Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[erik19283]

Hello,

What terms should be used when talking about black people?

Someone told me that I shouldn't say "Black" because Blacks from the US prefer to be called Afro-American. Is that true?

If so, what about the ones from Jamaica, for example, or somewhere else?

What about Blacks living in another country than the US? They can't be called Afro-American either.

That would be nice if any black person would answer as how they prefer to be called instead of white people telling me how black people like to be called. However, any help is welcome, black or white!

[lotus]

Hi erik19283,

Blacks in America are often addressed as Afro-Americans or African-Americans in formal terms. In more common speech, they are addressed as blacks or black Americans - and often refer to each other as blacks.

To get a view of black America, here is a link to one of the most respected intellectual black pesonalities in America, Tavis Smiley. If you ever catch his show, you'll know why he is considered one of the brightest rising stars in the black community. He is extremely articulate and can hold conversation equally with the homeless or the President. In my opinion, he is a key jell holding the black community at this time.

http://www.tavistalks.com/TTcom/TSradio/


--lotus