Why are "Caucasians" called American but minorities are called African-American, Hispanic-American etc...
399686
Because no matter how much we want to believe that racism doesn't exist anymore, it does! Nowadays it is just more subtle. It really sux!
420813
Well to tell you the truth I really disagree with both terms. I don't agree with them because they both neglect our indigenous background. Both terms are Eurocentric and where implemented by the U.S. So if you really think about it we have been label as either Latin Euro or Spanish but many of us are Mestizos and we must take into consideration the indigenous blood in us. I guess the moral of the story is that individuals should not be labeled to the convenience of others. Instead take into consideration your self identity and what really encompasses who you are and remember that individuals should also know why you are Hispanic, Latino, or Chicano.
1055555
Caucasian is another way of saying someone is white. If you're Indian (from India), you're not white - you're Indian. Even if you were born here you wouldn't be Caucasian. You can't change your skin color (unless you're Michael Jackson)...
252640
I'm also a white African and I also don't understand that. I have more African roots than most of the black African Americans, my family tree goes back 400 years. When I meet black people that's European they never call themselves African Europeans, so why do they do that in the USA. Personally I think it's causes division between different races. I thought we were trying to stop race separation, because it causes racism.
982578
At that time Hispanics were considered white.  The only separate divisions were black or Japanese (served in Europe only).\n\nDon't bother looking any more because you won't find an answer.  The lack of an Answer IS your answer....
475628
This question hits at the problem with our continued obsession with racial categorization. US Gov't forms have several racial categories White- nonhispanic, Hispanic,  African-American, NAtive American. The problem is that none of those categories are exclusive. A Spaniard is hispanic, by definition of course but they may be of entirely European descent (presuming no Moorish ancestry). Why then categorize them as hispanic could they also not be White Caucasian? In the Americas, Argentina is an excellent example. There are countless Argentines with absolutely no Spanish or native american ancestry. Why would they fall under the category of Hispanic, solely because they happen to speak Spanish, rather than the French, German or Italian their parents and grandparents may have spoken. \n\nThe category of hispanic is a perfect example of race and culture being conflated. Most 'hispanics' in Latin America have varying degrees of Native American, European, and African ancestry. Why lump them all together? what does this category mean? Why call it race when clearly it has been created because no specific race can be attributed to all those people?\n\nUltimately, race only exists as a social construct and as people continue to move around in multi-ethnic societies like the U.S. race only becomes less clearly defined.
549250
German and caucasian are not the same thing because German is a nationality and caucasian is a race. You can be half german and half mexican but you can only be one race. Or of course Biracial.
1018914
Caucasians in Africa call themselves white or by the  country's name ex: South Afrikaner or Nigerian.  When whites migrate to America they realize it's more advantageous if they call themselves plain old white.  \n\nWon't you do the same thing? Unless you think  blacks have been given too much and need to be be worse off than they are and so you wish to take the tag for yourself just to compete with the - measly - edge you imagine we have. \n\nNo one in their right mind wants to be treated badly and unfairly. I would do the same if I were white too, just so I'll get the automatic privileges whites get.\n\nAfrican American is term reserved for all  blacks - with the option to call foreign blacks by their nationality.\n\nAffirmative Action is less than 40 years, slavery over 400 -you have not yet repaid us in full for those terrible years. Now live with it!!  And I hope when you drop on the floor you never get up!\n\n\nThis is a popular topic in this forum - I'm beginning to realize it's a code to incite.  The people who object to the term African American have no problem calling us the n* word.
568618
I agree that it sounds kind of racist...as does the census.  I think that we should break down racial barriers and stop identifying people on the basis of their skin color.  Granted, having a heritage is important, but when it comes right down to it, would you not rather simply say that you are an American, instead of trying to separate yourself from the country that you inhabit?  I also believe that calling people [or yourself] "African-American" is designed as a racist term, as about half of the people that I know who came to the U.S. directly from Africa are white and from South Africa.  Yet, this term is generally used to refer to skin color and a history of slavery [which ended about 140 years ago].  In short, multiculturalism is not bad, as long as people remember where it is that they live, and the freedoms granted to them by the government where they live.  Although heritage is important, you should always remember that you define who you are, not whether your ancestors were refugees from Russia, or slaves from Sierra Leon, or immigrants from Italy.  So, perhaps the next time someone asks you what you are, if you have dual citizenship, then say both country names.  But, if you are American, then answer with "I am American."  If they want more details, then say "I am of ____ heritage."
