I just moved to U.S.A. from Korea. I am learning English.

My question to ALL of you. No offense or disrespect to anyone. I just want to learn. What is the correct word to use nowadays, African-American, Black, Negro, or colored people? when we are talking about people other than caucasian, Hispanic, foreign nationalities, ethnicities.

Thanks for your response
The studious.

I’m in the middle of writing a paper, and I’m unsure if it’s okay to use Negro. What’s ironic is that the paper deals with multicultural issues, and will (probably) be read by White, and other non-Black people.
I don’t want to use the terms “White” or “Black” (seems less professional/scholarly, in my opinion).

I personally identify as Black, and also have BIG issue with being called “African-American”. I (like others mention) am from Haitian descent, and my culture is very different from Black Americans, and Africans.

Granted, Haiti’s ancestors were from Africa, but Haitian culture is too removed from African culture to be categorized as “African” (honestly, so is American and Black American culture – that term is just grossly inaccurate).
To force other Black people into an “African” category is completely culturally insensitive (and a tad bit ignorant).

To Haitians, and many other Black people, being mis-categorized as African is FAR from a “minor” distinction. Perhaps in America, all Black people are seen as and treated similarly, but that’s not so elsewhere. Also, in other Black countries, Black people respect the cultural differences between different Black cultures. And those who are not Black American are REALLY clear that there is a big difference.

Acknowledging and respecting difference doesn’t affect working in unity (less like a melting pot and more like a tossed salad).
And, just for the record, Haitians do NOT consider themselves “Creole”. That’s a WHOLE different culture.
The (now official) language of Haiti is Kreyol (although many have been educated in French).

Since I wasn’t involved in the debate, consideration, input, or term creation (of African-American), I don’t fight against its usage or argue much about it -I just don’t use it to describe myself or anyone else who isn’t Black and clearly American.

Many people (especially those who are not of American origin) have a clear and firm identification with their cultures. Even though I was raised in American, I am very clear and rooted in my Haitian culture. I was never confused, lost, or looking for a culture connection. I never looked to Africa for a cultural connection. Wearing Kente feels as foreign to me as wearing a Sari (not that I can’t work it, now). When I visit Africa, I will be considered as much of a tourist and a foreigner to Africans, as much as any other American (I will be considered “American”). Skin color isn’t necessarily a unifying thing.

Now, I understand, this is probably more of a discussion about race than culture (race and culture are often muddled in discussions). Still, African- American would seem less worthy of a race title (maybe African used solo), than Black (I actually like “Brown” better).

We would probably be better off if completely different terms were created to define race (completely devoid of culture and nationality descriptions); that is, if race is still considered a valid determination of categorization (but that’s a whole other debate).

As far as Grandma, I wouldn’t be offended if she said Negro (I wouldn’t even be offended if she said: “Colored”), because, although those terms may be outdated, they’re not demeaning or offensive (especially if the context in which she said it wasn’t degrading).

There’s no need to be fanatical about every single term, all of the time.
I’d personally prefer that people (all people) were more fanatical about being respectful, patient, and were more diligent about their perspectives, intent, tone, “perceptions”, assumptions, and stereotype usage.

I’m honestly more offended by “Flying V’s” comments – I’m not (nor are the people in my circles) part of the group described there (talk about stereotypes!), and wouldn’t want those labels put on my race (or culture).

I think some education is in order (thanks to those who provided accurate etymologies) regarding how Negro is confused with the extremely derogatory term. Also, removing “Negro” from the dictionary, and abolishing its use won’t alter the history of slavery of derogatory treatment that Black people received, or the racism and oppression that still exists today. Loading it with all of meaning of the ‘other’ term doesn’t make it equally liable.

When someone calls me the ‘other’ term, I am VERY clear on the intent. When someone refers to be as Negro, my assumption is that they’re referring to my race.

A racist person using a politically correct term doesn’t make him or his intent any less racist. You can’t hide, sugar coat, or positively reframe racism or distain for another human being – it clearly shines through past the words.

Most of the time (if baggage isn’t in the way), tolerance and respect clearly shine through, too.

Even if someone is ignorant (people learn what they’ve been taught and exposed to – like small children – or foreigners who’s only exposure to Black people has been American television), or using outdated terms WITHOUT ill intent (like Grandma), the receivers and the givers can be equally respectful and tolerant enough to consider the whole picture.

I’m an old schooler and never heard whites yell, “get that negro” as they chased us out of their neighorhoods as a kid. When I was growing up the word “negro” never brought pain to my heart but call me a “nigger” and I fought even if I knew I was outnumbered.

Maybe we blacks in America need to get out of the clubs, welfare lines,jails and focus on our place in this country’s future. Instead of doing “buck dances for the white man” in the 21st century; let us show what we can really do by getting back to our original struggle for real equality.

K. Lynn wrote: To the author: I’m a baby boomer, born in the 50’s, survived the 60’s, fought racism through the 70’s up to this very day. When I came upon this site, I was shocked to see the name Hello, Negro (like Hello, Kitty). It’s a shame that having been born to who you say you were born to, you think so little of the black race that you can publicly disrespect it for all the world to see. This is one reason white folks just can’t understand us. If one of them said “Negro”, we’d start looking for Al Sharpton’s phone number. After all of the lynchings, murders, spitting, etc. that our people had to endure, do you still not understand that we don’t want to be called Negro? Do you think this is a joke? Was there no other name available for you to use? When was the last time you had a talk with your parents? I’m sure they don’t honestly approve, being who you say they are. No, I don’t call this Freedom of Expression, I call it Youthful Disrespect.

http://www.bambooweb.com/articles/A/f/African-American.html

You site the term negroid…that’s a new term from a language stand point. The concept originated with the typological method of racial classification. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, anthropologists used a typological model to divide people from different ethnic regions into races, (e.g. the Negroid race, the Caucasoid race, the Mongoloid race, the Australoid race, and the Capoid race which was the racial classification system as defined in 1962 by Carleton S. Coon) Basically this “scientist” came up with the term “negroid”. There is a whole lot of racism mixed up in that whole classification model…I won’t go into it.

I don’t think it’s necessary to demonize a term that was not originally used in a negative way. Negro was the color black…like red or blue. Like the word “ebony” in French. It’s the context of history and the usage by oppressive forces that have given this simple word a bad name. Be it negro, black, dark…all of these words have been used against African people, Indian people, and the continent of Africa (“Dark Continent”, Heart of Darkness).