Does anybody else think the term "African American" is racist?? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

barwars · 05-01-2004, 05:20 PM

I find it to be very racist, I mean, not all black people are African.
Some may be latino, or Jamaican, or whatever.
And some may be just African (like the priest at my church) -- nothing American about 'em.

Just like all white people arent English.
All Asian people arent Chinese.
and all Latinos arent Mexican.

Do think the term "African American" is racist??

Liza · 05-01-2004, 05:24 PM

I think so. As you say, not all blacks are African, and also, not all Africans are black. There are whites from South Africa, as well as most of northern Africa. Would you call Omar Sharif and Charlize Theron African Americans?

In any case, I'm not "European Caucasion." I'm white

Michael [hXc] · 05-01-2004, 05:24 PM

An African American is an African who lives in America. Nothing racist about it. But it is racist if you call all black people "African American".

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 05-01-2004, 05:26 PM

It is stupid to say...I mean, they don't call me an Italian-Hungarian-Polish-American...so why should they call anyone who's black African American? Hell, it's even stupid to call them black because in fact, they're not. But whatever, people are stupid.

barwars · 05-01-2004, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Liza
I think so. As you say, not all blacks are African, and also, not all Africans are black. There are whites from South Africa, as well as most of northern Africa. Would you call Omar Sharif and Charlize Theron African Americans?

In any case, I'm not "European Caucasion." I'm white

haha.
in the words of Dave Chappelle (a black comic for all of you living under a rock).... white power!
i kid
i kid

people are black, people are white -- enough of the this "African American" and "Caucasion" crap.
Its still segregation -- just fancier words.

Liza · 05-01-2004, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BeaverFan5
An African American is an African who lives in America. Nothing racist about it. But it is racist if you call all black people "African American".

Exactly. That's how the term should be used. But it's not. And, out of curiosity, what are we calling the Africans who may or may not be black? Egyptian American? South African American? Tunisian American? Madagascarian American?

barwars · 05-01-2004, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by *A TV People*
It is stupid to say...I mean, they don't call me an Italian-Hungarian-Polish-American...so why should they call anyone who's black African American? Hell, it's even stupid to call them black because in fact, they're not. But whatever, people are stupid.

exactly.
I know you're an SNL fan so....
Have heard of the time when Chirs Rock (i think it was him) said something along the lines of "my big black dick", but the FCC wanted it to be changed to "my big african american dick"
hahahaha

ConservativeBalla · 05-01-2004, 05:29 PM

Yes.

Michael [hXc] · 05-01-2004, 05:29 PM

It is dumb to call people a nationality. We are all people. Anyone who lives in America is an American, regardless of heritage. I'm not an Italian-Portuguese-American, I'm just American.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 05-01-2004, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars88
exactly.
I know you're an SNL fan so....
Have heard of the time when Chirs Rock (i think it was him) said something along the lines of "my big black dick", but the FCC wanted it to be changed to "my big african american dick"
hahahaha

Yeah, I've heard of that

barwars · 05-01-2004, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by *A TV People*
Yeah, I've heard of that

haha
I cant remember if it a real thing -- or Weekend Update.
but in my book.... WU is the ONLY news source.

Liza · 05-01-2004, 05:39 PM

Some of my favorite African-Americans:

Charlize Theron

Richard E. Grant

Omar Sharif

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 05-01-2004, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars88
haha
I cant remember if it a real thing -- or Weekend Update.
but in my book.... WU is the ONLY news source.

Amen to that

barwars · 05-01-2004, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Liza
Some of my favorite African-Americans:

Charlize Theron

shwing!!

