RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African Ameriican"?

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/26/2009 10:15:25 PM

GreedyTop

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quote:

ORIGINAL: lronitulstahp

quote:

But Tulip..which do YOU prefer? African-American? Black? Woman of Color?

(and yes, I know there's other factors involved.....LOL)

Your Majesty is fine.....

Queen Tulip... hmmm... has a ring to it...

(You dont expect me to curtsy or anything do you?)

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/26/2009 10:25:42 PM

einstien5201

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

Fashion. They used to be called Negroes (well, they were known as something else first), then darkies, then coloreds, then blacks, then African American. We'll think of something else to call them eventually.

A minor correction: Negro was in use well before the other word you imply, and was actually the root word of the other. It comes from the Spanish word for "black", "negro".

As for why "African-American" is used in favor of "Black", I can think of a few reasons, though I have no support for these other than my own thoughts.

The new term emphasizes that they are a subset of Americans, rather than of people in general, helping to promote the idea that citizens of the US are Americans first, and only after that whatever group or culture they identify with.

"Black" conjures up images of evil, witchcraft, and spooky graveyards at night, in much the same way "White" conjures up images of cleanliness, angels, and healing magic. While most won't object to an adjective that associates them with angels and clean linen, being associated with evil knights and bad luck is understandably undesirable.

It just doesn't fit. While "Black" may be a relatively accurate description of the population in certain areas of Africa (at least as accurate as "White" is of certain populations in Europe - I'm thinking of the Norse countries and Ireland in particular), it certainly isn't accurate of the majority of those who identify with the term "African-American". Even before his transition into a poster child for cosmetic surgery gone wrong, Michael Jackson could hardly be described as having black skin, and I think that the same goes for most "Americans of african descent". We are after all a mixing pot, and that doesn't just apply to culture and language, but to genetics as well.

< Message edited by einstien5201 -- 10/26/2009 10:29:38 PM >

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 5:32:54 AM

Aneirin

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quote:

ORIGINAL: devilishpixie

I find it silly personally, I have NEVER once called my owner an African amercian man. He is a black man period. He doens't take offense to it or get his boxers in a bunch. lol

The descriptive term black is a complete misnomer, as is white when it comes to people, as who is truly black, and who is truly white. Looking at my paw here now, in sunlight, it is a light brownish colour, not white, yet I am described as white.

I think someone suffered a poor sense of colour recognition when they coined these opposite descriptive terms for skin colour, neither of them are correct.

As to my ethnicity, who knows, well I definately know there is Cornish, Irish and English in there, that ancestry I know, but what else, French via Norman, Scandinavian via Norse settlers, Germany via Saxons, Danish via Jutes Spanish via Cornwall and Devon, Scots via North Lancashire, oh, and there is Romany in there somewhere, too many references to it in known geneaology so basically my ancestry has been shagged by countless countries and their ethnicities. I find it very hard to claim anything knowing how my country was created.

African American, the American bit I can understand, as that is where those of you who are born there regardless of skin colour come from, but the African bit refers to ancestry, not necessarily colour, as there are Africans that are not typically looking Africans, North Africa for example. If African American is an accepted term, then others of different races should afford a similar label, in the case of us over the pond here, Heinz/ British.

But the truth of it all, it is in my mind bollocks, we are all people and that is that. If defining terms have to be created, then they must be correct and fair to all races of this planet.

< Message edited by Aneirin -- 10/27/2009 5:35:55 AM >

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 5:35:39 AM

ShadowSide

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Because "black" is a color.

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 5:40:22 AM

Aneirin

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So is ''White'', but I say again, who is truly black and who is truly white, in the colour spectrum, as this is what I understand was used when describing the skin colour of various ethnicities.

Chinese - Yellow,
Native American - Red
etc.

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 6:18:46 AM

RCdc

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ShadowSide

Because "black" is a color.

Except it isn't.
Unless you are a chemist.(And even then it's debatable).

Black and white are not colours. They are the absence of colour.

the.dark.

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 6:22:32 AM

RCdc

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

Fashion. They used to be called Negroes (well, they were known as something else first), then darkies, then coloreds, then blacks, then African American. We'll think of something else to call them eventually.

I find the whole context behind this statement pretty yuck and I am pretty appalled personally. Ah well.

the.dark.

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 6:46:13 AM

Blaakmaan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

Fashion. They used to be called Negroes (well, they were known as something else first), then darkies, then coloreds, then blacks, then African American. We'll think of something else to call them eventually.

I see that there is really no limit to white/caucasian/Irish-Anglo-Italian-Scottish, etc-American hubris.

YOU won't think of ANYTHING to call US at anytime. That day has passed. Sorry you didn't get that memo.

We claim and own that right OURSELVES.

So, get over it.

We really could not care less what you or yours think about that. REALLY!

In response to the original post, I can call myself Black or African-American or Black American, as I choose, depending on the context.

Sorry white folks...

Whether whites/caucasians/Anglos/etc. thiink that's cool or not, matters not one bit.

And, again to the OP:

If you REALLY want to know why Blacks in America choose to be known as one thing instead another, you'd do well to listen to Blacks in America, because most white people don't have a clue.

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 6:50:29 AM

Blaakmaan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: SomethingCatchy

This is one of my pet peeves with American Society. Unless you are from Africa or your parents are from Africa, I don't see how you could even begin to claim direct heritage from Africa. I don't go around calling myself French/German American even though my great grandparents were from those countries.

And, tell me again why it matters what YOU can see on that particular subject???

Because, frankly, I can't see why it matters at all.

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 6:56:30 AM

Blaakmaan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: devilishpixie

I find it silly personally, I have NEVER once called my owner an African amercian man. He is a black man period. He doens't take offense to it or get his boxers in a bunch. lol

Well, I guess can't really blame YOU.

