"BLACK or AFRICAN AMERICAN" mainly a question...

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Replies

  • I know someone is about to upset with this one, but y'all hve the right to be upset and i hve the right to ask.
    SOOOOOOOOOOOOO why is it offensive for some to be called, "African American, Black, Black American, Afro American People of colour" but umm, the N word is used SOOO loosely?

    I have found that the N word is used primarily by black to black people. The N word was used in a derogatory sense back when black people were used as slaves. So, maybe they're "owning" (I know, very poor choice of word to follow the previous sentence) the word. I would never think to ever refer to a black person as the N word.
  • BigAlfrn
    BigAlfrn Posts: 173 Member
    waiting for someone to post that 'DIS GONNA BE GOOD" video for this thread.
  • Beleg
    Beleg Posts: 227 Member
    I have always believed that if you were born in America then you are a black american. If you were born in Africa and then moved to the US and became an american citizen then you are an african american. Just my thoughts. Im a white american My great great great great great great grandfather came from ireland that doesn't make me irish american. Just my thoughts for what its worth.
  • MsTanya77
    MsTanya77 Posts: 357 Member
    African-American came into popularity during the error of "political correctness" back in the 90's. I call myself black. I'm young, gifted, and BLACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)))))
  • virichi08
    virichi08 Posts: 465 Member
    I know someone is about to upset with this one, but y'all hve the right to be upset and i hve the right to ask.
    SOOOOOOOOOOOOO why is it offensive for some to be called, "African American, Black, Black American, Afro American People of colour" but umm, the N word is used SOOO loosely?


    Whoa...Slow your roll princess!

    Seriously... just asking. To ME, from MY PERSONAL expericence. the N word is obvisouly offensive and a "no-no" to say the least. The was i was raised those other terms i wrote up there were considered to be respectful. Now as an adult im finding out different.
  • pinthin87
    pinthin87 Posts: 296 Member
    I personally do not want to be referred to as African American. Here is why...I do not hold a belief that all "Black" people are decendants of Africa. Plenty of people from countries such as the Dominican Replublic identify as "Black" even though they speak Spanish and are of "mixed" heritage. That is just one example. Myself personally...I identify as "black" but my great grand-father was in fact of Irish (white) descent. My father's father was hispanic. I feel that most "black" people are many things so to be labeled from Africa automatically is not ok to me. I don't get terribly offended when called African American because I know most people are meerly attempting to be politically correct. Howeverm those that I am close with I let them know I prefer Black. I think the term "black" also partially refers to our skin complexion (which is really brown...lol), but this is less offensive to me because as I stated before plenty of other nationalities (such as Dominicans) have dark skin besides "black" people. That's just my two cents.
  • opuntia
    opuntia Posts: 860 Member
    I'm not black, but have worked with a lot of black colleagues, and they all use the term 'black'. I'm in the UK, and 'black' is actually the politically correct term here at the moment. It didn't use to be, which is why some older people can look shocked when people say it - mostly older white people, I find, who generally don't actually know any black people. The term used to be 'coloured' here, but that was deemed offensive because it suggests that white is the default and everything else has a colour. A lot of white people also say 'dark', which to me is a bit of a meaningless word - a white person can be referred to as dark if they get a sun tan!

    On equal opportunities forms, people can specify whether they are 'Black English', 'Black Irish', 'Black British', etc. A colleague once refused to fill it in because there was no option for simply 'Black' or 'Black African'.
  • BigAlfrn
    BigAlfrn Posts: 173 Member
    one serious note about the N word. I use it. I think its more habit than anything. The same way other people may use the word "dude". I am a black man myself and i try not to use the term as mush as i have when i was growing up but i will admit that i do use the word when speaking to my friends. i'm not bragging or saying that i'm proud of it but again its more habit than anything. that whole we took the word and flipped it so its ours and we own it is BS its a word that has been used for centuries. no it isnt right. it shouldnt be used but its just one of those things that will never change. oh i forgot to say that i prefer black to african american although i wont feel any type of way if referred to as the latter
  • danilee1020
    danilee1020 Posts: 85 Member
    N word is used by mostly blacks, and some whites. I say the N word. Maybe it's a TX thing. I am not going to lie, it is what it is, oh and when I use the N word, I don't discriminate.
  • ster81
    ster81 Posts: 249
    Maybe people think that if they are called "African-American" they automatically think they are from Africa. Your really not Black...we should call you brown. White people should not be called white, they should be called tan. And then Asians, Why aren't they called Yellow people? Hmm..they mysteries of the world...

