Racial Slurs

[scubasteveE]

Originally Posted by bryceBAM

What I don't understand is why blacks are called African-Americans. I mean, sure, for the original people that were brought over from Africa, you could refer to them as that, but why today's blacks? You're American. White people aren't called European Americans.

... But according to you, what are you supposed to call black people that live in Australia or Europe or something? :O

So yeah, I think 'white' and 'black' are perfectly acceptable.

Caucasian, african american, hispanic, etc. are just technical terms that we use to tell each race from one another. And for example, I would call a black person from australian an "australian afican american". But really it's a tecnical term that we have used for decades and it would be stupid to change it.

I live in the south and you will be surprised how much people still use the "n" word and it really makes me mad. For instance I watch this interview with person from this area, and they asked her who is she going to vote for. And she said "I voted for McCain because Obama is black, and I ain't going to vote for some n***** for president."

[poke123]

Originally Posted by bryceBAM

What I don't understand is why blacks are called African-Americans. I mean, sure, for the original people that were brought over from Africa, you could refer to them as that, but why today's blacks? You're American. White people aren't called European Americans.

... But according to you, what are you supposed to call black people that live in Australia or Europe or something? :O

So yeah, I think 'white' and 'black' are perfectly acceptable.

I agree with this. In my opinion, 'black' and 'white' are acceptable. They are not meant to be derogatory terms, though some may view those words as such.


@ Chaos Dude: I understand what you're saying about racial slurs offending you and hurting your feelings, and they often offend me too (I'm Hispanic) , but for the most part I've learned to ignore racist people; they usually are ignorant. However, I don't consider 'white', black' or 'asian' to be racist slurs. Also, I've never actually heard any one say caucasian, most people say white.

[Fire Away]

Actually a black person from Australia using the African American template would be African Australian.

That's just splitting hairs though.

I do agree that there are worse instances of racism than someone using the word black. I've lived in Alabama and Texas and I've witnessed a lot of violence and hatred due to race.

[Ah Beng I the Pikabeng]

Originally Posted by Fire Away

White people are White Anglo Saxton Protestants. D:<

So everyone white is a Protestant? That's racial and religious stereotyping (or something like that). No good.


Imo, the way stuff like black or white are used is important. If they're used in a way such that it's intended to be offensive, that's of course unacceptable. If not, well, it's acceptable. However, whether it's acceptable or not is hard to detect, and could adversely (or not) affect the black or white person's mind.

[poke123]

Originally Posted by Ah Beng I the Pikabeng

So everyone white is a Protestant? That's racial and religious stereotyping (or something like that). No good.

I'm pretty sure FA meant something else. He was saying that a lot of 'white' people descended from Anglo Saxon Protestants; he wasn't being racist.

[Fire Away]

Originally Posted by Ah Beng I the Pikabeng

So everyone white is a Protestant? That's racial and religious stereotyping (or something like that). No good.

No, WASP is simply a classification that a lot of white people fit into. I was poking fun at the usage of overly specific titles when discussing ethnicity and background.

Imo, the way stuff like black or white are used is important. If they're used in a way such that it's intended to be offensive, that's of course unacceptable. If not, well, it's acceptable. However, whether it's acceptable or not is hard to detect, and could adversely (or not) affect the black or white person's mind.

So basically, you're saying words can be good or bad, and they may or may not do something?

[Ah Beng I the Pikabeng]

Originally Posted by Fire Away

No, WASP is simply a classification that a lot of white people fit into. I was poking fun at the usage of overly specific titles when discussing ethnicity and background.

So you were giving an example... I misunderstood.

Originally Posted by Fire Away

So basically, you're saying words can be good or bad, and they may or may not do something?

Yep. I also said that this would be the hardest part of the problem to tackle.

[Splishee]

Um, calling all black people 'African American' is assuming that everyone who is black are African and/or American. That isn't the case. There are plenty of French people who happen to be black. That's just a silly thing to say.

I'm not offended by any name, as long as it's not said with obvious hate. I don't see why people get worked up over small jokes amongst friends - we should accept and embrace our differences, and not go out of our way to be offended by small, insignificant words.

[Loyal Arcanine]

Originally Posted by bryceBAM

What I don't understand is why blacks are called African-Americans. I mean, sure, for the original people that were brought over from Africa, you could refer to them as that, but why today's blacks? You're American. White people aren't called European Americans.

