quote:

ORIGINAL: kittinSol

He identifies himself as African American: I think this should be good enough as an indication of how he would like to be referred as by other people.

quote:

ORIGINAL: RealityLicks

MC, as regards the term "African American" - the most pertinent fact about the label is that it is a self-description and not one handed out by the white majority.  It's interesting to discover that so many white people affect an understanding of black identity politics when they patently haven't any. 

I must also apologise for being cynical, because it seems to my mind that if a "mixed race" or "biracial" person is caught stealing hubcaps they're black - if they get to be president suddenly they've been raised by extraordinary white parents. 

quote:

ORIGINAL: RealityLicks

MC, as regards the term "African American" - the most pertinent fact about the label is that it is a self-description and not one handed out by the white majority.  It's interesting to discover that so many white people affect an understanding of black identity politics when they patently haven't any. 

"African American" was popularised by Jesse Jackson and describes someone who is of the black diaspora and who lives in America.  It does not necessarily imply that they are the descendant of slaves, although for most that will be the case. Malcolm X's mother was born in the Caribbean but that doesn't mean Malcolm was "mixed race" (whatever that really means) or that it is not accurate to describe him as African American.  The after-effect of stripping black bonded labourers of their ethnic identity was that much later, with increasing measures of freedom, a name was chosen which asserts solidarity with all Africans.  Making this statement reflects the unique position that black people find themselves in, in our times.  

quote:

ORIGINAL: rulemylife

quote:

ORIGINAL: RealityLicks

MC, as regards the term "African American" - the most pertinent fact about the label is that it is a self-description and not one handed out by the white majority.  It's interesting to discover that so many white people affect an understanding of black identity politics when they patently haven't any. 

"African American" was popularised by Jesse Jackson and describes someone who is of the black diaspora and who lives in America.  It does not necessarily imply that they are the descendant of slaves, although for most that will be the case. Malcolm X's mother was born in the Caribbean but that doesn't mean Malcolm was "mixed race" (whatever that really means) or that it is not accurate to describe him as African American.  The after-effect of stripping black bonded labourers of their ethnic identity was that much later, with increasing measures of freedom, a name was chosen which asserts solidarity with all Africans.  Making this statement reflects the unique position that black people find themselves in, in our times.  

Well being one of those white people I guess I don't have an understanding of "black identity politics" since I'm not even sure what that phrase is supposed to mean.

I have always been confused by the African-American term though and how it applies to race when their are many countries in Africa and many white people in those countries.  Just off the top of my head, John Kerry's wife is a white African-American as is the actress Charlize Theron. 

If I were to use the term European-American to describe myself you would have no idea what race I was so how is African-American any more accurate in being used to describe race?

Or for that matter, how is Malcom X legitimately described as African-American when you say he is of Caribbean descent?

quote:

ORIGINAL: MzMia


My 2 cents worth as a BLACK American is this.
I don't know of anyone that calls themselves "African American".
Especially in private, everyone that I know and usually meet that identifies
with being a Black American calls themselves "Black".
I have family members that have skin that is ivory, and a few that can pass for "White",
and they all call themselves "Black" or bi-racial, again I don't know of any that call themselves
African American.
I am wondering if White Americans call themselves "White" or "European American"?
My work is done here.

quote:

ORIGINAL: rulemylife

If I were to use the term European-American to describe myself you would have no idea what race I was so how is African-American any more accurate in being used to describe race?

quote:

ORIGINAL: RealityLicks

quote:

ORIGINAL: rulemylife

If I were to use the term European-American to describe myself you would have no idea what race I was so how is African-American any more accurate in being used to describe race?

Firstly, I didn't claim that the term was more accurate.  I said it was self-selected rather than imposed by other people.  I might be wrong but it seems only the terms "Asian American" and "African American" seem to have gained any real currency.  But I'd agree that both have shortcomings when it comes to summing up the incredible diversity of any human being - let alone one from a diversely populated country like your own.

I'd imagine that they are both reflections of terms like Italian American, Irish american, etc. and looking at the era of their genesis, perhaps the adding of "American" after a differentiating prefix fitted with the cultural changes Reagan encapsulated.  Patriotism was challenged and viewed more cynically prior to his ascent, or at least that's the way it looks to the outsider. 

Of course, unlike most whites in America, black people had generally lost all knowledge of their countries of origin by this time and could only relate to Africa and a pan-African ideal which maintained more cynicism about western nations.  The world over, black kids saw Rocky l -lll, it's true - but they also listened to Bob Marley.

But since in America, 66% of black people carry European and 33% of white people carry African DNA, as a legacy of slavery, I'd suggest all such titles are to be viewed in a broad sense and with an understanding that they are living and flexible, not latin biological terms from text books.