African American? Black? What to use?

Okay....so if I use the word "black," I risk offending someone. But, if I use the word "African American," I still risk offending someone. Help me please?

I have had friends who were offended if I called them "African American" because not all "blacks" are African descent.

The way I see it....is if it's socially acceptable to call me "white," then I think it would be equally fair to call someone else "black." I don't expect someone to call me an "Italian American."

Thoughts?

I say black. I don't care if it offends someone.

I don't mind being called white, and I imagine most black people don't mind being called black.

call me black cuz Im not from Africa

i have an ethnicity you know... and do you call natives red? asians yellow? thought not...

The way I see it....is if it's socially acceptable to call me "white," then I think it would be equally fair to call someone else "black.NintendoPapa

This is the correct way to look at it in my opinion as well.

I don't care what people call me as long as they don't use the n-word :xII_Seraphim_II

I'd be upset if people called me Naruto as well.

i have an ethnicity you know... weezyfb

Black. Use black. If the medical community can call describe someone as black male - then so can you. If offends them, then they probably are the type of people who jump to get offended or enraged at every little worthless thing.

Truthfully, I don't know how often you have to describe someone. I don't typically go "Oh, I met a new duder today. His nom was Bobby Jones. He's a white boy."

Thank you all for your quick responses! From now on, I will be calling them "black!" It makes fair sense to me.

as long as you aren't using the n-word or any other racial epithet, I don't really care what you call me.II_Seraphim_II

I am black and I don't see what so offensive about calling a black person black or African American. Now me personally I prefer to be called "That cool dude with the badass sun glasses" but that is just me.

[QUOTE="II_Seraphim_II"]I don't care what people call me as long as they don't use the n-word :xAtmanix

I'd be upset if people called me Naruto as well.

I am black and I don't see what so offensive about calling a black person black or African American. No me personally I prefer to be called "That cool do with the badass sun glasses" but that is just me.GrandJury

[QUOTE="II_Seraphim_II"]I don't care what people call me as long as they don't use the n-word :xAtmanix

I'd be upset if people called me Naruto as well.

If black offends someone then they have issues.Y2Jfan23

[QUOTE="GrandJury"]I am black and I don't see what so offensive about calling a black person black or African American. No me personally I prefer to be called "That cool do with the badass sun glasses" but that is just me.FragStains

A person.LOXO7

I think most of us are fine with being called black or white. But, what about the brown poeple? Is it OK to call them brown? Or the yellow ones?

[QUOTE="LOXO7"]A person.8-Bitterness

I think most of us are fine with being called black or white. But, what about the brown poeple? Is it OK to call them brown?

narlymech

[QUOTE="LOXO7"]A person.8-Bitterness

Uh... yes? Why wouldn't you say: "Hey! That guy just robbed me! Call the police!"?

What I mean is: Does it change the scenario at all if you mention he is black?

[QUOTE="8-Bitterness"][QUOTE="LOXO7"]A person.ex-mortis

Uh... yes? Why wouldn't you say: "Hey! That guy just robbed me! Call the police!"?

What I mean is: Does it change the scenario at all if you mention he is black?

I try to avoid including race when describing a person. Thank you DoD sensitivity training. :P When I do, however, I like black. "African-American" is a very cumbersome term.

Black, the majority of them have never been to Africa or speak a language native from the African continent.

Black

African American is a stupid term to call all black people, as not all black people come from Africa.

I have had friends who were offended if I called them "African American" because not all "blacks" are African descent.

NintendoPapa

I say Black. If that offends anybody they are far too sensitive.

also Brown Bear

I say Black. If that offends anybody they are far too sensitive.

also Brown Bear

Serraph105

[QUOTE="Serraph105"]

I say Black. If that offends anybody they are far too sensitive.

also Brown Bear

[QUOTE="_R34LiTY_"]

Black

African American is a stupid term to call all black people, as not all black people come from Africa.

weezyfb

Well what? you gonna say something or post disruptively?

Were you going to suggest that indeedm, all blacxk people are from Africa?

[QUOTE="Serraph105"]

I say Black. If that offends anybody they are far too sensitive.

also Brown Bear

[QUOTE="weezyfb"][QUOTE="_R34LiTY_"]

Black

African American is a stupid term to call all black people, as not all black people come from Africa.

_R34LiTY_

Well what? you gonna say something or post disruptively?

Were you going to suggest that indeedm, all blacxk people are from Africa?

[QUOTE="Serraph105"]

I say Black. If that offends anybody they are far too sensitive.

also Brown Bear

Meh I say black, as I live in europe so that term wouldn't even work here.

I guess saying a black person is more offensive concidering the past, but I was raised as a slave owner so I don't see black as offensive but I try to be cautious when meeting new people

I would shank someone in the eye if they called me Naruto :xII_Seraphim_II

Would you shank them with this?