    looking around for some Yellow people....
  • virichi08
    virichi08 Posts: 465 Member
    I personally do not want to be referred to as African American. Here is why...I do not hold a belief that all "Black" people are decendants of Africa. Plenty of people from countries such as the Dominican Replublic identify as "Black" even though they speak Spanish and are of "mixed" heritage. That is just one example. Myself personally...I identify as "black" but my great grand-father was in fact of Irish (white) descent. My father's father was hispanic. I feel that most "black" people are many things so to be labeled from Africa automatically is not ok to me. I don't get terribly offended when called African American because I know most people are meerly attempting to be politically correct. Howeverm those that I am close with I let them know I prefer Black. I think the term "black" also partially refers to our skin complexion (which is really brown...lol), but this is less offensive to me because as I stated before plenty of other nationalities (such as Dominicans) have dark skin besides "black" people. That's just my two cents.

    Good points. Thank God, someone who dsnt get all offended by a question asked by BLACK PERSON THEMSEVLES.
  • still_crafty
    still_crafty Posts: 682 Member
    waiting for someone to post that 'DIS GONNA BE GOOD" video for this thread.

    I'm still waiting for the effing popcorn!
  • bsix3
    bsix3 Posts: 291
    is Sexual Chocolate still available?
  • My dad is black. Most people just look at me as white... I don't get it. LOL -- heck, people call me what they want... I don't care.

    Charlize Theron is an african american.

    Yes... yes, she is!
  • EyeLikeTacos
    EyeLikeTacos Posts: 324 Member
    I know someone is about to upset with this one, but y'all hve the right to be upset and i hve the right to ask.
    SOOOOOOOOOOOOO why is it offensive for some to be called, "African American, Black, Black American, Afro American People of colour" but umm, the N word is used SOOO loosely?


    Whoa...Slow your roll princess!

    Seriously... just asking. To ME, from MY PERSONAL expericence. the N word is obvisouly offensive and a "no-no" to say the least. The was i was raised those other terms i wrote up there were considered to be respectful. Now as an adult im finding out different.

    Yes I see what you mean...I am personally from a generation when that word was taken and used to empower black people...

    I see the N word as word that should be only used among black people....And other situations that I won't get into right now...

    However,

    These days I see the N word used by white people to other white people...even Asians to Asians....It's very open and thrown around...I don't get offended...I don't even care..

    The word is only a hate word when coming from someone who has hate in his/her heart....


    So take for example...

    Lets say one of my closest white friends said to me "What's up my N..."

    NO BIGGIE

    but some racist person said, "Shut up boy"

    Those are fighting words!
  • aa1440
    aa1440 Posts: 956 Member
    I personally do not want to be referred to as African American. Here is why...I do not hold a belief that all "Black" people are decendants of Africa. Plenty of people from countries such as the Dominican Replublic identify as "Black" even though they speak Spanish and are of "mixed" heritage. That is just one example. Myself personally...I identify as "black" but my great grand-father was in fact of Irish (white) descent. My father's father was hispanic. I feel that most "black" people are many things so to be labeled from Africa automatically is not ok to me. I don't get terribly offended when called African American because I know most people are meerly attempting to be politically correct. Howeverm those that I am close with I let them know I prefer Black. I think the term "black" also partially refers to our skin complexion (which is really brown...lol), but this is less offensive to me because as I stated before plenty of other nationalities (such as Dominicans) have dark skin besides "black" people. That's just my two cents.

    This^^ I have not followed my family roots back far enough to know where my ancestors came from.
  • Ayumiin
    Ayumiin Posts: 1
    I always prefer black to African American, and often times, and over black, I prefer just to be American. I get people asking me all the time what nationality am (people over the internet who hear my voice) I and I always say American. America was where I was born, where I was raised, and where I live and I identify myself more with just being American than I do black or African American.

