I mean "African American" seems like pandering. Like a PC accommodation to racial awkwardness?
I don't mind being called white, in fact it would sound a little funny to me to be called "Caucasian American" or "European american" which wouldn't even be accurate because I was born here.
I ask because at work I made a casual reference to someone being black and everyone got all awkward and someone asked me "Is black a country? Where is that?"
2008-03-19T13:41:22Z
Right but I couldn't think of the person's name, and was trying to come up with descriptive characteristics of the person to help my co-worker identify the person. That's why I mentioned that they were black.
Christal2008-03-19T13:52:34Z
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i see your point and it can be a pretty awkward situation especially if you can't remember any other distinguishing features such as the person's name, their job position, or whatever.
just as long as its a one off thing where there is no other way to describe the person you're referring to. using skin colour / ethnicity should be your absolute last resort in describing someone else in a situation like that.
I say "black." Most black people I know say "black." The only time anybody says "African American" is when they're on Good Morning America.
I mean, I do understand why this term has evolved, and I understand the history that's going on, and the fact that "black" has replaced other words that are certainly no longer appropriate, and maybe someday "black" will join the ranks of words like "colored," which make people cringe today. I think it behooves us all to be somewhat sensitive to these changes, and not just dismiss it all as PC thuggery. But I don't think we're there yet with "black."
. Your Absolutely Right! It's a bulls**t situation. I'm White. If anybody wants to call me 'Whitie', that's kind of funny, but ok. My great x2 grand-parents were born in Denmark, but I'm sure as heII not a Danish-American. And I've NEVER met an 'african-american who was born in Africa! I ALWAYS say 'Black', like in ,"That Black chick is Hot!", kind of thing. I sure don't know if SHE was born in Africa! Same as I don't say "Mexican-American" about anybody. I do NOT know where they were born! If they look Hispanice, that's how I might refer to them. Use the obvious. Heck, I've heard a few old Black guys say they have nothing against 'Neg.ro". Next time some p.c. nut-job critizes you, just say YOU got no idea of a person's Heritage! Maybe this Black person was born in Jamaica, or the Carribean, or goddann New York! AND there is a BlackLand, Egypt, and a Black Sea and certainly a Black Culture. i like black berries.
Everyone will have a personal preference, but I think the term is still OK to use, in a general sense. I'm white and have a black friend who refuses to play pool because it's the white ball that has to pot the black ball, and the game was invented by a white person!!! Some folk just take it too far I think.
If they are they yes -if you call a white guy black then it may be confusing.
I don't buy the African American thing....as I am an ESSI American (English, Scottish, Swedish, Irish) and nobody has ever called me that...so why should I pander?