Is this a kind of racism?

[Queen Michael]

As I'm sure you know, in days of yore the word used to describe brown-skinned people of African descent was "******." Then, that started disappearing because it gradually became a rude and racist word instead of the neutral one it was originally, and "negro" became the mot du jour. After a while, that one became a bit controversial as well, and it's far from the only one -- "afro-american," "colored" and so on... There are lots of words that used to be just neutral terms for brown-skinned people of African descent but nowadays are considered inappropriate and racist.

Now, that's not really any trouble for me -- if I'm not supposed to use a certain word to describe black people's ethnicity I'll just use another word. The problem I think we have is that we're becoming so opposed to synonyms for black people that we're kind of implying that being black in itself is a bad thing.

What I mean is that if we don't think that being black is a bad thing, why is the majority of words for "black" considered rude and mean? It seems like "black" is going the way of "fat" and "retarded" -- something that people shouldn't be ashamed of being but you're still not allowed to say that someone is any of those things unles you choose your words carefully.

tl;dr: Is the way we're we're declaring most synonyms for "black" to be rude implying that it's a bad thing to be black?

(I'm white, in case you were wondering.)

 

[omega 616]

I think all this "we can't say that, it's offensive" is just a bunch of white people getting offended for black people. There are clearly racist words that shouldn't be used but I can't think of a reason "black" isn't offensive.

I think it's going to get to a point where we are calling black people "melanin excessive" and white people "melanin deficient", then what do we call brown people? "melanin mediocre"?

I would guess black people are just like "we don't care what you call us, as long as it isn't one of the offensive ones".

I don't mean to speak for black people but it's just the impression I've gotten.

 

[Jux]

I would say that it all depends on the context its used, and the tone it's used in. There is nothing wrong with describing skin color, instead of ethnicity, especially in cases where you don't know the persons ethnicity. I have a coworker who moved here from Trinidad. His skin is black, but he doesn't identify as African American, because he isn't from Africa.

I don't see the need though for even qualifying a persons skin color in most circumstances. If your buddy is coming over, and you want to let your family know, saying 'My friend George is stopping by for lunch/dinner/whatever today' is enough. There's no need in my mind to say 'My black friend George is stopping by for lunch/dinner/whatever today'. Used in that context, there is a level of awkwardness to it I think.

 

[Abomination]

I try to describe someone by the ethnicity as accurately as I can. I wouldn't call someone "black" I would say "African". But if I knew they were from Nigeria I would say "Nigerian". However there are situations where it differs, say someone from South Africa, I would call them a "black South African" due to how South Africa has a very large white population... whereas Nigeria does not by comparison.

 

[Tom_green_day]

Well what most people tend to forget is that racism is implying (or explicitly stating) that one race is superior to the other. Most people think it means saying that different cares are different. I don't think that's racism- I think that's fact.
So I agree with OP, people are so determined they need to be so 'politically correct' that it's kinda gone full circle.

 

[Uhura]

This reminds me of the dictionary scene in Spike Lee's Malcom X.

The word 'black' does have a lot of negative connotations. But yeah, in general this seems to be an issue primarily in the US.

 

[krazykidd]

I think all this "we can't say that, it's offensive" is just a bunch of white people getting offended for black people. There are clearly racist words that shouldn't be used but I can't think of a reason "black" isn't offensive.

I think it's going to get to a point where we are calling black people "melanin excessive" and white people "melanin deficient", then what do we call brown people? "melanin mediocre"?

I would guess black people are just like "we don't care what you call us, as long as it isn't one of the offensive ones".

I don't mean to speak for black people but it's just the impression I've gotten.

I may be overly sensitive , but i really really dislike being the "black" guy . I dislike being described as black . It annoys me to no end . Because i get the impression of being singled out . I have rarely heard people discribe someone as " the white guy" . It's almost as if being black is a abnormal trait. As if it is what defines me . However i cannot accurately determine why it makes me feel that way . I just get the impression that i'm being judged by my skin color rather than by who i am . And trust me , people have so many stereotypes for black people , that many ( too many ) people think they know what i like and who i am because of my skin color . People assume a lot about me , and when i don't meet their stereotype criteria, they seem surprised , even a little disapointed .

What irks me even more when people REMIND me i'm black , as if i didn't know .

