In my opinion, the term African-American may be a fine label, if thats what that group of people want to be called. It is, however, a term that excludes not only other minority groups but 'Blacks' from other countries. The problem with that is that it weakens the support that minorities need to overcome the discrimation that is present in 'White' society.

Try to imagine the strength that "People of Colour" or "Non-White" or even "Marginalized" people would have as a unified group. Of course I think that being "Black" is not the most signifant form of oppression.

Of the three most significant causes of oppression in our society (colour, social status and gender) gender remains the biggest problem of all. You can be a rich, "White woman", and be limited by gender stereotypes. If you look at the composition of the upper classes, you will find that there is very little discrimination against Blacks. In other words, if you are male and have enough money, your colour doesn't matter.

Poor, Black women are lower than poor, Black men in the heirarchy of power.

Women are not a minority. If women (regardless of social status or colour) were ever to realize their commonality and begin to relate to each other as a unified, oppressed group, we would begin to see significant change. As long as women separate themselves by colour and social status, it doesn't matter how many sub-groups are divised.

Of course, the best solution of all is to stop creating sub-groups of human beings all together. We all, after all, have the same basic needs and have a common Mother.