When I was born almost 60 years ago, the race on my birth certificate was "colored." Then I was 'Negro', then I was 'black', and yes, I've been called (just a few times) the "N" word. Now I am African-American. Took a while to get used to the term, but I like it. I am descended from Africans - nameless ancestors I will probably never know anything about. But they survived the Middle Passage to survive here and over time produce me. I like acknowledging their undocumented contribution to my existence, even though I am at least a fifth generation American.

And yes, I think people have a right to decide what they want to be called or identified ethnically and to expect others to respect their self designation.