To be perfectly honest , i do get annoyed when people talk about black people and white people , even if it is without animosity . It's almost as if there is a notable difference set in stone( ofher than skin color) . But like i said , i may be overly sensitive . Needless to say , if it was possible for me to change my skin color ( and physical features) i would definately do it .

 

[Abomination]

I think all this "we can't say that, it's offensive" is just a bunch of white people getting offended for black people. There are clearly racist words that shouldn't be used but I can't think of a reason "black" isn't offensive.

I think it's going to get to a point where we are calling black people "melanin excessive" and white people "melanin deficient", then what do we call brown people? "melanin mediocre"?

I would guess black people are just like "we don't care what you call us, as long as it isn't one of the offensive ones".

I don't mean to speak for black people but it's just the impression I've gotten.

I may be overly sensitive , but i really really dislike being the "black" guy . I dislike being described as black . It annoys me to no end . Because i get the impression of being singled out . I have rarely heard people discribe someone as " the white guy" . It's almost as if being black is a abnormal trait. As if it is what defines me . However i cannot accurately determine why it makes me feel that way . I just get the impression that i'm being judged by my skin color rather than by who i am . And trust me , people have so many stereotypes for black people , that many ( too many ) people think they know what i like and who i am because of my skin color . People assume a lot about me , and when i don't meet their stereotgpe criteria, they seem surprised , even a little disapointed .

What irks me even more when people REMIND me i'm black , as if i didn't know .

To be perfectly honest , i do get annoyed when people talk about black people and white people , even if it is without animosity . It's almost as if there is a notable difference set in stone( ofher than skin comir) . But like i said , i may be overly sensitive . Needless to say , if it was possible for me to change my skin color ( and physical features) i would definately do it .

You must admit being black and being part of a community like the Escapist is a bit of an anomaly.

If I was to tell my friends I had invited you to a LAN party and you showed up there might be a few double-takes and hints of "I did not expect a black person". Not that they would have anything against a person of African ethnical origins joining them for the hobby but it was not something they would have expected.

 

[Caiphus]

I'd probably just describe the person as "Black" or "Asian". I've never actually been told off by a black or Asian person for doing so, and hopefully that's not because they're afraid to speak up about it. I have a feeling it's just white people tippy-toeing around the issue and getting vicariously offended.

Not because being black is bad, of course, but because white people have a history of making them feel bad (and worse) for being black, and so we're trying to get away from that.

Probably. That's how it seems to me, anyway.

 

[Guitarmasterx7]

To be perfectly honest , i do get annoyed when people talk about black people and white people , even if it is without animosity . It's almost as if there is a notable difference set in stone( ofher than skin comir) . But like i said , i may be overly sensitive

I'd say that's pretty justified, but realistically, it's pretty much impossible to make yourself believe that we live in a world where there are no social issues based on race. Even if you're on the not-racist side of the discussion, just engaging in a discussion of that nature forces you to acknowledge the differentiation, even if you're only doing so to say it's unnecessary. Though I can total agree that in any circumstance no matter what term you use, if you're describing someone by race you're inherently getting racial. If it's not necessary to even bring it up, there should be no reason to.

OT: The term "african american" always seemed stupid to me. What about black people who aren't american? What if they're from Africa and white (which is more prevalent than most people realize.) I think white people who are so uncomfortable around black people that they're afraid to use "black" are kind of racist in a way, if that's what you're asking, OP. I also think white people pretending to be offended on behalf of black people is completely farfetched, as if they're the spokesperson for black people or something. Reacting to anything that could maybe possibly be considered racism sirens blaring just gives it too much power IMO.

 

[MacChris1991]

I think all this "we can't say that, it's offensive" is just a bunch of white people getting offended for black people. There are clearly racist words that shouldn't be used but I can't think of a reason "black" isn't offensive.

I think it's going to get to a point where we are calling black people "melanin excessive" and white people "melanin deficient", then what do we call brown people? "melanin mediocre"?

I would guess black people are just like "we don't care what you call us, as long as it isn't one of the offensive ones".

I don't mean to speak for black people but it's just the impression I've gotten.

