A word obviously disliked by most of the people on urban dictionary for being 'politically correct'. While that may be true, it is no less 'proper english' than the use of the word black for people who are usually varying shades of brown and tan.
If the word is so detestable maybe we shouldn't use hypenated-american terms at all. Should we refer to chinese americans as yellows now? Or JFK as the first redhead catholic president?
The truth is that african-american is suited to some situations and black is suited to other situations. Just like caucasian americans are routinely refered to both as white and by terms like 'english-american'. Just because africans were brought on ships hundreds of years ago doesn't make that heritage any less important to a black person as european heritage to a white person.
If the word is so detestable maybe we shouldn't use hypenated-american terms at all. Should we refer to chinese americans as yellows now? Or JFK as the first redhead catholic president?
The truth is that african-american is suited to some situations and black is suited to other situations. Just like caucasian americans are routinely refered to both as white and by terms like 'english-american'. Just because africans were brought on ships hundreds of years ago doesn't make that heritage any less important to a black person as european heritage to a white person.
"Look at me. I'm black. Look at my black skin" - Colin Powell
African is a useful term for implying geographical heritage. There are people in South East Asia who for all purposes look like what we know as 'black people'. When refering to the geographical origin of the american black population african-american is a useful term.
African is a useful term for implying geographical heritage. There are people in South East Asia who for all purposes look like what we know as 'black people'. When refering to the geographical origin of the american black population african-american is a useful term.
by Barry .S. Truman April 26, 2009
1) The term mistakeningly used by people who see fit to walk on eggshells around a Black Americans out of fear of offending them. In reality, a person may actually offend a Black/African American person more because they assume that they will be offended by Black.
2) A term used to formally describe an American ethnic group. This specific group uses this term mostly in formal situations and Black in casual situations but most could care less about which one is used to describe them.
3) The only term used to describe an American ethnic group that is constantly debunked, although this particular American ethnic group are only seen as Americans when it's convenient.
2) A term used to formally describe an American ethnic group. This specific group uses this term mostly in formal situations and Black in casual situations but most could care less about which one is used to describe them.
3) The only term used to describe an American ethnic group that is constantly debunked, although this particular American ethnic group are only seen as Americans when it's convenient.
1) Girl 1: Yeah that was such a cute Bla.... I mean African American guy!
Girl 2: You know, you don't have to say African American. Black isn't offensive.
2) Guy 1: Do you prefer Black or African American?
Guy 2: Either is fine, just not Nigger.
3) After the tsunami and earthquake in Japan, people noticed how organized and orderly the Japanese were. When speculators tried to use the comparison between how Americans reacted to disaster after Hurricane Katrina and how the Japanese reacted, these were the popular responses:
"Japan didn't have any looting because there were no Blacks."
"Only Blacks and Latinos were looting the stores"
"It wasn't Americans who did the looting, it was "African-Americans""
Why these responses? Because African-Americans are less American than all others and become American enough when it's convenient.
Rap=Black music
Blues=American music (although it was also made by Black/African Americans)
Girl 2: You know, you don't have to say African American. Black isn't offensive.
2) Guy 1: Do you prefer Black or African American?
Guy 2: Either is fine, just not Nigger.
3) After the tsunami and earthquake in Japan, people noticed how organized and orderly the Japanese were. When speculators tried to use the comparison between how Americans reacted to disaster after Hurricane Katrina and how the Japanese reacted, these were the popular responses:
"Japan didn't have any looting because there were no Blacks."
"Only Blacks and Latinos were looting the stores"
"It wasn't Americans who did the looting, it was "African-Americans""
Why these responses? Because African-Americans are less American than all others and become American enough when it's convenient.
Rap=Black music
Blues=American music (although it was also made by Black/African Americans)
by MrSpeechie2010 March 2, 2012
An African American is essentially a black person. Us white folk are expected to call them African American or we are racist. Many African Americans hate being called African Americans, but if a white person calls them black, they go all "wtf your a fucking racist you honkey" on them. As do the other white people. So, if your black, go ahead and keep calling yourself "black" "nigga" and "negro", but if your white you'd better not call them any of those things, because you are going to be called a racist. So be a good little honkey crackka and call those self-proclaimed niggas, white-proclaimed African-Americans, African Americans.
