African American, Black, or other???

[brookelynn0203]

 Ok so please do not assume that I am an ass for asking this question, but I grew up in a predominately white city.  In fact I don't know any people of different ethnicity other than my mom's best friend who is Thai.

Anyway, another post about names being "blacker" than others reminded me of a question I have always wondered and never knew who to ask.

When referring to a person who is African American, black, Hispanic, whatever what is the most appropriate way to say it.  What do people prefer to go by? For instance if you don't know someone people will say, " oh I found it over by that "blonde girl" or "black girl".  Is that insinstitive?  Like when describing someone or pointing someone out is it okay to say well he is "Hispanic" or "asian". I guess I want to know so I don't ever hurt anyone's feelings. 

I am curious and if there are any other bits of advice in regards to race please feel free to add your thoughts.

[Kizbee]

I don't think there is one right or wrong- as long as you're not using derogatory terms.

[ReachtotheStars]

I don't know but it drives my dh nuts when I use it to describe something.  In my mind living in a town where everyone is white and I want to point out that something over there by that african amaerican person he is sure to know but it still drives him crazy. 

I grew up in the city of St. Louis and my practices by any culture have never been considered racists. 

I think my dh growing up in an all white school is more self conscious of things like that. 

[Mom2PunkRockers]

My kids are White , Black and Native American. They do not go by African American , because to them that term refers to someone Born in Africa , that now Lives in America. They PREFER the terms Multi Ethnic , or Multi Racial to describe themselves . They do not like the term Mixed, they say it makes them feel like pudding or a cake mix. My kids also are old enough to know and to have a preference , they are 10 and 13.

[ReachtotheStars]

I am sorry but I responded in what I thought was a helpful way and I see nothing wrong with either of the other responses.  I am sad to say I won't be coming back to you thread again.

It appears to me that you are just looking for drama. 

Quoting brookelynn0203:

 Ya know I really did want to know and this is the exact reason that people stay ignorant, not because we want to be but because we just don't know.  If you have never been exposed to a different culture or what have you how are you suppose to learn???

I am surprised no one cares to help, but if I misspoke at anytime many would jump to attack me. 

Sincerely,

Frustrated

[brookelynn0203]

Quoting Mom2PunkRockers:

My kids are White , Black and Native American. They do not go by African American , because to them that term refers to someone Born in Africa , that now Lives in America. They PREFER the terms Multi Ethnic , or Multi Racial to describe themselves . They do not like the term Mixed, they say it makes them feel like pudding or a cake mix. My kids also are old enough to know and to have a preference , they are 10 and 13.

Very helpful!!!! I have always used the term mixed and never gave a thought to anything else being available.  Also, I don't like the term African American for the very reason you said but I don't really like the term "black" either so I just never know.  Instead I stammer and stutter and trun red which is just as aweful.  Race can be very intimmidating when you have never been faced with it.

[FooLynRoo]

 

Quoting brookelynn0203:

 Ok so please do not assume that I am an ass for asking this question, but I grew up in a predominately white city.  In fact I don't know any people of different ethnicity other than my mom's best friend who is Thai.

Anyway, another post about names being "blacker" than others reminded me of a question I have always wondered and never knew who to ask.

When referring to a person who is African American, black, Hispanic, whatever what is the most appropriate way to say it.  What do people prefer to go by? For instance if you don't know someone people will say, " oh I found it over by that "blonde girl" or "black girl".  Is that insinstitive?  Like when describing someone or pointing someone out is it okay to say well he is "Hispanic" or "asian". I guess I want to know so I don't ever hurt anyone's feelings. 

I am curious and if there are any other bits of advice in regards to race please feel free to add your thoughts.

I grew up outside of and lived most of my life in philadelphia. I had a mixed step father and step siblings. I deal with the public every day. I refer to african americans as african americans or black. Most blacks refer to their race as such as well.

I refer to most mexican, puerto ricans etc as hispanic  and asians as asian.

 Also I had a mixed step father and step siblings. They did NOT like to be referred to as black, they referred to themselves as mixed, but referred to others who had a darker complexion as black.

[brookelynn0203]

Quoting ReachtotheStars:

I am sorry but I responded in what I thought was a helpful way and I see nothing wrong with either of the other responses.  I am sad to say I won't be coming back to you thread again.

It appears to me that you are just looking for drama. 

Quoting brookelynn0203:

 Ya know I really did want to know and this is the exact reason that people stay ignorant, not because we want to be but because we just don't know.  If you have never been exposed to a different culture or what have you how are you suppose to learn???

I am surprised no one cares to help, but if I misspoke at anytime many would jump to attack me. 

Sincerely,

Frustrated

 

I really didn't want drama, I wrote that when there were 20 somthing views and no responses and I was disappointed.  I actually thank you for your response very much!

[MamaKalila]

Quoting Mom2PunkRockers:

My kids are White , Black and Native American. They do not go by African American , because to them that term refers to someone Born in Africa , that now Lives in America. They PREFER the terms Multi Ethnic , or Multi Racial to describe themselves . They do not like the term Mixed, they say it makes them feel like pudding or a cake mix. My kids also are old enough to know and to have a preference , they are 10 and 13.

That's how I feel about it too... I have been to Africa and have a friend who was born there, raised here & its a major pet peeve of hers lol. It doesn't bother me as much, I don't care if someone wants to call themselves that... but to me it still brings to mind someone born there. I do use it from time to time though, esp on here... it depends on how people are wording the post.. just because I don't want to seem rude. 

 I am mixed too btw... Basically things her (quoted's) kids do (just throw middle eastern into the mix)... I started to say much more so, but its only because I usually think of it in terms of all the diff tribes I have plus the diff places in Europe that the white sides came from... I joke that I'm Heinz 57... and my husband jokes that I'm proof everything mixed together comes out white :-( When it comes to forms and stuff though I put other... I'm proud of every one of my heritages and doesn't feel right to pick one, even if its the one most people assume by the way I look.  

[Mom2PunkRockers]

Ummm , I gave you an honest answer about what my children who are several different races perfer as far as terminology and why they prefer or do not like or use a certain term. I cant speak for eveyone , I can only give you the opinions of the people in my home that have the ISSUE you are discussing. If you didnt like my reply , I cant help that.

Quoting brookelynn0203:

 Ya know I really did want to know and this is the exact reason that people stay ignorant, not because we want to be but because we just don't know.  If you have never been exposed to a different culture or what have you how are you suppose to learn???

I am surprised no one cares to help, but if I misspoke at anytime many would jump to attack me. 

Sincerely,

Frustrated

[yogamom16]

I just call it like I see it.  If its a black girl then its a black girl, if its a white girl then its a white girl.  I dont use the term "african american" unless I know that person is from africa.  I have a few friends that have white skin but they were born and raised in africa- they are considered african american but they just prefer american.  I think you shouldnt worry so much about being politically correct.  You arent using any offensive terms so if someone gets offended then thats their problem.