I may be overly sensitive , but i really really dislike being the "black" guy . I dislike being described as black . It annoys me to no end . Because i get the impression of being singled out . I have rarely heard people discribe someone as " the white guy" . It's almost as if being black is a abnormal trait. As if it is what defines me . However i cannot accurately determine why it makes me feel that way . I just get the impression that i'm being judged by my skin color rather than by who i am . And trust me , people have so many stereotypes for black people , that many ( too many ) people think they know what i like and who i am because of my skin color . People assume a lot about me , and when i don't meet their stereotgpe criteria, they seem surprised , even a little disapointed .

What irks me even more when people REMIND me i'm black , as if i didn't know .

To be perfectly honest , i do get annoyed when people talk about black people and white people , even if it is without animosity . It's almost as if there is a notable difference set in stone( ofher than skin comir) . But like i said , i may be overly sensitive . Needless to say , if it was possible for me to change my skin color ( and physical features) i would definately do it .

You must admit being black and being part of a community like the Escapist is a bit of an anomaly.

If I was to tell my friends I had invited you to a LAN party and you showed up there might be a few double-takes and hints of "I did not expect a black person". Not that they would have anything against a person of African ethnical origins joining them for the hobby but it was not something they would have expected.

And that is the problem. Just because I share the a similar tone of skin to someone doesn't mean we belong to the same community. It doesn't mean I have anything in common with the man, and the fact that someone, anyone would just assume that I am, ticks me off to no end. Thing is when you do that you aren't looking at me the individual as a person, you are just stuffing me into your preconceived notions of a certain community (preconceptions that are not only mostly false, but many given by people outside of the "communities" they describe, many older than the individual they attempt to describe.). And again that upsets me. By the by, if you call me mulatto I will punch you. It is a slur in most places and one you should not use unless you feel like risking a black eye.

Also you can be a nerd while "black". For the record a "black" person can; like comics, understand science, enjoy video games, tech, listen to country music, listen to rock and roll, drive nice cars, have an education, a decent job, a loving healthy family/home-life, not have a drug problem, be a nice and reasonable individual, not know a thing about the hood, not have an immediate family member in jail, like white people, or anything else they want because (all together now): WE ARE PEOPLE. If you think, act on, or say anything to the contrary, you are being racist and acting like a jerk.

 

[lacktheknack]

I never feel the need to bring it up, as I'm rarely called on to describe people.

In those rare instances, I say "black" and no one bats an eye.

 

[Abomination]

You must admit being black and being part of a community like the Escapist is a bit of an anomaly.

If I was to tell my friends I had invited you to a LAN party and you showed up there might be a few double-takes and hints of "I did not expect a black person". Not that they would have anything against a person of African ethnical origins joining them for the hobby but it was not something they would have expected.

And that is the problem. Just because I share the a similar tone of skin to someone doesn't mean we belong to the same community. It doesn't mean I have anything in common with the man, and the fact that someone, anyone would just assume that I am, ticks me off to no end. Thing is when you do that you aren't looking at me the individual as a person, you are just stuffing me into your preconceived notions of a certain community (preconceptions that are not only mostly false, but many given by people outside of the "communities" they describe, many older than the individual they attempt to describe.). And again that upsets me. By the by, if you call me mulatto I will punch you. It is a slur in most places and one you should not use unless you feel like risking a black eye.

Of course the colour of your skin shouldn't dictate what community you can or can not belong to. It doesn't change the fact there are established stereotypes that you can not fault people for noticing.

For every black person who plays video games as a serious hobby there would be at least 30 white people.

 

[O maestre]

I think the only time that we are truly going to get over racism is when colour is not even an issue, and is more of a physical feature along the lines of having a slightly larger finger than the average... what i mean is that we do not have PC terms for people who have slightly larger noses or smaller noses for that matter. As soon as being black ceases to be tied to a specific culture the sooner all the political charge will disappear.

How precisely de-racialize(?) a culture is the difficult part, either it has to dissolve and integrate, or the culture has to cease being race exclusive.

 

[Nomadic Fanatic]

I love these race related fights. They can get heated and/or stupid. However, being white I feel like have to avoid stepping on toes or take care to being politically correct. Now, before I continue, i want to state that by no means what follows in trying to be racist or piss people off, which it probably will (I mean, this is the internet). Anyway, i think it's pretty messed up that black people can say something racist and be okay, but when a white guy does it it's messed up. I feel like that white people are being put down so to speak for being white. It's wrong to me. Now I'm off of my soapbox. Cheers.