Is this a kind of racism?

[James Joseph Emerald]

I think the reason that "black" and its synonyms are offensive is because you're inherently choosing to identify someone by the colour of their skin. It's not the word's association to 'black people' that makes it a "bad word", it's the frequency with which it's placed in a negative context.

It's the same reason why "****" is more offensive than "vagina": they both mean the same thing, but the former is more likely to be used aggressively or in a way intended to be offensive (even if used ironically).

In any case, I can't believe black/white is still a thing. It makes no sense.
Have lots of melanin in your hair, and nobody bats an eyelash; have lots of melanin in your skin and suddenly everybody loses their minds.

 

[JimB]

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?

No, it's implying that the subject has to be handled sensitively because the words being decried generally come from periods in American history when black people were considerably worse off than they are now, so using those terms carries with it at least the appearance of a nostalgic fondness for the days of racial oppression.

 

[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 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.

How is it an anomaly exactly? That's what i don't get. It's as if there was a seperate social standard for me because i'm black . Not only do am i ( seemingly ) suppose to fit the social norm for people on a whole , but i also have to fit in a ( seperate) social norm for black people .

I'm a 24 year old black guy , that likes Jrpgs , and anime . I can work my way around a computer . I play piano , read books , don't listen to music ,( let alone rap ) , i don't play basketball , can't dance, never had trouble with the police , don't do drugs , never stole anything in my life ( really ) and don't have a violent bone in my body . When i tell black people half this stuff i'm not black enough , and when i tell white people this stuff , they are genuinly surprised or flat out don't believe me .

It's crazy the sheer amount of social stereotypes people have about me , even before they talk to me . And i'll be honest , it's stressful as fuck .

 

[DragonStorm247]

I think it more has to do with bringing up ethnicity when it isn't relevant. With a white person, you usually refer to them as just a guy or whatever.

 

[Miss G.]

OT: Black is not an offensive term, and is no more racist than calling someone white.

It is a more effective way than calling someone African-American because...what do you call dark skinned folk in the UK? And if you call a black person African when they are british... their family could have been in the UK just as long as a white persons family, so they have no more link to Africa than any other individual.

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.

This is how I've felt since coming to the US, especially since black is the majority and governing power in The Bahamas. When people see me and haven't heard my accent, they automatically assume I'm African-American or Haitian. In the case of the former, it is wrong on nearly both sides of the hyphen, and in the case of the latter, it is both wrong and, amongst my people, just as insulting as mixing up Asian ethnicities because even though you can't tell the difference we most definitely can.

I am Bahamian(-American if you wanna get technical since I was born in the US) because by Bahamian law, its not birth country that matters, only the nationality of my father. I'm somewhat fine with being called black, if the tone its said in is neutral and/or it's part of a form because I hate having to choose 'African-American'. As if they're the only group of dark-skinned people.

 

[MacChris1991]

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.

What is that even based on? Seriously ask yourself where those stereotypes are coming from? T.V.? Movies? That is like assuming everyone from the South is a drunk, meth dealing racist who sleeps with family members (an extremely stupid thing to do, just to be clear). Look, besides the fact that most stereotypes are misunderstood, misapplied, inaccurate, or just plain false, you aren't part of said group so you can not know which, if any, are accurate. You can not know if the person you are applying the stereotype to is a part of the group you are stereotyping. Stereotypes are incredibly useless and offensive, you should really try not to use them with people, because again they are people. No real person is a stereotype.

 

[Wraith]

What I believe happens is that someone will hear someone having a PERSONAL problem with a word or phrase, and they apply it for every person of a race or community.

Example.

If one black guy doesn't like being called black then he will most likely tell the person who called him black that "we don't like be referred to as that". "We" of course meaning all black people. Now the person who previously used that word will then refrain from saying black to describe anyone who is dark skinned, because that one guy got offended. It's wrong for either of these people to do this because not only is it now embedded in the person's mind that "black" is now a bad word, but the person who told him such nonsense took his personal discomfort and applied it to the entire race which-- in most cases-- can be racist. Different people take offense to different things, no matter what.

 

[Miss G.]

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.

