Would blacks be offended if a white person claims to be an African-American? Even if they immigrated here from an African nation?\n\n\nWould that mean the person is an Afro-American? Could the person use that status to qualify for minority programs?
125571
I don't know if you remember the last election.  John Kerry's wife was born and raised in Mozambique.  She defined her self as an African-American.  Which is accurate in a geographic sense.\n\nAfrican American, as it is used today, is a political/ethnic lable, not geographic.  I don't think that this person would be eligible for any minority assistance.  This illustrates one of the issues with race based incentives.\n\nFor example, if you are of pure spanish decent, but from south america, you are listed as a hispanic.  If you are of pure spanish decent, but from spain, you are caucasian.\n\nI attended a traditionally black college in North Carolina (I'm white).  I received a scholarship from the state as a minority student while I was there.\n\nEthnic/race politics are very odd and confusing.  \n\nOf course, you could ask the question, why not just be an American?
79217
This is one of the great flaws in labeling people, especially using politically correct terms.\n\nLogically, if someone with Irish ancestors is an "Irish-American", and someone with Italian ancestors is "Italian-American", then someone with white ancestors from South Africa is "African-American".\n\nMy friend Janus is very dark skinned, but was born in England to family from the carribean. Nothing sets her off like calling her an African-American. She'll tell you quite properly that she's English!!\n\nI have no idea what to call my friend who was born in India, raised in Tanzania, Toronto and New Jersey, and now lives in San Francisco. Perhaps "Well travelled" is the best description!
303202
I prefer to be called Black. I am not African. I have traces of African in me, but that does not mean that I am of African nationality. People who are from Africa who become American citizens should be called African-American. I don't care to be called a Black-American because (and don't take this the wrong way) I am not exactly WANTED here in America (or anywhere else for that matter). Afro American is dated and Negro is just unnecessary given the Latin meaning of the term. I think the term Black American is a little offensive. Black is the least offensive to me.\n\nAt this point, there is no appropriate way to describe what I am. My great-great-great Grandmother passed for white for many years (she was the descendant of slaves). There are some Mexicans in the blood-line as well. Since the blood-line is no longer purely African, I cannot associate myself with a race of people. I am nothing but a Black person in America.
601589
I always find it a little humorous when African Americans make a huge issue of it (for the record I am African American).  The reason is because most people who fall under the category of African American are not exclusively black-African themselves. Most of us (myself included) are a mixture of west African, European, and Native American ancestry.  If it wasn't for my ancestors "crossing the lines" I wouldn't be in existence, and most of the nay sayers wouldn't either, no matter their race. \nI think it is more of a way of saying that a good numbers of African Americans, and Americans as a whole still have unresolved issues about race.  But it is blinding and selfish. That is to say people who make a big deal over interracial dating are thinking about self, and projecting it out to others that they can see themselves in. \n\nFor instance it may not be so hard to find a Latino who objects to Latinos dating outside of their race, but probably could care less if an Asian and an African American date together, as he/she cannot see themself in the scenario.  \n\nA white person may not like the idea of a white person with a middle easterner, but probably would be indifferent to a Native American and a Samoan dating, for the same reason.
