"African-American" vs. "Black American"

Started by stillpretty, February 15, 2024, 07:27:56 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

stillpretty

February 15, 2024, 07:27:56 PM Last Edit: February 15, 2024, 08:30:46 PM by Children of Mongolia
it's Black History month and the debate is unfolding

I find myself using "Black American" a lot these days so I'll say that's what I prefer.

our ancestors were obviously from Africa but "Black" just really speaks to the amazing culture we've developed for ourselves here as descendants of slavery.

And things like "Black is beautiful."  come to mind when I say "Black American". So many beautifully powerful statements that have been made over the past few decades with that word included.

but I do use "African-American" sometimes. And see nothing wrong with anyone using it all the time or preferring it over "Black American"

https://x.com/AfricanArchives/status/1756521626915463374
Project started: 2014
Wrapped up: 2024

Significant Discovery: First known Black American family of Kalmyk descent

Takeaways: Be prepared to pivot, even when you think you're on the right track. Be OK with being wrong so you can get things right.

Kalmyks are tribal Mongolic people who settled in Russia. It's estimated to be only 300,000 Kalmyk descendants worldwide - with only 3,000 in America.



Grandpa and his Grandma ❤️


stillpretty

Project started: 2014
Wrapped up: 2024

Significant Discovery: First known Black American family of Kalmyk descent

Takeaways: Be prepared to pivot, even when you think you're on the right track. Be OK with being wrong so you can get things right.

Kalmyks are tribal Mongolic people who settled in Russia. It's estimated to be only 300,000 Kalmyk descendants worldwide - with only 3,000 in America.



Grandpa and his Grandma ❤️

RAY7

Black American doesn't make sense to me because it's adding a race + nationality. It's either just Black or African American (and that's only because we don't have citizenship in a specific country in Africa) because it should be Kenyan/Nigerian/Tanzanian etc

stillpretty

February 15, 2024, 10:38:58 PM #4 Last Edit: February 15, 2024, 10:47:03 PM by Children of Mongolia
Quote from: RAY7 on February 15, 2024, 10:14:38 PMBlack American doesn't make sense to me because it's adding a race + nationality. It's either just Black or African American (and that's only because we don't have citizenship in a specific country in Africa) because it should be Kenyan/Nigerian/Tanzanian etc
i guess the specificity of "Black American" makes sense to me cuz I know people who are from other places within the African diaspora (like Afro-Latino from example), who identify as "Black".

but their "Black" isn't Black American.

if I'm casually referring to myself or even another individual, I'd probably just say "Black" but if I'm having a conversation which involves other groups of people, where I need to be clear  on which group of people I'm referring to and representing, I'll def say Black American.

 Black American is simply a more formal way of saying Black to me.
Project started: 2014
Wrapped up: 2024

Significant Discovery: First known Black American family of Kalmyk descent

Takeaways: Be prepared to pivot, even when you think you're on the right track. Be OK with being wrong so you can get things right.

Kalmyks are tribal Mongolic people who settled in Russia. It's estimated to be only 300,000 Kalmyk descendants worldwide - with only 3,000 in America.



Grandpa and his Grandma ❤️

RAY7

Quote from: Children of Mongolia on February 15, 2024, 10:38:58 PM
Quote from: RAY7 on February 15, 2024, 10:14:38 PMBlack American doesn't make sense to me because it's adding a race + nationality. It's either just Black or African American (and that's only because we don't have citizenship in a specific country in Africa) because it should be Kenyan/Nigerian/Tanzanian etc
i guess the specificity of "Black American" makes sense to me cuz I know people who are from other places within the African diaspora (like Afro-Latino from example), who identify as "Black".

but their "Black" isn't Black American.

if I'm casually referring to myself I'd def just say "Black" but if I'm having a conversation which involves other groups of people, where I need it to be clear  on which group of people I'm referring to and representing, I'll def say Black American.

