In AP Style, “African American” is used to refer to Black American individuals, and it should always be capitalized. The term “Black” can also be used to refer to African Americans in general, while both terms are widely accepted in journalistic writing.
Writing African American in AP Style
African-American is used to refer a black American person. You can also use the word ‘black’ to refer an African-American or Black-American.
For example,
- There should be equal political conditions for African Americans and White Americans.
- In 1921, Coleman became the first African American woman to be awarded an international pilot licence. (The Independent)
Note: Don’t forget to capitalize African American.
When to Use “African American” vs. “Black” in AP Style
In AP Style, both “African American” and “Black” are acceptable, but they should be used in different contexts. “African American” refers specifically to Americans of African descent and is commonly used when emphasizing the cultural, social, or historical identity tied to the United States.
On the other hand, “Black” is a broader term that can refer to people of African descent from anywhere in the world, not just the U.S. “Black” can also be used as an adjective to describe cultural movements or communities, such as in “Black culture” or “Black community.”
In cases where ethnicity or cultural identity isn’t relevant, “Black” is generally preferred.
Alternative Terms and When to Use Them
In addition to “African American” and “Black,” there are other terms that may be used in specific contexts, though they are less common.
“Afro-American” was once widely used, particularly in the mid-20th century, but it is now largely considered outdated and is generally avoided in favor of “African American.”
“Black American” is another alternative, though “African American” is more prevalent in journalistic writing. In cases where a person’s nationality or specific ethnic background is relevant, such as in a conversation about Caribbean or African diaspora groups, it’s better to use more specific terms like “Jamaican American” or “Nigerian American.”
Check Out: How To Write United States in AP Style?
How to Handle References to Race and Ethnicity in AP Style
AP Style encourages neutrality and sensitivity when referring to race and ethnicity. It is important to avoid using unnecessary identifiers unless they are essential to the story.
When mentioning race, use it only when it is relevant to the context, such as a discussion on racial discrimination or cultural events. Always capitalize “Black” and “African American” when referring to people.
Avoid generalizations or assumptions about individuals based on race, and be sure that your language is inclusive and respectful. If unsure, it’s always best to ask individuals how they prefer to be described. Especially in the case of mixed-race identities or less commonly known ethnic groups.
What Did You Learn?
Understanding the correct usage of terms like “African American” and “Black” in AP Style is crucial. Both terms are acceptable, but they should be used in the proper context to reflect cultural identity or geographic distinction.