how do you feel about the term "african american" and why?

It's very hard to know what will offend someone in this day and time. African American at one time was used as a politically correct term in America for all black people. I don't think it's accurate discription in most cases.

Other ethnic groups usually aren't identified by any other nationality. (there are exceptions such as asian-american)

I think there should be universal terms to identify different races and ethnic groups simply because specific issues need to be addressed within an ethnic group. Different histories, cultures and experiences are specific to different groups.

I wish we had universal terms that wouldn't offend anyone.

I know exactly one African American - Father from Nigeria, Mother from Midwest US. Not all "people of color" are either African or American.

I know a few white Africans - not sure if they are citizens of America, but they live and work here.

So yes, an African American (to me) is someone from Africa and naturalized as a citizen of the US or, as I stated above, the offspring of an African and an American.

While I don't usually call people by the color of their skin, that is what I think most people mean by the expression.

I suppose I show my age when I call some people black in order to identify them to someone else. However, I usually say the man/woman in the hat, flowered shirt, with the brown bag etc. .... not because it's PC, but because people are individuals.

A woman I know actually had an entry in her phone book and behind a name (not a common name and someone we both knew) it read "black friend". YIKES!!!

You know, I hate when whites (or anyone else) talk about something that doesn't concern them at all. The term "African-American" describes an American of African descent. In other words we are Americans but we recognize that our direct heritage comes from Africa. Why don't you ask an actual "African-American" the people who actually identify with this term? Or are you too ignorant to care?

An African American had better know 100% that their family hails from Africa. That means that whites can be African American. My family is from Ireland, so I'm Irish-American. Blacks are blacks, whites are whites, when talking about skin color or race. If you are talking about heritage, then you can be an African American, but I know blacks who came from France, and their family didn't originate in Africa, some Indians are what we'd consider black, some Native Americans are what we'd consider black. If you're talking heritage, fine, African American, if you're talking race, then you're black, white, brown, tan, etc.

Well,ancestrally,Black Americans hail from Africa-so they want the respect that comes with having a validated,known,ancestral homeland.Their theory is that just calling them a color(Black) disrespects their nationality as a whole,as if they haven't a homeland just a Black look.I'd like the authorities to call me where I'm from too,not just"a girl".As if I accept anything because I'm nobody with no culture,and anyone can use me for anything,like a handy bolt or gadget,or piece of something.Or that I can be moved around like a prop.

I think it's interesting that some people refer to themselves as African American and can't point to Africa on a map...

i hate it, it is a group term for a race of people. i have never been to africa, but there are people, who are white, that have moved from africa that can be called african-americans. it doesnt really do the race justice, but i guess that has always been the case.

Its more of a race description than an immigration status one. I, personally, don't like it. If you're an American then you're an American. If you're not, you're not. It should be that simple.

I am a person not a term

i think this refering of where one comes from must be stopped to end racism.