African Americans

My defense is that it's up to people to call themselves what they want to, collectively. It's not up to you, as someone who does not identify yourself as an african american, to determine whether it "makes sense."

It does or doesn't as much or little as the term american.

To me, it's pretty simple. African refers to historical and class background. And american to citizenship. Like, Irish or Italian American.

And I can't help but be suspicious of wiping out the historical and class nomenclatures in the name of a unity which is nowhere validated by economic fact.

 

I'm talking swag, not economic prowess.

 

I had some yesterday. Spicy salmon roll. :biggrin:

 

African Americans, do you get offended when white people choose to use phrases commonly identified with a small subculture which is generally associated with your race, not withstanding that while I use the term "African American", you are in reality simply "American", I am not affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan or any associated organizations, the opinions in this thread to not represent the opinions of hipforums Pty Ltd. Or any other affiliated companies. (C) 2009, Face Eater?

 

Hey, by all means...keep talking that swag.

 

But Irsish Americans and Italian Ameircans only consider themselves Irish and Italian Americans if they are from the generations that came over.
For instance, my girlfriend's grandfather brought their family over; her mum was born in Italy - they are Italian Americans - my girlfriend however, is American.

Having the same amount of money = unity?
Affirmative action puts minorities OVER whites. Education systems in some areas may not be up to par - but the main problem in the ghettos is that a lot of people don't want to leave them. In fact, in both white and black ghettos alike, I've met more people that like the Welfare and exploit it than people that are trying to get off of it.

There is nothing wrong to me with having labels such as black Americans, minority Americans, etc. It's the African Americ an label I have a problem with because it creates such a strong sense of alienation, that only hurts efforts to unify.

Oh and yes, people can call themselves what they want to, but I can think it's stupid and harmful for them to do it just as well. I never once said that they can't. But they damn well shouldn't be referred to as such, by ANY color of American.

 

I can't tell who's being most sarcastic here anymore. :biggrin:

 

African American is more of a racist term than refering someone to their actual skin tone. Calling someone who is black an African American is more blanketing on people with a dark skin tone. And to say it is racist to call someone a ****** is dummer, because it shoes you aren't calling all blacks niggers. Therefore it seperates the diferences of people in the catagory of blacks. same thing with any kind of color in skin. It is just a fact, and if you don't like the fact just dont push your stupidity my way.

 

That's profound.

 

I agree 100%

Some black Americans don't even have African lineage!

 

Not my experience. Get out moar.

Yes.

For you. For many African Americans it creates a sense of belonging.

 

I don't give a shit about your hang ups about a particular term.

I call black people African Americans because it seems to be the "agreed upon" PC term.

 

i would like to bake you cookies

 

In that case; unity is a pointless ideal, as some people deserve more money and work harder for it.

To what? Africa. Nice.
And not just for me. For the black man that taught me to never assume a person is African just because they are black.
If I was black you would have an entirely different opinion of my argument.

And we all know, if it's politically correct, it must be right!

 

Mi casa es su casa.

 

Well come on, most black people in america probably are african american, you want them to scrap the label because of a minority of blacks who's ancestors weren't african slaves? I'm all for getting rid of the label, but not on that basis, that's a little impractical.

 

thats a really good thing to keep in mind. however i dont see how thats related to this thread since it is about african americans

 

you need an exorcism

 

So I'm not allowed to respond to the argument he drifted to?
You didn't even make this thread. why should you care?

 

Honestly from my experience black seems to be preferred from the black people I know and African American seems to be preferred by media and pedagogy.

So I use black. It's also shorter which I prefer. If someone wants to be called something different I will.

But It doesn't come up much unless other people are discussing it. Not that I'm trying to come up on a high horse or anything.