In a message dated 1/21/07 9:26:37 PM, [log in to unmask] writes:


> 
> But is "Afro-American" quite the same as "African-American?"
> Probaby not. 
> 
> It would be interesting to look up the history of the word.  I
> will check tomorrow, when I can look it up in the OED. 
> 
> All best,
> Kevin
> Kevin R. Hardwick, Ph.D.
> Department of History
> James Madison University
> 

No it is not the same.   The Afro-American designation was the alternate term 
one used but not as frequent as the term black during the 60s and 70s.   What 
is an acceptable and proper term to describe us is basically one of reference 
and comfort.   I don't correct anyone on what term they use/don't use.   If 
an elderly black/white/polka dot person wants to use the word colored or Negro, 
fine with me, it's ok with the NAACP (colored people) and the National 
Council of Negro Women.   I use black more than I use African-American because that 
is what I am comfortable with having come of age in the early 70s though I 
occasionally use African-American.   We seem as a people to recreate and redefine 
ourselves periodically thru history.   None of the terms accurately describes 
us biologically since most of us have 3 different gene pools in our 
background;   African, Native American and European.    African-American more 
accurately describes someone like Barak Obama more than it describes myself genetically 
(West African, English, Jewish, Cherokee, Seminole and maybe some Spanish??) 
but then I am a geneaology and historical purist ;-)    Another practical 
consideration since I have been doing more writing, black is more suited to 
brevity than African-American ;-0!!   I do think it is rude for anyone to correct a 
person espcially if is a younger person correcting an older one on what term 
to use.    I know back in the 60s the avant garde considered colored and Negro 
passe and judged peoples' "hipness" by the terms that they used and consdiered 
folks Uncle Toms if they didn't use the term black.   That attitude I realize 
now is self defeating and not respectful of the older generations' sacrifices 
and struggles during the Jim Crow era and before.

Anita L. Henderson

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