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edbanky
= Cult of Ray =
Burkina Faso (Upper Volta)
388 Posts |
 Posted - 07/12/2006 : 10:04:44
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In the states it changes; right now I think it's either African American or Afro-American or People of Color. I have always wondered if they're called African British or African Britons or African Belgians or Afro-Dutch or Afro-Luxembourgers or whatever in other locales. Also, I have an American friend from South Africa; she's white as Frank's palms, but I still think of her as African American. Should I refer to her black if that's how I refer to other people of African heritage?
Anyway, non-Americans, what term do you use when referring to individuals of African descent? Just curious?
© 2006 The True Jesus Organization and AIDS Babies |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 10:08:15
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Well their name if I know it ; )
Black.
People of colour is ridiculous.
 I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
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mrgrieves1971
= Cult of Ray =
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 10:10:52
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| Sir, miss, ma'am, young man, young lady, Mister, misses. If you know their name, use that. |
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Doog
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
1220 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 10:12:40
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"Check out that guys hair!"
"Who?"
"The black dude."
To me, there's absolutely no problem with that, in the same way if I was referring to a caucasian in a group of black folk, I'd say "the white dude". Skin colour and nationality are totally different things, a black dude born and bred in London is still "a Londoner" to me.
"People Of Colour"? Seriously?? It makes them sound like aliens or something. Not cool.
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www.myspace.com/doog = solo choons
www.myspace.com/casabonitaband = noisey stuff
www.myspace.com/WKtheband = surfrockpop geekery
www.myspace.com/ukpixiestribute = Nimrod's Son |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 10:22:53
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Assuming we don't know the person, I don't see the problem saying "the black guy" when it makes it obvious who you're talking about (i.e. as Doog said, among a group of white guys). Also like Doog, African-American rubs me the wrong way, why should I assume they come from Africa, or is this a throwback to origins, which strikes me a little off. People of colour is definitely not good. I once had a few old men in the restaurant, talking of the CFL's first black coach for the Sask. Roughriders, saying it was "good to see a darky in there and really doing well". Obviously they weren't intending to be offensive, but it seemed so antiquidated.
 "No man remains quite what he was when he recognizes himself." |
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El Loco
- FB Fan -
206 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 10:36:17
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| what up bro |
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Thomas
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1615 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 11:10:34
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White guilt has you asking this questing.
"Our Love is Rice and Beans and Horses Lard" |
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5155 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 11:15:01
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I don't particularly like "Afrian American" either. I have a friend who is South Afrian, and she looks as white as white can be, but technically she is an African American, so the term has nothing to do with color (for a more famous example, both Dave Matthews and Charize Theron are South Africans living in the USA as well).
I think that black is probably ok. Most black people i know call themselves black. But once again, i don't think that it should just be used in any situation "So my black friend Steve..." but in differentiating between the two ladies at the bar who are attractive.
-Brian - http://bvsrant.blogspot.com |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 11:50:01
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Like Brian said. People of colour, that's weird, it's just the same as "coloured", which is totally unacceptable.
Black, asian, Chinese, Indian, white, Mediterannean, it's all the same.
 I have joined the Cult Of Frank/And I have dearly paid |
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5155 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 11:53:48
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Plus many times 'people of color' is used to describe not just blacks, but basically all minorities. It is a very lame term.
-Brian - http://bvsrant.blogspot.com |
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starmekitten
-= Forum Pistolera =-
United Kingdom
6370 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 12:03:55
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I don't really understand why it's a problem to be honest. I never got african american or people of colour. Black is black, it's a description not an insult.
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mosleyk
= Cult of Ray =
USA
607 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 12:16:29
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| My sister-in-law always refers to herself as "black" so that is what I use. Strangely I don't use "black" when around white people because they always look at me like they are insulted. Whenever I have used "black" around blacks however, there hasn't ever been a blinking of an eye. |
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Suicide_Samurai
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
431 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 12:20:40
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Every time a new term is made up for a black person it just continues to make them special cases, and that's exactly the kind of thing I assume they're trying not to do, only they're failing miserably.
