New six-part series by Henry Louis Gates, Jr exploring 500 years of history of African Americans. Episode One: The Black Atlantic (1500 – 1800) Episode Two: The Age of Slavery (1800 – 1860) Episode Three: Into the Fire (1861 – 1896) Episode Four: Making a Way Out of No Way (1897 – 1940) Episode Five: Rise! (1940 – 1968) Episode Six: A More Perfect Union (1968 – 2013) Why is "The Blacks" considered offensive when "The African Americans" not considered offensive. I have always considered African American to be a subset of Black and not a more politically correct term, so why the paradox? Is the title of this mini series somewhat provocative?
I do not think the title is provocative. I think it would be more provocative if it was called "The Blacks." The first two episodes are about Africa and slavery. The reason people take offense with using black as a noun is that it describes only a person's physical appearance while African American describes their culture and past. People don't think black is rude as much as they like the respect given for others recognizing their heritage.
So you are saying African American is just a subset of Black that includes a common culture and past. If so, when referring to a group that might include people without that culture and past,, why is The Blacks offensive? I agree the title is not provocative, but was just exploring all possibilities.
The term "blacks" isn't offensive, dipsticks like you whining about a more formal synonym is offensive. The only reason you're doing it is the underlying bigotry that prevents you from respecting blacks enough to allow us to self-identify. Flimsy pre-text to start a crappy thread about another one of your backwards racial beliefs.
Learn to read without your confirmation bias: Nowhere have I posted "blacks" was offensive. I said "The Blacks is considered offensive". Nowhere have I whined about the term African Americans. I said I consider it a subset.
Wrong! There are no black Africans or Australians, those are all Africans. All black people everywhere are Africans and all white people who wrongly occupy and rape African lands are European Whites. -Amaru
I think it has more to do with the connoation created when "The" is put in the front. Just doesn't sit well, IMO. Almost feels like a passive aggresive jab.
The word negro used to be acceptable. Now you may as well say the full offensive word. I am not anglo american or european american or any other idiotic title that associates to another part of the world.
I'm guessing then you've never had the experience of someone in America asking you, "Where are you from?" You reply "America." They then ask again "No, where are you from?" and you reply again "America, Texas to be specific." "No, I mean are you Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese?" A lot of us don't have that luxury of just being an American as for a lot of people that isn't what they think. I used to get irate about it but now I embrace it and see no problem with friends of mine who identify as Irish-American, Polish-American or etc. We are a nation of immigrants and acknowledging that I don't see as a weakness but as a strength.
is a Jamaican born person living in Queens NY an African American? I once asked a black man who was speaking French if he was from Haiti. he looked at me like I was a moron and told me he was from Paris.
Africa isn't a nation. Its a continent. I don't have a problem with people self identifying themselves with anything. Its when society as a whole feels the need to be PC and mislabel groups of people. Just because someone has dark skin does not mean they are from Africa or that they identify being from africa. I don't know my linage, so I just identify myself as a Texan. Im sure I have a whole mixture of the world in me.
People use to ask me, "What nationality are you?" - I'm like WTF - do you even know what the word nationality means? This is why I live in NYC. No one ever asks that question unless they hear an accent.
I never said Africa was a nation. My point is that there is nothing wrong with identifying yourself or others with their ethnicity. Anyway this isn't about what society wants but what the group in question wants as RR noted. If someone with dark skin prefers to be called an "African American" then why should that be an issue? I wasn't born in Asia but I have no problem being considered "Asian" or "Asian-American". I would much rather be called that than the previously accepted term of "Oriental".
To restate the question I was curious why: African American: not offensive Black: not offensive The African Americans: not offensive The Blacks: offensive
Honestly I think you over estimate the level of offense A Think of the difference between Oriental and Asian From what I am told . . Oriental refers to objects and Asian to people. i.e. Oriental rugs . .and Asian People. Calling an Asian person an Oriental is offensive [so I am told. . .so I don't ] The Blacks seems more along the lines of The Cat. . The Dog . . It is a more about the context than anything Sometimes. . .things run they course and definition change The Gay Man in 1920 was happy . . now he is a Homosexual in either case . . .I am not Sure how they may feel being call THE GAY Rocket River
Great point. How about The homosexuals? That phrase has been used in a ton of jokes and is also probably offensive.
Honestly, does it even matter. If you have to question it, or if it doesn't feel right... Then just don't say it. What does it matter why? Reminds me of this joke: 3 Year Old Kid: Mommy, can I say ****? Mom: No Kid: Why? Mom: Because it's a bad word, and I said you couldn't say it. Kid: Awwww, ****...
