clavus

Stop using this term, people. You say it, and you’ve made TWO racist assumptions. 1) the person in question is an American 2) The person in question traces their roots to Africa.

There is a black guy on my Board of Directors who told me that he was researching his family tree. He was really excited about it. Being the savvy white guy that I am, I replied with a simple, “Really?”

He went on to describe how he traced his family back hundreds of years to…FRANCE. He doesn’t consider himself to be “African.”

And what about all those people in Australia who are black? The trace their ancestory back to the beginning of time…in Australia. You call an Australian Aborigine “African American” and he’s going to call you an “American dumbass.”

Do people in other countries have similar stupid-ass terms for black folks? Do you see the English calling them “African Englishmen?” Fuck no. The English have more sense than that.

Seriously people. Stop it. I’m sick of this stupid, cumbersome, racist expression.

__________________
Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

RAMONES!!!

what really drives me crazy is it always seems to be about race when anything happens. Although there are a lot of people that just hate black people, but I've heard it be about Race more than anything.

__________________
Come on

tenchi069

I'm an ( in order of % from least to greatest ) English-Welsh-Irish-Polish-Russian-Romanian-Austrian-Croatian-Italian-German-American. Ahh screw it, just call me white....it's easier.

__________________
ERROR- PLBSAK
Problem Lies Between Seat and Keyboard.

*Nikki*

good point tenchi069. i am italian/german/russian. i dont care, call me white.

BBtB

I'll call you black, you call me white, we'll call it even.


Ah if only it was that simple. Sadly, because of the various troublemakers on both sides we will never be able to live in a colorblind society.

__________________
Meridae'n once played "death" at a game of chess that lasted for over two years. He finally beat death in a best 34 out of 67 match. At that time he could ask for any one thing and he could wish for the hope of all mankind... he looked death right in the eye and said ...

"I would like about three fiddy"

Pragma

"In this country we have no place for hyphenated Americans." Theodore Roosevelt

So true. Saying "African American" indicates that you trace your loyalties/heritage/etc. to Africa before America.

The only time I'd "allow" people to use terms like that is in cases such as dual-citizenship cases - and even then, I'd probably end up calling them from whatever nation they currently live in.

__________________
Eat antimatter, Posleen-boy!

lafemmefatale

...i call 'white people' caucasians for a more formal term, and as of yet have no clue how to call 'black people'...[i do say black out of ease and due to inaccuracies of other terms]

the reason why i *don't like* to use colours [not formally] is because i wouldn't call someone asian yellow, an indian brown, a native american red and whatnot, it sounds like the colour palette of a nightmarish painting, plus the added complication of a wide range of skin colour spectrum in each of the race. Besides, it just seems very uneducated and narrow minded to point and name a colour. Using formal words demonstrates a certain willingness and openness as well as respect to cultural diversity. It doesn't have to go to a point of extreme political correctness, but if there is an accurate word for a certain race/ethnicity...use it. It makes a person sound a lot less like a dumb hick.

Anyway, it's not really a matter of being offensive so much as a seeming like a dumbass that i'd prefer to use a 'proper' word. Although at the end of the day, it's where you hold your citizenship. So that makes me Canadian no matter what the skin colour.

__________________
-poor is the man whose pleasure depends on the permission of another-

Phaenx

I blame liberal guilt!

__________________
"I went shopping last night at like 1am. The place was empty and this old woman just making polite conversation said to me, 'where is everyone??' I replied, 'In bed, same place you and I should be!' Took me ten minutes to figure out why she gave me a dirty look." --Some guy

Ganguro

im offended at the topic of this thread.. change it !

WhoaitsZ

yer american or yer not. pc people stfu already

Jesus Pimp

Lables are fucking retarded.

__________________
Never date anyone who doesn't make your dick hard.

The_Dude

well, it's certainly better than calling somebody the color of their skin.

__________________
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Darrel K Royal

vermin

Just call everybody "asshole". It doesn't involve color or ethnicity and you'll be right more often than not.

(written by American citizen with German/French/Polish ancestors)

__________________
If puns were sausages, this would be the wurst.

hawkeye

why? I'm a heinz57 and proud of each bit of my heritage, BUT I am not a hyphenated american. Regardless of where my family came from, or where my descendants may be going, this is where I am, this is who I am and who I am most proud to be. Simply an American, with no labels attached. (I also have no problem describing a person by the colour of their skin. It is simply another identifing characteristic, like height or weight.)

__________________
You're not fat,
You're just a giant ball
of love, covered in anger.

TaLoN

how so???? are you saying it is derogatory to call a white person white, or a black person black?

Sukitof

It is indeed a stupid term. You're black, deal with it.

