Is it racist to describe someone using the colour of their skin?

[eakers]

Whenever I am trying to describe someone to someone else that I don't know well I am always hesitant to use the skin colour to describe them because I don't want to come off as racist. I'm not even sure if its really racist or just pointing out the fact that thats the way they look.

For example:
"That white girl with the red shirt"
or
"That black guy with the red shirt"
or maybe even
"That asian looking guy with the red shirt"

Are people just too sensitive these days? What do you think?

 

[ViviTheMage]

I think no.

I am fine with people calling me white.

 

[spidey07]

NO, it is not.

 

[AreaCode707]

I don't think it is; it's a legitimate physical characteristic. However, I hesitate to do it too because some people are easily offended for the wrong reasons.

 

[Heisenberg]

I swear, this PC nonsense is going to be the downfall of western civilization. Either that or a giant asteroid. But I'm betting on the former.

 

[AndrewR]

Is it sexist to call people by their gender?

 

[eakers]

Originally posted by: AndrewR
Is it sexist to call people by their gender?

touche!

 

[FilmCamera]

Originally posted by: AndrewR
Is it sexist to call people by their gender?

Hey, check out that hot non-gender specific person of non-racial specific color.

 

[Strk]

It depends entirely on the context. I remember discussing Prison Break with a girl (she was black) and we were talking about different characters, how some have seriously sad stories. I couldn't remember Franklin's name at the time, so I just said "the black guy." It's far from racist. He just happens to be the only black main character.

 

[mrjminer]

Originally posted by: HotChic
I don't think it is; it's a legitimate physical characteristic. However, I hesitate to do it too because some people are easily offended for the wrong reasons.

That just gives you more reason to do it; break people's sense of false entitlement through making them realize they're just people.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: AndrewR
Is it sexist to call people by their gender?

what if you can't tell?

like Pat , on Saturday Night Live

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: eakers

Originally posted by: AndrewR
Is it sexist to call people by their gender?

touche!

That's a fairly valid point. Also, it's kinda of a cultural thing. I mean, a lot of people in the world describe others by the color of their skin, but for example, in some parts of Africa, they differentiate by nose shape/size. It's not really offensive in most cases anyhow, unless the person is hypersensitive to being called by their physical characteristics, lol.

 

[Whisper]

I'd say no, it's not racist at all. I'm sure there are situations in which it could be construed as such, but they're likely few and far-between.

Besides, perhaps by doing it more frequently, you'll become more comfortable with talking about race in general. The worst thing to do is be apologetic about race, either your own or someone else's.

 

[Cattlegod]

at work if i'm looking for someone and the person is black, a lot of time a person i will ask will describe him and his location, then just whisper "he is the black guy". haha

 

[D1gger]

I don't believe it is racial if you are simply trying to identify someone. It is racial when it is said with no context of trying to identify the person, ie. "some black guy cut me off in traffic today" is racial, while "the black guy standing next to the round table" is not racial.

 

[Alone]

Ironically, when people try to avoid using the term "black" or "negro" they end up sounding more racist.

 

[dbk]

Originally posted by: Alone
Ironically, when people try to avoid using the term "black" or "negro" they end up sounding more racist.

yeah i don't think black = negro

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: AndrewR
Is it sexist to call people by their gender?

what if you can't tell?

like Pat , on Saturday Night Live

I took a tour one time in Dublin with a friend of mine. There was a...um, person on the tour, and we debated the entire 2 hours whether or not the person was male or female (not constantly, we did pay attention to the tour). We never could decide because every time we were sure, then we looked again and were confused.

I suppose that getting it wrong would be exceedingly embarrassing though.

 

[Looney]

No, i do it all the time. Racism is only if it's used derogatory.

 

[Alone]

Originally posted by: dbk

Originally posted by: Alone
Ironically, when people try to avoid using the term "black" or "negro" they end up sounding more racist.

yeah i don't think black = negro

Look up the word "negro" for me please. I'll give you a hit: it's a Spanish word.

While you're at it, look up the Latin word "niger".

 

[clamum]

Naw I don't think so. At least I don't intend to be racist and that's what I say. I'm the opposite of racist. Fvck, if the guy's skin is black I'm gonna say "black". I'd expect someone to call me "white" too.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

You know what I like about being brown? I can call others brown, let people call me brown, etc. and not have any issue with it

 

[waggy]

nope its not.

 

[AnyMal]

There is no negative connotation attached to the word "black", it's the context that makes the difference.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: eakers
Whenever I am trying to describe someone to someone else that I don't know well I am always hesitant to use the skin colour to describe them because I don't want to come off as racist. I'm not even sure if its really racist or just pointing out the fact that thats the way they look.

For example:
"That white girl with the red shirt"
or
"That black guy with the red shirt"
or maybe even
"That asian looking guy with the red shirt"

Are people just too sensitive these days? What do you think?

I think there are people who might think so, but not many. Maybe if you described the color of their hair?