I've read this thread with intrest and patience. Normally I don't like to respond to such threads, but I would like to clarify a huge misconception for the need for the term "African-American".  It began with a need for a unified sence of pride and acceptance amongst ourselves as an ethnicity. A need to identify with our history and our present which is tied to the future of the nation we are very much a part of. Why is this needed? Have you ever been the last kid to be chosen for a team sport when you where young? That's how it feels for me considering Black Americans are the only ethnicity to be made citizens by the constitution. We are a part of America from the begining. Not an added new mushroom from Lucky Charms. It was never meant seprate but add a sence unity for all cultures in America. Our history (not just all ethnicities in America, but everyone in the world regardless of race or creed) should be used as a source inspiration that any obstacle can be conquered by the human spirit. Not to be used as a constant source of scorne or as an excuse for short comings. Speaking for myself personally, I identify with being black because as far as we have come, we must first deal with the black situation before we move onto African-American. Remember, that's what the term African-American really means: past, present, future.

Now, let's talk about Columbus. Every year on Columbus Day, I stay at home in silent protest as to not aggrivate folks who actualy like Columbus Day. But what did he really do and what was he suppose to do? He was looking for a faster route to Asia. That was a heck of a wrong turn! Did someone have to go to the bath room? Our goverment has made this a holiday and I still haven't seen but a fraction of my heros pictures on a stamp.

And therein lies the sad, sad situation. So much that was meant to unify has ended up dividing. Too often, cultural diversity has come to mean cultural divisiveness.

And therein lies the sad, sad situation. So much that was meant to unify has ended up dividing. Too often, cultural diversity has come to mean cultural divisiveness.

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Yes, sad and very true.

I have heard that one used, north of the 49th Parallel. Canada, of course, having been the trailblazer when it came to hyphenation.

Geographically, of course, Canadians are North American.

IMP.

I still cringe a bit when people say "Black".

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I think we should call them "Brown" since they have a beautiful colored complexion.  Some with lighter shades. 

I think we should call "them" whatever "they" request to be called, since it really has absolutely nothing to do with what you think is right, wrong or politically correct.

When in doubt, whatever the situation there's nothing wrong with asking "How would you prefer to be addressed?  How do you identify yourself ethnically?"  Everyone is different, times change, a person's awareness and perceptions change...this particular question is far too complex to nail down on a message board, particularly because there is no single answer because there is no consensus on how we all identify ourselves.  Black people are not the Borg, we don't have a shared consciousness.  But for simplicity's sake, trust me.  There's nothing wrong or disrespectful today to say the word "black."  The term African American, an extension of the earlier term Afro American from the '60's, has more of a socio-political connotation...an attempt to give black people an area of origin, as in the oft-cited Japanese-American, Mexican-American, Italian-American and so on.  There is no Blackland on the map; hence, the identification with Africa, which isn't 100% accurate for many reasons but not entirely wrong either.

In any event, what does it cost anyone to make an adjustment in their terminology if someone prefers the term?