is "black" offensive?

I consider myself not terribly racist. I won't say totally not racist, because I don't think anyone is. (Apologies to anyone who considers themself such). But, personally, and as a white person, I think the term "African American" is, well, ineffectual. Growing up, my best friend was black. Currently, I only have one black friend. I just don't like the term "African American". I don't think that the term itself changes the personal viewpoint of anyone--either you like said people, have no opinion towards them, or are negative.

But, I'm very interested in what others have to say on this subject, esp., well, black people. Because, if the general consensus is to say AA, I will. I just don't believe that's the case.

(in a related story... in grad school, I had a good Asian friend. He came from Korea to Illinois to study. He was talking about all of the "Orientals" he met. I said "Um, "Oriental" is a rug"... but then realized, that was _his_ term. Why should I argue?)

..not a Euro-American or Anglo-American or caucasion. White. American. Though a friend used to call me gringo.

You're not "just" anything. You're a human being with feelings and thoughts just as relevant as anyone else's.
Sorry, I'm sick of the divisions we've created based upon the nothingness of "race". It doesn't exist. JMO

/rant off

white chick with Mediterranean parents, and a basically Italian appearance. So I don't qualify racially for the ideal response to your questions. I know there are regular posters to DU who might, and I look forward to their responses.

Doreen, a friend, wants us to refer to her when such comment is required, as 'black.' Because she is from Trinidad, as were her parents and their parents before, she does not identify with being either particularly 'American' nor particularly 'African.' To her, the term seems arbitrary and incorrect.

I know with the Latino community at church, the majority here do not wish to be referred to as 'hispanic,' they prefer Latino and Latina. But I've heard the reverse in some other places.

I try to refer to people by the terms they prefer, and I admit sometimes being so uncomfortable with making a choice that I avoid having to make the reference at all.

She's been mistaken for a latina, and bi-racial. When we fist met a black women we know, she asked my wife, "What are you? You're not black...but you're not white!"

I also try to refer to people by the terms they prefer. That's why I'm asking! :hi: When you get a Chinese guy who says "Oriental", and a whole bunch of white people saying "African American"... well, I just wonder. And the most recent black people I've met (through MMM) all preferred the term black.

on edit... trying to spell like a sober person.

who is asian in origin. He refers to his race as "yellow". I just call him Bob.

I am not black. I grew up in a mixed neighborhood, and have friends of many colors and creeds.

If someone wants to refer to themselves as "african american" hey, what do I care... let 'em.

But, what about caucasians from African who immigrate here to the USA, are they not african-americans? People of whatever color who immigrate here from africa are african americans.

People who are born here and happen to be graced with more melanin than others are, simply, American.

And in spite of how messed up things are now, I still think that means something. Or it will again, I hope.

/rant off

hope this post goes through...

Euro-African-American? But if they are in the south, they're Southern-Euro-African-American.

I guess I'd be a Californian-Midwestern-Southern-White-American. Egads.

How about if we use something simpler? Like... Mostly Naturally Blonde Female American?

..then you'd attach a few more titles into the label.

he is called Austrailian or English all the time. He is blond and blue eyed, lived his whole life in Africa, and now has moved to the US.
He has never even been to Europe.

How do we describe him?

are called Afrikaner. They speak Afrikans, which is a wierd hybrid of Dutch, I think. Since the Dutch were the last colonial power in the region.

I don't know what white Zimbabweans call themselves though.

There is are distinct and palpable differences between the two, and they don't much care for each other. I have several friends from SA who are white who don't speak anything other than English.

I believe white Zimbabweans refer to themselves as 'fucked' of late.

:hi:

Hey, I will respond to your PMs as soon as the new DU glitches wear off. I've tried twice already, and I'm getting frustrated. :mad: But I appreciate them. Thanks!

btw... love your handle!

Very odd. But you got mine.

Hey, keep your hands off my handle... I will tell my wife!

:spank:

I like that in a guy! :loveya:

And you don't dare tell your wife... I know you better than that.
;-)

not all black people are American. So a black person from England or Jamaica is still called black, but a black person from California is African American. But all white people are just white, no matter where they're from. For that reason, I don't think the term African American works.

White and Black are purely physical descriptions, not taking anything else into question. That's why they work so well.

Of course, no black and/or African Americans have responded!

This was over 10 years ago when the term "African American" was first starting be used.

I was talking with a group of people about music and the subject of Grace Jones came up. In the conversation a reference to Grace being "black". This uptight, stick up her ass woman hissed "you MEAN African-American"! I looked at her straight in the eye and said "she's from Jamaica".

Usually, but not always breaks down as follows:

College educated folks say African American

Non-college educated say Black

Some Really old people say colored

I remember when I got out of college and lived in a black neighborhood. Everyone thought I was crazy for saying African American, except for professionals who were used to it. Nobody minds that I say black. they know I'm down.

