Why do i have to be called an African American instead of American?

Question

I was born here, my mom was born here, my grandma was born here, my great-grandma was born here, and my great-great grandma was born here. My family's heritage doesn't even go back to Africa. I don't even know anyone from Africa. I consider myself a black American, but mostly American. Don't get me wrong..I am PROUD of being black (well dark brown), I love my sexxy skin and I love my nappy hair... I am also PROUD of being an American. Why do I have to check that stupid little box that says African American? I'm not from Africa, no one in my family is.

No racist or just plain rude comments please...I just want to hear Intelligent thoughts from intelligent people.

Answer 1

Quite simply, you're right in saying that you ARE an AMERICAN.

The term "African-American" is merely used to describe your race. That's all. The term is in no way offensive.

But if you're filling out an application for your driver's license, or for an employment application (esp for the government), you are checking that box as an identifier for what you look like.

Chill out. It's just a descriptive term, and no more than that!

:o)

Answer 2

That is happening for the democrats, they want to have a separation between everybody, but specially with the blacks. They didn't make the well fare for help them, they did it for make sure that they never be successful in their life.

To me everybody is the same regardless the skin color, so if I was you I will fight to stop this about "Afro- Americans", "Hispanic-Americans", blah, blah, noooo, enough!!!! if somebody was born in America is American. Period.

Answer 3

I feel exactly the same way. People don't go around calling white people Irish American or English American. It makes me mad to think that if we are so far removed from Africa that we would still carry that country's name around with us. If it doesn't define our culture or our family's history. I don't think there is anything wrong with being from Africa but most Black Americans are not they are from America.

Answer 4

haha, I agree.

It's hard for me because I'm mixed.

[half mexican,half asian]

But, I always have to choose the latino box.

Well, about 50 years ago all the whites in power assumed that if you were black you descended from Africa because of the whole slave thing.[which was mostly true]

but,now America is way more mixed up now, with blacks,latinos & orientals from different countries all around the world.

Personally, I think they're shouldn't even be a race box,they don't need to know our race for applications just so they can label us.

Answer 5

I'm white and I agree with you.  Sometimes I have to check a box that says Caucasian, but I have never been to the Caucasus region (which is in southern Russia), and neither have any of my ancestors as far back as I can trace my family history.

Answer 6

I agree with you, you should just be called an American.

Seems big brother wants to place us all in neat little boxes.

The important thing is really only to be a rightful citizen, other then that, what does family history have to do with being a good citizen.

Answer 7

Further information: Demographics of Jamaica

[edit] Ethnic origins

Jamaica's population consists mainly of people of African descent, comprising about 90.9% of the demographics. There are 90,000 East Indians who make up 1.3% of the population, over 32,000 White who are mostly composed of the 26,000 British 5,500 Portugese making up 0.2% of the population, 70,000 Chinese add up 0.2% of the population, 20,000 Lebanese who make up 0.1%, Multiracial 7.3%. In adition 100 Haitian Immigrants and 300 Jews reside in Jamaica. Immigration has been rising from Cuba,Colombia, and other Latin American so much so that 8,000 Latin Americans reside in Jamaica. 7,000 Americans also reside in Jamaica who are mostly White.[6]

[edit] Language

This article or section contains only non-IPA pronunciation information which should be expanded with the International Phonetic Alphabet.

For assistance, see Wikipedia:Manual of Style (pronunciation).

The official language of Jamaica is English. Informally Jamaican Patois (pronounced patwah) is more commonly spoken by a majority of the population. Although British English or "The Queen's English" is the most obvious influence on patois, it includes words and syntax from various African languages (including Akan, Ewe, and Yoruba); other European languages (Spanish, Portuguese, and French); Pre-Columbian Caribbean languages (Arawakan); and Asian languages (Hindi and Hakka) which is evidence of the long standing mixing of the people. In general, patois differs from English in pronunciation, grammar, nominal orthography and syntax, having many intonations to indicate meaning and mood. The language's characteristics include pronouncing /θ/ as [t] and /ð/ as [d], and omitting some initial consonant sounds, principally /h/. For example, the word "there" is pronounced [ˈdɪeɹ]. A number of linguists classify Jamaican Patois as a separate language, while others consider it to be a dialect of English.

[edit] Emigration

Main article: Jamaican diaspora

Over the past several decades, close to a million[citation needed] Jamaicans have emigrated, especially to the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. This emigration appears to have been tapering off somewhat in recent years. However, the great number of Jamaicans living abroad has become known as the "Jamaican diaspora". There has also been emigration of Jamaicans to Cuba.[7]

Concentrations of expatriate Jamaicans are large in a number of cities in the United States, including New York City, Buffalo, the Miami metro area, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Washington, D.C, Philadelphia, Hartford and Los Angeles. In Canada, the Jamaican population is centred in Toronto, and there are smaller communities in cities such as Montreal and Ottawa. In the United Kingdom, Jamaican communities exist in most large cities where they make up the larger part of the British-Caribbean community.

