8 ms·
What is the preferred term in the UK - African British?
by stcroixx 3y ago
What is the preferred term in the UK - African British?
- fdsfdsafdsafds 3y agoIf you started calling British black people "African", it wouldn't be long before you got a punch.
- jack_riminton 3y agoWell if they're black and you were describing their race you'd just say they're black. If they're black and British and you're describing their nationality you'd say they were British.
- Jerrrry 3y agoBlack British, because their skin is colored, and are British. Black American, same way. "African-" implies you were born in Africa, "-American" imples you then immigrated to America. Elon Musk is an African-American. 13% of the US population are Black Americans.
- dekhn 3y agoAre extremely dark-skinned people (for example from South India) who move to england called "Black"? I've never heard that and would be surprised but i'm curious.
- Jerrrry 3y agoThey would be called black socially, but would be Indian-British til they revealed their accent, I would think.
- peanuty1 3y agoThe term African-American does not imply that one was born in Africa. It refers to Americans of African ethnicity (which includes Carribean-Americans of African descent). Chris Rock, Lebron James, and Michael Jordan are all African-Americans born in the US. Elon Musk is not considered African-American according to the popular usage of the term as he is of European descent despite being born in South Africa.
- tekla 3y ago[flagged]
- hellojesus 3y agoWhere is the racism? I only see a question about proper categorization.
- prepend 3y agoI think GP was referring to themself. Otherwise their comment makes no sense.
- tekla 3y agoYou have to be racist to assume that a Black person wants to be called "African British" in the UK. If you called my Black friends "African American" they would be pretty close to punching you in the face. Why wouldn't it be racist to assume Black people are African.
- hellojesus 3y agoWhy is it so offensive? Why not just let the speaker know they weren't American and move on? The instant escalation to violence seems like part of the problem generally in today's society, which extends to non racial topics like politics, gender fluidity, etc. A more appropriate reponse would be something like, "Why do you think I'm American?" A simple question like that would likely be sufficient to get the original speaker to think abkut and reorient their world view, and there was good-faith discussion the entire way.
- tekla 3y agoMy Black friend isn't African. That's why. They don't give a shit about being called American, they give a shit about being assumed about being African because they are black.
- 3y ago
- vidarh 3y agoDepends. Usually black if you don't know any more. Black British if you know they are British, but a lot of black people here are born in Africa or the Caribbean, and not all will be pleased to be described as British (some will take active offense, given Britains colonial past) and will prefer you to use their country or African/Caribbean depending on context. My ex would probably grudgingly accept black British, but would describe herself as black, Nigerian, or African, despite also having British citizenship. If you're considering how to describe someone who is present, then presumably you have a good reason and can explain the reason and ask what they prefer. If you're describing someone by appearance, 'black' is the safest most places in the UK unless you already know what they prefer. "Nobody" uses "African British".
- stcroixx 3y agoThat's wild you can still say black there. That's been a no go in the US for a while.