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Politically correct terms for race

Texashiker

Texashiker

Lifer
If blacks are called african-americans

Then why aren't,

whites called euorpean-americans,
mexicans called central-american-americans, or better yet, spanish-central-american-americans
Brazilians - portuguese-south-american-americans

Maybe mexicans should be called spanish-americans, instead of latinos?
Canadians should be called French-Americans

But since we do not want to discriminate against any certain country, why arent mexicans called european-americans?

What about people of mixed race? I am Scottish and English. Should I be called Scottish-British-American?
 
Only certain races wish to separate themselves from everyone else...the rest of us are ready to move on for the most part
 
Mexican and Brazilian are nationalities, not races. But I agree that using African-American in place of black is silly; it makes it seem like being black is something to be ashamed of so you should disguise it with obfuscating language. Which, if you think about it, is far more racist than just saying "black."
 
Atomic Playboy said:
Mexican and Brazilian are nationalities, not races. But I agree that using African-American in place of black is silly; it makes it seem like being black is something to be ashamed of so you should disguise it with obfuscating language. Which, if you think about it, is far more racist than just saying "black."
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But I'm not black, I more of a mocha color 😉
 
Atomic Playboy said:
Mexican and Brazilian are nationalities, not races. But I agree that using African-American in place of black is silly; it makes it seem like being black is something to be ashamed of so you should disguise it with obfuscating language. Which, if you think about it, is far more racist than just saying "black."
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So they are not Americans, just black people?

And to the OP, I guess you haven't heard the terms Irish American, Italian American, Latin American, etc. People need labels in the US because thats what they do...label people. Wanting a label other than "black" is not unreasonable. And it wasn't too long ago that being Scottish was a bad thing in a Brits eyes. I'm sure they have a label for you if you really want one... 😛
 
Pretty much every black friend of mine just says they are black, none of this -American BS. Either you're an American, or you aren't an American. What about white people born in Africa? Or Mexico? Using a geographical location instead of race because it's more "politically correct" is just stupid.
 
You can't call all black people "African American." What about black people that are visiting from other countries? Are they "American?" What about black people that have never set foot in this hemisphere?
 
Childs said:
So they are not Americans, just black people?

And to the OP, I guess you haven't heard the terms Irish American, Italian American, Latin American, etc. People need labels in the US because thats what they do...label people. Wanting a label other than "black" is not unreasonable. And it wasn't too long ago that being Scottish was a bad thing in a Brits eyes. I'm sure they have a label for you if you really want one... 😛
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Yes, it is. The "acceptable" term has changed so many times that there is no acceptable term. See my previous post. "_____ American" simply does not work.
 
Ichinisan said:
Yes, it is. The "acceptable" term has changed so many times that there is no acceptable term. See my previous post. "_____ American" simply does not work.
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LOL wtf are you talking about? Are you writing about the Black experience in the US for the Britannica Encyclopedia or something? This shouldn't effect you in any way. If you actually had any black friends, you would know this is a non issue.

And per you previous post, people visiting from Africa are not Americans, they are Africans. You can even get more specific by asking them what country they are from.
 
Blacks want to be call blacks (uncapitalized)...except in my English class where a prissy white woman wants them to be African Americans.


EDIT: Just wanted to add that in America (opps, The United States of America), if you're half black and half white....you are black. In the Bahamas, you're white.
 
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Childs said:
LOL wtf are you talking about? Are you writing about the Black experience in the US for the Britannica Encyclopedia or something? This shouldn't effect you in any way. If you actually had any black friends, you would know this is a non issue.

And per you previous post, people visiting from Africa are not Americans, they are Africans. You can even get more specific by asking them what country they are from.
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HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE A PERSON'S RACE IN AN NON-OFFENSIVE WAY WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE THE PERSON RESIDES?

...and, yes, I've had people tell me that I'm wrong to say "black" instead of "African American." :colbert:
 
Ichinisan said:
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE A PERSON'S RACE IN AN NON-OFFENSIVE WAY WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE THE PERSON RESIDES?

...and, yes, I've had people tell me that I'm wrong to say "black" instead of "African American." :colbert:
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How about this..."Hey man, where are you from?"
 
Childs said:
How about this..."Hey man, where are you from?"
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My point is that you sometimes need to describe someone's appearance or race. "That guy I saw who -I'm not sure if he's American or not, maybe African, I don't know-that guy. Right there! It was him!"

Just admit that you took the wrong side in this issue because you never actually thought about it. :colbert:
 
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I call them blacks. We are after all discussing color nothing else, so alluding to a history that may not even be accurate is pandering and also presumptuous and just plain stupid.
 
Ichinisan said:
My point is that you sometimes need to describe someone's appearance or race. "That guy I saw who -I'm not sure if he's American or not, maybe African, I don't know-that guy. Right there! It was him!"
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So you assume not every black person is a citizen, and I'm guessing that applies to all white looking people as well. Maybe do the same for black people that you would do for them?

And if someone corrects you about calling them black, are they black? If not tell them to STFU. If they are black, then you have you answer.
 
to me there are black americans and africans.
If you're black and born in the US to people born in the US, you have absolutely nothing to do with Africa.
Mexicans have their own culture so they're just mexicans, same for united statians.

Texashiker said:
What race are they?
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many mexicans are probably mexican mestizos.
Brazilians can be black, european or mixed depending on the person.
 
I forgot who said it, I think I heard it on the radio, but I once heard a theory that, and, again, this is a paraphrase of the theory I heard, not my words, there is no correct way to refer to the population that has been referred to as black, colored, negro, African American, etc. because that population cannot agree on which term is correct vs. non-offensive vs. offensive. Whether on purpose or by splintering of the group, they have made it difficult for anyone to even refer to that group without fear of offending someone in the group, i.e. even saying a name of the group can start a controversy without even addressing the context of the reference.

It sure makes it hard to discuss a group when you cannot even figure out how to refer to them.

MotionMan
 
Six said:
Blacks want to be call blacks (uncapitalized)...except in my English class where a prissy white woman wants them to be African Americans.


EDIT: Just wanted to add that in America (opps, The United States of America), if you're half black and half white....you are black. In the Bahamas, you're white.
Click to expand...

In the USA, if you're half Thai, quarter black, and quarter something else, you're still black.

Also, what if you're "black" but albino? Does that make you white? What if you're "white" but go to the tanning booths a lot?
 
Childs said:
So you assume not every black person is a citizen, and I'm guessing that applies to all white looking people as well. Maybe do the same for black people that you would do for them?

And if someone corrects you about calling them black, are they black? If not tell them to STFU. If they are black, then you have you answer.
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Making assumptions is what I'm refusing to do. What do I say when I *know* someone's not a citizen, but I'm not sure of their nationality? I don't call white people "white Americans." I call them "white." I call black people "black."

Do you understand now?
 
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