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I personally prefer black but I use African American when I speak about the collective. However, one of my biggest pet peeves is that some people have begun to call ALL black people African American even if the people are Afro-Canadian, Afro Latino, etc.
The only problem that I personally have with this, is that my ancestors don't just come from Africa; they also come from North America and Europe. By calling myself an African-American, I would not be recognizing where other portions of my heritage come from. I just prefer "American" over anything.
I read a poll a couple years back that showed somewhere around 60% preferred "Black", 30% had no preference and only about 10% preferred African American.
What's funny is watching PC Whites bend over backwards to ALWAYS use African American. I love to call Black people Black in front of them because I know it drives them nuts. Still, they can't quite accuse me of of what they want to accuse me of.
Right because blatantly referring to complete strangers by their race in random daily encounters isn't inflammatory or racist at all.
"Paper or plastic?"
"I'll take plastic, white kid."
"Did y'all save room for dessert?"
"No thanks white girl, we're full."
The only problem that I personally have with this, is that my ancestors don't just come from Africa; they also come from North America and Europe. By calling myself an African-American, I would not be recognizing where other portions of my heritage come from. I just prefer "American" over anything.
The majority of black Americans have some measureable percentage of non-subSaharan DNA admixture. And we ALL know that if you "look" black in the United States you are considered "black".
And while it would be factually accurate for me to say that I am of African, European and Asian ancestry most would visually identify me as "black". It really is not very complicated.
Black is a horrible term,you have a thousand years of cells inside your body and you are all those people, you can't escape your ancestry.
Im sorry you have a total disconnection from your ancestors in african culture that is extremely sad.
Quote:
Originally Posted by veezybell
I've never understood this, and it might have to do with me being fairly young (still in my 20s)...but why do a lot of people prefer to be called African American over black? I prefer black myself because I'm not African, I've never been to Africa, I don't speak any African languages, I wouldn't know what ethnic tribe I originate from, etc. so I feel totally disconnected from the average black African that I've encountered. Which is ironic, because I'm probably more "African" than most who prefer to be called AA. Can someone explain the justification for choosing "AA" over "black"?
That's really true african Americans should just call themselves mixed race.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilliesPhan2013
The only problem that I personally have with this, is that my ancestors don't just come from Africa; they also come from North America and Europe. By calling myself an African-American, I would not be recognizing where other portions of my heritage come from. I just prefer "American" over anything.
Can someone explain why the term "colored" is offensive? The NAACP used it in their name, so apparently it was acceptable at one time. Is it just considered archaic and not "trendy" enough?
I've never understood this, and it might have to do with me being fairly young (still in my 20s)...but why do a lot of people prefer to be called African American over black? I prefer black myself because I'm not African, I've never been to Africa, I don't speak any African languages, I wouldn't know what ethnic tribe I originate from, etc. so I feel totally disconnected from the average black African that I've encountered. Which is ironic, because I'm probably more "African" than most who prefer to be called AA. Can someone explain the justification for choosing "AA" over "black"?
Nobody "prefer[s] to be called African American." The term doesn't even make sense. Some bureaucrat decided to change the name of blacks so they could mix in black africans, west indians and black americans in the same pot and discriminate against them all with less effort. With the added side-effect of making black people look like stupid flakes who have to change their name every few years. There are tons of white people in Africa, and some of them may also have immigrated to the US, so they should also be "African americans." Also where is the poll?
Technically they are both anthropological terms. Black is a description of me but African American is an definition of me, Personally I never fell like I'm either until someone reminds me. Its those reminders, that's the thing.
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