I hate any kind of jargon that dehumanises words and/or covers up their real meaning. Listen to the end of George Carlin's "Parental Advisory" for an amazing speech on American language and euphemisms. |
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offerw
* Dog in the Sand *
South Africa
1264 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 12:35:49
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quote:
I once had a few old men in the restaurant, talking of the CFL's first black coach for the Sask. Roughriders, saying it was "good to see a darky in there and really doing well". Obviously they weren't intending to be offensive, but it seemed so antiquidated.
Heh, reminds me of a footbal club which survived in our premier division for a season or two. Dangerous Darkies. Every Saturday roundup of the football scores ended with the sportscaster in stitches.
I wonder how Charlize Theron would feel about being thought of as a African American. She's from the republic of Benoni you know.
Black South Africans plainly refer to themselves as Africans.
Oh and Dave Mathews isn't South African. He is a Durbanite 
wilhelm |
Edited by - offerw on 07/12/2006 12:58:35 |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 12:40:36
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What got me in SA was that referring to people as coloured is not offensive like it is here, but an actual ethnic denomination denoting mixed race.
I have joined the Cult Of Frank/And I have dearly paid |
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s_wrenn
* Dog in the Sand *
Ireland
1851 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 14:09:38
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I never understood the phrases "African-American", "Italian-American", "Irish-American", etc. If your born in America, your American, and that's it. There's no need to add on more to the title. It just makes it sound like segregation within nationality.
I don't think i ever refer to someone as "that black guy/girl". "guy" or "girl" on it's own seems to suffice. But i can see how it is more precise when in a crowded place.
And "People Of Colour" sounds like some kind of Hippy cult who take acid for breakfast.
Seán Says: You haven't lived until you've dueled with a midget
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edbanky
= Cult of Ray =
Burkina Faso (Upper Volta)
388 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 15:31:59
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quote:
Originally posted by Little Black Francis
quote:
Originally posted by edbanky
In the states it changes; right now I think it's either African American or Afro-American or People of Color.
I've never heard anyone say People of Color. Even racists don't say that. You're wrong about that one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p61mD558egA
Hmmm . . .
I've read/observed black leaders and/or so-called advocates use terms like "people of color" on numerous occasions--too numerous to consider listing.
Here's a few examples though (from the first page of Google results):
http://www.pocc.org/
http://katrina.mayfirst.org/
http://www.nopcas.com/
Granted, the term is used both to refer to blacks specifically and "minorities" in-general but it's used profusely.
© 2006 The True Jesus Organization and AIDS Babies |
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El Loco
- FB Fan -
206 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 16:26:24
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The real question is how do you address a wigga.
noe wat i'm sayin' yo |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2006 : 18:08:36
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Gareth: "My dad, for example, he's not as cosmopolitan or as educated as me and it can be embarrasing you know. He doesn't understand all the new trendy words - like he'll say 'poofs' instead of 'gays', 'birds' instead of 'women', 'darkies' instead of 'coloureds'."
Join the Cult Of Pob! And don't forget to listen to the Pobcast! |
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a guy in a rover
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
535 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 05:24:48
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Ask Ron Atkinson.
I heard he was au fait with all this political corectness mumbo jumbo.
Kiss my ring...I am the greatest
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pixiestu
> Teenager of the Year <
United Kingdom
2564 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 05:27:11
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quote:
Originally posted by Carl
Gareth: "My dad, for example, he's not as cosmopolitan or as educated as me and it can be embarrasing you know. He doesn't understand all the new trendy words - like he'll say 'poofs' instead of 'gays', 'birds' instead of 'women', 'darkies' instead of 'coloureds'."
Ha. I knew it. I was just waiting for that exact quote from Carl!
"The arc of triumph" |
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Thomas
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1615 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 05:53:15
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It’s settled then. Everyone must now call us Native Americans. That should reduce all uncertainty from this point forward.
quote:
Originally posted by s_wrenn
I never understood the phrases "African-American", "Italian-American", "Irish-American", etc. If your born in America, your American, and that's it.
"Our Love is Rice and Beans and Horses Lard" |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 06:48:48
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And Native-Americans should be referred to as Native-American Americans. ;)
Join the Cult Of Pob! And don't forget to listen to the Pobcast! |
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HeywoodJablome
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1485 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 07:17:24
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We're all just passengers on spaceship earth people!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Wait a minute, strike that. Reverse it. |
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edbanky
= Cult of Ray =
Burkina Faso (Upper Volta)
388 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 07:24:59
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quote:
Originally posted by HeywoodJablome
We're all just passengers on spaceship earth people!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Wait a minute, strike that. Reverse it.
