How insulting is Colored (vs. African American)

[naraht]

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?

[tld221]

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."

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by tld221

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.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

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

This is a matter of opinion and people see this differently. For me, "Colored" is right up there with the other word...not much difference. And I don't want to be called or refered to as that by anyone, not even an 83 year old man/woman and I will kindly (at first) tell a person not to call me that no matter how they grew up or what they're used to. I have that right. Some people have had more experiences with racism than others and that could be a reason for the different feelings and perceptions.

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by tld221

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."

that's what they're called in Europe. "Asian" over there refers to some one from central part of Asia.

/hijack

[DrPhil]

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

You just worry about not using "colored."

[AGDee]

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

[madmax]

Originally Posted by naraht

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?

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

[naraht]

Originally Posted by madmax

It isn't insulting. Is the NAACP insulting?

No, but madmax is.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by madmax

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

Are you Black? If not, then how can you say what is or should be insulting to a person of a different race? And for your information, back then Blacks in the South had come to accept the term "Colored" but today this isn't the case especially up North for most. I am definitely insulted when called or referred to by that term and that is my personal entitlement. As for the NAACP, I'm sure they discussed at some point changing the name since it doesn't reflect the present day but probably decided against it because it has become a historical brand known all over the world.

[madmax]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Are you Black? If not, then how can you say what is or should be insulting to a person of a different race? .

Do you speak for your entire race?

If so then what is the new politically correct term for the next 100 years? I would like to know since you change the term every couple of years and I don't want to step on any toes when YOU change the term and forget to send the rest of the planet the memo on the new term.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by madmax

Do you speak for your entire race?

If so then what is the new politically correct term for the next 100 years? I would like to know since you change the term every couple of years and I don't want to step on any toes when YOU change the term and forget to send the rest of the planet the memo on the new term.

Do you speak for your entire race???

When racist people stop making up derogatory terms or making terms derogatory, that's when we'll stop changing them. And you can call people whatever they choose to be called. If one person chooses to be called African American, so be it and if another chooses to be called Black or otherwise, so be it. No one has the right to determine how someone or a group of people choose to define themselves and it's not important that you understand or get it. Respect other people and they will respect you. Period.

[minDyG]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Do you speak for your entire race???

Certainly not!

[madmax]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Do you speak for your entire race???

When racist people stop making up derogatory terms or making terms derogatory, that's when we'll stop changing them..

The most racist and derogatory term in the thread was cracker that was thrown my way by a well know racist DaemonSeid who defends murderers because of the color of their skin.

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

And you can call people whatever they choose to be called. If one person chooses to be called African American, so be it and if another chooses to be called Black or otherwise, so be it. No one has the right to determine how someone or a group of people choose to define themselves and it's not important that you understand or get it. .

If the President gave a speech to the NAACP then what term should he use when you all prefer a different term? You will complain either way.

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Respect other people and they will respect you. Period.

Doubtful. Most of your people don't even respect themselves.

I respect people that go to school, get jobs, work hard, take care of their kids and don't break the law.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Whites tend to respond with this cliche`.

Whites or idiots?