African American? Black? What to use?

When I lived in America I used "black." I really do not see how this could offend anyone. I am white and a person with dark skin is black, its simple. My black friends never had a problem with the word so I use it to this day even though some people almost cringe for some reason.

Well it's kind of hard to have any connection with Africa when your African ancestors were taken from the region by force to be bought and sold around the world. That's part of the whole point of labeling one's self as African-American - to help revive that connection.-Sun_Tzu-

As true as this is, it doesn't change the fact that the connection has been long since lost; they certainly have a unique cultural heritage, but it is very much an American one. I just feel the term is something of a misnomer.

I asked my friend and she says either "negro" or "black", she doesn't like African American.

I'm black. Usually people use African-American when the trying to be formal or if they don't know you. Either or works fine. The n-word is a no no. I don't even like it when black people say it to each other. For all the people that don't like being PC or can care less about offending someone, that's a piss poor attitude to have. Taking the time out to show respect to find what some wants to be called is just simple courtesy. Some people just don't wanna take the time to learn about other people, and I feel bad for you because your missing out.

theycallmeRP

I say black because not african people are black. Look at Egypt.

People call me white, I call them black. If they get offended, then they're self-righteous idiots.dreDREb13

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

weezyfb

Black

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

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

Pirate700

I'm not going to stop saying 'black' until the NAACP drops 'Colored' from its name.

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

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

aransom

I'm not going to stop saying 'black' until the NAACP drops 'Colored' from its name.

Well, can't we use Coloured then. If the NAACP can refer to its members as Coloured people, then we should be able to as well.

[QUOTE="weezyfb"]

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

Snipes_2

[QUOTE="aransom"]

[QUOTE="Pirate700"]

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

I'm not going to stop saying 'black' until the NAACP drops 'Colored' from its name.

Well, can't we use Coloured then. If the NAACP can refer to its members as Coloured people, then we should be able to as well.

Just wanted to share with you some fantastic words from Mr. Freeman. :P

[QUOTE="Quaker-w00ts"]

[QUOTE="positivebalance"]

all blacks are african american. in fact, all of humanity is of african american descent.

II_Seraphim_II

i approve of this 100%

oops i mean i approve of the last part :P

I think the term slave would be more offensive than the N-word, as the term cracker has no effect over me. Now the term slave owner wouldnt ruffle my feathers any.

Its so annoying -- this terminology. I had a coworker yell at me once for saying 'African American' and to call her black because she's not from Africa (lol). Then another one said saying 'black' is racist because 'African American' sounds more proper and ties into her descent. Grr.....Lethalhazard

and thats why i dont converse with them.

I say black. It's okay to say white so it should be okay to say black.

[QUOTE="Lethalhazard"]Its so annoying -- this terminology. I had a coworker yell at me once for saying 'African American' and to call her black because she's not from Africa (lol). Then another one said saying 'black' is racist because 'African American' sounds more proper and ties into her descent. Grr.....Quaker-w00ts

and thats why i dont converse with them.

[QUOTE="Snipes_2"][QUOTE="weezyfb"]

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

xaos

If the black community doesn't want to be called "black," then it needs to come up with another term that's not seven syllables like "African-American."

Also, is that hyphen supposed to be in there? If someone get pissy about being called black, I'd imagine they'd get pissy if I use or misuse a punctuation mark.

[QUOTE="Tangmashi"]

[QUOTE="aransom"]This.

I'm not going to stop saying 'black' until the NAACP drops 'Colored' from its name.

jeremiah06

Well, can't we use Coloured then. If the NAACP can refer to its members as Coloured people, then we should be able to as well.

[QUOTE="theycallmeRP"]

I'm black. Usually people use African-American when the trying to be formal or if they don't know you. Either or works fine. The n-word is a no no. I don't even like it when black people say it to each other. For all the people that don't like being PC or can care less about offending someone, that's a piss poor attitude to have. Taking the time out to show respect to find what some wants to be called is just simple courtesy. Some people just don't wanna take the time to learn about other people, and I feel bad for you because your missing out.

gamerguru100

PC doesn't equal respectful. If I'm respectful to you then I'd expect the same from you or anyone else. And this doesn't even apply to black people. Some Fillipino people I've spoken to say they don't like to be called Asian, they prefer pacific-islander. Some don't mind Asian. I'd just ask instead of saying "it's their problem, I'm going to call people whatever I want."

And not referring to you, but we actually have people posting stuff like they rather not even want to bother talking to black people posted up here for everyone to see. That kind of stuff is really disappointing to see in 2010, and unfortunately when I have kids of my own I'm going to have to prepare them for when they inevitably will run across something that will upset their self-worth and teach them what was taught to me. Value yourself and value others.

[QUOTE="Quaker-w00ts"]

[QUOTE="Lethalhazard"]Its so annoying -- this terminology. I had a coworker yell at me once for saying 'African American' and to call her black because she's not from Africa (lol). Then another one said saying 'black' is racist because 'African American' sounds more proper and ties into her descent. Grr.....Pariahdox

and thats why i dont converse with them.

agreed, i could respond to this more but im watching Reno 911 about black people being muslim and going around telling people to embrace they're inner black-ness and to revolt against the white man :P :lol: