After centuries of changing names, some blacks insist: 'I'm not African-American'

[Johnboy60]

The labels used to describe Americans of African descent mark the movement of a people from the slave house to the White House. Today, many are resisting this progression by holding on to a name from the past: "black."

After centuries of changing names, some blacks insist: 'I'm not African-American' - 2/4/2012 12:12:35 PM | Newser

 

[Autumnleaf]

Black people have 'held onto' that label for a long time. Its the media that likes to change what they call black people. Its probably part of the media power tripping on their political correctness monopoly.

 

[MattRose]

It was their choice to be called what they wanted to be called. They have now overused that freedom. I'm going with black from now on, no matter what they may change it to in the future. And if a black person challenges me, then they will have to call me an Irish-Welsh-American American.

 

[SithDoughnut]

It was their choice to be called what they wanted to be called. They have now overused that freedom.

I didn't realise that there was a limit to the extent that people can decide their own labels.

 

[Nabobalis]

I didn't realise that there was a limit to the extent that people can decide their own labels.

It is just easier if outside groups decide other peoples labels. Works so much better.

 

[Paradoxum]

Calling a black person black does make sense for a label.....

 

[jpcedotal]

I am sure the term "African-American" will be blamed on the white man like every thing else.

I would just like to see black leaders take a little responsibility for what is happening in predominately black communities both in inner cities and in the country. Have them bring a mirror because the fault lies with them, not white America.

I am tired of being told I owe something to someone else because they are without.

 

[Paradoxum]

I am sure the term "African-American" will be blamed on the white man like every thing else.

I would just like to see black leaders take a little responsibility for what is happening in predominately black communities both in inner cities and in the country. Have them bring a mirror because the fault lies with them, not white America.

I am tired of being told I owe something to someone else because they are without.

Did you just associate black with poor?

 

[Jn1010]

I for one think its time that we forgot all names that precede "American." It only serves to divide us as a nation. None of us can help who we were born but we can certainly have a lot to do in getting along with each other. If we don't rally around a common label, we won't survive. Scripture says that a house divided cannot stand.

 

[jpcedotal]

Did you just associate black with poor?

I feel that the strength of this country is directly proportional with poor black America.

 

[JCFantasy23]

People make such an issue with names. It can be black or African American, White or Caucasian...

 

[MattRose]

I didn't realise that there was a limit to the extent that people can decide their own labels.

Yes, 3. After that, you know they're just jerking you around and having a laugh.

 

[SithDoughnut]

Yes, 3. After that, you know they're just jerking you around and having a laugh.

Except that they're different people each time, so that's not particularly true...

 

[dies-l]

If one person wants to be called "black" and another "African-American", what is wrong with simply just trying to defer to one's preference?

Obviously, you can't always do so, such as when referring to a group of people, but I think that more often than not, it is not that hard just to respect individuals' preferences.

I personally prefer the term African American, because I have yet to meet a person with black skin, and "black" is often used to imply moral evil or darkness. When it is necessary to speak of my children's race I will call them "African American" or biracial. Our oldest, who is biracial, has skin that is not much darker than my own. Our younger two have skin that is a very beautiful shade of brown. And, I don't refer to myself as white, as my skin is more of a beige/light pink/peach color.

 

[MattRose]

Except that they're different people each time, so that's not particularly true...

Hehe.

I'm glad a Brit chimed in. I was watching CNN or some other news channel one night and they mentioned a story about something that happened in London. The American reporter was talking about a Londoner who was black and instead said African-American out of habit. I think she sorta caught it as she seemed slighly confused immediately afterwards. Might have even been on her teleprompter, but it was definitely PC at it's finest.

 

[jlujan69]

Can anybody here tell me the practical purpose for the US gov't asking somebody's race on the Census forms? Other personal info I can understand, but not the "race" of a native born or multi-generational American citizen.

 

[Cactus Jack]

I don't care what race anyone is. But if they want to hyphenate their patriotism, they know where the border is. American is American. White American, Indigenous American, Black American, whatever. But putting another country before America is too wrong. If they want to put Africa before America, then they can move to Africa and kindly return the billions of American tax-payer dollars we are giving the African nations.

 

[JustMeSee]

Americans of X nation ancestry.

Whatever, no one really asked me.

Compared to the old terms coined by some European ancestry Americans, such as coon, spook, colored, etc., black or African America are both acceptable in my book.

 

[JustMeSee]

I am sure the term "African-American" will be blamed on the white man like every thing else.

I would just like to see black leaders take a little responsibility for what is happening in predominately black communities both in inner cities and in the country. Have them bring a mirror because the fault lies with them, not white America.

I am tired of being told I owe something to someone else because they are without.

Very telling statement about you, but not the topic of the thread.

 

[JustMeSee]

I feel that the strength of this country is directly proportional with poor black America.

And poor white and other ancestry America?