African-American is a ridiculous term

I've always wondered who coined this nonsensical term. Most of the so-called African-Americans have never set foot in Africa and many can't even point out where Africa is on the World Map.

In other countries, what do black people insist on being called?
England: African-Britons?
France: Afrique-Francais?
Germany: Afrikaner-Deutsche?

Reporting a story from The Virgin Islands, a TV-reporter got in trouble with the producer back in New York because he referred to the local population as: black. The producer insisted on the term: African-American.
The reporter pointed out that the local population was neither African, nor American.
This argument was struck down by the producer and the term was changed, or otherwise the report would not have been accepted for airing.
Conclusion: It doesn't matter if the news are true, as long as they are politically correct.

All of this because of a confusing term.

OK, let's hear it, folks!

I agree 100%. How many blacks can actually trace their ancestry, and I'm not trying to be racist or anything, but so many have no clue who their fathers are, nor their parents, etc. It is like those who call themselve Irish/Americans, etc. You are either American or Irish. I think they like to keep the term African American, as it keeps the old slavery issue going.

I've never heard any Caucasian complain about being referred to as "white". Apparently, there's no problem with it; it's short, easy to pronounce, and easy to understand. It refers only to the person's ethnic background (race), and nothing else.
"African-American" is long and tedious (7 syllables!) and seems to refer more to nationality than to ethnicity.
If you're born and raised in America, you're obviously American; everyone will know that. The need for mentioning nationality should only be necessary when you're traveling outside of the U.S.A. No need to mention it for a trip to the local drugstore.

So, what happened to "black"? Is it considered derogatory? If so, why?

And what happened to the original designation, i.e. the Spanish word for "black"? Why did that turn derogatory? Can't even write the word here out of fear of being stamped "racist".

To explain why I'm so puzzled about the above I may add that I'm originally from Europe, now a US citizen since 10 years. But I still haven't figured out the emergence of the term "African-American".

Hey, there are Irish Americans, Italian American, Cuban Americans, etc.

But African Americans? It's an entire continent. Which blacks are from Egypt?

Can they even trace what their country of origin is?

Tyrannosapiens wrote:

I've always wondered who coined this nonsensical term. Most of the so-called African-Americans have never set foot in Africa and many can't even point out where Africa is on the World Map.
In other countries, what do black people insist on being called?
England: African-Britons?
France: Afrique-Francais?
Germany: Afrikaner-Deutsche?
Reporting a story from The Virgin Islands, a TV-reporter got in trouble with the producer back in New York because he referred to the local population as: black. The producer insisted on the term: African-American.
The reporter pointed out that the local population was neither African, nor American.
This argument was struck down by the producer and the term was changed, or otherwise the report would not have been accepted for airing.
Conclusion: It doesn't matter if the news are true, as long as they are politically correct.
All of this because of a confusing term.
OK, let's hear it, folks!

There is NOTHING wrong with the term African American African american is about recognising your heritage NOT about political correctness so what is your problem do you make a fuss when Irish or German Americans claim their heritage and identity do you throw a hissy fit over the term Italian American I bet not why is the term African American always single out.

Mixed Zimbabwean wrote:

<quoted text>
There is NOTHING wrong with the term African American African american is about recognising your heritage NOT about political correctness so what is your problem do you make a fuss when Irish or German Americans claim their heritage and identity do you throw a hissy fit over the term Italian American I bet not why is the term African American always single out.

I was hoping that some one like you would be able to shed some light on some of the questions in post #3.

No1Dane wrote:

<quoted text>
I was hoping that some one like you would be able to shed some light on some of the questions in post #3.

I just think it is hypocritical to single out the term African american when other groups are are allowed to hyphenate without people making a fuss what is good for the goose is good for the ganda no one complains when Americans of Irish, German or Italian descent use hyphens but oh no it's so wrong for blacks to recognise THEIR heritage. Do you think the KKK sees blacks as 'Americans. To me it's double standards.

Americans should stop fussing over something so trivial.

Mixed Zimbabwean wrote:

<quoted text>
I just think it is hypocritical to single out the term African american when other groups are are allowed to hyphenate without people making a fuss what is good for the goose is good for the ganda no one complains when Americans of Irish, German or Italian descent use hyphens but oh no it's so wrong for blacks to recognise THEIR heritage. Do you think the KKK sees blacks as 'Americans. To me it's double standards.
Americans should stop fussing over something so trivial.

I think all that hyphenate are ridiculous. If you were born and raised here, you are an American. If that bothers you, do a little research and go back to wherever your ancestors immigrated from.

Tyrannosapiens wrote:

I've never heard any Caucasian complain about being referred to as "white". Apparently, there's no problem with it; it's short, easy to pronounce, and easy to understand. It refers only to the person's ethnic background (race), and nothing else.
"African-American" is long and tedious (7 syllables!) and seems to refer more to nationality than to ethnicity.
If you're born and raised in America, you're obviously American; everyone will know that. The need for mentioning nationality should only be necessary when you're traveling outside of the U.S.A. No need to mention it for a trip to the local drugstore.
So, what happened to "black"? Is it considered derogatory? If so, why?
And what happened to the original designation, i.e. the Spanish word for "black"? Why did that turn derogatory? Can't even write the word here out of fear of being stamped "racist".
To explain why I'm so puzzled about the above I may add that I'm originally from Europe, now a US citizen since 10 years. But I still haven't figured out the emergence of the term "African-American".