... But according to you, what are you supposed to call black people that live in Australia or Europe or something? :O

So yeah, I think 'white' and 'black' are perfectly acceptable.

That's an interesting point actually. Over there, black people seem to be totally accepted as Americans. When I was in Atlanta last summer, I got in a chat with a black police man. He was asking where I came from and stuff, I told him I was from Holland. He then asked me "oh, but where do you really come from? I mean, you're colored, so you can't be from Holland". He referred to himself as American (as he obviously is) and I kinda jokingly told him if he wanted to go back so far as me not being from Holland, he wouldn't be American either.

Either way, more to the topic at hand, I don't get fussed about these terms really. My white friends sometimes greet me with "yo ******", although the Dutch word is maybe not considered as ... hurtful as it is in English. But ****** itself wouldn't really bother me either. If somebody hates me for my color, it doesn't matter if they call me ****** or not, their feelings are the same anyway.

EDIT: Lol, nigger is sensored. I guess that shows how it is generally considered hurtful?

[Black Hawk]

Originally Posted by Scuba Stevee

Caucasian, african american, hispanic, etc. are just technical terms that we use to tell each race from one another. And for example, I would call a black person from australian an "australian afican american". But really it's a tecnical term that we have used for decades and it would be stupid to change it.

Why would you call them Australian African American If they're Australian?

Originally Posted by Loyal Arcanine

That's an interesting point actually. Over there, black people seem to be totally accepted as Americans. When I was in Atlanta last summer, I got in a chat with a black police man. He was asking where I came from and stuff, I told him I was from Holland. He then asked me "oh, but where do you really come from? I mean, you're colored, so you can't be from Holland". He referred to himself as American (as he obviously is) and I kinda jokingly told him if he wanted to go back so far as me not being from Holland, he wouldn't be American either.

Either way, more to the topic at hand, I don't get fussed about these terms really. My white friends sometimes greet me with "yo ******", although the Dutch word is maybe not considered as ... hurtful as it is in English. But ****** itself wouldn't really bother me either. If somebody hates me for my color, it doesn't matter if they call me ****** or not, their feelings are the same anyway.

EDIT: Lol, nigger is sensored. I guess that shows how it is generally considered hurtful?

You're black? I learn something everyday I'm not in school :O

On a side note, I'm half and half, like a Barack Obama color and I'm not offended by any racial slurs. If any body calls me a ******, I just jokingly respond with a corresponding and equally insulting name.

[Loyal Arcanine]

Originally Posted by Black Hawk

Why would you call them Australian African American If they're Australian?


You're black? I learn something everyday I'm not in school :O

On a side note, I'm half and half, like a Barack Obama color and I'm not offended by any racial slurs. If any body calls me a ******, I just jokingly respond with a corresponding and equally insulting name.

Well yeah, I'm kinda like Obama too lol. Neither of my parents is white though, they're both also just a mix of a lot of ethnicities.

[FireflyK]

I think most of what can be said already has.

As an anecdote, though, I'd like to add that I thought black was the non offensive term. I used to use african american, but I got yelled at for assuming that all black people are both african and american, when some are only one, or neither. =X

I think people fuss too much about when black people call each other the n word, though. It's different when you're part of the group, after all, just like how people who are gay are reclaiming words that used to be slurs. I live with a group of guys who will greet each other with things like "Hey fairy/f*g/etc", and I don't really see a problem with it. Hell, I have a friend who greets people with things like "Hey B*****". People will insult each other if they're goofing around, as long as no one's offended, I don't think it's important.

[scubasteveE]

Originally Posted by Black Hawk

Why would you call them Australian African American If they're Australian?

*sigh*
The way Fire Away said it is better. Really it's just a technical term. Wait I think I got it. I think they started using the term "African American" right after the civil rights movement. I'm guessing they wanted to use something besides black so there wouldn't be any conflict over it and African American was the best we came up with. But this is just a guess.

[Misa]

So, I've heard some people call asians "ch*nks" in some parts of my school. If an asian does it, I'm all right with it. If a person that's not asian calls it though, I get offended.

but the terms "black and white" aren't really offensive at all imo because usually, most people are cool with being called that for some reason. (I use the term caucasian and african tho)

[Demon_Shiron]

Eh, this whole subject is fickle. Mostly all the black ghetto kids I know, and no, I'm not being racist, can get away with any racial slur they want, but once a white dude says something, they get jumped easily. Actually, white people are the only ones who CAN'T get away with racial slurs, even when it's in a joking manner.