Jrnygrl · 05-01-2004, 05:43 PM

If I could add my perspective to this. The thing with being called African American comes from the fact that alot of black Americans want to be identified with who we are as a people. For years Italians, Irish, Polish and other ethinic people have been linked with their being able to say I came from wherever and were called or identified with their ethinic heritage and group of people. Alot of black people because of the need to identify and say we have a place or homeland where we came from, and because people who are of African heritage were stripped of our language and our culture when brought to this country, and therefore want to have that connection. If we could stop pigeon holeing everyone these kinds of things would not be necessary, but this is how the game is played. There was a thread on this board not long ago, where someone asked "What heritiage are you or what your ethinic background," and everyone started naming off "...oh I'm Irish, French, Ductch Asian and a little Italian." And this, at least in my opinion, is why the term "African American" is so important for some black people to be called African American.

I for one don't think its racist, but it is incorrect for black people born in this country to be called African American .

JMO. Stepping off the soapbox

View Poll Results: Do think the term "African American" is racist??
Yes	8	25.81%
No	23	74.19%
Voters: 31. You may not vote on this poll

05-01-2004, 05:20 PM	#1
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Does anybody else think the term "African American" is racist?? I find it to be very racist, I mean, not all black people are African. Some may be latino, or Jamaican, or whatever. And some may be just African (like the priest at my church) -- nothing American about 'em. Just like all white people arent English. All Asian people arent Chinese. and all Latinos arent Mexican. Do think the term "African American" is racist??

05-01-2004, 05:24 PM	#3
Michael [hXc] dying. Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 29, 2004 Posts: 8,532	An African American is an African who lives in America. Nothing racist about it. But it is racist if you call all black people "African American".
	__________________ I'm scared now...is this working out? When my voice is on the way, Who's to think about? I'm scared one day I'll say, "I don't love this anymore," Turn my back on all my fans... Who's to think about? The brighter I shine, the darker my shadows. And they pull me behind, as I let off the pedal. Why should I divide what feels so right? Is this where I want to lay?

05-01-2004, 05:26 PM	#4
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	It is stupid to say...I mean, they don't call me an Italian-Hungarian-Polish-American...so why should they call anyone who's black African American? Hell, it's even stupid to call them black because in fact, they're not. But whatever, people are stupid.
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.

05-01-2004, 05:29 PM	#8
ConservativeBalla R.I.P., Mr. Reagan. Senior Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2003 Location: 704 Hauser Street, Queens, New York; having an eating contest with Meathead eating Edith's beef stew. Posts: 1,822	Yes.
	__________________ Big Daddy: ...now you promise me you won't fret none. Dorothy: Well, I would, but I'm not exactly sure what "fret none" is.

05-01-2004, 05:24 PM	#2
Liza BestYearsofOurLives Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 24, 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,537	I think so. As you say, not all blacks are African, and also, not all Africans are black. There are whites from South Africa, as well as most of northern Africa. Would you call Omar Sharif and Charlize Theron African Americans? In any case, I'm not "European Caucasion." I'm white

05-01-2004, 05:39 PM	#12
Liza BestYearsofOurLives Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 24, 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,537	Some of my favorite African-Americans: Charlize Theron Richard E. Grant Omar Sharif

05-01-2004, 05:43 PM	#15
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	If I could add my perspective to this. The thing with being called African American comes from the fact that alot of black Americans want to be identified with who we are as a people. For years Italians, Irish, Polish and other ethinic people have been linked with their being able to say I came from wherever and were called or identified with their ethinic heritage and group of people. Alot of black people because of the need to identify and say we have a place or homeland where we came from, and because people who are of African heritage were stripped of our language and our culture when brought to this country, and therefore want to have that connection. If we could stop pigeon holeing everyone these kinds of things would not be necessary, but this is how the game is played. There was a thread on this board not long ago, where someone asked "What heritiage are you or what your ethinic background," and everyone started naming off "...oh I'm Irish, French, Ductch Asian and a little Italian." And this, at least in my opinion, is why the term "African American" is so important for some black people to be called African American. I for one don't think its racist, but it is incorrect for black people born in this country to be called African American . JMO. Stepping off the soapbox