Definitely. That's what I was trying to point out - Ms Pink seemed to think that people should know, even when there ISN'T a pronounced physical difference (like Chinese and Japanese).

I don't think she thinks people should know. I think she just doesn't like African American and may express that opinion depending on the context.

These quotes sum up the question I was asking and the answer I was looking for. I really wasn't trying to act stupid and, as 33girl said, stir the pot.

Black people are just like all of the other people, But what you can think about is, it's just another way to describe someone. Say, I am talking to someone, and telling them about Fred, Fred has brown eyes, and dark skin. My friend asks if I know anything else, so I say he also wears green shoes. I used his Dark or "colored" skin as an explanation. It should not be racially abused.

I NEVER at any point implied that people should know. I was stating my preference. And no, I don't have pointy ears, or an accent, or a forehead ridge, or blue skin (been watching a lot of Star Trek lately) or some other random distinguishing feature. I don't expect people to know off the bat. I wouldn't expect someone to automatically tell someone from any one European country (or any other for that matter) apart from another one by visual alone either. I'm not asking anyone to do the impossible.

Thank you Dr. Phil for setting her straight.

There was a few references to the term "Asians".

I have found an amusing little clip from Russell Peters, where he (rightfully) points out that India is also part of Asia. Enjoy!
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoid=32851029

i fell out at the filipino - karaoke jokes

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!

I believe part of the issue of why some people take offense to the term "African American" is because of the association to some of the negatives associated with Africans that has been mentally forced upon them over the centuries. Thus some of us are only willing to stop at the West Indies, Brazil, North and South America when identifying ourselves. It's still a case by case basis however in some of those examples by which gene and characteristic is the more dominant. Also because many of us are unable (and in some cases unwilling) to trace our point of origin, in part thanks to not just the Atlantic Slave trade but Arab Slave trade was well. However, evidence has shown that a high percentage of Black people, African American, Negroid, Africoid, colored or whatever it is we choose to call ourselves, have phenotypes that originate from Africa.

One place to refer to is the works or Cheikh Anta Diop, Ivan van Sertima (who just recently passed), Chancellor Williams and most recently S.O.Y. Keita

Or, it could just be that since most people have no connection to Africa, they don't want to connect themselves verbally to a place they've never been, have no connection to linguistically or culturally, or never intend to go.

I'd rather see the term "African-American" used for someone whose parents or grandparents emigrated here from Africa, and have a linguistic/cultural/ethnic connection to the continent, and not just a bunch of Black Americans.

While I am not exactly disagreeing with you, you have people who are (insert your nationality here) Americans who have parents and grandparents that also have never been to their place of origin but just as easily claim it and can also as easily trace it.

So while your point is very valid, it's one of many reasons why some Blacks disagree with being called Af. Am..

(BTW good point to bring up because I have met a few who have stated that!)

As far as your preference as to why people should address themselves as Af. Am. I disagree.

Again the difference is tangible not just in geographic or cultural terms but also the mental effects that it's had on people who have already been assimilated here for over 4 centuries which continue. So, it's only fair to let people be able to identify with what they know or believe to know because so much of our history and lineage have been lost.

There have even been suggestions that pretty soon most peoples will drop the __________ - American and just be "Americans" because we all will be so thoroughly mixed.

This is already considered common knowledge and is reflected in almost all vital statistics, including the U.S. Bureau of the Census.

The main race categories are white, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian (which includes East Indian), and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.

So, the average Black American would be racially "Black," but culturally or ethnically...South Carolinian, New Yorkian, or Californian? LOL. Certainly it would be based on state because being culturally or ethnically "Black" requires an acknowledgement that "Blackness" evolved from a combination of experiences that began outside of America.

Not a good idea. We are not blank slates void of cultural and ethnic heritage just because our parents or grandparents (or great grandparents--some of whom were slaves, others were sharecroppers, and still others were wealth building free Blacks) were not directly FROM another land (either via slavery or migration).

Once again, these categories will exist and people won't be able to keep others (such as myself) and agencies from using them in reference to ALL Blacks or African Americans. If people feel the terms don't apply to them beyond vital statistics, that's really just their personal business. :) Everyone has a story to tell...write a book.

I honestly don't care what the rest of Black America calls themselves. I know why the term "African-American" is used, and why some people of a certain age prefer it; all I was suggesting was that some people have very personal reasons as to why they don't use it.

I wasn't suggesting any sort of "idea," regardless of what you may have culled from my post. But thanks for the sociology lesson! :)

Good.

of course not...just give it 200 300 years.

LOL. We'll never know. It makes me wonder why those people keep saying that. And what is "pretty soon?"

It's relative.

Yeah...uh huh. If I'd been wrong, I might have. ;)

*eats coldstone* want some?

man I miss coldstone. I haven't had it in forever. I really wish there was one near me.

LMDAO.

I have issues with Coldstone. They slap your ice cream around on that board, throw things into it, stir it, and then slap it some more. I kinda feel like they had the fun with it and I have to pay for its drinks and take it home.

lol. they have some damn good creations though. unfortunately I seem to have it only once a year or so.

*Puts the spoon down* Cold Stone was closed so I had to go to Wal-Mart...want some?

http://www.seriouseats.com/required_...8-benjerry.jpg

I set you straight! :D

I can't get the imagery out of my head now. I used to get the peanuts and caramel. Seeing them smack it around was funny. I only wanted peanuts and caramel SPRINLED ON TOP. I didn't need it throughout.

That's why a simple McDonald's cone or caramel sundae sometimes does the trick. It satisfies the craving without the fuss and excessive serving size.

*looking at the ingredients* Sure. :)

Half baked has to be my favorite B&J flavor. Plus an awesome name of course.

Uh...what?
:confused:

I prefer Fish Food. :rolleyes:

Laughing My Damn Ass Off would be my guess

I decided to Google it, and well, I don't know if it's appropriate.
:eek:

It's Phish Food. And it is incredible.

Thank you for that correction. I haven't had it in Months.

:(

Any other flavours like it? BTW, we might as well turn this into a B & J chat thread, LOL.

You want to make a BJ chat thread but felt that the Urban Dictionary definition of LMDAO wasn't appropriate? :p

Heavenly Hash is the only flavor I've ever had that even came close.

I'm making so many mistakes! Thanks, minDyG. ;) I meant to put an ampersand in between.

Back to the topic. It's always something new. I'm just wondering what it will be next. Not that it matters, I personally think we're all Americans regardless of race.

No, how dare you say that, "we're all Americans regardless of race". We're all HUMANS. Now I better not hear anyone else say that, we are a race together, and we love eachother.

True, but I'm speaking of those who are born in this country or have gained citizenship. They're all Americans.

Can you please stop Spamming? It's useless and not contributing anything. I'm trying to make a point here, while you come in thread jacking, just stop.

I'm not spamming at all. I work for John and you are under surveillance.