17305
if race shouldn't matter, then race shouldn't be on the application.\n\ncan you imagine if they asked what polital party you belonged to?\n\nto me, asking for someone's race on an application is clearly a form of racism, and one that doesn't always harm or benefit the race of the person being asked.\n\n//
128071
Well you can say it because as you said you have the right to say anything you like.  Just keep in mine they have the right to get angry as you do if someone called you something your not. I'm not saying it right I’m say that's the way it is.  Now being of African descent it would offend me greatly if some called me that in fact when my friend uses to I would tell them I’m not a nig anything, call me by my name or just don't call me.  Now why they do it is the same reason that people call themselves Christian today. Although both roots are from a negative origin, they have chosen to uses it as an expression to communicate some fellowship and commonest with Christ or in the African American community with each other.  So, I hope you understand my answer, once again I think it is stupid to identify yourself with a word your enemy came up with or mispronounce to identify you with but hah that just my opinion.\n\n\n\nLet me first say I called myself of African descent, so not all Americans of African decent call themselves African-Americans.  No as far as them being black and your and other Europeans being white is just foolishness. Just look in a mirror one day wearing a white T-shirt then you'll see what color you truly are. The so-called "black-man" is not black as far as the color of his skin goes but dark brown.  Not every one of us call our women ho.. Or Biches, and other degrading name just like not all Americans of many so-call races, call their women out of their names.  From personal experience I have heard some so-call white friend of mine call not only their girlfriend biches to their faces, but their mothers as well. Now would you think its' true or fair to assume or teach that all so-called white people call their parents out of their just because those idiots did?  There are many people of many “different colors of skin” who do not show their parents the popper respect they deserver as parents?  Would it not be wrong to say because some do it all do it?  Come on let not be so blinded by the media propaganda.  Now as far as abusers of social programs go, I’m sorry but the greatest abusers of social programs where by the same grope who started them.  Started for "white" by "whites" not others.  Hope you have a nice day.  No offence intended.
663707
I say bigotry, Stupid people, fear, and unwillingness to change. I saw a guy on TV one time, can't remember who or what show it was, and he says the reason behind racism is, all those things i just said up there, and the fact that if a white person celebrates his heritage, it is nothing but racism to other cultures wether the white person is american, canadian, french or otherwise.If a black man celebrates his heritage, it is nothing but oppression  and hatred for the white man. Black people have BET and have comics telling jokes about white people all the time, and some white people think it's funny, some white people get pissed. What if white people had WET and had comedians telling jokes about black people, the NCAA would throw a fit! I think his point in saying that was Everyone is just as racist as everyone else, you can't just label a whole color/culture/heritage whatever. not all black people are racist, but i'm sure some are, same goes for whites, reds, browns, yellows, everything! And i'm sure since you're from south america, a region where there are no racists, you do get some prejudice. But what if I, a white dude, went to South America and tried to make it? You think i would just mingle right in? WRONG!!! You have to make the choice yourself not to be racist or hateful. My friend and i get along just fine, he is black, whoopidy doo, our families are different but we have been best friends since we were 12, now 22. So it's up to individuals to make the difference.
381609
I think it would help a lot. PC has ruined so much... everyone gets offended at the slightest thing and most people aren't quite sure what to call someone of another race (black, african-american -- not all blacks are african!, cocoa gods, etc). Some people get offended if you call them American rather than <insert ethnicity here>-American. And you're right, why shouldn't the word honky be acceptable? Why shouldn't other "forbidden" words??? It is very frustrating!!!
601870
Probably pretty immensely, and I must say, you have a good point. I don't understand why people are so touchy about their race. My grandfather was an Estonian (Teeny country on the Baltic) who immigrated to the US, and I don't get uptight when someone jokes about my heritage. But, if a person's grandfather was an African immigrant or Mexican immigrant, they'd be immensely offended if someone made jokes about their family's nation of origin. I don't think the minority argument stands, because even though I'm white, Estonians are certainly more of a minority than Mexicans or Africans.
311610
Blacks are not immigrants.......if you were born and raised in the US, you are not an immigrant. Yes our black heritage traces back to Africa but I am not an immigrant. Your whole idea of the black race is screwed up because maybe you watch too much TV, or you applied your few bad run ins with blacks to the entire race which is wrong. Its crazy that your husband is black and you want to change him, in essence you want to strip him of his heritage and want him to embrace what you feel, he say the things he says because he has been a black man all his life in which thats all he know, you can't say anything about him or how he feels towards whites until you lived in a black mans shoes or a black womans shoes for that matter. Your whole stereotype of blacks is crazy. I am black and well educated. If you feel so strongly about the miseducation of the black people why don't you reach out and try to help rather than put us down!! Then the whole religious aspect you are trying to imply is a whole different story and I do not want to get started on that with you because I am a God fearing woman myself..........BE BLESSED!!
