I think there's a problem.
We use the term African to identify a race, while we use country name "American" to identify nativity. I call my self American, but genetically I'm mostly celtic or German/Scottish. However, I don't refer to myself as German American or Scottish American.
Because of this I think it's appropriate for them to simply refer to themselves as American, even though genetically they're African. Because I feel like their race should have nothing to do with their nationality.

Can they be called African American? Yes. But Americans whom actually originate from Africa would wonder why. Would I consider them African? It depends if we're talking genetically or in terms of nativity. Which as I explained isn't clear in our society yet.

Quote from Ashlander

No, they've developed their own culture here. Blacks in America are fairly unique in behaviour and attitude compared to their counterparts in other countries such as the UK, Australia, etc. This is what my theory tries to explain.

I have noticed that black people in Australia generally act exactly the same as white people. That's because we all just consider ourselves Australian and nothing more. So it's interesting that black Americans are so different there. Of course in Australia we also have Aboriginals, who act completely different to everyone (anti social, stealing, violence ect), and are generally disliked for that. Once again, that's a whole other issue.

Quote from Jutsu

It depends if we're talking genetically or in terms of nativity. Which as I explained isn't clear in our society yet.

You hit the nail on the head, this point pretty much sums up the entire dilemma for me. There will be those of us who are referring to this in terms of ethnic culture, those in terms of biology, those in terms of social origins and those in terms of geographic nativity. Until American society says "this is what we mean by African Americans" there is no right or wrong answer to this debate.

fucking black people

Quote from Captain Cook

fucking black people

Ok, this is just uncalled for.

Quote from Cronos

I have noticed that black people in Australia generally act exactly the same as white people. That's because we all just consider ourselves Australian and nothing more. So it's interesting that black Americans are so different there. Of course in Australia we also have Aboriginals, who act completely different to everyone (anti social, stealing, violence ect), and are generally disliked for that. Once again, that's a whole other issue.

That's exactly right. It's the same in England as well, they're just blended in with the rest of society. The blacks in America act more like how your Aboriginals sound.

Yeah, what Azure said.

But DAT troll doe

Quote from Ashlander

That's exactly right. It's the same in England as well, they're just blended in with the rest of society. The blacks in America act more like how your Aboriginals sound.

ouch.

at the end of the day we're all humans

Quote from Zane

ouch.

at the end of the day we're all humans

I was just making a generalization. I didn't mean to imply that ALL blacks were like that, sorry if it came out that way.

If you're african american, you're an american black unless you're legitimately african.

You don't see me calling myself a fucking anglo-saxon american

Quote from Captain Cook

If you're african american, you're an american black unless you're legitimately african.

You don't see me calling myself a fucking anglo-saxon american

I also don't see legal documentation from thee government or educational systems asking you to list yourself as an Anglo-Saxon American.

But White is there.

Because calling people "Black" is insensitive.

fucking

black

people

The problem isn't so much it's "insensitive," so much as it's "politically correct." Wanna know how I feel about the whole thing? It doesn't. fucking. matter.

Personally, I just call myself a guy. If asked, I'll say I'm a black guy. Sometimes, a guy of African descent. I only use the term "African American" when it's required because it's the term we're labelled with by the government. Yeah, there are some who think that's what we deserve to be called, and that's cool for them. Some hate being called that. Power to em. But when you wanna up and call out the entire portion of the American racial group in which I occupy because you don't like some bullshit political terms, then I think you need to go and reeducate yourself.

Quote from Azure Kite

The problem isn't so much it's "insensitive," so much as it's "politically correct." Wanna know how I feel about the whole thing? It doesn't. fucking. matter.

Personally, I just call myself a guy. If asked, I'll say I'm a black guy. Sometimes, a guy of African descent. I only use the term "African American" when it's required because it's the term we're labelled with by the government. Yeah, there are some who think that's what we deserve to be called, and that's cool for them. Some hate being called that. Power to em. But when you wanna up and call out the entire portion of the American racial group in which I occupy because you don't like some bullshit political terms, then I think you need to go and reeducate yourself.

^ This

I just wanna say I agree with cronos and i pwnd j0o

i pwnd j0o because she's right there is no reason on getting to get hung up on this just call " African Americans " black . There was no reason to add African in the first place .

and Cronos because its true , no one would like to be called "Asian- Australian " if they were raised in Australia and considered themselves Australian .

EDIT : I also agree with justu "African " and "American " are two different things . one being nativity ( American ) and one being genetics ( African ) .