Mael

if you're gonna call people with white skin caucasians, then the most accurate thing to call people with black skin i think would be negroid. i believe that would be calling everybody by the same trait. for asians it would "mongoloid." from what i understand (correct me if i'm wrong) these terms have to do with distinctions in the skull structures of ancient peoples decending from various regions or something like that. i think i read something on how "caucasian" comes from the people orginating from the caucus mountains, but that the term is not used very generally to mean white people and that it is very in accurate in its current usage.


i personally don't want to live in a colorblind society. i want to live in a society where people of any ethnicity are treated with respect and there is equal opportunities for all (ie. everybody has the opportunity to get a good education, whether they choose to take it or not and what they do with it when they have it will not be equal because it's based on their choices, opening and closing their own doors, but that if 2 people are applying for the same job, ethnicity and a desire for "diversity" are not considered, the person who is best suited gets the job). i want to be able to see a black man on the street, and recognize that he is different from me, and hopefully maybe learn about the differences. if i meet an african person, i'd love to learn about his cultural differences. i want a society where we celebrate our differences.

redravin40

And lets not forget Native-Americans, which is every bit as annoying to the folks whose ancestors were here before most of ours.
By in large Indians will tell you that they want to be called the name of their tribe, Crow, Ute, Athabaskan, Inuit.
I usually ask and if I'm not sure just avoid in race descriptions.

clavus

Good point. Very good point.

__________________
Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

spectre

It's kind of similar for me. I'm Mexican-Spanish-Native-Italian-Irish-German...
Fuck it. I'm white (and don't feel like typing everything else out).

__________________
"Fuck these chains
No goddamn slave
I will be different" ~ Machine Head

EleqTrizi'T

I don't give a rats ass what you whiteys think

I'm Mexican-American. Why? Because I celebrate and adore the rich culture that I am apart of. Further, I also like to celebrate the cultures that I get to enjoy right here in the United States. Simple as that.

Why should I de-label myself? Because you have a problem with labels? You think it automatically means some of us are trying to drive a wedge into the "American" culture? Should we just be the boring melting pot, or can we manage to be the tasty stew?

The problem I see is that many whites and blacks have long lost their European and African traditions. It's been, well, bred out of many of you. However, I have a a couple of buddies, one full German, one full Irish, and I'll tell you... we get along great. A large part of our friendship got started by discussing history, eating each other's food, and especially drinking each other's beer.

I love multiculturalism, and I can't imagine having to live in the corporate-media-dominated culture of America without it.

Learn to love it, not ignore it.

Infinite Hybrid

Black, African American, whatever it really doesn't bother me in any way. *shrugs* The only thing that bugs me are some of the racial slurs even if some of my fellow "brothers" use them...

__________________
paramedics fell into the wound
like a rehired scab at a barehanded plant
an anesthetic penance beneath
the hail of contraband

Nizzle

I think what is being overlooked is that what is important is not the word but the intentions behind it.

While African-American may indeed by a somewhat retarded phrase, it does show a willingness on the part of the speaker to not display prejudice. I think this counts for something.

Too many people still say "nigger", and mean it.

__________________
Nizzle

sta500

If someone asks me to describe one of my black friends, I'll describe his features, but not mention he's black. I don't see people as black and white, they're just people. If they're an asshole, they're an asshole. If they're not, they're not.

mystic511

I took an african american studies class in college. They actually just prefered to be called Blacks. This Aborigine lady came to make a speech during one class and stated that the Aborigine people consider themselves Black too. Not because of their origins in Africa, but because the Aborigines and the "African Americans" have similar histories.

Most blacks have never even been to Africa. Those who do are shocked and apalled at the conditions. They rather just live in america. Most Africans look down at blacks in america too. They look at black americans like they are strangers to their land.

I'm asian, and I really don't mind when people describe me as that "Asian guy" or whatever. But, I also don't think I can share similarities between blacks and asians. Most racial references and stereotypes to blacks are done in a negative fashion, while for asians, it seems to be a majority of positive stereotypes and some exoticness.

Asians get labeled for being smart, hard workers, and simple people who are courteous and grateful for being in america.

Of course, there's the chinese food dry cleaners joke, and the occasional broken english immigrant reference in some new movie coming out. But, i can't complain. Cuz it's true.

__________________
One day, I will become Virtually Infamous.

laxative

african american is 7 syllables. black is one.

Peetster

Exactly. You can't be both.

Speed_Gibson

one of the few people that I have known/worked with (in the military) that could be called a "African American" would be this girl that lived in Nigeria for her first 18 years. She moved to New York speaking no English and joined the Navy 3-4? years later. She spoke quite passable English and still had her green card last I knew (which was when I was discharged in honourably discharged in '99).

Also have met (at work) two born and raised Africans (From Kenya and I forget where else) who have been in the States less than four months/one year. One of them is on a student visa, not sure about the other fellow

Magpie0001

I was always confused by that "african american" thing. I was told by an american that you should call blacks "african americans" but what should I call a black person fron England or France??
I was also told that calling a black person black was cause for violent reaction. Like calling a person whose skin is clearly black "black" is some kind of racist statement.
No offence intended but I think its something to do with the american trend of censoring everything. Its not the same over here if a person is black you call him/her black. The tv doesnt beep out every thing offensive, records are played as the artist intended. I somebody says fuck the world still turns.

__________________
Music is my first love & It will be my last.

antihero3zx

negroid

\Ne"groid\, a. [Negro + -oid.] 1. Characteristic of the negro.

