How insulting is Colored (vs. African American)
 

My neighbor is 83 years old and he uses Colored as his default term for African-Americans. At least to me, he doesn't seem to use it insultingly (for example if he refers to someone as a colored girl, then you can guarantee the person is below age 20). and he talks with a great deal of affection of the colored man who worked at the service station in his home town who taught him how to fix cars. (Note, this would have been the early 1940s). A year or so after his second wife died (2003), he started dating one of his wife's caregivers, an African-american woman now in her late 50's. While my neighbor broke it off about a year after he started, it was because he didn't want to be a burden to her if his health failed and they are still friends.


What are the general feelings that people have on my neighbor's use of the term Colored?

i feel like, at 83, "colored" is what was used growing up. i mean, "colored" is probably better than other terms he heard coming up.

if someone called me colored... they would get the blankest stare. its up there with calling an Asian "oriental."

Well...better "colored" than the other word.

Is this a serious question about an elderly man? LOL.

You just worry about not using "colored."

I have a co-worker who prefers to be referred to as a "woman of color" than as an African American.

It isn't insulting. Is the NAACP insulting? Who came up with the name National Association for the Advancement of COLORED People?

Any term can be used disparagingly.

While the term "colored" has never offended me (and one of my mentors actually prefers the term), I imagine that I would be offended if the intent was to insult.

I mean.... I've been insulted when someone said "You know how you Washingtonians are."

Whites or idiots?

Whites.

I think that's more about being unaware and literal than being an idiot.

If he is 83 then that is just what he is used to. I mean the NAACP is a good example as much as you disagree. When the NAACP was founded the term colored was the common way to refer to an African American and it was probably the same for him. Hell for that time period Colored was probably progressive for him to use.

I think idiots. I would argue that most whites who have thought about it have figured it out on their own before they make the argument.

I don't think not making the argument means they've figured it out on their own. I think it means that people think things but don't always say them. :)

Shut up.






lol

LOL @ Dr. Phil and Senusret I. Y'all actually made me chuckle. Thanks for that - I nominate you two for co-winners at life today. :)

:p

Aw c'mon. Some of us have figured that one out without having to have it explained to us. :p:D

For all it is a cliche, I think that it is at least a historical lesson.

In 1909, when the NAACP was founded, *one* of the preferred terms of the community for itself was Colored.

In 1935, when the National Council for Negro Women and in 1944, when the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) was founded, *one* of the preferred terms for the community for itself was Negro.

In 1993, when the National Black Chamber of Commerce was founded, *one* of the preferrred terms for the community was Black.

No, but madmax is. :p

My grandmother (dad's mom who lived to the ripe old age of 98) called anyone who was Af. Am./Black colored, but I don't think that she meant it in a derogatory way, it's just how she referred to people, as did my great-grandmother(maternal)- who lived until she was 101. My grandfather(dad's dad) on the other hand was just an ass, so he probably meant it in a derogatory way. I can't really say that his side of the family was ever really all that progressive in their way of thinking. They probably just about dropped dead that my dad married and divorced three times.

I'm not making excuses for old people, however past a certain age (who knows what it is, but I'm talking over 80) can you really expect someone to change their world view/vocabulary?

They'll have to share it with 33 girl, because she already won at life today. :D

You forgot people of color.


What is the term going to be next year when they change it again?

Does that apply to the blacks that came up with the name NAACP?
Were they blacks or idiots?

Which, as already noted, does not refer just to African-Americans.

RIF. (Thinking helps, too.)

Wow! I get to be the one who gets to change the term next year! I'm just not worthy..

I mean I never thought it possible that I, a geek whose skin is so white that wedding dress designers match their color swatches against my legs and who no longer attends probates due to the number of people whose jaws drop so low that they have to be hospitalized, would get to be the one.

I'm just so happy that my life long dream of being able to determine how a culture of people refers to itself would be fulfilled. Thank you, madmax, thank you *so* much.

Aparently black america does expect everyone to change their vocabulary. Black america picks their OWN politically correct term and every few years they want to make up a new name. Then when someone does not get the memo that they changed the term they want to cry racism.

TNS

Clearly, I missed that memo. I was never invited to the Black Folks Meeting to discuss what we're to be called. :rolleyes:

Was there one? :mad:

We actually meet every 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, in addition to our town halls right before Sunday dinner.

According to madmax, there was.

I never get offended by the terms. Unless someone walks up to me and says "Get out of my face, ni--" I'm A-OK. In my experience, it's not really black folks that get offended -- it's our non-black friends trying to be PC.

Well that's why I didn't hear about it. Thursdays is happy hour at Magic City! And I shole do love my happy hour!

Is mocha still in the running for what we will call ourselves next year?

exactly.


No matter what it's changed to...one thing that will never change...you are still an ass.

Just like will still be defending murderers like Mumia because of the color of his skin.

I'll be there next Thursday after next!

You know what..in case no one ever tells you...

You are a real peice of shit.

Why don't you come clean and admit that you hate white people?

Dang. How'd I miss that?

ETA: Are nominations already out for today's lose at life award?

Why don't you come clean and admit you hate or, at the very least, think you're better than black people?

I hate cracka @ss crackas named madmax.

How's that?

Yup. And just like every day, madmax is nominated.:)

I'd say he has a lock on it today.