Which is better to say....

I don't see a problem with 'black'. By that logic, all the white people in America should be called 'European Americans'.

Just call them black. Sometimes you can be too PC. The context of your sentence will determine the intention. A racist can easily turn "African American" into a derogatory phrase.

"Black" is a fine term. Not technically accurate, but white people aren't really white either. Typically. Damn caucasian albinos...

Most black Americans have no cultural African roots, and some of them don't even have ancestry there (anyone who brings up the belief that all humanoid life started in Africa is getting smacked). Then you have white Africans. Then you have black people who weren't born in America.

I'm sure there are other ways to make "African American" look like a ridiculous term, but I'm bored now.

I once heard about a guy who insisted that black holes (in space) should be called 'African American holes'. I'm not kidding.

I'd prefer to be referred to as black. Only because African American makes no sense to me since I was not born in Africa and later became and an American citizen. That then leaves the question of what should we be called? Although as howaminotmyself stated anyone could make either phrase sound derogatory. I don't understand why the "N" word was an option. There are a million other words in the English language I don't understand why people decide to use that one (white,black or anyone else). I personally refuse to use any racial slur regardless of whether I'm part of the group or not.

The N word? Whys that even an option? But I picked any ways. Im a humanitarian like that.

I'll stop saying Nigger when they call Cracker 'The C Word'

You could just say "who's that GUY/GIRL", I don't know why it's necessary to identify them as a black guy unless there's 2 guys standing there and one's black and the other is white or something.

But if you must, I'd say black because not all black people are African so I always thought that was stupid.

say brown you wont get in trouble that way

black is correct. I am white. why not

African American is a term white Americans came up with to make themselves feel better. In many cases it isn't even accurate.

Colin Powell's ancestors are West indian, and before he joined the Bush Administration that's what he identified himself as. Sidney Poitier, although born in Miami, is Bahamian. Delroy Lindo, an actor who many people would generally describe as African American, is in fact British. Lennie James, an actor who has appeared in "Jericho" and "Human Target" is also English.

The actor Djimon Hounsou, who appeared in Gladiator and Amistad, is an actual African American, having been born in Benin and taking American citizenship. A Beninese-American. Hounsou is one of just twenty-seven people in the world today to be officially recognized by this nationality.

You want to get technical, and interesting, actress Charlize Theron is also an African American, having been born in Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa and becoming a naturalized American citizen in 1997.

I dont like "black" because for one most of us aren't the color black...for two its pretty clear what is implied because black embodies all that is negative and evil and white embodies all that is good and pure, for example the greatest day of your life (wedding for some) you wear white,heaven is always portrayed as white robes and light...and the bad times(funerals) you wear black, hell is dark but also fiery at the same time... and most caucasians are not white! I call myself Native American because that is really what I am...A native of the united states of america, ive never been to africa and dont claim africa..even though it was probably the birthplace of all humans... but i digress..

it all depends on whos around when you are talking about it.....with my close friends its always "nigger"....around everyone else its black or african american...i mean c'mon...lets not act like were not all a little racist....

since when is black offensive?

If we must be referred to as "African American", then white people should be referred to as "European American".

I knew this Haitian once who would be enraged when some one called him African American. He was black as black can be, but he was not from Africa and he wanted the whole world to know. So I think it can also be offensive to call all blacks -African American. But you have to agree with Chris Rock that there is that subcategory of black people that are just "the N word," (since you do not like it), and thats what you call them. Unless you are a "C word." (and I'm not talking about female parts.)

I can come them blacks all day long.