Latinos only rate being labeled "hispanic"? It seems to not matter the roots of a black as the term African American is used by anybody black where ever they may be from.

The other origins do not seem to need the classification of Italian American or Irish American or German American etc, etc.

So why do blacks need to use "African American"?

When I fill in questionnaires or surveys and they have the race boxes that include African American or Caucasian.....I always write in American after Caucasian....hence Caucasian American!!! Why not?

btk....PS to stop the allegation of racist onslaught there is no racial implication or intention in my post WHAT SO EVER!!

Why does there have to be any classification other that American, if in fact they are American? If they aren't American I can see the need for Italian, Greek, Kenyan, Indonesian or whatever. By the way Africa isa continent and covers a whole multitude of countries.

Originally Posted by billethkid

Latinos only rate being labeled "hispanic"? It seems to not matter the roots of a black as the term African American is used by anybody black where ever they may be from.

The other origins do not seem to need the classification of Italian American or Irish American or German American etc, etc.

So why do blacks need to use "African American"?

When I fill in questionnaires or surveys and they have the race boxes that include African American or Caucasian.....I always write in American after Caucasian....hence Caucasian American!!! Why not?

btk....PS to stop the allegation of racist onslaught there is no racial implication or intention in my post WHAT SO EVER!!

Martin Luther King Jr. and others used to use the term "Negro", which corresponded with my being a "Caucasian".

I've never understood how the term "African-American" would be an appropriate descriptor when nobody in the family has been born in Africa in the last 200 years.

Definition of NEGRO

sometimes offensive
: a member of a race of humankind native to Africa and classified according to physical features (as dark skin pigmentation)

Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online

Do you know the story of Johnny Duncan's poem, "I Can"? dr johnny duncan interview "Afr-i-can Amer-i-can" : wesawthat... : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive

Why is it more politically correct to use the term "African American" than "Black?" - Quora

I have a sister-in-law who is from Jamaica but also was in the US Navy as an assistant of some kind for the Navy SEALS. She called herself "black" and so did we as I recall. She was a US citizen obviously but is still Jamaican too.

I know for a fact that there are groups in Florida that are called "German-American Clubs" or "Irish-American Clubs". Obviously, they are open to everyone but the club traditions are to those cultures. Here in The Villages, I believe there are also such clubs which are open to everyone. The African-American Club is open to everyone, too.

I was also thinking of the golfer, Ernie Els. If he had American citizenship, he could be classified as African American since he was born in South Africa.

Basically, does it really matter what someone calls themself? If you are an American citizen, you are American. Any classification you wish to include does not bother me.

I too vote for all being American, if they are!

btk

I was going to comment, but I'm having a hard time seeing through the holes in this hood.

Originally Posted by ProximaMan

I was going to comment, but I'm having a hard time seeing through the holes in this hood.

Might want to cut them bigger so we can see who you really are.

Originally Posted by billethkid

Latinos only rate being labeled "hispanic"? It seems to not matter the roots of a black as the term African American is used by anybody black where ever they may be from.

The other origins do not seem to need the classification of Italian American or Irish American or German American etc, etc.

So why do blacks need to use "African American"?

When I fill in questionnaires or surveys and they have the race boxes that include African American or Caucasian.....I always write in American after Caucasian....hence Caucasian American!!! Why not?

btk....PS to stop the allegation of racist onslaught there is no racial implication or intention in my post WHAT SO EVER!!

How about the possibility that they were brought here on slave ships from"Africa"!

For statisical reasons race/nationality classifications are necessary. Also for security purposes. I mean how helpful is it for a cop to hear we had a break-in by an american 5'11' wearing a green jacket.........

Having said that I am willing to address any individual by what they are comfortable .

Originally Posted by MrMark

How about the possibility that they were brought here on slave ships from"Africa"!

I wasn't aware there was anyone currently in this country who came over on slave ships.

“In this country we have no place for hyphenated Americans.”
― Theodore Roosevelt

Originally Posted by rubicon

For statisical reasons race/nationality classifications are necessary. Also for security purposes. I mean how helpful is it for a cop to hear we had a break-in by an american 5'11' wearing a green jacket.........

Having said that I am willing to address any individual by what they are comfortable .

I don't really see your point here. Of course, in descriptions, you would go by race (white, black, Asian) and not by nationality. When giving your own heritage, you could say you are of German or Irish or African background.

I really do not understand the title of this thread of "blacks get the benefit of being called African-Americans". What benefits are being received?

Originally Posted by buggyone

I don't really see your point here. Of course, in descriptions, you would go by race (white, black, Asian) and not by nationality. When giving your own heritage, you could say you are of German or Irish or African background.

I really do not understand the title of this thread of "blacks get the benefit of being called African-Americans". What benefits are being received?

Hi Buggyone: A number of posters made similar comments referencing tne fact that we are "all Americans." I agree. However for statistical/security purposes we need more definition. I ought not take the liberty but my assumption from after reading the OP was that African/americans are accorded or assert more rights (i.e black history month, afirmative action programs, claims of race/hate crimes such as the zimmermanv Martin case.
I agree with the OP. However there are many many black Americans who have earned their rightful place in America by working hard and depending on no one but themselves. Those that follow in the mold of Thomas Sowell, condi Rice, etc vis a vis Sharpton faux claims that all black are victims. sharpton demeans the very people he claims to represent and many black American resent him for it.