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[[image:Freddouglas.jpg|225px|thumb|[[Frederick Douglass]], historic [[Abolitionism|abolitionist]] activist, historic member of the [[Republican Party]] of the United States.]]

[[image:Freddouglas.jpg|225px|thumb|[[Frederick Douglass]], historic [[Abolitionism|abolitionist]] activist, historic member of the [[Republican Party]] of the United States.]]

'''African American''' is a [[politically correct]] term some use to describe the ethnic background of Americans with [[Africa]]n ancestry. The  great majority of African Americans are descended from Africans brought to North America as [[slavery|slaves]] beginning four centuries ago.  Others (like [[Colin Powell]]) were twentieth century immigrants from the [[West Indies]] or Africa. Many American [[conservative]]s believe that the use of terms such as "African-American" or "Mexican-American," collectively referred to as "[[hyphenated American]]ism," make the mistake of "putting America second" and emphasize racial differences over common national identity <ref>http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/on_becoming_an_unhyphenated_am.html</ref>

'''African American''' is a [[politically correct]] term some use to describe the ethnic background of Americans with [[Africa]]n ancestry. The  great majority of African Americans are descended from Africans brought to North America as [[slavery|slaves]] beginning four centuries ago.  Others (like [[Colin Powell]]) were twentieth century immigrants from the [[West Indies]] or Africa. Some criticize the use of terms such as "African American" or "Mexican American," collectively referred to as "[[hyphenated American]]ism," because the terms "put America second" and emphasize racial differences over common national identity.<ref>http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/05/on_becoming_an_unhyphenated_am.html</ref>

==Terms==

==Terms==

The preferred terminology changes constantly. Currently "black" and "African American" are in favor, and "Afro-American" and "Negro" are out of favor. The situation before 1960 was just the reverse. "Colored" was popular until the 1950s, but now is generally out of favor except among some [[leftist]] groups.

The preferred terminology changes constantly. Currently "black" and "African American" are in favor, and "Afro-American" and "Negro" are out of favor. The situation before 1960 was just the reverse. "Colored" was popular until the 1950s, but now is generally out of favor except among some [[Leftist]] groups.

The use of the term "African-Canadian", a similar politically correct attempt at labeling Canadians of African or Caribbean origin, is largely rejected in favor of the term "Black Canadian".

The use of the term "African Canadian," a similar politically correct attempt at labeling Canadians of African or Caribbean origin, is largely rejected in favor of the term "Black Canadian."

==History==

==History==

see [[Black history]]

''See also [[Black history]]''.

Blacks were originally brought to America to serve as slaves in southeastern states on large-scale plantations. During the [[Civil War]], all slaves were freed by [[Abraham Lincoln]] though the [[Emancipation Proclamation]], the [[Thirteenth Amendment]], and some state actions. During [[Reconstruction]] the Freedmen (freed slaves) gained citizenship and civil and political rights, including the right to marry, move about, and keep their wages.

Blacks were originally brought to America to serve as slaves in southeastern states on large-scale plantations. During the [[Civil War]], all slaves were freed by [[Abraham Lincoln]] though the [[Emancipation Proclamation]], the [[Thirteenth Amendment]], and some state actions. During [[Reconstruction]] the Freedmen (freed slaves) gained citizenship and civil and political rights, including the right to marry, move about, and keep their wages.

[[Image:President Barack Obama.jpg|thumb|150px|Barack Obama, the first President with black ancestry]]  

[[Image:President Barack Obama.jpg|thumb|150px|Barack Obama, the first President with black ancestry]]  

Among African-Americans, religiosity is very high, and the standard practice since [[Reconstruction]] is for black ministers to be community spokespersons, and political power brokers; they often run for office. The great majority of African Americans are [[Protestant]]s, with their own [[Baptist]], [[Pentecostal]], and [[Methodist]] churches.  A few are [[Muslim]]s.<ref>The Pluralism Project at Harvard University [http://www.pluralism.org/resources/statistics/tradition.php#Islam]  Twenty-four percent of American Muslims are black, according to American Muslim Council's Zogby poll of August 2000.</ref>

Among African Americans, [[Christianity]] is very high, and the standard practice since [[Reconstruction]] is for black ministers to be community spokespersons, and political power brokers; they often run for office. The great majority of African Americans are [[Protestant]]s, with their own [[Baptist]], [[Pentecostal]], and [[Methodist]] churches.  A few are [[Muslim]]s.<ref>The Pluralism Project at Harvard University [http://www.pluralism.org/resources/statistics/tradition.php#Islam]  Twenty-four percent of American Muslims are black, according to American Muslim Council's Zogby poll of August 2000.</ref>

==Racial registration and anti-miscegenation laws==

==Racial registration and anti-miscegenation laws==

In the early 20th century some states, not only in the South, adopted racial registration policies and implemented laws against the mixing of black and white people. These "anti-miscegenation" laws were only finally ended in the federal case [[Loving v. Virginia]], when a mixed race couple successfully challenged all laws against mixed marriage in the states.

In the early 20th century some states, not only in the South, adopted racial registration policies and implemented laws against the mixing of black and white people. These "anti-miscegenation" laws were only finally ended in the federal case [[Loving v. Virginia]], when a mixed race couple successfully challenged all laws against mixed marriage in the states.

[[File:RosaParks.jpg|thumb|left|[[Rosa Parks]].]]

[[File:RosaParks.jpg|thumb|left|[[Rosa Parks]].]]

* [[Black unemployment]]

* [[Black unemployment]]

* [[Kwanzaa]]

* [[Kwanzaa]]

[[Category:Ethnicities]]

[[Category:Ethnicities]]

[[Category:The South]]

[[Category:The South]]