White Person: HEY!!! wazzup my black buddy!
Black Person(cross out) African American: DAMN YOU FUCKING HONKEY TONKEY CRACKKA RACIST!! You betta be callin' me & my nigga's African Americans ya hearrrrrr!!!!!!!!!
Later...
African American: Did you see that Crackka? He called me Black!! Nigga, I dunno how we even live in this white society. Damn boi! I get fucking harrassed by dem Honkeys every fucking day!! If I wazz white I would get A's instead of F's cuz Mizz Fucking José is such a racist too all us niggas! I bet they dont have to do no work!
Miss José: Boys, now, I helped you out here. I gave you a C instead of a D. Happy?
Good African American Boy: YES!!! I GOT AN A!!!!!!
*later goes on to be the next George Washington Carver*
African American: FUCK! A C! THAT FUCKIN' RACIST
* later goes on to be the next wanna be TI *
Black Person(cross out) African American: DAMN YOU FUCKING HONKEY TONKEY CRACKKA RACIST!! You betta be callin' me & my nigga's African Americans ya hearrrrrr!!!!!!!!!
Later...
African American: Did you see that Crackka? He called me Black!! Nigga, I dunno how we even live in this white society. Damn boi! I get fucking harrassed by dem Honkeys every fucking day!! If I wazz white I would get A's instead of F's cuz Mizz Fucking José is such a racist too all us niggas! I bet they dont have to do no work!
Miss José: Boys, now, I helped you out here. I gave you a C instead of a D. Happy?
Good African American Boy: YES!!! I GOT AN A!!!!!!
*later goes on to be the next George Washington Carver*
African American: FUCK! A C! THAT FUCKIN' RACIST
* later goes on to be the next wanna be TI *
by rockstarrrgirlie March 13, 2009
The "politcaly" correct form of black. Not at all correct though considering black people who were born in America and have never been to Africa nor have family they actually know, are not African-American. Just American. It is also incorrect in the sense that blacks can come from places BESIDES Africa, like Jamacia. If it's politically correct to call blacks African-American, why not call whites European-American?
by pissed offed December 11, 2011
African American is the current politically correct way to say black person. This came to be the current correct way of saying it like this... about 400 years ago niggers were brought from Africa to work in America as slaves. At some point they got the right to vote and we had to call them "blacks" instead of niggers. And now they have money so we have to call them Afican American.
"They caught the african american who stole my wallet, he used my Visa to buy a pack of newports at the store next to his grandmothers house."
by Nate Jones 893 May 22, 2008
The term was made popular during the 1980's by Jesse Jackson when he used it in front of a national audience.
For more information:
SOURCE: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American
For more information:
SOURCE: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American
There are more than 37 million people in the United States who have majority African ancestry that may or may not use the term "African American" :
First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Condoleezza Rice, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, Janet Jackson, Vivica A. Fox,
First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Condoleezza Rice, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, Janet Jackson, Vivica A. Fox,
by yarnkitten2 January 22, 2012
A group of confused people mostly descended from African Slaves who’s own kind captured and sold them to Dutch traders for the production of tobacco, cotton and other farming industries in the colonial American trade.
They think that Abraham Lincoln and society wanted them to be free in the USA however Lincoln was assassinated before he could deport them back overseas. This lead to years of oppression.
In my opinion they should all be sent back to Africa and the ones that want to come back to the USA can do so through immigration. That way there is no more hostility between races because obviously they came over Willingly and by choice this round. : )
They think that Abraham Lincoln and society wanted them to be free in the USA however Lincoln was assassinated before he could deport them back overseas. This lead to years of oppression.
In my opinion they should all be sent back to Africa and the ones that want to come back to the USA can do so through immigration. That way there is no more hostility between races because obviously they came over Willingly and by choice this round. : )
by DetroitRealist July 9, 2020