Caucasian and African-American?

Question

Now me and my friend was talkin and was filling out some papers and got on the subject of nationality...she's from Africa born and raised (and she's white). Now I'm black and DON'T like to be called African American. Now since she is from Africa originally and just coming to America why can't SHE put African-American down as race?

Answer 1

of course she can't put it as a race......she is not of the black race.......she is white

she can put it as a nationality.........not a race

Answer 2

holy ****, just because your whitie friend is from africa DOES NOT MAKE HER AFRICAN BY BLOOD OR HERTIAGE.

you on the other hand may have not set foot on africa but YOU HAVE AFRICAN LINAGE, MORE SO THAN YOUR FRIEND.

get that through your thick skull.

Answer 3

You know, I look this up a few months back.  I was reading about Charlie Theron, who was born in South African, and I wanted to know why she wasn't considered African American.  As it turns out, since she is from Africa, it is not customary procedure for her to be referenced to as African America, because her country of origin is known.  So, she would be considered a South African native.  Teresa Heinz Kerry is another example.  African American is also supposed to be a term for those having origins in the Black racial groups in Africa.  Anyway, I call bullshi-, because like you said, you've never been to Africa, nor have I for that matter, yet someone who is White and has lived in a country in Africa is exempt from checking that tale tell box.  Go figure...

Answer 4

It doesn't matter where you were born. It;s your nationality, and if you don't want to be called African American then don't be, I really don't care.

No, she can not use African American because just because you are born in Africa doesn't make you African American. He ancestors were not African, so no.

Answer 5

African American means you have African Ancestry, and since she is white she obviously does not qualify... you don't hear white people in Japan claiming they are Japanese... you don't hear other people trying to make a case for it either .

Answer 6

You are of African descent that's why.

Answer 7

LOL ! She can put OTHER. SO can U.

Answer 8

race is like black,white, caucasion, ect.

The term nationality refers to the status of belonging to a particular nation by origin or birth

ex. hispanic, american, african...ect.

so if u where born in america your an American

( =

Answer 9

This sound original

She Im guessing is from South Africa so in reality she is South African American but that wont be in the form also if she has not got American citizenship she is still simply South African which still is not on the form but White which im against racial classification but thats how life is shell have to put White other and you will have to put African American.

Black Americans are descendants of people who came from Africa when Afircan nations did not even exist hence why your called African but an African immigrant should go by their country name ie Nigerian American. This started when the civil rights movement wanted your group to be connected with your motherland Africa and the name African American stuck remmebr the law only recognised ehtnic minoirites in the US as citizens with full righjts in 1964 so it wil be a while till that name changes.

Racial classification will always exist but im against it  

Answer 10

oh, the irony of being politically correct. don't worry i'm sure sometime within the next 20 years people will realize that being african and having a dark skin tone are not the same the thing.

Answer 11

no matter what you still african  

Answer 12

Nobody told YOU to use anything.

Those of us who understand the meaning

and the connection DO use the term.

Her RACE is White...Just like Indians

in Africa are Asian and Mexicans

in China are White but culturally

Latino.

She can call herself whatever she wishes...

There are no laws against it...but if

she DOES put African American

down, it is NOT her race and she

may have problems getting jobs, etc.

just as many BLACK PEOPLE here

do.

Answer 13

Is it really this hard for people to understand the difference between nationality and race?

You must have African ancestors to be an African American. Your friend is white she is not an Aferican American.

Answer 14

U should use black american

and she should use african american  

Answer 15

Wow thats weird...see this is a perfect example of why we shouldnt use color to define ourselvs. Cause there is no such thing as race.