Passengers
On
Spaceship
Earth
We should call each other Pose(s).
© 2006 The True Jesus Organization and AIDS Babies |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 07:30:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Thomas
It’s settled then. Everyone must now call us Native Americans. That should reduce all uncertainty from this point forward.
quote:
Originally posted by s_wrenn
I never understood the phrases "African-American", "Italian-American", "Irish-American", etc. If your born in America, your American, and that's it.
"Our Love is Rice and Beans and Horses Lard"
Actually, that's another one I don't really like, "native".
"No man remains quite what he was when he recognizes himself." |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 07:31:22
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Reminds me of Gangs Of New York.
I have joined the Cult Of Frank/And I have dearly paid |
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jtjcp88
- FB Fan -
105 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 08:32:11
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Have you ever been in a situation, usually with older people, who still use words such as Paki, and coloureds? It's very uncomfortable.
"Dance at my party." |
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lonely persuader
= Cult of Ray =
Ireland
488 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 08:58:57
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| black is fine, never was wrong to use it? or am i wrong. |
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ScottP
= Cult of Ray =
USA
618 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 10:14:33
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What I would like to know is who is the person or group responsible for changing what is the oppropriate term. They seem to stay one step ahead of the general population to keep us all guessing, or in many ways, feeling insensitive.
I hope at their next name changing meeting some one stands up and says, "OK, this one is final, final, final. This term is THE one we will stand by and accept for all eternity. And no do-overs." |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 10:33:29
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quote:
Originally posted by ScottP
What I would like to know is who is the person or group responsible for changing what is the oppropriate term.
Snoop Dog!
I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 10:53:01
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quote:
Originally posted by jtjcp88
Have you ever been in a situation, usually with older people, who still use words such as Paki, and coloureds? It's very uncomfortable.
"Dance at my party."
I know a girl who's married to a Pakistani guy, and she refers to people as Pakis. She always follows it by saying, it's ok, I can say that because I'm banging one.
She's a classy bird.
I have joined the Cult Of Frank/And I have dearly paid |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 11:11:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Cheeseman1000
quote:
Originally posted by jtjcp88
Have you ever been in a situation, usually with older people, who still use words such as Paki, and coloureds? It's very uncomfortable.
"Dance at my party."
I know a girl who's married to a Pakistani guy, and she refers to people as Pakis. She always follows it by saying, it's ok, I can say that because I'm banging one.
I have joined the Cult Of Frank/And I have dearly paid
That reminds me of an episode of Seinfeld. The one where Elaine thinks she's dating a black man.
I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
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Erebus
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1834 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 11:15:58
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quote:
Originally posted by ScottP
What I would like to know is who is the person or group responsible for changing what is the oppropriate term. They seem to stay one step ahead of the general population to keep us all guessing, or in many ways, feeling insensitive.
I hope at their next name changing meeting some one stands up and says, "OK, this one is final, final, final. This term is THE one we will stand by and accept for all eternity. And no do-overs."
I think what happens is that after a term becomes accepted it is then used in a derogatory manner and tone by those so inclined, until those who are offended protest that the term is an insult. So a new label is born and adopted by people of good intent. Then the process begins again. Racists use the new term derogatorily until those insulted insist upon a new label that lacks the racist baggage. A classic case may be the “N-word”, which was derived from "niger", which is Latin for black. I don’t know my history but I would guess that somewhere classically educated white people applied the term in a non-racist fashion, much as we would use “black” today, but then the term quickly became a racist insult. My guess is that as racism slowly recedes, eventually a term will stick, though remaining racists will continue to use the term insultingly.
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El Loco
- FB Fan -
206 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 12:48:08
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| down with whitey |
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
USA
5454 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2006 : 12:59:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Erebus
A classic case may be the “N-word”, which was derived from "niger", which is Latin for black. I don’t know my history but I would guess that somewhere classically educated white people applied the term in a non-racist fashion
I think you're being charitable. My guess that way when the "N word" was being coined educated white people thought Africans weren't even the same species as themselves.
I tend to think "black" is an acceptable term, but some contexts I stick to "African American". |
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Topic |
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What's the proper way to refer to black people?
