Words change over time. Some words that were appropriate decades ago became linked to cruelty and racism, so they are no longer used. Individuals might prefer some words and not others and there are no official rules that dictate when certain words must be used. After consulting many definitions and listening to community advisors, this exhibit uses the following guidelines:

African American is used to refer to Americans with heritage that goes back ultimately to Sub-Saharan Africa, and when referring to the unique world culture that developed among Black men and women in the USA beginning in the 1600s. 
 
African immigrant is used to refer to Americans who were born in Africa. Because each country contains unique cultures, we use specific terms such as Sudanese American, Nigerian American or Somali American when possible.
 
The African Diaspora refers to places outside of Africa where enslaved men and women created communities and cultures. This includes the USA as well as many countries in the Caribbean and South America, such as Haiti and Brazil.  

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Increasingly, many Americans identify as Black. This identity includes people of color from a variety of backgrounds, including African Americans whose families have lived here for centuries as well as immigrants. In this exhibit, we sometimes use the word Black interchangeably with African American, and we intentionally use the word Black when referring to groups of people whose members may have a variety of ancestries. 

For more on African American and Black identity, view the video below.  ​

Early Black History: 1870 - 1920

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