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by toby baggins on June 5th, 2009

toby baggins

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Do you call black people black or "African American?" I say they are black unless they come from Africa

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Answers. 22 helpful answers below.

  • by Stormarm on April 12th, 2012

    Stormarm

    Life was so much simpler when you could just call them 'colored' and be done with it.

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  • by Arisztid on June 6th, 2009

    Arisztid

    Black is as incorrect as white.

    African American is incorrect as well... not all black people originated in Africa. Not only black people are from Africa.

    There is no way to not offend someone. Some black people want to be called "black." Some want to be called "African American."

    I call black people "black" unless I know a friend of mine prefers to be called "African American." Most of my black friends either want to be called "black" or do not care one way or another because they know I am not racist. I have a horrid memory so, if (when) I forget, they forgive me. I try my best to remember out of courtesy to the individual. I would do the same for any white friends who wanted to be called [whatever].

    I prefer to call people by their names and forget the "color" thing other than in discussions like this.

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  • by Karen Anne Queen of AB on June 5th, 2009

    Karen Anne Queen of AB

    +5. No, I call them people because that is what they are. I do not call anyone a hyphenated American. When the dust of the towers fell in New York everyone was a brown color from the dust. At that time there no Black firemen, no White firemen, all were the same and that is how I see people, all the same. We have to grow up and see people as souls and not some label. And that is how I feel.

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  • by Anonymous on June 5th, 2009

    Anonymous

    And if they come from Africa? I don't get it.

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  • by -O-uknow on June 5th, 2009

    -O-uknow

    I say why say unless you must say. Question is when say?

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  • by ConservativelyLiberal on June 5th, 2009

    ConservativelyLiberal

    I call them Americans.

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  • by Moley the contrary female dragon on October 31st, 2011

    Moley the contrary female dragon

    As I would be referring to people from perhaps many different ethnic backgrounds not just people living in America who have African heritage, I would normally use the term Black.
    People of Asian ethnicity would be Asian. Our population here is made up of many immigrants from all over the world. African American is not a term much in use here in the UK.

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  • by Shunyata on October 31st, 2011

    Shunyata

    the term has changed over and over since the 60's. sort of ridiculous imo.

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  • by thewallfly on June 6th, 2009

    thewallfly

    Black. I'm multiracial, identify as Black. None of my friends have a problem with being called Black and prefer to be called Black. Most of my black friends just grew up being called African-American (from non-blacks) and I suppose there is no other name for them besides American to choose from. I think people should identify with whatever they want to, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone and it's true. American is too vahue for some becuase many take pride in what their race has contributed or been through. Others don't feel enough connection to what they are by just saying American and choose to identify with their race/grnadparents heritage/whatever.

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  • by sprky777 on June 5th, 2009

    sprky777

    I don't use the term 'African-American' to describe racial origins.

    A college kid applied for loans and student aid. He selected African-American since he was born in Africa and immigrated to America with his parents. Later in the school year he was prosecuted for lying on his aid forms. Since he was 'white' he couldn't select African-American' on the form. Does his skin color make him any less African? Or are these laws only about skin color and not origin? A seventh generation American with Jamaican roots can get 'African-American' status but not someone born in Africa?

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  • by Spicy Hot on June 5th, 2009

    Spicy Hot

    If they are African if they are from Africa, if they are African American, they come from the USA.

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  • by TERRYTUKER on June 5th, 2009

    TERRYTUKER

    Bro works for me

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  • by raylrodr on June 5th, 2009

    raylrodr

    Why are African-Americans called black when they're more of a pleasant brown color?

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  • by iKnow on June 5th, 2009

    iKnow

    Black.

    Cause....

    they're black.

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  • by elmirage on April 12th, 2012

    elmirage

    Yeah, good question. Unless your born there, your not african anything! some say it is their heritage but I don't call my self european american everyday.

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  • by breakstress on October 25th, 2010

    breakstress

    I have a friend who's black, but he likes being called Mike.

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  • by RookieMistake on October 25th, 2010

    RookieMistake

    I call them black simply because no one has ever corrected me when I have used it. Before anyone comments, I don't mind being called white. I would rather be called white than Caucasian. I am trying to get the ball rolling on peach though but just because it is more accurate. I think you will be fine using black because I have never had any problems. If someone who is black calls you out on it just apologize and say you weren't sure what the accepted vernacular was.

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  • by Berty13 on April 12th, 2012

    Berty13

    I tend to call them by thier name rather than colour. But if I am describing someone then I would use the term, black person like i would, white person. Certainly not African American though, mainly because I think that most people in the UK are not Americans.

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  • by lovebettafish on June 5th, 2009

    lovebettafish

    In my country I call them Indigineous people. If I lived in America I would say African american.

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  • by Seeya says Dont Ever Give Up on June 5th, 2009

    Seeya says Dont Ever Give Up

    why sterio type untill you must desrbe them physicaly

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  • by LarryH54 on October 25th, 2010

    LarryH54

    Shouldn't an African American have dual citizenship? What would you call a blonde dutch-descended Afrikaan who migrated to the US?

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  • by InTune on June 5th, 2009

    InTune

    Black people are brown. We used to use the term colored people as opposed to white, because the old term "Negro" started to become offensive. I think it was around the late 60's when the term "black" became the favored word by Black people themselves, because of "Black power." It was a pride thing. The same as African American is now. Black people originated in Africa. It's possible the Caucasians (white people) also originated in Africa, or the Middle east, who knows. I think we should call everyone who was born here "Americans." If you were not born here, but acquired your citizenship, then you are Americans that were born somewhere else. It is most proper and we should be proud of it. People who are here, no matter what race, if they are here legally, have the right to be here. Hopefully everybody will respect that right and be proud to call themselves Americans. Many people of all races have fought for that right to make it possible for all of us.

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