Are you tired of the issues: why are Blacks called African-American and why are whites called Caucasian?
816317
In the 19th century (and later) it was believed that there were 3 distinct "races" of humans: negroid (black), mongoloid (eastern) and caucasoid (white, but also applied to non-white people from the subcontinent and middle east).\n\nNegroid and mongoloid are now (rightly) considered to be non-PC and downright insulting. But the term Caucasian has survived to describe white/south asian/middle eastern people.\n\nWhen black people in America got fed up being called negros, they took on the term African American as a more accurate and respectful description of themselves and their heritage.\n\nI guess white people still get called Caucasian because it has never been a term of insult/abuse.
125568
TECHNICALLY speaking, there are White Africans, and if they were to come to the U.S. and become citizens then they would be citizens., thus African-Americans.  \nThe black people in the U.S. are Black... not African, just American.
710943
Most African Americans do have white blood in them because over the centuries they have gradually bred with Caucasian people.\n\nSo no it dosn't surprise me.
944845
In the last form I filled out I was referred to as               Non-Hispanic White. How's that for racism?\nAn implication that I am lacking as I am not a member of this group or that group. I have Black friends who also have problems with the hyphenated Americanism implying they are not "fully" American.\n\n I am Irish,\nNorwegian,\nEnglish,\nFrench,\nScottish,\nGerman-American :)\nThey would not let me hyphenate the whole way, they kept cutting it off at French, even when I used commas instead of hyphens
1055706
Oh boy. This is a question most intelligent people try to avoid. Not me. And I guess that says something for me.\nHaving grown up and been an active participant in the civil rights demostrations and activities of the 60s, I have observed one very problematic concept that was adopted, early on. Black men and women of that era feel into and adopted the concept of a seperate identity and observance of customs of their original countries. There is nothing wrong with this except in a fight to be absorbed and accepted into American culture it has become impossible for Whites and other races to accept them since any moves to do so will be rejected.\nMany of the injustices done to Black Americans by those who pervert our way of life were, of course, wrong and horrible.\nIf you look at the European style of life and society you see that this hasn't happened, mainly because the injection of those of color in their societies happened over a very long period of time and gradually. We on the other hand forced the issue and moved ahead, perhaps, too fast.\nNow, something worse has happened. White Americans are adopting the culture of African Americans in a big way which makes the problem worse because they are recognizing the differences.\nThere is no easy answer and I am glad you didn't ask how we can fix it because, I have no answer to that question.
960687
but blacks don't know where they came from in Africa and have no culture from there or language from there not even a recipe from there so how could they begin to know names that had meaning ?all the blacks here know is what the whites have taught them.that's why you use to hear names like Jefferson and Lincoln and what ever .These newer names that some have adopted are so different ,but you usually can tell if the person wearing the name is black.Although some say these names are a hold back and they may be,I understand the need   the people have to have something their own.That's why Hip-Hop and music is so important to them because they want to feel as if they are a part of some thing their own.I like my name and I can't think of a more Euro name than Regina,but hey my parents were here and all they knew of Africa was not enough to give me any thing else.
892370
I think I understand what your trying to ask.....you're wondering if the African people distinguish themselves like "I'm Nigerian, I'm Egyptian, I'm from Mali, I'm South African"......etc. I believe they do. I've got two African friends who are Somalians. That's what they call themselves.\n\nNow to the African Americans here in the US. We consider ourselves blacks or African-Americans, because some of our ancestors were African....many can't say "I'm Kenyan" because we don't know where our first African ancestor came from. (By the way "black" means from the darkest to the lightest of us.) I'm black, native indian and caucasian and probably a lot of other ethnicities. But I call myself Indian, because that's what I am predominantly.....I guess your next question will be....is there a difference between Indians? Of course. (smile)
1178189
It refers to the caucasus mountains. The correct term for 'caucasian' or 'white' people is 'european'. The reason that europeans are called caucasians is because a scientist (I think 19th century) falsely stated that the people of the caucasus mountains best represent european people. That falsehood still lives on today in the word caucasian.
773424
You have to go back in time a little. Pre slavery days. Before there were any black people in North America. There were the Native Americans. We called them "red man" They called the invaders "pale face" "white man". But you have to remember. That the black man coined the term themselves. They didn't like being called Negro. So they insisted themselves that they were "black". There's your origin of the black man. The white man didn't give him that name. He did it to himself. \n.
