The term african american is not (often) used in the way you say “And, often it seems it is used in context with anger and an adamant view that we should sit up and take notice of who they are.”

You probably are not communiating or associating with black people or african americans on a regular basis, if you were you would have asked them this question. We are a diverse group of people, you can not look at a few people in the news and draw a conclusion of who we are…or assume they speak for us all.

Black people were asked what they would like to be referred to, to help stop the violence that once filled this nation toward our people.
I am a proud american, I happened to be black, that was a name given to …as we were called in the past colored…. to people of my race, I am not black, if you compare me to the color of a black crayon. Black to many represent evil or darkness, this on one hand offended many and on the other made many proud; it was better than being label as colored or nigger.

I lived through the years of being called nigger and negro by teachers in elementary schools, it hurt. If being called african american, gives me pride in being an american from Africa. Why does this offend or worry you? You must learn the history of our people. We are diverse, we are a mixed race of people, we have white blood in us, chinese, indian, most every blood in the world is mixed within our heiritage…some by choice and others by rape.

As a christian you should realize that we who have given our lives to Christ are all the same, neither greek nor jew, bond or free, male or female…thus black or white, we are siters and brothers adopted by God.

The only true blood that matters is the blood that was shed on the cross.

You will not get this answer from every one you ask, we are all different, the name african american, lets us have pride in ourselves and to me,at the time this name was given, reminded me …that no matter what happen or was said in the past, I am still an american.