Black or African American?

[jericho]

Which word is to be used for blacks, are we supposed to call them African Americans or Blacks? Does it matter?

 

I really don't think calling most blacks African Americans for the simple reason, they are not from Africa, they are born here.

 

That is like having to call me a European American because my ancestors are from there.

[spindoc]

:popcorn:

[PurplePride92]

Black. I'm not a fan of African American but I understand why it is used. Call me black though. Born in Houston, Texas raised in Kentucky.

[jericho]

:popcorn:

:popcorn:

[jericho]

Black. I'm not a fan of African American but I understand why it is used. Call me black though. Born in Houston, Texas raised in Kentucky.

 

I

Agree with you, but why is it used if a person is not from Africa?

[jericho]

Black. I'm not a fan of African American but I understand why it is used. Call me black though. Born in Houston, Texas raised in Kentucky.

 

I Agree with you, but why is it used if a person is not from Africa?

[85BearsFan]

I Agree with you, but why is it used if a person is not from Africa?

 

African descent. Term has been around since 1960s; just became popular in 1990s. Call me black. Just leave off the "ie"

[PurplePride92]

African descent. Term has been around since 1960s; just became popular in 1990s. Call me black. Just leave off the "ie"

 

:lol: :lol:

[hoops5]

I do not like either term. I do not feel comfortable describing anyone by their their race. I don't like to call people Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. Those descriptions are out of my comfort zone.

[formerkywrestler]

I do not like either term. I do not feel comfortable describing anyone by their their race. I don't like to call people Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. Those descriptions are out of my comfort zone.

So let's say you are mugged by a black guy. How do you plan on starting out your description to the sketch artist?

[Clyde]

I do not like either term. I do not feel comfortable describing anyone by their their race. I don't like to call people Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. Those descriptions are out of my comfort zone.

 

What do you call people that have light pigmentation like yours and mine? I call them white. I call PP92 black.

 

Sometimes it's not the word but the meaning behind it that can become offensive.

[halfback20]

So let's say you are mugged by a black guy. How do you plan on starting out your description to the sketch artist?

 

Do sketch artists actually exist? :lol:

[Habib]

I try to use the term that those I'm referring to are good with, so I'm open to change, but it seems like black is kosher with most I know. I think the term "African American" was born during a time when most words used to describe black persons were pejoratives or implied inferiority, so a more neutral term was needed. I think at this point it's just more of a clunky and sometimes inaccurate expression (what do you call a black person from Europe or Canada or the Dominican Republic?).

[hoops5]

So let's say you are mugged by a black guy. How do you plan on starting out your description to the sketch artist?

 

I guess I would say Black. But I have never met a "BLACK" Black person. Does that make sense?

 

First day of preschool, my 4-yr-old says, "I made a new friend. His name is Dante. We sat by each other on the A-B-C rug. Dante's skin is brown. We played together at recess. Can Dante come to my birthday party?"

 

If there must be a label, I wish it could be changed to Brown people.

[Clyde]

Let's help Mt Ref come up with titles for his next thread on blacks.

 

"Why Do Blacks Get Their Own Month?"

"Why Isn't There a White Baseball HOF?"

"Was Jimmy the Greek Right?"

"Was Nipsey Russell Ever Funny?"

"Can You Be a White R&B Singer?"