Why in America today are Black people called African-American, If a White person from Africa moves to America?

Question

are the African-American?

Answer 1

About 6 months ago...while working I was talking this white male and he asked me where I was from I told him I was African American because he was suggesting I was for the islands then he completely went off because he said you have no right to call yourself African American! You Americans are something else and he went on and on...

Of course he was truly an " White" African American

Personally As a "African American" I don't feel that this fits me either. I am an American just as much as the next person (White). I've never been to Africa neither has my mother or grandmother etc...you get the point.

Answer 2

they change it each generation. It was colored before 1967 then went to black and now african american.  Actual black africans who have immigrated to America generally dont like the ghetto in your face aggressive attitude of American blacks and distant themselves from them. Not sure how they feel about these American blacks calling themselves African. Basically as time passes the label picks up a stigma. The signs in the 50's that said "No Coloreds" had a stigma and they had to reinvent themselves anew. The blacks of the 60,70s were black panther aggressive and hostile, separate and apart. Growing huge afros, etc. They were becoming a distinct subculture.  The African American label is another attempt to reinvent themselves as desiring integration and becoming more mainstream. Its a long progression to total integration.

Answer 3

Because the title has been there for a long time.  Just like you calling African Americans black, why do you do that when most are brown?

Also, why are Indians called Indians when they dont come from India, but the explorers way back when thought they were in India when they landed in America.

Answer 4

If a white person from Africa moved here, I think they would probably identify with their former country rather than just "Africa". for example, they might be a white South African.  My husband is from Nigeria.  We don't call him or his family African-Americans.  They are Nigerians.  Our kids are Nigerian-Americans.  African-American is a very general term, and it's mostly used to refer to black Americans whose culture and nationality was stolen from them when their ancestors were brought to the U.S. in the slave trade.

Answer 5

To tell you the truth I never liked the term either and I don't think it fits.

Answer 6

I don't state browns African-American..

I do state loud obnoxious browns BLACK.

Why does it have to be from Africa? Why not Jamaica, India, or Australia??

Answer 7

If a Caucasian male born in Africa *moves* to the U.S., I guess he'll just be considered African, cause he was born in Africa. Now, regarding a persons descent using the scenario I previously mentioned, for your sakes, lets say his parents are Caucasian United State Citizens, then I guess he might be considered African-American.

Answer 8

i don't think all people use that terminology, i'm white (they call us white even though we are not really white either) and i don't use it, i just say black, white or whatever. but i think african-american is used for literally black people and colored is for "brown" people. Besides if you are black you have your roots on Africa almost surely so why won't you be an african-american. If a white person from africa moves to america he would be an african living in america as a black would be as well.

listen to the song buffalo soldier by bob marley, is great. bye

Answer 9

I am a child of the 50's...as a child we thought of black people as colored or *****'s ...not in any disrespect, that is just how it was then...I have often wondered at the "african american tag" It's a dis service...It tells me that

perhaps I should be addressed as a "european American" ...what a bunch of bull...we are all immigrants...all different.. in different ways...your here...assimialte... be an american...if you prefer to be a european...go back to europe...or where ever...

Answer 10

Because a lot of White people feel safer calling us African-American.  Yes, if a White person from Africa moves to the U.S. and becomes naturalized, he would be African-American as well.

Answer 11

Most people would say no.

It's the same with Asian-American as well.

I often find myself arguing that white people from Africa are far more African than most black Americans though.  People tend to insist that "African" implies "black".  Blacks are a majority in Africa, but that doesn't mean that to be African means that you have to be black.  That is, in a sense, like saying that you have to be white to be American since it is the majority ethnicity.

For the record, my (caucasian) family is from Africa, but we are never referred to as African-American.

Update:  American Heritage Dictionary defines African-American as "a Black American of African ancestry."

Answer 12

Yes a white person born in africa would be african

Answer 13

In a sense, they are. They wouldn't be wrong in saying they are, sociologically. Though, usually, it would be either African or American.

African-American is kind of a problematic blanket, because not all black people are from America. There are only very select people that qualify for being called African-American, and that is the result of a conditioning, sociological process.

We can argue semantics, but it really comes down to personal preference.