[rdb3]

Being called something other than Negro will not better the state of the people who now walk around challenging others to call them African-Americans.

The first part is most definitely true. And I reject the term "Negro" as much as I do the term "African-American."

Calling me an American will do just fine, thank you very much.

[bannie]

^5 !
And when asked on a form to "select race," I won't until I see the box for "Human Race."

[Woodman]

Thank you Rdb3. People can call me anything they want as long as they respect me. As for being American, that's what all legal citizens are. This WASP (Quaker actually), French, American Indian, and god only knows what else - American, strongly objects to any Hyphenated "American" references.

[AppyPappy]

White people calling black people "Negro" because they think it is "proper" is like black people calling white people "redneck" because they think it is popular.

[Hatteras]

"Calling me an American will do just fine, thank you very much."

But, you're not playing right. The rules clearly state that if you are not "Native American" (You know, one of them Injun-types) you are not a plain old American. We have to know how you're different so we can help you by punishing people who recognize your difference. And besides, if you're different enough, we might even give you things out of guilt and/or perceived threats to our communities.

So, be a good young fella and fill in the little circle next to your color. Isn't America wonderful?!

[FITZ]

American --- it sure would be nice when everyone can just get to that point. It's almost got to when the census has to have so many categories now --- and too many people have a mixture of ancestors to keep worrying about where they all came from.

[Yaelle]

I will always act as though it is a colorblind society because I have children and I raise them without reference to anything but differences in appearance. They don't know about race. For instance, "Who is that girl with the braids over there?" or "Go ask the man in the red shirt." Which one? "The one with the darker skin" or "The one with the beard." We are extremely lucky to live in a very mixed neighborhood, and people ALL look so different. I want my kids to grow up thinking that physical differences are almost meaningless.

[stainlessbanner]

well said, sir.

"When we all tear down walls of bigotry and prejudice and live in real harmony with ourselves and others, then we'll all say "I am an American," pure and simple. And "The Hyphen" will no longer apply to any of us. When that day comes, the world can count on us for another ten thousand years, for we'll be a brighter, a stronger and an undivided America."

John Wayne, The Hyphen

[BraveMan]

I've got a little secret to share with you here. When I stumble across posts such as this, I immediately scroll down to look for the comments (if any) from you and Mr. King. This is my barometer; my means of measuring the validity (or lack thereof) of the author's comments. Like it or not, earned or not, I evaluate whats on the other side of the coin through your reaction, your honest measure of worth.

That said, I cannot disregard the fact that your point of view is unique (or so it would seem, given the cacophony of voices from the "politically correct" arena, for lack of a better term). I wish to be tactful and respectful toward persons on either side of the racial, political and ideological fence; it helps reasoned debate flourish if (perceived) epithets are not thrown about during a discussion, like so much refuse out the car window . . .

(By now you're thinking, "theres got to be a point in here somewhere".)

If I find a need to refer to color (race) in a discussion with the, ahem, sensitive persons in our midst, exactly what the hell term do I use this week that won't automatically piss people off? Damn, I need another linguistics lesson . . .

[JoeSixPack1]

Calling me an American will do just fine, thank you very much.

How about "friend" ?