 Black American is simply a more formal way of saying Black to me.
that's understandable. However I do think if you say "Black" ppl will likely know you meant American unless you say otherwise

stillpretty

Quote from: RAY7 on February 15, 2024, 10:47:57 PM
Quote from: Children of Mongolia on February 15, 2024, 10:38:58 PM
Quote from: RAY7 on February 15, 2024, 10:14:38 PMBlack American doesn't make sense to me because it's adding a race + nationality. It's either just Black or African American (and that's only because we don't have citizenship in a specific country in Africa) because it should be Kenyan/Nigerian/Tanzanian etc
i guess the specificity of "Black American" makes sense to me cuz I know people who are from other places within the African diaspora (like Afro-Latino from example), who identify as "Black".

but their "Black" isn't Black American.

if I'm casually referring to myself I'd def just say "Black" but if I'm having a conversation which involves other groups of people, where I need it to be clear  on which group of people I'm referring to and representing, I'll def say Black American.

 Black American is simply a more formal way of saying Black to me.
that's understandable. However I do think if you say "Black" ppl will likely know you meant American unless you say otherwise
that's understandable. however
Project started: 2014
Wrapped up: 2024

Significant Discovery: First known Black American family of Kalmyk descent

Takeaways: Be prepared to pivot, even when you think you're on the right track. Be OK with being wrong so you can get things right.

Kalmyks are tribal Mongolic people who settled in Russia. It's estimated to be only 300,000 Kalmyk descendants worldwide - with only 3,000 in America.



Grandpa and his Grandma ❤️

Stunna Gor’

Quote from: RAY7 on February 15, 2024, 10:47:57 PM
Quote from: Children of Mongolia on February 15, 2024, 10:38:58 PM
Quote from: RAY7 on February 15, 2024, 10:14:38 PMBlack American doesn't make sense to me because it's adding a race + nationality. It's either just Black or African American (and that's only because we don't have citizenship in a specific country in Africa) because it should be Kenyan/Nigerian/Tanzanian etc
i guess the specificity of "Black American" makes sense to me cuz I know people who are from other places within the African diaspora (like Afro-Latino from example), who identify as "Black".

but their "Black" isn't Black American.

if I'm casually referring to myself I'd def just say "Black" but if I'm having a conversation which involves other groups of people, where I need it to be clear  on which group of people I'm referring to and representing, I'll def say Black American.

 Black American is simply a more formal way of saying Black to me.
that's understandable. However I do think if you say "Black" ppl will likely know you meant American unless you say otherwise
!!!!! That's exactly it. I feel like "Black" is almost exclusive to Black people in America. I personally identity as Black American.

BetterAngels

February 15, 2024, 11:06:19 PM #8 Last Edit: February 15, 2024, 11:07:00 PM by BetterAngels
I use Black American.  I work in HR and we just had this discussion in my office.  Blacks get grouped in one category, but we are so diverse.  I have a coworker that is from South Africa, but is of Indian decent, but during Apartheid, she was considered Black, but by American standards, she wouldn't be.

stillpretty

February 15, 2024, 11:09:23 PM #9 Last Edit: February 15, 2024, 11:11:07 PM by Children of Mongolia
Quote from: BetterAngels on February 15, 2024, 11:06:19 PMI use Black American.  I work in HR and we just had this discussion in my office.  Blacks get grouped in one category, but we are so diverse.  I have a coworker that is from South Africa, but is of Indian decent, but during Apartheid, she was considered Black, but by American standards, she wouldn't be.
exactly.

I think if I'm among a bunch of other Black American people ....me saying "Black" should be enough. we know what it is.

it's only when other groups of people are involved in some way is when I will def make distinctions and be very specific. especially if I'm ready to drag them for trying BA's. :wakemeupinsidebby:
Project started: 2014
Wrapped up: 2024

Significant Discovery: First known Black American family of Kalmyk descent

Takeaways: Be prepared to pivot, even when you think you're on the right track. Be OK with being wrong so you can get things right.

Kalmyks are tribal Mongolic people who settled in Russia. It's estimated to be only 300,000 Kalmyk descendants worldwide - with only 3,000 in America.



Grandpa and his Grandma ❤️