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.

[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?

[Senusret I]

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."

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Whites tend to respond with this cliche`.

Whites or idiots?

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Whites or idiots?

Whites.

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

[Psi U MC Vito]

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.

[Senusret I]

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.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

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.

[Senusret I]

Shut up.






lol

[SydneyK]

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.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Shut up.



lol