    But I guess if they really must know, I'll let them know I'm black. I can't trace my family far enough back to Africa and according to my mom, her side of the family has a good bit of Native American ancestry. So identifying with Africa, ain't gonna happen with me.
  • BigAlfrn
    BigAlfrn Posts: 173 Member
    just thought of this. someone non black using the N word is like a man calling a woman the B word. woman can call other women b*tches all day long. but dont let a man say it. its along the same lines. just an observation
  • *peaks* Meh, I'd say I'm more caramel in color.
  • macpatti
    macpatti Posts: 4,280 Member
    N word is used by mostly blacks, and some whites. I say the N word. Maybe it's a TX thing. I am not going to lie, it is what it is, oh and when I use the N word, I don't discriminate.
    NOT "a TX thing". I've never used that word.
  • virichi08
    virichi08 Posts: 465 Member
    Ok, i've seen it twice (i thnk on this thread) where ppl are "going to get thier popcorn" or "waiting for someon to pop off" or whatever, but seriously, nothing i wrote here was racist by any means, no where was i trying to offend anyone, so why the big deal that i asked a race based question? Im not cursing anyone out or sending ppl hate mail. Im curious and wanting another HUMANS perspective on the subject other than my own. So why the big 'OMG, CANT BLIEVE SHE ASKED THIS QUESTION?'
    ON TOP OF THAT, I am ALSO black....
  • Yardtigress
    Yardtigress Posts: 367 Member
    I don't like the hyphen American, I feel that it separates people to much. I'm an American I was born and raised here. Black is ok, but if you want color, then everyone is a form of that color, brown, beige, tan, it gets confusing. The N word is a no-no, I feel it's like calling someone Fatty Fatty, name calling doesn't help anyone it just hurts. Just saying that people do stupid things. If you like person of color, or African American, then tell people what you prefer. I call my friends, My friends, and A**holes, A**holes, their color has nothing to do with it.
  • pittskaa
    pittskaa Posts: 319 Member
    N word is used by mostly blacks, and some whites. I say the N word. Maybe it's a TX thing. I am not going to lie, it is what it is, oh and when I use the N word, I don't discriminate.


    blacks. i hate when people refer to "black people" "african american people", whatever, as blacks. irritates me so much.
  • aa1440
    aa1440 Posts: 956 Member
    I know someone is about to upset with this one, but y'all hve the right to be upset and i hve the right to ask.
    SOOOOOOOOOOOOO why is it offensive for some to be called, "African American, Black, Black American, Afro American People of colour" but umm, the N word is used SOOO loosely?


    Don't like the "N" word. I don't use it and I don't let other Blacks/African Americans to use it around me.
  • EyeLikeTacos
    EyeLikeTacos Posts: 324 Member
    just thought of this. someone non black using the N word is like a man calling a woman the B word. woman can call other women b*tches all day long. but dont let a man say it. its along the same lines. just an observation

    I think this way too..

    Although in times of role playing...the B word will get used!
  • Janet9906
    Janet9906 Posts: 546 Member
    I refer to myself as chocolate awesome

    And that's why I love you xo
  • EyeLikeTacos
    EyeLikeTacos Posts: 324 Member
    N word is used by mostly blacks, and some whites. I say the N word. Maybe it's a TX thing. I am not going to lie, it is what it is, oh and when I use the N word, I don't discriminate.


    blacks. i hate when people refer to "black people" "african american people", whatever, as blacks. irritates me so much.

    blacks = no no

    black folk , black people = all good
  • Fatal1ty2k5
    Fatal1ty2k5 Posts: 333 Member
    i just say black even in front of black people. So far no one has taken offense.
  • pittskaa
    pittskaa Posts: 319 Member
    N word is used by mostly blacks, and some whites. I say the N word. Maybe it's a TX thing. I am not going to lie, it is what it is, oh and when I use the N word, I don't discriminate.


    blacks. i hate when people refer to "black people" "african american people", whatever, as blacks. irritates me so much.

    blacks = no no

    black folk , black people = all good

    exactly. you don't hear people saying "oh look at those whites!" its so annoying when anyone says blacks. /end rant. :bigsmile:
  • k8blujay2
    k8blujay2 Posts: 4,941 Member
    N word is used by mostly blacks, and some whites. I say the N word. Maybe it's a TX thing. I am not going to lie, it is what it is, oh and when I use the N word, I don't discriminate.

    Or maybe it's just a you (and your neighborhood) thing... 'cause I live in Texas (and have for over half my life) and I have never said it nor has anyone else I know... white, black, brown or yellow... But then maybe it's because I'm white... or maybe it's because I don't care to use words that are considered derogatory... I don't call my girls "my *****es" and I don't call gay men "*kitten*" either.... If other people want to call themselves or others that, then fine... but it's not for everyone.


    Dang it! I just wanted to lurk, because this stuff fascinates me.