On December 21, 1988, civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, alongside other prominent Black leaders, advocated for the adoption of the term “African-American” to describe Americans of African descent. Jackson emphasized that this designation provided a cultural and historical context, aligning with identifiers used by other ethnic groups in the United States, such as Italian-American or Irish-American. He stated, “To be called African-Americans has cultural integrity. It puts us in our proper historical context.” ?YouTube

The term “African-American” was intended to foster a sense of pride and connection to ancestral heritage among Black Americans. While it gained widespread acceptance, discussions about racial and ethnic identifiers continue within the community, reflecting the diverse perspectives and experiences of Black individuals in America.