RE The term African American

[brush]

81. Sorry, but you don't know the history

Last edited Sat Mar 5, 2016, 12:39 PM - Edit history (2)

During the black power movement of the '60s black people decided to self-define themselves by discarding the ugly white term "negro" (often pronounced "nigra" by racist whites) and began calling themselves "black" as in black and proud.

And as far as a negative conotation, we don't share that opinion at all. Black is the most dominant color in nature you know, and nothing to be ashamed of. It is OUR term.

Later "African-American" came into use after many activists began going to the continent (Africa) and came back with a positive experience from the country on the African continent that they visited that belied the stereotypical and degrading "uncivilized jungle" images depicted in racist movies of the day like "Tarzan".

So please understand, black is beautiful to us, and quite slimming as well.

Who doesn't look good in black?

And btw, I use both African-American and black proudly.