is it politically correct to refer to african american's as black?
79439
It depends on the person. If you don't know them it's probably not a good idea, they might be offended.
195273
I don't like the whole PC nomenclature because it's all based on physical characteristics anyway. Someone else mentioned white South Africans and alluded to the fact that they aren't truly African. Is that just because whites immigrated there from Europe or are descendants of those Europeans who claimed the land as their own? Well then, if those old "land bridge" theories are correct, then instead of referring to anyone as "Native Americans," we need to understand that technically, they are probably "Asian-Americans." Just how far back in one's ancestry do we need to go? And why isn't "European-American" as widely accepted and used as the other "(continent)-American" forms? And if I become a citizen of Berlin, will I be a "North American-German" or just "American-German"? "American-European"? And why aren't Middle Eastern natives referred to as "Asian-Americans"? Why are they often called "Muslims" and "Hindus" instead? Why aren't the rest of us referred to by our religious affiliations (if applicable)?\n\nThere are no perfect "labels" we can use - not everyone will be satisfied. What we need to remember is that the *intent* of someone's writing/speech is the important thing. Some black comedians have ridiculed the whole "African-American" terminology since it didn't magically make everything better. Furthermore, if someone says something such as, "That's just typical African-American behavior," is that person suddenly "sensitive" for using the proper PC term? How about "Hey, you know how those Asian-Americans are"?\n\nJust my two cents - we need to try to respect each other and accept our differences before we can really become color-blind.\n\n(EDIT: Hey gogo, does that mean Margaret Thatcher is "African-American"? What about Vladimir Putin? Osama bin Laden? Saddam Hussein? Ichiro Suzuki? We're *all* "African-American"?)\n\n(EDIT 2: My point is that we shouldn't be "concerned" *only* with the "hyphenated American" labels - that's a rather nationalistic viewpoint, don't you think? If we *in the United States* are *all* "African-Americans," then those in other countries are thus "African-[insert country.....or continent.....or something]." I wanted to extend this beyond our borders since not all of the world's 6.5 billion people ["humanity"] are living within the United States and/or the rest of the American continents.)
520414
I don't think it necessarily is, however, I do think that the word used above (starts with N) should not be used by anyone.  Black or white, it is still a racial term.  Sy what you will, the simple fact that it's groundings are where they, says it is not a word that should be used anywhere, by anyone.
789851
What a pun! I know it's not your fault the show is called "The Amazing Race." Some people who have never seen the show may be confused here. lol. \n\nI watched the show but haven't seen this one. So I'm not sure how well they get along. If they were able to say it to the "sistas" faces then it is okay. \n\nIf they say it secretly and laugh that doesn't even necessarily mean it's racist.Maybe it just sounds funny..."sistas." They could be using it to be racist but I can't assume. \n\nAs a black person I honestly don't find anything wrong with other races using the term at all. It all depends on the context in which is was used.
692896
the reasoning behind using african american is that people of african descent across the globe are one of the only groups in the world (along with the gypsies) who really cant pinpoint a place where our ancestors derived from (true they came from africa, but africa is a continent, not a country).  so a couple of years ago in the us, in an attempt to say that we have a heritage too, the term african american was coined.  nowadays tho, most african americans call themselves black because not only does it connect us more with other people of african descent across the globe but it also distinguishes us from white africans.  hope this helped.  oh yea, i think you'd technically be african american.  i had a teacher in highschool from south africa and he said that he does have the option of checkin african american down on applications and what not but he usually puts white or other.
528608
I would say no because first of all euphemism are actually words to sugar coat foul language/cursing words.For example instead of saying " f**k you" you'd say "screw you".\n\nPolitically correct is is basically the same. like the word n**ger (im black btw)is not PC...African American is...\nAnother PC word is Caucasian instead of saying white people\n\nSo technically euphemism would not be a good way to change attitude but I do believe Polittically Correct is a great way to start...it helps eliminate and cut down on descrimination against certain race,sex,gender..etc.Hope you get the idea\n\n\nNO HONEY EUPHEMISMS ARE NOT AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE....THIS IS A  TOUGH QUESTION BECAUSE SOME MAY SAY IT IS & SOME MAY DISAGREE.BUT TO IT NOT AN EFFECTIVE WAY..I SEE EUPHEMISM'S AS A WAY TO COVER UP NEGATIVE COMMENT AND FOUL LANGUAGE.dO YOU GET ME?