345915
I prefer to be called Black, not African American. No, I'm not from Africa but of course my ancestors are. But given the fact that many African Americans from Africa have treated me like sh*t like any other racist idiot, I'd rather not be called that. I have heard from many of them that we (Blacks) are not pure Africans and that we are a disgrace to their people. The ones I've encountered looks at us and treat us like dogs. I'm cool on them. Don't want to ever be associated with them. Don't get me wrong, not all of them are like that. But the majority I've encountered are.
35951
Well, it isn't proper because ppl get offended. Please note above answers. Most don't get offended by black or white. I am terrible at guessing nationality so if I don't know I just don't say. We don't call mexicans brown either, so really their are a lot of inconsistities. Preety much the rule to follow is, go with the flow and if it is going to hurt someone, don't do it unless it is important, terminology isn't important
458647
Funny, I thought about that too. Not only are there people of European descent in Africa but most north Africans (Berbers and Arabs) are classified as 'white' too. I wish we could get rid of all the racial labels and just be HUMAN. Also, some East Indian and Native Americans are as dark as or darker than 'black' people. Racial labels are stupid.
78391
I don't like the whole PC nomenclature because it's all based on physical characteristics anyway. Someone else mentioned white South Africans and alluded to the fact that they aren't truly African. Is that just because whites immigrated there from Europe or are descendants of those Europeans who claimed the land as their own? Well then, if those old "land bridge" theories are correct, then instead of referring to anyone as "Native Americans," we need to understand that technically, they are probably "Asian-Americans." Just how far back in one's ancestry do we need to go? And why isn't "European-American" as widely accepted and used as the other "(continent)-American" forms? And if I become a citizen of Berlin, will I be a "North American-German" or just "American-German"? "American-European"? And why aren't Middle Eastern natives referred to as "Asian-Americans"? Why are they often called "Muslims" and "Hindus" instead? Why aren't the rest of us referred to by our religious affiliations (if applicable)?\n\nThere are no perfect "labels" we can use - not everyone will be satisfied. What we need to remember is that the *intent* of someone's writing/speech is the important thing. Some black comedians have ridiculed the whole "African-American" terminology since it didn't magically make everything better. Furthermore, if someone says something such as, "That's just typical African-American behavior," is that person suddenly "sensitive" for using the proper PC term? How about "Hey, you know how those Asian-Americans are"?\n\nJust my two cents - we need to try to respect each other and accept our differences before we can really become color-blind.\n\n(EDIT: Hey gogo, does that mean Margaret Thatcher is "African-American"? What about Vladimir Putin? Osama bin Laden? Saddam Hussein? Ichiro Suzuki? We're *all* "African-American"?)\n\n(EDIT 2: My point is that we shouldn't be "concerned" *only* with the "hyphenated American" labels - that's a rather nationalistic viewpoint, don't you think? If we *in the United States* are *all* "African-Americans," then those in other countries are thus "African-[insert country.....or continent.....or something]." I wanted to extend this beyond our borders since not all of the world's 6.5 billion people ["humanity"] are living within the United States and/or the rest of the American continents.)
300268
It would be more socially acceptable if they chose to be referred to as Americans with an African heritage.  American should always be put first.  I am an Ameircan of German decent and have never considered anything else. I am not a German American. I am an American!!!!!!!!!! It just happens that I am of German Ancestery
612937
It's a personal choice.  If you don't want to be called African-American, then tell them so.  I myself am Black and I also use the term African-American.  I may be wrong, but I don't think the politicians came up with this term.  I believe we started using this term as a way to honor our ancestors.  Check on wikipedia.com for the origin of the term African American.
575195
I don't think so.  If you say "Hey you chinc" or "What's up ni**a"  then yes that's rude and offensive.  I'm white and I grew up with many different black people and I consider many of them close friends and I never have to think twice about saying "black" because calling them "African American" is too long and official, she's my irish friend, he's my cuban friend, and they're my black friends.  Why is that offensive?