African-American ?

[Salty]

African-American?

What is the definition of a "African-American" So many people use that term- but what is the actual definition?

Same thing for any "fill-in-the-blank"-American

 

[OldRegular]

Sadly Salty it all depends on who is trying to make political hay!

 

[FR7 Baptist]

It means an American of black African descent.

 

[Salty]

It means an American of black African descent.

So why would he not be referred to as a "Black African-American"?

 

[freeatlast]

African-American?

What is the definition of a "African-American" So many people use that term- but what is the actual definition?

Same thing for any "fill-in-the-blank"-American

Let's be honest here. It is not about color, but about loyalty among those who are of color as well as ongoing rebellion because of their ancestors being brought here against their will and being treated less then animals. It means I am an African first who is now an American and don't you forget it. It is a way to not be totally united with this country and to remind others of the prejudice their people have suffered blaming every generation after the fact for those prejudices even if others do not hold to those prejudices while they themselves hold deeply to their own prejudices.

 

[OldRegular]

It means an American of black African descent.

All those from Africa are not black or Negro.

 

[OldRegular]

Let's be honest here. It is not about color, but about loyalty among those who are of color as well as ongoing rebellion for ancestors being brought here against their will and being treated less then animals. It means I am an African first who is now an American and don't you forget it. It is a way to remind others of the prejudice their people have suffered blaming every generation after the fact for those prejudices even if others do not hold to them while they themselves hold deeply to their own prejudices.

The way I look at it, even given the sorry state of the country, everyone should be glad they are here regardless of how it happened!

 

[freeatlast]

The way I look at it, even given the sorry state of the country, everyone should be glad they are here regardless of how it happened!

Being glad and accepting the idea that this is their nation is not the same. The same goes with those who claim to be Mexican-Americans or Muslim-Americans. They are sending a message that they are not totally committed to this country and what the founding fathers intended it to be.

 

[OldRegular]

Being glad and accepting the idea that this is their nation is not the same. The same goes with those who claim to be Mexican-Americans or Muslim-Americans. They are sending a message that they are not totally committed to this country and what the founding fathers intended it to be.

I won't argue with that.

 

[Crabtownboy]

Merriam-Webster gives the definition of African-American as:

an American of African and especially of black African descent

First Known Use of AFRICAN-AMERICAN 1855

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/african american

The first known use of the term was in 1855

 

[Salty]

Being glad and accepting the idea that this is their nation is not the same. The same goes with those who claim to be Mexican-Americans or Muslim-Americans. They are sending a message that they are not totally committed to this country and what the founding fathers intended it to be.

Suppose someone said they were a "Christian-American"?

Let's be honest here. It is not about color, but about loyalty among those who are of color as well as ongoing rebellion because of their ancestors being brought here against their will and being treated less then animals. It means I am an African first who is now an American and don't you forget it. It is a way to not be totally united with this country and to remind others of the prejudice their people have suffered blaming every generation after the fact for those prejudices even if others do not hold to those prejudices while they themselves hold deeply to their own prejudices.

Very insightful ! :thumbs:

The way I look at it, even given the sorry state of the country, everyone should be glad they are here regardless of how it happened!

So True - so very true

Merriam-Webster gives the definition of African-American as:

an American having African and especially black African ancestors

So Therefore - a Caucasian from Africa could properly define themselves as an African-American.
That would be interesting!

The first known use of the term was in 1855

did not see the reference for that in the link.

 

[Crabtownboy]

did not see the reference for that in the link.

The words 'First Known Use of AFRICAN-AMERICAN 1855' was down a bit from the definition.

Definition of AFRICAN-AMERICAN
: an American of African and especially of black African descent
— African–American adjective
See African–American defined for English-language learners »
See African-American defined for kids »
First Known Use of AFRICAN-AMERICAN
1855

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/african american

 

[Bro. James]

Does anyone have an authorized, calibrated melanin measuring machine using the metric system? Prefer a black and white case with strap. Have valid PayPal.

Fess up--we are a despicable group of social, ethnic and religious bigots--right here, in River City.

Are we ready?

Even so, come Lord Jeus.

Peace,

Bro.

 

[billwald]

It is a self-designated classification in the US. When's the last time an official told a person he wasn't an African-American?

 

[Sapper Woody]

We had a black guy in our company, and he would laugh anytime he got called an African American. He was Jamaican.

Funny thing is, Africa isn't even a country. I could understand someone that moved here from Egypt calling themselves an Egyptian-American. Or a German that moved here calling themselves a German-American.

I've made a joke out here to my guys that I am no longer to be called a white person. I am a European-American.

 

[billwald]

Don't know know about your part of the country but on the Left Coast references to minorities in the press are about self designated black people maybe 80% of the time and self-designated Hispanics 20%. NEVER about people with Chinese, Japanese, Korean . . . ancestors. Apparently "minority" means a sub-culture with lower median and higher crime rate than white people. Groups with a higher income and a lower crime rate are ignored.

 

[Alcott]

Anyone who holds with evolutionary theory should consider every American an "African American."

 

[Zaac]

African-American?

What is the definition of a "African-American" So many people use that term- but what is the actual definition?

The definition appears to be what it says: an African American, meaning anyone from Africa who is now an American also.

Incorrectly used by Blacks in America.

 

[carpro]

African-American?

What is the definition of a "African-American" So many people use that term- but what is the actual definition?

Same thing for any "fill-in-the-blank"-American

There is no such thing.