Answer 8

You DON'T have to be called that.  Some numb nuts in the gov't thought that would be a good PC phrase for black Americans.  Either you're an American or you're not.

The father of a lady friend was born and raised in South Africa.  His father, his grand father, his great grandfather are all from the same town in S. Africa.  To get over on the gov't when ever there's the choice, he always checks AA just to mess with them.  He immigrated to the U.S. in his early 20's and is 84 right now.

I'm a caucasian (aka white) and I always check 'other' just to mess with them.

Answer 9

LOL your heritage goes back to Jamaica and don't forget its its started from Africa most likely West Africa then Jamaica. Beside anyone could be Jamaican is a nationality just like America. When you fill any information its about race not nationality there aren't any jamaican slot to fill in.

Answer 10

I won't call you that, especially since I agree with you. And you don't have to check the box, although they may do it for you (I know one large employer in the US that does this if the employee leaves it blank).

Answer 11

Amen Girl!

You are American!

I would check the box and scratch out African, they may get the picture if they see it enough.

It's our government, they want to keep us confused, busy and in an uproar so they can steal us blind an hope we don't notice.

I'm white and I don't need another white person speaking up for me. Why do blacks put up with the nonsense of J. Jackson, A Sharpton types.  Don't they realize the only reason they do it is for fame and fortune.

When Jessie came to New Orleans for Katrina he went straight to Xavier university. Why? Their parents have MONEY. Most of the people at the dome and convention center were black, needed help and oh yea they were POOR.  We'll catch them later!

We are all mixed race, there is no such thing as a pure bred.

Amen Girl!  Speak up and don't use race as an excuse.

Speak up for yourself, Vote and vote for the person you believe in, not the color of his/her skin.

We need to get back to the way our fore fathers meant for this country to operate which by the way included GOD.

Answer 12

B/c your Great Great Great Great Great Great Great GreaT Great Grandmother or Grandfather is from there!

And Africa has some of the most beautiful people there!  A lot of people view Africa negatively b/c of what they see on tv!

Answer 13

I'm glad you are proud :D

America puts labels on everyone...African Americans came to the United States from Africa, if I'm not mistaken. Way back in the day...but now, we've been here for so long, we are Americans. If you are born in America, you're an American. My great-grandmother is Cherokee and Caucasion...but still, I am considered African-American. Most dark-skinned Americans are from more cultures than Africa. I just love who I am...continue to love yourself, and if you don't like to be called African-American...tell people not to call you that.

Hugz.

Answer 14

whats so bad about being african?

yoyr making it sound like it's horrible being an african.

'anyway the only true africans are the ones that came from there recently, not *** raped cotton pickers.

Answer 15

y do i have to mark asian, pacific islander and i was born here????????????????????????

Answer 16

It must be annoying, s**y Lady, to have to be tagged like that all the time, especially when you clearly value your American heritage.

Think back though, on what Black people have had to endure for names back in less than enlighted times: if it wasn't the "N" word, it was "*******," if it wasn't that, it was "Pickaninny" or "Splib"-so I suspect the politically correct "African American" is an attempt to make right all those wrongs over the years.

Answer 17

Some where along the lines your heritage does go back to Africa (if you claim to be "black") even if you are Jamaican.

How many times do "black" people have to argue about the name changes. Would you rather the check box say "black" or would you rather it be more politically correct? Next time, just check "other" and eat a cookie.

Answer 18

Because someone, somewhere , sometime, within the last 10 years, decided that " Black " was some sort of insult.

You should cross out the " AA" box and write in " Strong , proud, intelligent,  Black American.

Answer 19

Hi Babes.. yes I agree with you here.. I hate ticking boxes.

I am  'White British'  according to 'my box'

I was born in England but apparently I am not even Engl..ish.

That is in the Un..united Kingdom.

Answer 20

I thoroughly agree with you.  Also, I think that it is highly unfair to say that one must check African American simply on the grounds that eventually you will find someone in your family who came over from Africa.  If that be the case, then dam- near everyone would have to check African American.  I identify myself as American, yet my classification is hyphenated.  On the other hand, my husband's family are all Russian and Polish immigrants, and he is simply considered American.  There is no hyphenated classification that he has to check, and I think that is bullshi-.  I agree with many others here who say that the system is obsolete and trivial.  I agree that we should just start checking other and filling it in with American, and make those reading the forms figure it out on their own.

Edit:  Also, to imply that having African slaves in one's history automatically makes someone African American is a fallacy.  If that were the case, then how do you explain the slaves that were sent to Latin America?  Are all Latins considered African American?  What about the Arab slave trade that sent Africans to the Middle East, India, and Central Asia?  Are the aforementioned groups considered African American?  These are the kinds of questions that must be raised when attempting to classify people into mass groups like African American.

Answer 21

You don't have to stand for that much foolishness. Insist that you would prefer to be called Black and there is nothing wrong with it. People who use the term African-American are well versed in bureaucratic garbage. I personally believe that race is outdated and useless. It is only used as a structure to build discrimination upon. I am Black...and? I would rather be known for my nationality rather than my race. Race is obsolete!