The term African-American.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Its the same reason we use terms like Asian-American or Mexican-American. These people may not have a direct tie to their ancestral home, but its part of their heritage.

It's like calling me French

I mean, they're American. But since their ancestry ties them to Africa, I fail to see what's so problematic about them wanting that added to their identity.

[Leningrad Union]

It's like calling me French

I mean, they're American. But since their ancestry ties them to Africa, I fail to see what's so problematic about them wanting that added to their identity.

They have no connections to Africa

[Ozzy]

If they like the "African-American" label, there is no reason they shouldn't use it.

Wouldn't it be a weird weird world if we asked people what they wanted to be called and them called them it?

Isn't that how the world already works? If a group demands to be called whatever they may prefer, then the rest of society usually labels them as such.

[God Kefka]

Well I think it's simply that whites are a majority collectively. Hence you don't need to say, ''European American.'' The default American is white.

There may have been a colored Nazi soldier but when I say Nazi soldier, you immediately imagine a white soldier. The default position, the commonality of the majority, should not need special mention.

Let's be honest here... if someone said to me ''imagine an American right now.'' I'm most definitely imagining a white person...

With a beer belly and screaming "'Murica!"

I did imagine the beer belly part I'll confess...

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

I mean, they're American. But since their ancestry ties them to Africa, I fail to see what's so problematic about them wanting that added to their identity.

They have no connections to Africa

Ancestraly, they do.

[Leningrad Union]

With a beer belly and screaming "'Murica!"

I did imagine the beer belly part I'll confess...

Redneck randall is what I think. Then with Canada I think a forest park ranger. Then with UK I think chavs. Then with Australia I think surfers.

[Leningrad Union]

They have no connections to Africa

Ancestraly, they do.

That's like me calling myself a French-American because some ancestors went from France 400 years into Quebec and then into NYC.

[Mavorpen]

Ancestraly, they do.

That's like me calling myself a French-American because some ancestors went from France 400 years into Quebec and then into NYC.

...Why not?

Seriously, why the fuck not? Is there a law against this or what?

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Ancestraly, they do.

That's like me calling myself a French-American because some ancestors went from France 400 years into Quebec and then into NYC.

I don't oppose that. If you feel it's a part of your identity, who am I to tell you otherwise? If I have kids, and they want to be referred to as Spanish-American, is that objectionable? I don't think so.

Black people in the US feel strongly enough about their African ancestry, they want it to be a part of who they are.

[Leningrad Union]

That's like me calling myself a French-American because some ancestors went from France 400 years into Quebec and then into NYC.

...Why not?

Seriously, why the fuck not? Is there a law against this or what?

I'll do it.

[Leningrad Union]

That's like me calling myself a French-American because some ancestors went from France 400 years into Quebec and then into NYC.

I don't oppose that. If you feel it's a part of your identity, who am I to tell you otherwise? If I have kids, and they want to be referred to as Spanish-American, is that objectionable? I don't think so.

Black people in the US feel strongly enough about their African ancestry, they want it to be a part of who they are.

I guess I will want my kids to be Swedish-Israelis.

[Mavorpen]

...Why not?

Seriously, why the fuck not? Is there a law against this or what?

I'll do it.

Go for it.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

It's a way of indicating that much like Irish immigrants, Italian immigrants, Polish immigrants, and those from throughout the world, the slaves who were brought over on the ships had their own cultural heritage, beliefs, songs, stories, and values, ones that they brought with them on their journey. Unfortunately, due to concerted efforts on the parts of their "owners", much of this rich history was lost over time. This is simply an attempt to reclaim it. I'm not sure why anyone is bothered in the slightest over this.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

I don't oppose that. If you feel it's a part of your identity, who am I to tell you otherwise? If I have kids, and they want to be referred to as Spanish-American, is that objectionable? I don't think so.

Black people in the US feel strongly enough about their African ancestry, they want it to be a part of who they are.

I guess I will want my kids to be Swedish-Israelis.

If they identify as such, I fail to see the problem.

[God Kefka]

I did imagine the beer belly part I'll confess...

Redneck randall is what I think. Then with Canada I think a forest park ranger. Then with UK I think chavs. Then with Australia I think surfers.

what's a chav?

The other ones are pretty close to my stereotypes too...

[Leningrad Union]

I'll do it.

Go for it.

Check my sig.

[Nazi Flower Power]

It would be different. People would stop telling me I am not a real Nazi.

If it'll make you feel better, I think it's to prevent them from holding Nazis in higher regard. You do kind of upset the curve.

And to think I used to get complaints from serious Nazis who thought I was making them look bad...

[Utceforp]

It's convenient. When discussing the history and/or current situation of the slaves brought to the Americas from Africa, their descendants, or more recent immigrants, what other term are you going to use?

[Nazi Flower Power]

If they like the "African-American" label, there is no reason they shouldn't use it.

It's like me calling myself French because my grandfather's parents are from Quebec.

You could if you felt an emotional attachment to that heritage.

[Mavorpen]

It's convenient. When discussing the history and/or current situation of the slaves brought to the Americas from Africa, or their descendants, what other term are you going to use?

Mars American.

[Leningrad Union]

It's like me calling myself French because my grandfather's parents are from Quebec.

You could if you felt an emotional attachment to that heritage.

The only nationality attachments I have is Sweden and I'm a citizen.

[Nanzheng]

I mean, they're American. But since their ancestry ties them to Africa, I fail to see what's so problematic about them wanting that added to their identity.

They have no connections to Africa

That's presumptuous as hell. There is a non insignificant percentage of blacks who have African names, celebrate African holidays, have traced back their family line to Africa, etc.

So who are you to say they have no connection to Africa?

Secondly, their ancestral point of origin is fairly important in describing their history in this country. And it unfortunately continues to play a role in how they are perceived and treated to this day. As others have mentioned, they have a distinct culture or sub-culture within the broader current of American culture, and many elements of that culture can be traced back to their African heritage (Blues as a musical genre, for example, can be traced back to certain West African musical forms). Educate yourself.

As for myself I tend to use "Black" or "People/Person of Color".

[Nazi Flower Power]

Redneck randall is what I think. Then with Canada I think a forest park ranger. Then with UK I think chavs. Then with Australia I think surfers.

what's a chav?

The other ones are pretty close to my stereotypes too...

I can't think about Australia without thinking of the Crocodile Hunter. I'm sure the average person in Sydney doesn't go mucking around wrestling crocodiles, but that's still the first mental image that comes to mind.

[Cetacea]

Redneck randall is what I think. Then with Canada I think a forest park ranger. Then with UK I think chavs. Then with Australia I think surfers.

what's a chav?

The other ones are pretty close to my stereotypes too...

Ever seen Ali G, he's a chav

( )

Suprised Australians are associated with surfers rather than the Dundee/Steve Irwin style Bushman.

[Nanzheng]

It's like me calling myself French because my grandfather's parents are from Quebec.

There are some people with that background who might describe themselves as French. So what? Who are you to say they have no claim to that? If they still have a French last name, and speak French, and go out of their way to call attention to their French background, wouldn't you and most people start thinking of them as "French"?

One's Identity is at least partially determined by what one wants to be - it is formed out of the somewhat blurry intersection between how you choose to identify yourself and how others perceive you.