The African American terminology is not a p/c but a scientific terminology based on evolution which describes correctly skin pigment variations based of evolution and human migration. In the US, the first word describes the origin and the second word describes the country affiliation.

Assuming you Dan are a white middle age right leaning man, then you should be referred as North European American which is more polite than white supremicist if we wanted to sub-divide the American white population according to their fascination of the term political correctness.

[en.wikipedia.org]

In Canada, we call every citizens Canadians and enjoy finding out where they come from.

Now I have a question for you: why do you call yourself American when you are a citizen of the United States of America where America implies it is bigger than the United States? Why are you not called a United Statesmen?

Dan, you need to get off those mushrooms sauteed in WD40. You've lost your credibility!

If you were born in America and you're an American you're just an American doesn't matter what color your skin is

This thread makes me mad. I'm gonna address some things frankly instead of the usual get-along to get-along type of guy I am Here goes:

Black people. You can say black people. No one cares if you don't say African American. You can just say black people if you really need to discuss race. Just don't say like "the blacks" or something tinged with obvious racism. Society decided this was OK decades ago now.

This thread is full of worrying and dopey answers. I'd like to address a few in as polite a way as I can:

@MrControversy: You not using the n word has nothing to do with political correctness. It has to do with racism. That word exists because of it. If it were up to me, it would disappear from the lexicon. Oh, and for the record, that word shouldn't be said for obvious reasons. But if you do want to use it, remember, one black person does not have the authority to tell you what word will not get your lily-white ass beat if you are heard saying it in many places. Not only will your assaulter not get but a misdemeanor, he won't even serve time. Be brave, don't just use on it on the internet. Go out there, say it loud, tell them you respect people who let you say it. Remember, freedom of speech. Not freedom from consequence.

@Marionville: It should not be anything negro anything. That word is archaic now, has been for a while. Times, they are a -changin'.

@Dan and others, the reason we used African American and not Nigerian American or something along those lines, Dan, oh Dan, was goddamned slavery. It's kind of hard to trace your roots back to a specific place when you were abducted and hustled off onto a ship and your successive generations were kept in ignorant bondage for 400 years.

Jesus Fucking Christ.

A very smart black woman once told me that she'd rather be called black instead of African American. It made me think.

And on a separate occasion, a different black guy I was talking to told me it was okay for white people to say 'nigga'. And he challenged me to say it so I did.

My conclusion is that there are many blacks who don't confine themselves to what is politically correct. They see past it. I have a lot of respect for blacks like that.

What non-PC term do you use or would prefer be used for the African diaspora in America?

A blond haired, blue eyed friend of Scandinavian descent was born to her American parents when they were missionaries in Africa.

When she was in college in the US she went to the financial aid office to research what scholarships she might qualify for. There was a very generous scholarship posted with one of the main qualifications being the recipient must be an African American.

The person reviewing her application for the scholarship told her that she obviously did not qualify. She asked why? They explained that she was not African American.

After she produced the paperwork proving that she was an American citizen, as well as an African by birth, she asked if they were denying her the scholarship based solely on race, and pointed out the university's policy against that.

She got the scholarship.

African American has only come into usage since the “N” word became a taboo. They should more correctly be classified as Negro Americans, but in this politically charged world this is deemed to be non PC.

I usually say ‘black’. Or if I can, I ask what they prefer. I’m fine with ‘white’(I’m VERY white, lol), or Caucasian, whatever. I’m also bisexual, so there’s another set of pc: gender and sexuality. Again, I can just ask. Same with nationality, religion, etc. It’s a make-your-own-label attitude, I guess.
Remember when people used PC as ‘privileged character’? My age is showing now!