By that time, the majority of black people in the United States were native-born, so the use of the term "African" became problematic. Though initially a source of pride, many blacks feared that the use of African as an identity would be a hindrance to their fight for full citizenship in the US. They also felt that it would give ammunition to those who were advocating repatriating black people back to Africa. In 1835, black leaders called upon Black Americans to remove the title of "African" from their institutions and replace it with "Negro" or "Colored American". A few institutions chose to keep their historic names, such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church. African Americans popularly used the terms "Negro" or "colored" for themselves until the late 1960s. COUNT 5
QSN1 Why did the use of "African" become an issue? ANS1 the majority of black people in the United States were native-born QSN2 Why did blacks fear to identify as African? ANS2 would be a hindrance to their fight for full citizenship in the US. QSN3 What year did Black leaders call for this change in language? ANS3 1835, QSN4 What group decided to keep the "African" in their name? ANS4 the African Methodist Episcopal Church QSN5 What terms did African Americans use instead? ANS5 "Negro" or "colored"