quote:

ORIGINAL: nubianmuscle

Honestly, I have sat back and watched your responses, rather bemused. IMO, you did seem to come off as the end all and be all of black opinion. If you are one of the few blacks/African Americans/Negroes/people of color on here that post you owe the rest of us the courtesy of making it clear that you are stating your opinion, not everyone else's.

I personally believe the old saying, "What you call me is not as important as what I answer to."

As an aside, I honestly am lost as opposed to what point you were trying to make as it seemed as if you were all over the place in your various responses. If your general opinion, is the appropriateness of what you are called, depends on the situation, that's fine. That's all you really had to state.

I have been referred to as "colored" by older ladies from WV and taken no offense as I understood the context in which it was used and the backgrounds of those using it. At various times, I have also been referred to and refer to myself as black, African-American, man of color, etc. I believe the intent is more important than the actual word used.

Now you don't have to be seen as the only one of "us" responding and posting to this thread. Happy now?

quote:

ORIGINAL: kittinSol

I think the ethnic box sucks monstrous ass, everywhere I encounter it (which is often). Personally, none of the options suit me - as a woman, I'm a 'minority' in this culture. 

quote:

ORIGINAL: einstien5201

quote:

ORIGINAL: kittinSol

I think the ethnic box sucks monstrous ass, everywhere I encounter it (which is often). Personally, none of the options suit me - as a woman, I'm a 'minority' in this culture. 

This has always bothered me. In the United States (as of 2002, according to the figures I've found), women make up slightly over half the population (51.1%). Isn't that the definition of a majority, rather than a minority?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

So if CM uses African-American, how does that apply for the same racial type whose ancestry never went near the Americas ?

quote:

ORIGINAL: einstien5201

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.

quote:

ORIGINAL: JohnSteed1967

quote:

ORIGINAL: EvilEyes269

Why do the black people on here have to choose between selecting "African American" (even if they're not American) or "Other"? Why does CM not want to use the word "Black"? Here in the UK it's ok to use the word but is it taboo in the States?

This is a sad state of affairs, Black people think that by calling themselves "African American" that some how they become better. I saw a black female comedian who said. "Ok So now I am African American, am I going to get that loan that I was turned down for last week, or when the cop stops me, what do I say "Officer I am African American not black, so you shouldn't have stopped me"

There was the case of the Black Harvard professor, Cop who deals with people all day long, and is going by the book and his training, follows the procedures of his department in handling an unknown situation. Next thing he know the professor is screaming that he is being attacked because he is black.

The most racist people in America today are not whites, they are blacks and hispanics

quote:

ORIGINAL: kittinSol

quote:

ORIGINAL: JohnSteed1967

The most racist people in America today are not whites, they are blacks and hispanics

So sad  .

quote:

ORIGINAL: lronitulstahp

Apparently, my ancestors would fuck anyone...but i still chose African-American rather than "Mixed". i just know as soon as i fuck around and pick one of my other options....reparations'll start getting passed out and i'll miss the damned boat.

Not taking ANY chances....

quote:

ORIGINAL: einstien5201

quote:

ORIGINAL: kittinSol

I think the ethnic box sucks monstrous ass, everywhere I encounter it (which is often). Personally, none of the options suit me - as a woman, I'm a 'minority' in this culture. 

This has always bothered me. In the United States (as of 2002, according to the figures I've found), women make up slightly over half the population (51.1%). Isn't that the definition of a majority, rather than a minority?

I'm looking for accurate worldwide figures, but if I go by wikianswers, then men make up about 50.3% of the worldwide population. While technically this would make women (at 49.7%) a minority, a difference of 0.6% is hardly significant.

quote:

ORIGINAL: kittinSol

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

So if CM uses African-American, how does that apply for the same racial type whose ancestry never went near the Americas ?

What's a racial type?