How insulting is Colored (vs. African American)

[33girl]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

I use the word colored with my friends pretty often when referring to us as a group or something like that. (They are mostly Hispanic.)

I would not mind if an older person or most other people using it in a non-offensive way referred to me as colored. I am colored. I am Black. I am American. I am Jamaican. What I don't like, is the term African-American. I will correct someone on that.

I assume you don't like it because you're not from Africa, which makes perfect sense. But how is someone supposed to know that? Are there noticeable differences in features or skin color?

I'm not trying to stir the pot here, just honestly asking.

This makes me think of an old WWII propaganda poster I saw once, the jist of which was "how to tell a Chinese person from a Japanese person so you're not unnecessarily mean to the Chinese person since it's not them we're pissed off at."

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I assume you don't like it because you're not from Africa, which makes perfect sense. But how is someone supposed to know that? Are there noticeable differences in features or skin color?

No, there usually aren't features and skin color differences.

She and all other people of the African diaspora will just have to take it on a case-by-case basis. Being Jamaican or Brazilian, for example, are not racial designations. Black and African American are pretty standard. People can specify their cultural or ethnic designations from there. Black and African American are the least offensive and least nitpicky of the category labels, as far as I'm concerned. They originated for a reason.

Originally Posted by 33girl

This makes me think of an old WWII propaganda poster I saw once, the jist of which was "how to tell a Chinese person from a Japanese person so you're not unnecessarily mean to the Chinese person since it's not them we're pissed off at."

I consider that different than "Black people" from all over the globe. Chinese and Japanese are not only culturally but ethnically distinct within the "Asian" racial category. I can usually tell the difference because the different Asian ethnicities tend to have different physical features.

Does anyone remember the martial arts film "Chinese vs. Japanese?" Great film. A lot of people didn't know there WAS a difference before that film was released in America.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I consider that different than "Black people" from all over the globe. Chinese and Japanese are not only culturally but ethnically distinct within the "Asian" racial category. I can usually tell the difference because the different Asian ethnicities tend to have different physical features.

Definitely. That's what I was trying to point out - Ms Pink seemed to think that people should know, even when there ISN'T a pronounced physical difference (like Chinese and Japanese).

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Definitely. That's what I was trying to point out - Ms Pink seemed to think that people should know, even when there ISN'T a pronounced physical difference (like Chinese and Japanese).

I don't think she thinks people should know. I think she just doesn't like African American and may express that opinion depending on the context.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

I use the word colored with my friends pretty often when referring to us as a group or something like that. (They are mostly Hispanic.)

I would not mind if an older person or most other people using it in a non-offensive way referred to me as colored. I am colored. I am Black. I am American. I am Jamaican. What I don't like, is the term African-American. I will correct someone on that.

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

Sweetie, not all black people are Af.-Am. I know it's hard to wrap your head around it. I know it's difficult because you maybe can't tell the difference and don't understand why it's important for all people to be able to identify themselves as they see fit. However, that's what makes us unique and makes us people. It's true of everyone on this earth. At the end of the day we are not a collective. We self-define. There is no one-size-fits-all.

Originally Posted by 33girl

I assume you don't like it because you're not from Africa, which makes perfect sense. But how is someone supposed to know that? Are there noticeable differences in features or skin color?

I'm not trying to stir the pot here, just honestly asking.

This makes me think of an old WWII propaganda poster I saw once, the jist of which was "how to tell a Chinese person from a Japanese person so you're not unnecessarily mean to the Chinese person since it's not them we're pissed off at."

Originally Posted by DrPhil

No, there usually aren't features and skin color differences.

She and all other people of the African diaspora will just have to take it on a case-by-case basis. Being Jamaican or Brazilian, for example, are not racial designations. Black and African American are pretty standard. People can specify their cultural or ethnic designations from there. Black and African American are the least offensive and least nitpicky of the category labels, as far as I'm concerned. They originated for a reason.



I consider that different than "Black people" from all over the globe. Chinese and Japanese are not only culturally but ethnically distinct within the "Asian" racial category. I can usually tell the difference because the different Asian ethnicities tend to have different physical features.

Does anyone remember the martial arts film "Chinese vs. Japanese?" Great film. A lot of people didn't know there WAS a difference before that film was released in America.

These quotes sum up the question I was asking and the answer I was looking for. I really wasn't trying to act stupid and, as 33girl said, stir the pot.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Definitely. That's what I was trying to point out - Ms Pink seemed to think that people should know, even when there ISN'T a pronounced physical difference (like Chinese and Japanese).

I NEVER at any point implied that people should know. I was stating my preference. And no, I don't have pointy ears, or an accent, or a forehead ridge, or blue skin (been watching a lot of Star Trek lately) or some other random distinguishing feature. I don't expect people to know off the bat. I wouldn't expect someone to automatically tell someone from any one European country (or any other for that matter) apart from another one by visual alone either. I'm not asking anyone to do the impossible.

Thank you Dr. Phil for setting her straight.

[CutiePie2000]

There was a few references to the term "Asians".

I have found an amusing little clip from Russell Peters, where he (rightfully) points out that India is also part of Asia. Enjoy!
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoid=32851029

[starang21]

Originally Posted by CutiePie2000

There was a few references to the term "Asians".

I have found an amusing little clip from Russell Peters, where he (rightfully) points out that India is also part of Asia. Enjoy!
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...deoid=32851029

i fell out at the filipino - karaoke jokes

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by CutiePie2000

There was a few references to the term "Asians".

I have found an amusing little clip from Russell Peters, where he (rightfully) points out that India is also part of Asia.

This is already considered common knowledge and is reflected in almost all vital statistics, including the U.S. Bureau of the Census.

The main race categories are white, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian (which includes East Indian), and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

Thank you Dr. Phil for setting her straight.

LMDAO.

I have issues with Coldstone. They slap your ice cream around on that board, throw things into it, stir it, and then slap it some more. I kinda feel like they had the fun with it and I have to pay for its drinks and take it home.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by 33girl

LMDAO.

I have issues with Coldstone. They slap your ice cream around on that board, throw things into it, stir it, and then slap it some more. I kinda feel like they had the fun with it and I have to pay for its drinks and take it home.

I set you straight!

I can't get the imagery out of my head now. I used to get the peanuts and caramel. Seeing them smack it around was funny. I only wanted peanuts and caramel SPRINLED ON TOP. I didn't need it throughout.

That's why a simple McDonald's cone or caramel sundae sometimes does the trick. It satisfies the craving without the fuss and excessive serving size.

[VUG1]

Originally Posted by 33girl

LMDAO.

Uh...what?


I prefer Fish Food.

[minDyG]

Originally Posted by VUG1

I prefer Fish Food.

It's Phish Food. And it is incredible.