After all, you only know as much as you're taught...

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 7:03:46 AM

Blaakmaan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Hillwilliam

My friends that are black tend to prefer to be called just that... black. they've told Me that "African-American" crap is just that. crap as far as they are concerned. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton might disagree but that is for another thread

Gee.

Then you really need to enlarge your circle of "friends that are black."

Or would that be "friends who are black"???

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 7:06:21 AM

Aneirin

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I understand what you are saying, only you have the right to call yourself whatever you choose, and with that others of your colour,ethnicity, ancestry etc. But for those of the ''white'' racial colour that wish to understand and push all this crap with undertones of racism aside, it would be helpful, if we knew where we stood when reffering to a persons description.

For example, if you had to describe a person say in the street for whatever, would you say 'black' , African whatever, or what ? Personally I find the use of colours as descriptive terms abhorrent, as black is opposite to white and vice versa, and there that straight away indicates difference, black with it's usual connotations of something shadowy, not light. Do a similar word exercise on each colour, and you will see what I mean.

You see, we suffer from what is the current politically correct word syndrome, we can say the wrong thing and cause unintended offence just by the use of a description known to us we though correct, been there on that one, and with the police too.

But with President Obama now in the top seat, maybe all remaining undertones and remenants of a less enlightened past needs to be addressed, for the good of all.

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 7:08:48 AM

devilishpixie

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Blaakmaan

quote:

ORIGINAL: devilishpixie

I find it silly personally, I have NEVER once called my owner an African amercian man. He is a black man period. He doens't take offense to it or get his boxers in a bunch. lol

Well, I guess can't really blame YOU.

After all, you only know as much as you're taught...

WTF does that mean?

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 7:12:48 AM

Blaakmaan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: aldompdx

Silence is the ultimate politically correct expression.

Many American recognize the same absurdity as do you. Former secretary of state Colin Powell and basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are black, but not African-American. President Obama is truly 1/2 African and 1/2 American, but not fully black.

So, what are you when one parent is a white African and the other is a black American? To get real literal, every human originated in Africa. Too many people are bound by their ego need to be elite and segregate themselfves from others.

And, to get "real literal", no whites are REALLY white, are they?

For a white man (well, not literally white, but you know what I mean!) to say with such authority that it is "absurd" for Black Americans to call ourselves African-Americans, says all one needs to know about ego.

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 7:18:33 AM

Venatrix

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Blaakmaan

If you REALLY want to know why Blacks in America choose to be known as one thing instead another, you'd do well to listen to Blacks in America, because most white people don't have a clue.

True. But most white people really don't care what you call yourselves. Right now, the vast majority of them are either looking for jobs, trying to find jobs beyond part-time, or trying to keep the jobs they have. Sorry if you don't like hearing this, but most people have more to worry about right now.

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 7:21:10 AM

Blaakmaan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Anarrus

Actually, any American who's roots are from the continent of Africa could be considered African-American. This includes South Africans, Egyptians, and whites born anywhere on that continent.
The label African-American is pretentious at best and condescending at worst.
But hey, it tends to make all us white folk feel pretty comfortable. And it's politically correct
I've never seen anything wrong with just using "Black"

It's absolutely just as "pretentious" and "condescending" as Irish-American, or Japanese-American, or Italian-American is for you people who have never set foot on the soil of Ireland, Japan and Italy.

You people are just amazing!

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 7:22:32 AM

Blaakmaan

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quote:

ORIGINAL: kdsub

I am from St. Louis...here black and African American are both accepted terms. One is just more formal than the other but can be interchanged. If there is a taboo I have not heard of it here anyway.

I figure if I know how someone wants to be addressed I address him or her that way. What damn difference does it make to me? Why should anyone be upset about being polite?

Butch

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A little light in the darkness...

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 7:27:32 AM

Blaakmaan

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ORIGINAL: BKSir

I tend to use "darker skinned gentleman/lady", but commonly only when they're in a group of people and I'm trying to ask a question about them, and it's easier than asking "That one right there. No, the other one. Yeah, wait, no... THAT one there." Just helps to narrow down who I'm asking/talking about. Just like I also tend to point out other traits on people such as, "The one with the funky beard.", or "The one with the big ears", or "The dude with the glasses and long hair." It just helps to identify without all the rigamaroll.

Normally, I don't really tend to see race/ethnicity. Just not something important to me. Except for Asians. But that's because I have a particular penchant for those hot Japanese or Vietnamese boys.

Ya' know, I don't doubt that that's true--at least with respect to "those hot Japanese or Vietnamese boys."

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 7:40:26 AM

Aneirin

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Blaakmaan

quote:

ORIGINAL: Anarrus

Actually, any American who's roots are from the continent of Africa could be considered African-American. This includes South Africans, Egyptians, and whites born anywhere on that continent.
The label African-American is pretentious at best and condescending at worst.
But hey, it tends to make all us white folk feel pretty comfortable. And it's politically correct
I've never seen anything wrong with just using "Black"

It's absolutely just as "pretentious" and "condescending" as Irish-American, or Japanese-American, or Italian-American is for you people who have never set foot on the soil of Ireland, Japan and Italy.

You people are just amazing!

Yeah, I never got that either, purely for the fact that the ancestors left their country of birth to populate another country for a better life. I mean, for someone to quit the country of their ancestors, one has got to feel pretty excluded. If I emigrate to another country, and that country is good enough to give me a home and a living, I am more than happy to ditch my born nationality in favour of the country that accepts me, anything other implies a dual nationality status, allegiance to neither, only that which suits the person, economic migrant or expatriate status.

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RE: Why not "Black" instead of "African ... - 10/27/2009 7:45:28 AM

CaptainJack09

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Why is it "BBW" instead of "fat"?

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