I thought Black was supposed to be Beautiful. I guess I'm getting too old to keep up with this politically correct BS!

teeje63 wrote:

<quoted text>
I think all that hyphenate are ridiculous. If you were born and raised here, you are an American. If that bothers you, do a little research and go back to wherever your ancestors immigrated from.

I am not American you cretin I am posting from the UK, you Americans are shameless hypocrites it's Ok for whites to embrace and celebrate their heritage and identity but blacks are not allowed too no one gets upset is someone called themself an Irish American but African American is seen as 'politcal correctness, divisive and even racist and that is BULLSHIT.

What is so wrong about recognising your heritage

It certainly is ridiculous.
How about if all of us whites call ourselves "European American's"?...
If you weren't born in Africa,you're an American!

Mixed Zimbabwean wrote:

<quoted text>
I am not American you cretin I am posting from the UK, you Americans are shameless hypocrites it's Ok for whites to embrace and celebrate their heritage and identity but blacks are not allowed too no one gets upset is someone called themself an Irish American but African American is seen as 'politcal correctness, divisive and even racist and that is ****.
What is so wrong about recognising your heritage

Try some reading comprehension there, moron.

Should be "American", Forget African American unless you were born in Africa and then moved to America and pledge allegiance to the USA, then and only then can you be callled an African American.

Dave wrote:

It certainly is ridiculous.
How about if all of us whites call ourselves "European American's"?...
If you weren't born in Africa,you're an American!

Call yourselves European Americans I dont care becuase if you are white you ARE indeed a European American and I doubt if blacks would care if you did in fact call yourselves European American, something so trivial as that would not bother most AFRICAN Americans at all.

It's funny no one would never says Irish or German American is ridiclous and all this about blacks separating themselves if they use the term African american is nonsence.

teeje63 wrote:

<quoted text>
Try some reading comprehension there, moron.

Shut up and get me a nice present, it's my birthday today.

African American is the same as gay Marriage you are either African or American and you can be gay or Married not both, well you could be an African gay or an American gay. Marriage is still reserved for a man and woman.

Watch this can of worms grow!

simple wrote:

African American is the same as gay Marriage you are either African or American and you can be gay or Married not both, well you could be an African gay or an American gay. Marriage is still reserved for a man and woman.
Watch this can of worms grow!

Your are taking bull and your comments are outragous African American means American of INDIGENOUS African descent boy you Americans are so thick and backward thinking a British person would fully understand what African American means it is no different from German or Irish American.

Saying your an African American is about recognising your African heritage,roots and bloodline most African Americans have at least 80% indigenous African blood. For some reason certain EUROPEAN Americans feel threatened. here in the UK the term African american is getting used more and more to discribe black Americans.

Comparing the term African American to gay marriage is stupid.

Mixed Zimbabwean wrote:

<quoted text>
Your are taking bull and your comments are outragous African American means American of INDIGENOUS African descent boy you Americans are so thick and backward thinking a British person would fully understand what African American means it is no different from German or Irish American.
Saying your an African American is about recognising your African heritage,roots and bloodline most African Americans have at least 80% indigenous African blood. For some reason certain EUROPEAN Americans feel threatened. here in the UK the term African american is getting used more and more to discribe black Americans.
Comparing the term African American to gay marriage is stupid.

Aren't you calling the kettle black? Long worm all the way from the UK!

Here in America, we call them Black Americans, If they complian we then call them American Blacks if they live here and support our flag. Otherwise they are just visitors. Singleing out one nationalality over all the others is stupid, as we all have ancestors from other lands but we don't go around calling ourselves _______- Americans, If one lives here pays taxes and supports the flag of this nation with sworn allegiance then that person can call him/her self an American period.

If an African migrates over to the US and lives here for a time he does not become an African American, He is still an African, until he is sworn in then he becomes an American got it?

Two gay men and two gay women can not be called married, they can form a union only. Marriage is for man and woman.

simple wrote:

<quoted text>
Aren't you calling the kettle black? Long worm all the way from the UK!
Here in America, we call them Black Americans, If they complian we then call them American Blacks if they live here and support our flag. Otherwise they are just visitors. Singleing out one nationalality over all the others is stupid, as we all have ancestors from other lands but we don't go around calling ourselves _______- Americans, If one lives here pays taxes and supports the flag of this nation with sworn allegiance then that person can call him/her self an American period.
If an African migrates over to the US and lives here for a time he does not become an African American, He is still an African, until he is sworn in then he becomes an American got it?
Two gay men and two gay women can not be called married, they can form a union only. Marriage is for man and woman.

Dont treat me like an idiot I know if someone comes from Africa they are still African until they become a US citizen, but then again they are still AFRICAN by their genetic bloodline even if they do become US citizens but I was in fact talking about the US born blacks and their right to call themselves African Americans if they want to it's called choice and people like you should get a life and stop throwing a hissy fit over something so trivial.

I'm just argeeing with the headline of this story, whats your excuse?

There is no such thing as an African American! Africa is NOT in the US.

Being born in a country will determine what a person should call themselves. But does not give them the right to call themselves what ever they feel like.

Blacks wanted to be noticed so they like gays will often make up names and ideas to get in your face.

I call it like I see it. Black, White, African, American, Russian, Japanese, Gay, etc...! Now do you get the point?