10- people are so afraid of being called racist/sexist/homophobic or being known as prejudiced in any manner that they go out of their way to kiss the asses of anyone different. It's pathetic but that's the American society for you.

There are some black people who aren't African-American, such as Afro-Caribbean people for example. Toward the FML: "black" isn't really a degrading or racist term I don't see how anyone can see it's inappropriate to say "black."

It is but so many people just use racial things one way. How many of those same people would call you racist for saying that a white person from algeria(a former french territory in africa) was african american? Too many despite the fact that that white person was litterally from africa and op most likely has never even been there.

It's not at all the same thing. "African-American" refers to being born in Africa and moving to America. Then the person got their American citizenship. Black refers to a color in this case skin color. Culture does not equal skin color.

I don't see how people think calling someone black is racist. I'm white. I know black people. How is that offensive?

#69, you do realize that more and more black people prefer to be called black over African American, right? Personally, I identify as Nigerian-American because I'm nigerian. I always used to refer to my black friends as African American until a couple of them sat me down and explained to me that they'd rather be called black, and not African American since their families have no real ties to African culture anymore. They said they don't *feel* like Africans. They don't know the languages, or the history, or the cultures and traditions, and they said that they would prefer to save the title for African immigrants who've just recent come to America. It's really all about preference, and you have no right to push your preference on others. Just because *you* think it's inappropriate, doesn't mean everyone else does as well. Instead of just assuming that EVERYONE wants to be called African American, ask them what their preference is. That way you can avoid accidentally offending people. I've encountered some black people who won't even acknowledge you if you call them anything other than black.

The reason people dislike it is because its labeling a group as a color. The Washington Redskins name is deemed racist because they're labeling native Americans as a group by their skin color. It doesn't matter if someone wants you to call them something specific, if they wanted you to call them n*****, would you? Instead, let's not label people by their skin and let's not call them by anything but their names. As a side note, the American part of the word doesn't refer to America, it refers to the Americas, like North America, because the Americas are the younger continents and have people who have immigrated here from other continents.

But labeling someone as "white" is broadly accepted, so why is it wrong to call someone black?

#105 I never understood that whole 'let's not see skin color and identify people by it' bullshit. It's completely acceptable for me to identify a redhead by their red hair and CALL them a redhead, so why can't I look at something as obvious as skin color the same way?

Please don't call me yellow.

What if OP is an African not born here? or from any country but America?

For instance, I was born in Saint Lucia to Dominican parents. I have no ties to Africa and the only family members who are American born would be my nieces/nephews. I prefer black and get irritated by African American, because it's not true of me and I'm wary of those trying to "prove" they are not racist by being overly PC.

I hate it when people say "African-American" because most of them are just american so calling them "African American" is basically calling them unamerican

Or if op is from Jamaica, or is black and his family has been in America for generations... its stupid to try and enforce certain ideas of a minority ONTO said minority. If OP is good being considered black instead of African American, calm your shit and respect it.

I can't think of anything more racist than telling someone how they should be "allowed" to define themselves.

True, because it's only America that has this problem. You don't hear labels such as African-British, African-Australian, etc...

Considering this happened in America it doesn't actually involve any of those countries.

#21 so true I never thought of that

I wish it didn't happen here. I think it pushes people apart. When someone moves here (legally...) why aren't they just considered an American? Instead, they're called African-American, Mexican-American, Italian-American, etc. It's perfectly fine to have your own traditions/culture while living in America, because everyone's different, but the labels and need to be politically correct really, really bother me.

I am a white person living in Africa, and we are often referred to as 'European' - so no, it is not just an American thing. It is a 'us and them' thing and people need to get the f over it!

The labels are a way for people to remain connected to their culture as much as keeping up with their cultural traditions are. I'm Nigerian-American. That's where my family is from, that's where we're culturally connected, and that's where we draw the traditions we follow from. For me, identifying as Nigerian-American is a point of pride. It's a way for me to say that I'm proud of where I came from. My group of best friends consists of an Indian-American (Asian indian. Not Native American Indian), an Eritrean-American, and a Korean-American. That's how each of us identify ourselves. It let's people know culturally where we're from, and it's actually helped lead us to interactions where we educate people about our cultures. Basically what I'm trying to say is that, although you'd like it if there were no labels, a lot of immigrants wouldn't. We're proud of our cultures, and most of us wouldn't like it if you basically tried to erase one of the ways we connect with our cultures in order to form a more PC world. Even if we got rid of labels, there's still going to be racism simply because my skin is too dark, or because my Korean friend's eyes are too slanted. My group of friends and I live in one of the wealthier areas in my state. Despite that, we get followed around in stores, and have been accused of stealing if we happen to be wearing a shirt that the store currently has in stock. They don't know that we're foreign. All they know is that we don't look how they look. Getting rid of labels won't actually change anything.