2. Resembling the negro or negroes; of or pertaining to those who resemble the negro.

the base negro means black. anything that starts with negro might as well be black. i would consider negroid an offensive term, as its most widespread use was in psuedo scientific racism. mongoloid comes from the same vein, and not only that, but is a derogotory term for sufferers of down syndrome. I would avoid using both terms.


caucasion refers to descendants of people that originated from the Caucasus mountains. So caucasion is not the anologous term for negroid because the negroid specifically ignores all such distictions or origin and reduces people to a visible physical trait.

I personally think that a new term SHOULD have been invented, but african american was a VERY poor choice. We should go back to black, because african american is both innacurate and potentially offensive as well as silly.

TIO

No, he isn't. Maybe an "American Dumbarse" or an "American Arsewipe," or maybe even a "Git" or a "Tosser." But not a "Dumbass."

__________________
Strewth

ubertuber

EleqTrizi'T -

I hear what you are saying about being Mexican-American, and it makes sense. However, Mexican refers to a national heritage, not an ethnic one. So to equate to African-American you would have to be called hispanic american... The term African-American is sort of meaningless, however, if you are Egyptian-American, well, then that is declaring something. Seems to me that the push to find "safe" labels for people or to describe them by all their characteristics except skin color is to give race more importance than it should have, not less. If I was standing with a group of asian people and you wanted to point me out to someone, I think it would be perfectly fine for you to refer to me as "that white guy over there". This way, being white is a physical characteristic, much like having brown hair or blue eyes. As for black people not having black skin, or vice versa with whites - well, you only use red to describe orange when you are talking about hair color, so there is a precedent.

__________________
Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam

Mael

^^^ thanks, i was just throwing out terms that i thought might be most anologous (i could not think of that word last night). anyways, african-american is a bad term because not all black people are from africa (unless you go back very very far).

Eleq, it's great that you are proud of your mexican heritage, but unless you were born in Mexico, you really aren't mexican. Mexican describes nationality, so unless you have dual citizenship, you aren't. If that's what you prefer to be called, then that's what i and most other people would call you. But isn't hispanic just as descriptive about being a part of the hispanic culture (although i guess it does include coutries of origin other than mexico). but anyways, having a "blank"-american status doesn't make you whatever "blank" is. it sets you apart as another group, and as a "diet american, not quite american enough," as though to be fully american means being white. and not having mexican infront of american doesn't mean that you can't celebrate, honor and be proud of your family's heritage.

mortius

So you would call me a American just because I live in America?

__________________
What's Your Addiction?

Cynthetiq

having had the opportunity to carry dual citizenship.. I declined, I lose things all the time. One more thing to keep track of... no thanks. Not to mention then the OTHER country can ask me to be in their army, pay taxes to their corrupt fucked up government? No thanks.

I'm american. PERIOD. My kids will be american. PERIOD.

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

BBtB

Pretty much. Yea. If you were born in or are currently a citizen of america then yes you ARE an american.

__________________
Meridae'n once played "death" at a game of chess that lasted for over two years. He finally beat death in a best 34 out of 67 match. At that time he could ask for any one thing and he could wish for the hope of all mankind... he looked death right in the eye and said ...

"I would like about three fiddy"

bparker805

If I am a white guy(w/ U.S. citizenship) and born in Africa, is it OK to call myself an American African?

Buk

I prefer to be "human"

EleqTrizi'T

Well last time I looked, I didn't find the country of "Hispania" on the map. Calling myself "hispanic" is an generic and as (sarc)useful(/sarc) as being called "black".

Calling myself "Mexican-American" does not make me a "diet" American. Where do you hear this stuff? And further, why do you believe it? Is this something you just made up or did you hear it on talk radio? I don't consider myself "Diet" American. That is the most insulting thing I've heard today.

My grandfather served in WWII, my great-grandfather in WWI. I have two uncles that went to Korea, and another to Vietnam. I myself tried to join the Navy, but my knee injury prevented it. I donated thousands to the 9/11 funds. I buy fireworks on the 4th of July, and better damn believe I eat turkey on Thanksgiving. But I'm "Diet" American because some white people don't like my hyphen, or want to interpret it in their own cute little way?

I would dread ridding the hyphenation because it provides a means of tracking other "mexicans" and their progress in American society. The data is darn useful, whether you like it or not. The data serves more purposes than being fodder for the troublemakers. Everybody is so anxious to rid ourselves of this hyphen, but taking no time to consider the consequences.

Personally, I believe until you've been denied jobs, been harassed by the police or a teacher, or have had a your date's father slam the door in your face because of your color, you have little say in the matter. Imagine, "sir please open the door, I no longer have a hyphen!". "Well in that case come on in, you strapping American!"

Deleting my heritage off a piece of a paper is an absurd suggestion toward solving our racial problems. I mean, is that supposed to increase national pride or something? That isn't going to do anything. It's another incredibly simplistic suggestion to a complex centuries-old problem, and frankly I find it rather insulting. Could the level of effort POSSIBILY be any lower?

Further, the suggestion is supressive, not supportive.

WhoaitsZ

just call me god.