“Black” isn’t a race, “negro” is. “African-American” fails to account for negros who are not American, and for white/asian Africans.
“Colored” is an apt descriptor, but somehow racist.
Of course, many AAs are more white than black, so negro isn’t very correct.
“Negro — a term that faded in the late 1960s.”
Not to worry, it’ll be in vogue again.
Some don’t want to be called “negro”, preferring “black.” Others don’t like “black” and insist on “African American.” Still others can’t abide “African American” and demand to be described as a “person of color.”
And, of course, in intra-group settings, the nom de choice might be “_igge_.”
It’s a very fluid situation.
I’m about ready to move back to “Negro”. It is not a pejorative, especially if it is not intended to be. It was historically used in a non-pejorative way.
We gave up using it in the first round of “political correct” self-censorship, but the idea that “black” was more respectful than “negro” never made sense. But no one wants to offend, so we went with “black”. Then “african-american”. But to me “Negro” is the easiest and most respectful way to refer to your race, especially if you aren’t sensitive about it and no offense is intended.
So, I prefer “Negro”. Since I’m not Negro, though, and I don’t want to offend, I’ll stick with whatever people prefer to hear.