Changes

[[Image:Paterson.jpg|thumb|[[David A. Paterson]], first black governor of New York (2008- )]]

[[Image:Paterson.jpg|thumb|[[David A. Paterson]], first black governor of New York (2008- )]]

'''African American''' is the term used to describe the ethnic background of Americans with African ancestry. The  great majority of African Americans are descended from Africans brought to North America as slaves beginning four centuries ago.  Others (like [[Colin Powell]]) were 20th century immigrants from the West Indies or Africa.

'''African American''' is a [[politically correct]]term some use to describe the ethnic background of Americans with African ancestry. The  great majority of African Americans are descended from Africans brought to North America as slaves beginning four centuries ago.  Others (like [[Colin Powell]]) were 20th century immigrants from the West Indies or Africa. Many American conservatives believe that the use of terms such as "African-American" or "Mexican-American," collectively referred to as "#REDIRECT [[hyphenated American|hyphenated Americanism]]," 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>

 

==Terms==

==Terms==

The preferred terminology changes. 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. 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.