"african american" is politically incorrect...

[Jamash]

I think calling black people African American is prejudiced, it's making assumptions about them based solely on the colour of their skin.

Anyway, in America isn't the correct term "Colored People", because that civil rights organisation is called the NAACP, not the NAAAA?

When in doubt what to call a group of people, call them what their own civil rights group calls themselves, you can't really go wrong with that.

 

[Berithil]

My opinion, political correctness is pointless, because it seems that no matter what you say, your gonna piss someone off; even if it's completly unintentional.

 

[orangeapples]

Man, I wish I was here sooner.

I have a friend from Egypt who now has his American Citizenship. For us, he is African American even though he is classified as Middle Eastern.

I have a co-worker from Jamaica. We just call him Black, because he isn't from Africa. We would actually be more insensitive to call him African American. He'll take either Black or Jamacian, or Steven.

 

[feycreature]

Scoble, you seem to be having trouble telling the difference between being a wimp and having basic social skills. Going out of your way to antagonize people for no reason isn't manly or tough, it's just stupid. It's really not that crazy to ask people to respect our verbal boundaries. I prefer people not use my nickname until they get to know me better. I insist on this, politely, if I have to. In fact, it would be far more spineless to just say nothing thinking "oh, no this makes me uncomfortable but you can do it anyway because I'd just die if I had to interrupt the conversation for thirty seconds." Yeah if I yelled at everyone who got too familiar, that would be inappropriate but I don't.

I have a Christian friend around whom I don't blaspheme. Why? Because I respect her, and it is more important to me to demonstrate that respect than to be able to take in vain the name of a god I don't even believe in. It's not important to me, but her faith is important to her, and I lose so little by accommodating her that it barely registers. So what strength is there in upsetting her for something that means nothing to me?

 

[WolfThomas]

I just don't ever refer to anyone's race these days, it's getting way too difficult especially with intermarriage and multiculturalism.

Examples, while I know two people with a (white) Australian parent and a Sri Lankin parent, one looks looks "white" the other "black", almost identical heritage. I also know an Indian American (as in from India) who is constantly mistaken for being an "African American" because of his skin colour and American accent, he is in fact much darker than most "African Americans" because I think he said he has some Sri Lankin Tamil in him (they can be very dark). A best friend from childhood was half Irish half Philippino.

So now if I have to describe someone, I start with height and build, then how fair or dark they are. I never mention race/ethnicity.

 

[Barry93]

Well the way I see it is that a lot of African Americans...oops, I was supposed to say people of color to not offend the racially sensitive... but anyway, they like to be the victim... they want to be offended. I call them blacks because their skin color is usually black or a dark brown; I really don't see what the big deal is... I could careless if someone calls me white or Irish American.

 

[Caligulove]

It is something useless to say- it just feels more like patronizing black people.

just like Caucasian. Come on, theres nothing wrong with simple, vernacular language.
I always get the feeling that people who overtly use "African American" are saying so because they think that 'oh, all the black people around here will think I'm one of the GOOD white people. Way to go, me!"

 

[Xanadu84]

Political correctness in general is just stupid. Just because you note that someone is black doesn't mean you're judging them for it. Seriously, people are too sensitive about some things...

Political Correctness is not stupid. Stupid is stupid. Political Correctness may include some oversensitive people freaking out and suing over minor details, but it also includes school teachers not being allowed to call their students vicious racial slurs. Like everything else in the world, taking extremes is usually dangerous, and overarching, broad, knee jerk judgments like, "Political correctness is stupid" are dangerous.

There's a difference between political correctness and simple douchebaggery. Racial slurs are, of course, not okay, but that is a pretty basic matter of etiquette (for lack of a better term). Of course teachers shouldn't be able to insult students based on race or anything like that, but the inability to simply identify people by their color, ethnicity, or country of origin is just stupid.

Hate to burst the bubble, but there is a, "Better term" for it. It's "Politically Correct". You can't take a complex discussion involving the social acceptance of racial identifiers, and then simply say that anything that you don't happen to agree with falls under a certain label, and everything else is just common decency. That's just telling your opposition over and over again that they are a straw man, and hope that repetition will make them believe you. Political Correctness is a serious, complex issue with a variety of perspectives, shades of gray, and nuances that require open discussion and debate. It has pros and cons that need to be weighed with a willingness to revise your position based on the evolution of your knowledge, and the context of the issue itself. Saying, "It's stupid" destroys the chance to properly address the issue a hand, and become a better human being. I certainly understand the anti-censorship argument, but like anything, you can go too far and become too blind.

 

[FoolKiller]

I call them black because that is the simplest, non-offensive, logical thing to call them.

African American implies the person's heritage is African and is an American. That is way too contrived and not nearly correct often enough.

I also hate how it went from Oriental to Asian. Do people not realize that there are countries with both white and brown populations. Are they not Asian?

Alas, I don't care. I refer to the people that I speak with by their names and ignore the rest of the people altogether. It is just better for all of us.

Finally, this reminded me of a quote from my favourite TV show: House MD.

Dr. Foreman (the black doctor): Why are you riding me?
Dr. House: It's what I do...has it gotten worse lately?
Dr. Foreman: Yeah. Seems to me.
Dr. House: Really. Well, that rules out the race thing. 'Cause you were just as black last week.

 

[x434343]

Man, I wish I was here sooner.

I have a friend from Egypt who now has his American Citizenship. For us, he is African American even though he is classified as Middle Eastern.