I like the term "black". Short, emphatic, and to my (middle aged) mind recalls the "black power" thing. "Black" is a term I will always associate with self assertion and pride.

Like 'Negro' and 'colored' weren't, 30 years ago. The whole blanco vs negro thing is a borrowed European dichotomy; in many cultures the white folk are 'colorados' because their skin goes peach to burnt sienna in the same day.

Although I do think it is a bit racist to refer to people by race or ethnic background as a primary characteristic (i.e., "that black guy with the hat" as opposed to "that guy with the hat"), unless there's no way to get around it.

If racism is defined as perceiving one "race" as wholely superior to another based on nothing more than the color of skin or biological differences, then I am NOT a racist and don't believe implications that we are all "a little" racists.

I judge people by their own merit, not by the color of their skin--thus, I am not a racist.

I refer to African Americans interchangably as "black" or "African-American." I am a historian, so it is preferable when I write to use the two interchangeable. Black historians in my department do the same.

I would never use the bygone terms "colored" or "negro."

Since you mentioned it three times, and some of your best friends aren't racists.

Footnote for historians: "black" and "African-American" aren't interchangeable. See posts #14, #9.

Love,
The best black friend you never had

I am NOT a racist, and I CHOOSE to surround myself with people who aren't racists. What part of that is complicated for you to understand??

I am a UNITED STATES HISTORIAN; therefore, when I write about African Americans, it is USUALLY in the context of their being American citizens.

And, if you aren't my friend, I consider it no loss. I also surround myself with people of a measurable IQ.

I mean, those of us with a background in history.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Professional? In which area was you MA, your PhD?
What were your minors?
Anyone on your PhD committee that I might now?

Do you teach? Work as a historian professionally? Any publications?

Since you have chosen me to attack, I thought you might like to tell me a little about yourself, since you feel yourself qualified to attack me on my credentials.

I wear it all the time...

Anglo-African-American?

My friend Arthur was born in British East Africa, a British colony, in the 30s.
His dad was a fairly high level government official.
He was shipped off to England for secondary school, university, and med school.
In the early 70s, he wanted to immigrate to the U.S. His written requests were repeatedly turned down by the U.S. embassy in London. His place of birth and "nationality" was "African".

He became friends with some U.S. doctors at a medical seminar/conference. At dinner one night he related his difficulties to them. They said "Arthur, put your nationality as "English" and go to the embassy in person." He did, and all-of-a-sudden NO PROBLEM.

Arthur still says he's African. He delights in conversations with 5th or 6th generation "African-Americans" and say he's a lot more "African" than they are.

Just another slant on the subject.

But I'm white so maybe it doesn't count.

But it struck me as silly when Vonetta Flowers won a gold medal in the last winter olympics, and a reporter said she was "the first African-American from any country" to win a winter gold.

That's when I realized that maybe it's not such a good term.

I don't have a problem with the word "black" or "white" or "brown" when trying to describe someone's appearance.
I don't like labels like "African-American", "Latino-American", "Irish-American", etc. because the chances are great that that "African-American" also has European or Native American blood. That "Latino-American" most likely has more Native American blood than Spanish. This "Irish-American" has English, German, African and Spanish blood as well. You'd never guess it it if you saw me in person. I look like that typical blonde Irish lass that you see in catalogue pictures wearing the Aran sweater.
Most white people in this country are of German descent along with this or that other ethnicity.
My gorgeous hubby is just a hodge-podge of Eastern Europe with a little English thrown in.
Funny thing is, we're all Americans. That's all that matters.
Why can't we get past this crap?

Most blacks or African Americans don't care either way. The issue seems to bother some white people more than it bothers blacks or African Americans. Some people had a problem when black people didn't want to be called negro anymore.

Why would it be offensive?? is it offensive calling you white?

I sure as hell dont get angry when someone says im asian or so , even though i refer to myself as korean american.

I say black about my black friends, and i dont see any prob with that

I guess the terms i use are white, black, latin, asian, and native

also has my Sociology book pointed out, "African American" has many disadvantages. For example, it also techincally refers to white South Africans who've moved to the US, and doesn't cover black Canadians.

In my opinion, neither 'black' nor 'white' are offensive terms. Yet calling Native Americans 'red' or Asian Americans 'yellow' is considered patently offensive. Explain that to me.

But YES id consider it offensive someone calling me yellow

On the other hand, as a 'white' person, I think it would seem bizarre to call me a 'European American.' Personally, I'll settle for 'human' or 'person.' Besides, according to the latest biological research, there really is no such thing as race.

I had this conversation with a black colleague last year. She prefers "colored." Her reasons? She is not "black." The color isn't accurate. She's brown. Lots of brown people are not African Americans. She doesn't care for A.A. because she didn't come from Africa; her family has been here a couple hundred years, and she prefers to be American, with no special qualifiers.

She also doesn't judge people for using "black" or "African American." She just prefers "colored." Of course, we all fit that label!

We are all "colored". This notion of "race" has way, way, way too much influence on us.