91726
I’ve always thought they were trying to go back to their roots and were using names you would find typically in Africa.  Also many blacks have the last name of their ancestors slave owners, so they may be trying to offset their white name with an African name.
306948
Why genetically are white people white? Black people black? European people darker skinned? European men hairier?\n\nThe list goes on!\n\nJUST BECAUSE
193854
Well, I have been discrminiated against and racially profiled. I am a militray wife and been just about every where and because of my fair skin I have been assumed to be Everything but, black. Because they say I "sound" white. Many people are under the assumption that all black people are "brown skinned". NOT TRUE. we come in different shades. I am mixed with Seminole Indian, African American, German and Irish. Despite of my many mixed nationalities I am abdominatly "Black". But, it's ashame to see that people still use the "N" word even within the black community. But, as soon as a person of a different race says it, it's offending. So, why call eachother that. It is a sticky discussion and can go on for years to come.
1124039
Well, some historical context is in order. You're talking about a group of people who have been killed, tortured, hated, etc. for the COLOR of their skin. "African American" is just a political solution to try and change a historical perception that black = less than.\n\nYou don't need to be called german american because "white" does not have a negative connotation, historically or in general.
792721
Good question. No, I don't call people by "colour". They're people first.\n\nBut I don't get it how we're supposed to call black coloured people African American when some of them have been Americans or from Caribean for numerous generations. Many have never been to the continent of Africa and their parents and grandparents haven't been either.\n\nA lot of Asian Americans have never been to Asia -- or their parents or grandparents either.\n\nWhites get called whites, not European Americans or Hungarian - Icelandic -  French - Samoan Americans.... the whole ethnic thing gets old fast. \n\nEverybody's got 2 parents. Say your mom is British and your dad is Bulgarian. Your mom's mom is Swedish, your mom's dad is half Colombian and half British. Your dad's mom is Danish and your dad's dad is 1/4 Russian, 1/4 Bulgarian, 1/2 Irish...... if you think multi-ethnic backgrounds like "Irish - Bulgarian - Russian - Danish - British - Colombian - Swedish - American" is insane look at the background of somebody like Keanu Reeves. \n\nMaybe we can all get off the differences bandwagon and focus on similarities for a change.\n\nWe're all ONE race. It's called THE HUMAN RACE.
187739
I never call myself African American. These so-called blacks call themselfs that because they have no idea who they are. They call themself African because there fathers came from there, American because they born here.\n\nBy putting us into one group the enemy is now able to make such statements as "AFRICANS SOLD OTHER AFRICANS INTO SLAVERY". no such thing, Black skin people were sold by other nations who just happen to have black skin, we were also sold by nations of people with white skin, Yellow skin, brown skin,  red skin and so on.\n\nWhen you call yourself black what does that mean? What is a black? Black does not constitute a nationality or culture. It is something that was created to keep you ignorant of your true Identity. Every man on earth is describe by his nation (Nationality), Chinese are people from China, Irish are people from Ireland, Polish are people from Poland, Mexicans are People from Mexico, Blacks are people from where?\n\nAfrica is not a unified Group, Race, Nation or Nationality. What the Ashanti Tribe on the West Coast of Africa believe is not the same thing the Zulu's believe in South Africa, the same thing the people in Libya believe is not the same thing the People in the Sudan believe. \n\nAfrica never has been one unified group with the same belief's and thoughts, they differ from group to group just like the rest of mankind do. Not all people on the Asian continent believe the same, not all people in Europe believe the same, so why do you expect the people on the continent of Africa to be the same? IT'S THAT WAY FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DECEPTION.In Order to deny the truth, they created a lie. They took one indigenous tribe in Africa who still had traditional or what they call primitive culture and said this is how ALL black skin people are.  They all wear plates in the lips, swing from trees, don't have a written language ect. When many think of the African image they will think, nude men and women, running around doing nothing.
631863
slavery has impacted the u.s. by former slaves ancesters thinking they are still owed something today. affirmative action is the worst thing we as a country could've done and acknowledging a race which automatically singles one out from the american whole.  African American.  I don't call myself all my nationalities before american.  ex.  german, italian, irish american.  see what i mean.  then to have sepatory groups such as the naacp is bullshit.  african americans have it all going for them today but they're just to caught up in having to have the latest tommy shit (which who is as racist as the come) which shows the stupidity of race as a whole.  come on they recieve higher test scores and get reconized for acccomplishing less than the fellow american.  wake up america time to play cowboys and n........
306125
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.