Funny... I did some research into the terming "white" on the US census. You might be surprised to find out that, in the eyes of the US Census Bureau, your Egyptian friend is "White". In the US Census Bureau's terms, "White" refers to anyone with an origin in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Weird, huh?

 

[Stabber1010]

Because alot of black people are very stupid and ignorant so they use racism as an excuse for them being assholes

I'm not the only one seeing the irony in this statement, right?

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

American news has called blacks in Africa, France, and Australia "African Americans."

The American media isn't known for it's dedication to factual accuracy.

 

[Yoshemo]

Because alot of black people are very stupid and ignorant so they use racism as an excuse for them being assholes

I'm not the only one seeing the irony in this statement, right?

I see it!

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

in the eyes of the US Census Bureau, your Egyptian friend is "White". In the US Census Bureau's terms, "White" refers to anyone with an origin in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Weird, huh?

That must have put the goosestepping set in a lather.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

A best friend from childhood was half Irish half Philippino.

One of my best mates from childhood was Irish/Mongolian. He was about 4' tall and 6' wide.

 

[x434343]

in the eyes of the US Census Bureau, your Egyptian friend is "White". In the US Census Bureau's terms, "White" refers to anyone with an origin in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Weird, huh?

That must have put the goosestepping set in a lather.

Probably. If it were up to me, your options for race would be "Human", "Demon", "Vampire", "Cthulu", and "Liar".

 

[lucky_sharm]

I don't get why black people would get offended for being called black people. Calling them African American would be implying that ALL black people come only from Africa and being born in America at the same time, which is blatantly false.

 

[Yoshemo]

I don't get why black people would get offended for being called black people. Calling them African American would be implying that ALL black people come only from Africa and being born in America at the same time, which is blatantly false.

My point exactly

 

[Macgyvercas]

I say black. Even my learnéd black friend says black.

If "black" is politically incorrect, I will use it just to piss of the nuts who tell me not to say "Merry Christmas" because it's offensive to non-Christians. Seriously! You do your thing and I'll do mine.

I say Merry Christmas, even though I'm Agnostic. I don't even think the Atheists care either. The Christians really do act stupid when it comes to other religions and non-religions.

I learned a long time ago that religion is not worth fighting over, because no one wins and sometimes the police get called. I just play live and let live with other religions (or non-religions) and ask that I be given the same courtesy. However, fundimentalists usually don't listen.

Yeah, and in turn, we don't listen to them. It's a beautiful cycle... except when it ends in death. Yeah, that always sucks.

Anyway, what I meant was, even if you say Merry Xmas to someone, they won't get offended (unless they are fundamentalists). It's really more of a cultural thing now, than a religious one.

Quite true. However, every year without fail, I always run into some nut who tell me that saying "Merry Christmas" is politically incorrect.

 

[ma55ter_fett]

So.. lately a lot of black people have been angry at me because I say "Black people" instead of "African American.." Personally, I think the term "African American" is stupid and incomplete.. what if I mean blacks in Africa? Or England? or Cuba? And what if a white guy is born in Africa, and moves to America? He would be African American too, despite being white.
The point is.. what is so wrong with just saying "black people?" We can say white, mexican, etc... but we can't say black now? Its only recently that this is happening to me

...btw, I'm native american

Well I suppose if you call yourself "Native American" instead of "Red Person/People" you could at least extend the favor and refer to people of African decent "African American" instead of "Black Person/People."

BTW I'm going to call you a "Red Person" from now on until you stop useing the term "Black People" in any and all posts here.

Behold African American's you have a new champion here on the escapist and he (Ma55ter_fett) is a dick, but you can't always choose your allies.

ok i'll bite. why? why do you decide to blatantly state you're a racist fuck for the sake of being a racist fuck i mean black isn't and insult ok deal with it if people were being racist they would call blacks nigers or slaves and i'm sure there are many other racist words. black is merely a description as is white and if you complain about the term black then why should i or any other white skinned person have to put up with being white? you sir are an idiot whining about racism well being racist yourself. now have i penetrated that skull of yours or are you going to ignore me or better yet come back at me with a racist comment THAT would make my day because i get so much pleasure out of ripping these things apart come on i dare you ma55ter_fett this will only entertain me.

oh and just to make this clear i am not racist and do not extend any of the offensive words to anyone if you are offended then go cool off or reply in a calm intelligent fashion(well i want ma55ter_fett to be an idiot make tearing his comments apart easier) i am not using the racist words i put in here to attack anyone as i don't care about were someones family tree goes nor do i care about the amount of Melanin one has.

i am white i am proud i am behind 7 proxies so HA

What?

Perhaps you should read my post again.

Then maybe you'll see what I was trying to say (flew right over your head though) is that classifying a whole group of people by their skin color is demeaning and utterly stupid.

If you insist on calling everyone with the least bit of African blood in their veins "black" then you may as well go all out and call Mexican Americans "brown" and Asian Americans "yellow' and Native Americans "red" and European Americans "white".

Do you see how stupid it is to call people by the color of their skin.

If all you truly see when you look at an African American is the color of his skin then you sir/madam are the proud recipient of this poem.

Friend we do not see eye to eye
Unless we agree to disagree,
Ceaseless enemies will we forever be.
Knowing this I say to you,

You have these choices two.
Opinions held by you are either wrong,
Unless I was trolling you all along.