But why say black american? Why not just black? I don’t want to have to go around referring to people as white, white, asian, latino, asian, black american, black englishman, black frenchman, white, asian, black russian (hehe), black australian (hangs out with santa claus and the tooth fairy)
I had someone more senior than myself tell me in no uncertain terms that “they weren’t no ‘African’, so where did this ‘African-American’ stuff come from?” I’m more or less with Snappy, although I don’t get upset if someone refers to me as an African-American. I use the term sometimes when it is a more respectful form of address than just plain black, in certain contexts. For me, it really depends on who and what you are talking about and to whom.
Barak Obama truly is an African-American, his father is African. I’m diluted enough to be just plain ol’ generic black folks, albeit on the paler end of the spectrum.
Snaps- I agree with your basic premise, but my ex always said he was proud of being a Black (and African-) American and identified himself that way. I personally like when people identify themselves in hypenated ways (but that’s just the anthropologist in me). But your major point I agree with. I hope there comes a day when the color of your skin won’t mean anything more than, say your eye or hail color.
Of course I never refer to you as other than that other crazy cat lady 🙂
Snaps- all of your sibs are named snappy followed by a number???? LOL.
I emailed you- did you get it?
Yes legion- I sharpened my skills on the poor guy. 😉
But why say black american? Why not just black? I don’t want to have to go around referring to people as white, white, asian, latino, asian, black american, black englishman, black frenchman, white, asian, black russian (hehe), black australian (hangs out with santa claus and the tooth fairy)
I had someone more senior than myself tell me in no uncertain terms that “they weren’t no ‘African’, so where did this ‘African-American’ stuff come from?” I’m more or less with Snappy, although I don’t get upset if someone refers to me as an African-American. I use the term sometimes when it is a more respectful form of address than just plain black, in certain contexts. For me, it really depends on who and what you are talking about and to whom.
Barak Obama truly is an African-American, his father is African. I’m diluted enough to be just plain ol’ generic black folks, albeit on the paler end of the spectrum.
Lechacal, that video is hysterical!
yet many people do refer to others or themselves as italian-americans or irish-americans. depends on context of course.
Snaps- I agree with your basic premise, but my ex always said he was proud of being a Black (and African-) American and identified himself that way. I personally like when people identify themselves in hypenated ways (but that’s just the anthropologist in me). But your major point I agree with. I hope there comes a day when the color of your skin won’t mean anything more than, say your eye or hail color.
Of course I never refer to you as other than that other crazy cat lady 🙂
LOL Lechacal…I know…it would not go over well at all. And Big Brother Snappy #1 says he’s a black American.
I think it was LBJ who once said…”I just learn how to properly pronounce ‘Negro’ and they go and change it to ‘blacks.”
Negro – just doesn’t sound….um..progressive.