"Negro" in the historical context.

[naraht]

How do people feel about the use of the term Negro as part of a description of an event which occured at a time when Negro was the preferred non-offensive term (prior to 1960(?)).

For example in a history of golf in Los Angeles.

In 1932, Snooty Golf Club changed its by-laws and admitted its first Negro member, however it wasn't until 1935 that it admitted its first Jew.

[knight_shadow]

Not a big deal to me :shrugs:

[BabyPiNK_FL]

I still use the word every now and then and do not mind it.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by naraht

How do people feel about the use of the term Negro as part of a description of an event which occured at a time when Negro was the preferred non-offensive term (prior to 1960(?)).

For example in a history of golf in Los Angeles.

In 1932, Snooty Golf Club changed its by-laws and admitted its first Negro member, however it wasn't until 1935 that it admitted its first Jew.

Was the history written in 1950 or 2005?

[naraht]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Was the history written in 1950 or 2005?

Assume 1950, in a book that was re-issued on 2005.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by naraht

Assume 1950, in a book that was re-issued on 2005.

If it's a regular book (as opposed to a textbook) I think that the original wording should stand. If nothing else, it will sound kind of odd for the rest of the book to be in 1950ese and then inserting verbiage from the last half of the 20th century in there. In other words, trying to be "up to date" or "politically correct" will compromise the overall effectiveness of the piece if it's the only thing that's updated.

Don't get me started on Judy Blume pulling this isht in the latest printings of her books.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

Judy Blume books said Negro? I wonder why I never noticed this...which ones?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by BabyPiNK_FL

Judy Blume books said Negro? I wonder why I never noticed this...which ones?

ha ha, no, I didn't mean that. I meant they were "updated." They put a disclaimer at the beginning of Forever and redid Are You There God It's Me Margaret so Margaret wasn't wearing a pad with a belt anymore. I just thought it was stupid - those books are about feelings, not about technical crap like that. Plus it disturbs the flow (no pun intended) if they don't update the clothes, slang etc etc along with it. It's kind of like colorizing movies - sounds good in theory, but in practice is so glaringly distracting that it detracts from your enjoyment of the movie/book/whatever.

[Psi U MC Vito]

I have no problem with the world. Honestly it is the context that makes all the difference. Never understood the big deal of it honestly. It is just the word for Black in Spanish. I still use it from time to time since it is the only non offensive way to refer specifically to Black people. The world Moreno which is usually used literally just means a dark haired person.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

The world Moreno which is usually used literally just means a dark haired person.

Not just dark-haired. 'Moreno' and the contrary term 'guero' both can be used to mean a dark-skinned/light-skinned person.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by epchick

Not just dark-haired. 'Moreno' and the contrary term 'guero' both can be used to mean a dark-skinned/light-skinned person.

I was taught that it meant dark haired. Though it was probably corrupted I guess for lack of a better term to mean skin tone. I honestly don't know.

Also I would be considered a Moreno in both sense though I would never be called Black.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

I was taught that it meant dark haired. Though it was probably corrupted I guess for lack of a better term to mean skin tone. I honestly don't know.

Also I would be considered a Moreno in both sense though I would never be called Black.

I doubt it was 'corrupted'...I think it just has different connotations, whether we were taught them or not.

A person is usually referred to as 'moreno' (at least with Mexicans, idk about others) when they are darker skinned, but not of African-American heritage.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

I still use it from time to time since it is the only non offensive way to refer specifically to Black people.

Not the only one.

The world Moreno which is usually used literally just means a dark haired person.

That's how I learned it, too.

[Ch2tf]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Not the only one.

Co-sign!

I learned moreno/a as dark skinned. Most spanish speaking (and Brazilian for that matter) always call me morena. You would think that was my damn nickname, it pisses me off most of the time.

[BabyPiNK_FL]

In SFL I'm usually "la negrita" (hate it cos it's diminuitive), but I have been morena on a occasion. It's usually reserved for "dark tan" people, but not always.