African-American or Black?

I know several African-Americans. They were born in Nigeria, Ethiopia or another African nation.

If you were born here you are black, just like I am white. I'm not Irish-American.

But labels like these are ways of separating not uniting. Focus on being human first and let us look at individuals.
 
Black. I can't stand hyper-sensitivity and political correctness. If you're offended, go whine about it somewhere else.
 
African-American isn't a very accurate description of race. Hell, technically Teresa Heinz-Kerry is African-American.
 
I belive the two terms mean two different things. To me a black person is anyone who is dark-skinned.

An African-American is an American whose ancestery goes back to Africa. I would also say that African-American would suggest tthat the person can trace roots to the days of slavery, while that is clearly not always correct.

Colon Powel and President Obama are both half black, but I would not call them African-Americans. I know they are both Americans with African roots, but neither can trace there roots to the days of slavery.
 
Jarod said:
I belive the two terms mean two different things. To me a black person is anyone who is dark-skinned.

An African-American is an American whose ancestery goes back to Africa. I would also say that African-American would suggest tthat the person can trace roots to the days of slavery, while that is clearly not always correct.

Colon Powel and President Obama are both half black, but I would not call them African-Americans. I know they are both Americans with African roots, but neither can trace there roots to the days of slavery.
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That is patently not true, in the case of Colin Powell. He is a first born American from Jamaican parents, whose ancestry undoubtedly lies in slavery.
 
poet said:
That is patently not true, in the case of Colin Powell. He is a first born American from Jamaican parents, whose ancestry undoubtedly lies in slavery.
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Shouldn't he be termed Caribbean-American or even Camerican? I find the whole thing incredibly divisive, what's so wrong with just being called American?
 
Aoxomoxoa said:
Shouldn't he be termed Caribbean-American or even Camerican? I find the whole thing incredibly divisive, what's so wrong with just being called American?
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There are a lot of people in America who agree with you. Like I stated the genesis for my OP was seeing several black friends commenting on it. I've heard white people say they don't like the hypenated terms but it really caught my attention when black people were saying it.
 
Aoxomoxoa said:
Shouldn't he be termed Caribbean-American or even Camerican? I find the whole thing incredibly divisive, what's so wrong with just being called American?
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i prefer - american.

though i understand some ethnicities like to proclaim their heritage before the word american.
 
Aoxomoxoa said:
Shouldn't he be termed Caribbean-American or even Camerican? I find the whole thing incredibly divisive, what's so wrong with just being called American?
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Nothing's wrong with it. If only we were treated like full-fledged Americans instead of second and third class citizens. So we've accommodated those who choose to make distinctions between the various and sundry Americans. We've given them what they wanted...joined, yet separated. Now they're complaining.
 
Rana said:
Good point, I say black, unless they correct me.
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I usually say black because some people aren't Americans. Say my Ethiopian friend. He's black. I wouldn't call him an African-Ethiopian, and certainly not an African-American.
 
DamnYankee said:
The mods responded. You are now my bitch. I relegate you to hell.
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And I'm going to start relegating these posts either to the War Zone or to the deleted pile, at least until we find people can talk about politics again in political threads.
 
poet said:
Nothing's wrong with it. If only we were treated like full-fledged Americans instead of second and third class citizens. So we've accommodated those who choose to make distinctions between the various and sundry Americans. We've given them what they wanted...joined, yet separated. Now they're complaining.
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Its what YOU and YOURS wanted, pinhead.....whites didn't name you African-American....that was your idea.....whites don't demand Polish-American, Irish-American,
German-American, etc.......

Their was nothing wrong with Negro in the first place......then you wanted "black".....then it was African.......and you're about as African as I am......

Now its nutty first names like Rasheed, Chiamaka, Tamasha, and Teshi to seperate yourselves further from main stream America.....its what you do to yourselves that

separate your from the rest of the country.....you practically have your own language.....the reason you can't get decent normal jobs ....
 
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