Question about "PC" ethnic terms...

[z31maniac]

Just thinking about this today with all the comments about certain groups voting for a certain candidate due to race.

If black people don't want to be separate from the rest of the population, why do the segregate themselves by using the term "African-American," aren't we all just "American?"

I don't go around calling myself "European-American."

Not to mention, why is it racist to call an "African-American," "black" yet it isn't considered racist to not use "caucasian" when referring to "white" people.

Just a thought, I could be completely wrong.......

[BobombETA]

I understand your point. It would be nice to just refer to everyone as human.

I don't think being called "black" is any more derogatory than being called "white", definitely not racist though.

This probably won't work in OK, but why not ask a black guy lol?

[mikegar]

my 2 cents is that the terms black or white are used in good vs evil. good being white bad being black. so while i find that calling a race white(good) is a lot less offensive than calling a race black(bad). our nation is a melting pot of different races, cultures and religions, it would be a shame to strip people of their race, religion, or culture by labling every one simply american, just as it would divide our nation to label a people african or european, so the term african american does not seperate it unites while allowing the people to keep their heritage.

[z31maniac]

Well my job before last at State Farm I worked with about 3 black people on my team and they all shared my sentiment.

However my last job and my new one, I've seen 2 black people total. There aren't a lot of black people in OK.

[quikveedb2]

I don't go around calling myself "European-American."

lol, maybe you should start. i guess i'd be a "Central American-American."

[TDE30]

Racism still exists in the lexicons of 99% of the US. Not staunch or bitter racism, but discrimination is still very much alive. It's a shame, and totally inexcusable, but not an easy subject to delete from people's minds.

[z31maniac]

lol, maybe you should start. i guess i'd be a "Central American-American."

Although I think technically I'd be a NativeAmerican-European American considering my Cherokee/English/German ancestry.

Just seems fucking retarded to me. I'm American.

[chucko]

I can't speak for everyone but I think African American is just a way to Identify an ethinc group. Not unlike Italian Americans, Irish Americans, Japaneese Americans, Mexican Americans, etc. Since most black americans don't know their particular ethnic background (e.g. Kenyan, Ugandan, etc.) because of slavery and have been mixed together with many African ethnic groups, the closest ethnic description is the term African and the term American is the nationality. Also it's not racist to say black, but you have to admit that the word 'black' may be the most negatively connotated word in the english language. Conversely, the word 'white' may be the most positively connotated word in the english language. My opinion!

[DCColegrove]

Hmmm...

This one could heat up in a hot second...

[z31maniac]

^EDIT: This is a serious attempt at an open, honest discussion. Not a race bashing flame war, anyone who turns it into such is worthless.

Not to be shitty, but I can think of MUCH more offensive words to refer to African-Americans than "black," and I think everyone else can too.

Then again, I'm not black, so I don't know what is the most offensive.

[mikegar]

I can't speak for everyone but I think African American is just a way to Identify an ethinc group. Not unlike Italian Americans, Irish Americans, Japaneese Americans, Mexican Americans, etc. Since most black americans don't know their particular ethnic background (e.g. Kenyan, Ugandan, etc.) because of slavery and have been mixed together with many African ethnic groups, the closest ethnic description is the term African and the term American is the nationality. Also it's not racist to say black, but you have to admit that the word 'black' may be the most negatively connotated word in the english language. Conversely, the word 'white' may be the most positively connotated word in the english language. My opinion!

what i said, only it sounded more educated

[SamE30e]

I had a conversation with a dark skin girl at work. She believes that some people of the same skin colour of her segrigate themselves when they want.

[joshh]

Because they feel to be even with us they have to tilte the scales the other way.

The most racist people I've ever met were black.

[speedhop]

I hope this doesn't get out of hand, because as adults (let's hope so), it shouldn't.

I think racism is embedded into blacks and whites in a number of ways. Whites and blacks go to school and are constantly bombarded with how poorly blacks are/have been treated throughout American history. Whites are conditioned to feel pity...and pity more or less reveals a social hierarchy.

But what I really don't get is how blacks have fought so hard and so long to achieve equality, yet by choice segregate themselves. BET, Black Entertainment Awards, etc etc etc...that is segregation by choice. I know for a fact that a good portion of blacks at my college feel Condoleeza Rice has "sold out" because she doesn't represent her black community. WTF does that even mean?! But you and I both know that if a white guy walked into the Apollo he'd be heckled and harassed until he leaves? A double standard has been built into our beliefs. It's not right. I could be completely off base here...just trying to add my pov. I hope someone comes up with a reasonable rebuttal.

[SamE30e]

Because they feel to be even with us they have to tilte the scales the other way.

The most racist people I've ever met were black.

Sad but true..

I feel racist saying it.