupidities like our country is.
Black, white, oriental etc gets the point across, isn't derogatorty, short n sweet - basically, it made sense. That's probably why our country didn't like it.
Can you tell an American when you see one, no matter what color? Why not "black person" and "white person"?
When Ferguson Jenkins was pitching his way into the Baseball Hall of Fame, did anybody call him an "African-Canadian" or a "Black Canadian"? What would have been the correct designation? Did the Cubs have four African Americans and an African Canadian, or did they have five black players?
Identifying people by race is a process that is long overdue for the junk pile. Why do we need to refer to race at all when talking about Americans or citizens of any nationality in general conversation? This practice only creates schisms in a society.
I find it hard to care about this sort of thing. I call myself black because it's a short word and I really don't care about making a statement. My race just isn't something on my mind during my day to day life. That said, I have no problem with referring to individuals anyway they prefer, just don't get mad if I use the easiest term first. So if I call you black, don't get mad if you'd prefer "Caribbean American" - just tell me so without any drama. But I also must say, people who actually get all worked up and angry about how people prefer to refer to themselves need to get a life.
Identifying people by race is a process that is long overdue for the junk pile. Why do we need to refer to race at all when talking about Americans or citizens of any nationality in general conversation? This practice only creates schisms in a society.
Sometimes in general conversation it comes up, it doesn't have to be an issue.
Like, "Hey, what does that girl you're looking for look like, I'll try to find her."
It would be pretty weird to describe her while purposely leaving out her
Asian nationality because you thought it was racist to mention it.
No one would know they were looking for an Asian girl.
I find it hard to care about this sort of thing. I call myself black because it's a short word and I really don't care about making a statement. My race just isn't something on my mind during my day to day life. That said, I have no problem with referring to individuals anyway they prefer, just don't get mad if I use the easiest term first. So if I call you black, don't get mad if you'd prefer "Caribbean American" - just tell me so without any drama. But I also must say, people who actually get all worked up and angry about how people prefer to refer to themselves need to get a life.
That's pretty much how I see it.
I refer to black people as black people - not in any diminutive or derogatory way. Say, "That tall black lady over there," is little more than a way to identify somebody.
On the other hand, if I know somebody prefers to be known as African-American, I'll do my best.
Identifying people by race is a process that is long overdue for the junk pile. Why do we need to refer to race at all when talking about Americans or citizens of any nationality in general conversation? This practice only creates schisms in a society.
Disagree. It only creates schisms when people think different = bad.
There are various reasons for it, and OR just mentioned one. Also, although sadly this is fading more with each passing year, people traditionally have also often taken pride in their heritage.
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