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A History of African American Labels: Old and New Connotations
By Matthew Wickert
Throughout the years, the African American people have been designated by many names. Some have been deliberately offensive; others have become offensive as history has progressed. The question that America needs to answer is, "What is the proper name for this group in the population?" There have been so many labels given in the past that it is worthwhile to look at these names and see exactly what they mean and from whence they came. For this purpose of defining what the current American society means by the words that it uses, the American Heritage College Dictionary will be the source. The first label is, without a doubt, inflammatory. It has such negative connotations that it has been selected to join the "F" word in being designated by its first letter. The "N" word, or "nigger" is considered by the American Heritage Dictionary as "offensive slang," which in all cases of its use was considered a "disparaging term." Historically, this word seems to have been more regularly used and accepted before most of the civil rights movements began. There is, however, a derivation of "nigger" which is still in widespread use today. "Nigga" is commonly used in segments of the African American community as a term for one of their friends. There is not a lack of controversy about the use of this word in the black community because of its derogatory roots. For some it still has negative connotations, but for others, like the comedian Richard Pryor, the difference between the "a" and the "er" changes the word from an insult into a compliment. (Steward) Other dated labels for people of African descent in America, are "Colored" and "Negro." Both of these, according to the American Heritage Dictionary, are "often offensive." The definition of "negro" is stated as being simply "A Black person."The definition of "colored" is basically any person of a non-white race. This includes Hispanics and Asians also although the usage in America seems to coincide more with the second definition given as "Black or African-American." (Cremieux) These seem to have fallen out of style because of the time period in which they were in fashion. There was still a lot of blatant racism and Jim Crow laws during the period of use of these terms. "Colored" was also the term used during segregation to differentiate between whites and non-whites, and so this word has taken on a negative meaning. (Cremieux) "African American" and "Afro-American" are for the most part the same, except that the former is more popular, perhaps due to the fact that it fits better alongside the other designations of people groups like "Asian American" and "Hispanic American." The term "African American" has some extra appeal, according to the usage note under "black" in the American Heritage Dictionary, because it does not describe a people group based upon skin color but upon their ethnic heritage. However, the two terms are used reciprocally in the definition of the other. "African American" being defined as "A Black American of African ancestry," and "black" being first defined as any people group having "brown to black skin" is then in the second definition, equated to being African American. "People of African descent" is also a term that is commonly used to designate Black Americans. Technically however, this term would include Anglo-Saxon Africans, who are, in principle, descendents of England living in Africa, but more generally they are anyone who is white yet claims Africa as their homeland. "Black" is the most appropriate term for common usage, although "African American" is acceptable. The reason behind choosing "Black" as the most appropriate over "African American" is that, in general, most of Black America has no more ties to Africa than most of white America has to Europe. This is in contrast to Asian Americans and Hispanic Americans who, for the most part, still have strong cultural ties to their original country, most of them speaking the language of their nation of origin, and holding to its customs. This type of connection is not seen in the majority of Black America. Therefore, just as white Americans are designated by skin color, so too are Black Americans. "Black," because of its history, still carries meanings of racial pride, and is not derogatory in any sense. Consequently, it is an acceptable term for the usage as a label. Works Cited Cremieux, Anne. "Americans of African Descent : Names and Identities." 27 Sep 2007 . Steward, Nkrumah. "Americans still have no clue what Nigga(er) means. Maybe Sports will save us." Raw Dogma. 27 Sep 2007 . The American Heritage College Dictionary. 4th ed. 2004.
Posts: 422 | From: Leave No Stone Unturned! | Registered: Feb 2011
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quote:Originally posted by Matthew Wickert: Therefore, just as white Americans are designated by skin color, so too are Black Americans.
yet Americans who are not European or African are designated by nationality not by inaccurate color labels. Did anybody think to question designation by skin color? "blackness" is validation of "whiteness"
quote:Originally posted by Matthew Wickert: "Black," because of its history, still carries meanings of racial pride, and is not derogatory in any sense. Consequently, it is an acceptable term for the usage as a label.
"racial pride" is based on false concepts of race in other words "racial pride" is racism.
The author is talking about blackness as a means to validate whiteness both mythological unscientific racist concepts
Posts: 42940 | From: , | Registered: Jan 2010
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Did anybody think to question designation by skin color? "blackness" is validation of "whiteness"
You missed the train on this one, my friend. Racism is not having to think.
Posts: 7516 | From: Somewhere on Earth | Registered: Jan 2008
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