#21, you should see Jeff Dunhams latest comedy movie. "Walter" actually says something about this. He gets all confused about a black guy living in Britain and decided to call him "African-British". It's pretty funny.

What are you talking about.

You IDIOT, they are African-American if at least 2 of their relatives are from Africa and one of them is Caucasian, if u don't hav a Caucasian relative, then that means ur just African. And it doesn't matter where you're BORN. What matters is blood. My dad's Indian but he was born in Germany, does that make him German? And

So my nephew has to be called European-American due to his parents origins. You are so right.

If I was born in a stable would that make me a horse?.....

Actually #11, you are classed as the nationality of whoever owns the bit of land you were born in. My aunty is British, because she was born in a British army base in West Germany. Similarly, if you were born in International waters you would have no nationality, until the ship came into port. In which case, you take the nationality of whoever owns the port.

Sylvester Stallone was actually born in a stable in Italy. That's why he is the Italian-Stallion.

Actually #15, I believe you are the second coming of Christ. :P

#18. My sister was born in Germany in a German Hospital but she Isn't German...My parents were able to get her classed as a British Citizen, I don't know what they did or how how but they said they had to sign something and it was Done and Dusted

hahahaha this comment made my day :-D

Does that mean that I'm English-Irish-Australian then? #11 your logic is flawed.

#11 No need to be that aggressive. Take a deep breath. You seem to be mixing nationality and ethnicity. I think it's weird to say African-American to be honest. I don't get all the fuss about saying the word "black". It's not offensive. There is nothing wrong with being black, so why tiptoe around it? Nobody says "European American". #35 A friend of mine was born in Germany to British parents, and lived in France her whole life. She is British because she took the nationality of her parents and because Germany doesn't allow you to have double nationality, I think.

"If you're from Africa, why are you white?"

I'm not sure if that is an actual question 48 but South Africa still has a lot of British ace story therefore some of the population in South Africa are white

52, The main source of White South Africans comes from Dutch Ancestory, that's why they have surnames like Bosshoff, Dumas, Du Plessis and Pistorius

#52, it's a Mean Girls reference.

Oops, looks like I made a mistake. I just checked Wikipedia, and Germany actually allows dual citizenship under some circumstances. My bad.

54: Good point, bad examples. Two of those names are French and one is Latin. Before the 20th century, the Dutch didn't have the numbers to populate their colonies, so many Afrikaners were originally from France or Germany.

#60 From Belgium, too.

actually you ******* idiot, yes he would legally be considered german AND indian. you are where you are born. and furthermore you asshole. you don't have to be Caucasian to be considered white, let me school you, being "Caucasian" has zero to do with being WHITE. "Caucasus" is a mountain range in Europe. coincidentally, the majority of people "seem to be white" who live in that area. But, again it refers to people in that area, which by that same definition would mean there are "white" black people in europe. know your history you uneducated limp dick......

yes lol

What if the OP was not born here, what if he's not American? What if the OP is not from Africa? He's not African then. My grandparents are Polish and German, I'm American.

Most of the black people I know actually hate being called African American because most of them are being labeled as something they're not.

Don't get so feisty #64

So am I German-Scottish-American? I have German and scot in my blood, but have never been to either country. Actually it's so far back in my bloodlines. Now, I am thoroughly intrigued by both cultures, and have learned some German, but I am American. I'm white. I actually tend to refer to myself as a Mutt when it comes to heritage and ancestry. Same can go for black people. And frankly, I couldn't care less if someone calls me white, I don't see a problem with calling someone else black. Though I have also argued that it's not the true color. I would be a pinkish tan and they would be various shades of brown, some more of a tan, others dark brown.

To clarify for everyone-- the term 'African-American' was started in the 1970's by the Black Power movement. The idea behind the term was to bridge a gap between African ancestry and being in America. You do have to keep in mind, for America at least, there is a huge difference between having ancestors who willingly immigrated here and ancestors who were kidnapped and brought here to be kept as slaves. The term was initially meant to take ownership of that difference. As the American population and demographics have changed, the need for this doesn't seem as great (especially since many people now have multiple ethnicities to add to the hyphen).

Caucasian-American, to be specific. (sarcasm)

European-American, actually.

I think it's deemed as racist when you use it as an 'insult' along with many other, shall we say, colorful words. Black friends of mine never mind it, and prefer it over African-American. But that's only them, so some others might view it differently.

I agree, history and ignorance has proven there are a lot worse names to throw at other races... having gone from extreme racism in this country (SA), 'black' is deemed perfectly acceptable and even official.