187739
I never call myself African American. These so-called blacks call themselfs that because they have no idea who they are. They call themself African because there fathers came from there, American because they born here.\n\nBy putting us into one group the enemy is now able to make such statements as "AFRICANS SOLD OTHER AFRICANS INTO SLAVERY". no such thing, Black skin people were sold by other nations who just happen to have black skin, we were also sold by nations of people with white skin, Yellow skin, brown skin,  red skin and so on.\n\nWhen you call yourself black what does that mean? What is a black? Black does not constitute a nationality or culture. It is something that was created to keep you ignorant of your true Identity. Every man on earth is describe by his nation (Nationality), Chinese are people from China, Irish are people from Ireland, Polish are people from Poland, Mexicans are People from Mexico, Blacks are people from where?\n\nAfrica is not a unified Group, Race, Nation or Nationality. What the Ashanti Tribe on the West Coast of Africa believe is not the same thing the Zulu's believe in South Africa, the same thing the people in Libya believe is not the same thing the People in the Sudan believe. \n\nAfrica never has been one unified group with the same belief's and thoughts, they differ from group to group just like the rest of mankind do. Not all people on the Asian continent believe the same, not all people in Europe believe the same, so why do you expect the people on the continent of Africa to be the same? IT'S THAT WAY FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DECEPTION.In Order to deny the truth, they created a lie. They took one indigenous tribe in Africa who still had traditional or what they call primitive culture and said this is how ALL black skin people are.  They all wear plates in the lips, swing from trees, don't have a written language ect. When many think of the African image they will think, nude men and women, running around doing nothing.
997926
You know, it isn't the word itself, it is what you mean when you say it.  So if you use Bushaka instead of the N word, then in essence it is just as bad as the N word if you actually mean the N word.  Remember, "negro" means "black" in Spanish, "niggardly" means "cheap" although it has nothing to do with the N word.  However, if you tell someone they have taken a niggardly approach to something, they will be insulted if they don't know what the word means. If you call some Black people "Colored" today they will want to skin you alive, but back in the 60's, many Black people preferred the term.  So, remember, it isn't the word itself, but what you mean by the word.
117767
To be "correct" is to be right - without error.\n\nTo be "politically correct" is to be right, without offending anyone.
887825
nope. you're right, not everyone is born in Africa. so just say black. great question!
362829
Yes, if you're born in Africa you're African American. That's why some people prefer to be called black because African American classifies anyone born in Africa.
773424
You have to go back in time a little. Pre slavery days. Before there were any black people in North America. There were the Native Americans. We called them "red man" They called the invaders "pale face" "white man". But you have to remember. That the black man coined the term themselves. They didn't like being called Negro. So they insisted themselves that they were "black". There's your origin of the black man. The white man didn't give him that name. He did it to himself. \n.
156666
I think the majority of the people (including African-Americans) use the words "white" and "black" as a simplifier.  It is the same principle that an official in a basketball game uses to describe to the score keeper the player who committed the foul.  He commonly will say, for example, "push on number 11, blue team" when the color of uniform he is alluding to is actually purple or another odd darker color.  The same if the player is wearing grey.  The official will refer to it as white.  It is just easier for clarification.\n\nThere may be some hidden motivation for some people in the past (or possibly the present) concerning good/bad, black/white, but I doubt that most people get that from it.\n\nAs a matter of fact, I would guess that most people would rather have a black car than a white one.  White is plain (and usually less expensive).\n\nPeople will see what they want to see, I guess.
703908
I prefer to be called Black, not African American. No, I'm not from Africa but of course my ancestors are. But given the fact that many African Americans from Africa have treated me like sh*t like any other racist idiot, I'd rather not be called that. I have heard from many of them that we (Blacks) are not pure Africans and that we are a disgrace to their people. The ones I've encountered looks at us and treat us like dogs. I'm cool on them. Don't want to ever be associated with them. Don't get me wrong, not all of them are like that. But the majority I've encountered are.
197203
This is one of the great flaws in labeling people, especially using politically correct terms.\n\nLogically, if someone with Irish ancestors is an "Irish-American", and someone with Italian ancestors is "Italian-American", then someone with white ancestors from South Africa is "African-American".\n\nMy friend Janus is very dark skinned, but was born in England to family from the carribean. Nothing sets her off like calling her an African-American. She'll tell you quite properly that she's English!!\n\nI have no idea what to call my friend who was born in India, raised in Tanzania, Toronto and New Jersey, and now lives in San Francisco. Perhaps "Well travelled" is the best description!
705581
Black people in England are called Black people. Sometimes they are called people of afro-carribean descent or Black British.
1081792
It's a personal choice.  If you don't want to be called African-American, then tell them so.  I myself am Black and I also use the term African-American.  I may be wrong, but I don't think the politicians came up with this term.  I believe we started using this term as a way to honor our ancestors.  Check on wikipedia.com for the origin of the term African American.