593779
Because it is for all the repression that whites put on blacks during slavery times. But its not like that everywhere. Plus hispanics were put through similar treatment from whites. Plus u have to look at the difference in the way people act because not all hipanics act black. even some black people have been "whited out" which means that they don't act "black" and act more on the grounds of a white person. Now a days its not called black. Its called Ghetto which is a better way to say it because u dont have to be black or hispanic to act like that. You can be any race even if it is white, asian, or pacific islander. The one thing people dont like about white people is acting ghetto is that they use the "n" word.
1018340
It kinda bothers me. Why are Caucasians wrong for doing what others are already doing? Why are we they only ones who society seems to think are racists? I've actually heard parents say "She's OK for a white woman." Imagine a white woman saying the opposite, even accidentally (this was said loud enough so it would be heard) being overheard.
161760
USA .. Caucasian... part American Indian, Scottish, German that I know of ... basically your general American mutt.
756861
Ok, I won't call you white. But personally, I don't mind. Call me white, caucasion, European, Italo-German, cracker, whitey, albino. It doesn't matter to me, and people who get all tied up in that (especially people to whom skin color was an advantage in the past) are just silly.
537022
That is what it implies to me.\nI never refer to people by their complexion unless I'm at a loss, and then I use light complected, medium complected or dark complected. Never colored or black or even African American. They are American. I am American. I am not pale or Irish/German American and would hate to be categorized like that. I feel using the word "complected" refers solely to the fact that people have different skin tones, rather than being an ethnic or racial term.
731074
I guess I should be called then African German?  Never heard that one before.  But I don't mind either African American or black, I usually use black.  I don't know what the big problem is for white people to call us black?  We call you white (even though you are more light-pinkish) and we are not really black but different shades of brown, so what's the big issue?\nWhite people, it is not a crime to say "Black" or "African American".  Just don't call us "Colored" people, we are not in the 60s.  That's all.  I always have to laugh when white people look at me and ask me, is it ok if I say "African American" or black.  Please, come on, do black people really get upset about that?
889172
Yes. Indians, for the most part, along with other West and South Asian groups such as Iranians (Persians), Pakistanis, Iraqis, Turks, etc., are definitely Caucasoid peoples. Most North Africans are also considered Caucasian.\nWhile race is largely a social construct, it does have a firm foundation in physical anthropology. It should be noted that skin color really has nothing much, if anything at all, to do with race. Unfortunately, far too many people take the term "white" much too literally and this narrow thinking no doubt contributes to the very erroneous notion  that only Anglo-Saxons or Scandnavians are white. (I've even seen a few postings here on YA from people who actually seem to believe that even Italians, Greeks, Spaniards or Portuguese aren't white! That, of course, is wrong.) There are several subdivisions within the "white" or Caucasoid  race. In addition, many, if not most, Hispanics ("Latinos") are actually Caucasian. Also, Gypsies (originally from the area around India and Persia) are Caucasian as well. \n(An interesting sidenote: Back in the 1930's, Ethiopians were considered, in some anthropological circles, to be Caucasoid because they lacked the profound Negroid features found in most sub-Saharan black Africans.) \nSo, in short, Indians, Arabs and Middle Eastern people are Caucasoid Asians, as opposed to Mongoloid Asians such as the Chinese,  Koreans, Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipinos, etc.   \nAmerindians are also a Mongoloid people who crossed the Bering land bridge from Asia to the Americas some 30,000 years ago.
86414
There is an interesting history of the names that African Americans have chosen for themselves in the last 100 years or so. This is associated with the linguistic phenomenon called "pejorization" (words develop negative connotations).\n\nAbout 100 years ago, AA wanted to call themselves "colored" (for example, consider the NAACP). \n\nBut that became tainted and seemed old fashioned, so they moved to using "negro" (remember the United Negro College Fund). \n\nBut that became tainted and seemed old fashioned, so they moved to using "black" (remember "black power" and "black is beautiful, baby").\n\nBut that became tainted and seemed old fashioned, so they moved to using "Afro-American" (it was the 70's, with platform shoes and bell bottoms and disco, what can I say?).\n\nBut that seemed old fashioned, so they moved to using "African American" (I think Jesse Jackson initiated that, to be parallel with Italian Americans, or Jewish Americans, or German Americans, or Hispanic Americans, or Japanese Americans, etc). \n\nNow you can still sometimes here "people of color" if the person wants to be hip and cool (back to the colored nomenclature). \n\nThe "N" word has evolved from being probably a mispronounciation of the word "negro" to being simultaneously:\n1. the worst curse word that currently exists in American English, worse than the "C" word (which is much less controversial in the UK, and in French just means "silly"). Broadcasters in the US that allow the "N" word on the air can be subject to immense fines by the FCC. \n2. a hip, cool word used by rappers and gang-bangers (most of color, but some caucasian imitators).