@High Seas,
I realize that the intent of many on this thread recently is to snarl at each other. But I must respond to the question about what to call "those people."
Perhaps it varies regionally or by generation, but here in Virginia the accepted term, I think, is "Black." That is what I hear in multi-racial conversations.
"Colored" is a word with baggage from decades ago. "African-American" is too cumbersome. "Nigger" is almost 100% gone except when uttered by some drunk frat boy.
Carry on with your discussion.