How is it an anomaly exactly? That's what i don't get. It's as if there was a seperate social standard for me because i'm black . Not only do am i ( seemingly ) suppose to fit the social norm for people on a whole , but i also have to fit in a ( seperate) social norm for black people .

I'm a 24 year old black guy , that likes Jrpgs , and anime . I can work my way around a computer . I play piano , read books , don't listen to music ,( let alone rap ) , i don't play basketball , can't dance, never had trouble with the police , don't do drugs , never stole anything in my life ( really ) and don't have a violent bone in my body . When i tell black people half this stuff i'm not black enough , and when i tell white people this stuff , they are genuinly surprised or flat out don't believe me .

It's crazy the sheer amount of social stereotypes people have about me , even before they talk to me . And i'll be honest , it's stressful as fuck .

If I hadn't grown up in a black island nation, I would probably be as stressed out as you feel because I have the same quirks and share some of the same hobbies. The contrast between the islands and the States is startling just because of the majority flip e.g I am a black girl over here, whereas back at home I'm just a girl and my white friends are the anomalies for liking the same things.

 

[Thaluikhain]

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?

Missing the point slightly. This is an example of the euphemism treadmill, a reaction, not a cause of racism.

It's not that people are implying it's bad to be black by changing the terms, it's that it is seen as being bad to be black by too many people (overtly or covertly), and words for being black become offensive. It's much easier to change to a new word then to deal with the underlying problem.

By comparison, the word "retarded" has fallen out of favour except as an insult because of hostile attitudes towards the retarded. It's been replaced by the word "special", which is falling out of favour except as an insult because people tend to of hostile attitudes towards special needs people.

 

[MeChaNiZ3D]

Using "black" as a term of reference and using "black" as a derogatory term are two different things. Personally I'm still a fan of using whatever word you like and taking other people's preferences into account when you want to. Naturally it makes you a dick if you insist on referring to black people as niggers even though you know they may be offended by it (and not in the context of a 'guy', which is a fairly unoffensive use of the word), but if you refer to black people as black, that's not something with a history of racism behind it, that's a descriptor, and it doesn't have to be offensive if you don't let it.

 

[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.

What is that even based on? Seriously ask yourself where those stereotypes are coming from? T.V.? Movies? That is like assuming everyone from the South is a drunk, meth dealing racist who sleeps with family members (an extremely stupid thing to do, just to be clear). Look, besides the fact that most stereotypes are misunderstood, misapplied, inaccurate, or just plain false, you aren't part of said group so you can not know which, if any, are accurate. You can not know if the person you are applying the stereotype to is a part of the group you are stereotyping. Stereotypes are incredibly useless and offensive, you should really try not to use them with people, because again they are people. No real person is a stereotype.

Watch any Comicon or E3 video and you'll notice exactly what I'm talking about.

I mean come on, you really think people of African ethnic origin aren't a minority when it comes to video games as a hobby?

 

[barbzilla]

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 .

But I do know what you like. You like Dark Souls, and you like it hard and fun. Though that has nothing to do with your skin color.

I can only imagine that your feelings on the subject come from living in a particularly racist area. I've lived in a few, and many of my black (using the term here as I don't have a more efficient word to describe the difference) friends from that area have feeling similar to you. My black friends from the areas that are less racist, tend to have fewer problems. That may be just a statistical aberration due to small sample sizes though.

Coming from a mixed family I may have a different take on the whole situation than most. I feel as though the only way we will ever get past racist behavior is by accepting our differences and embracing them. If you are culturally more likely to enjoy something (and you do enjoy it), then flaunt it. Don't be embarrassed by it. I know I am not at mine.

Another potential issue I see with the whole "black" word issue is in race racism. Most of my brother's issues with racism have been from other black people, not white (though the few issues with white people he has had have been far more volatile and offensive). If there is self loathing then imagined slights will be seen when they were not intended. Thankfully I am able to say I've seen much less of that lately than I did when I was younger.

P.S. I apologize for any spelling or grammatical mistakes. I am being plagued by a roll over ad blocking half of my reply box preventing me from seeing most of what I am writing.

 

[barbzilla]

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.

I have to disagree with your first paragraph. I find the usage of color a perfectly acceptable form of description. When I give a description of someone to somebody it is the first thing I would mention.

Example 1 (using defining terms that can also be used to discriminate):
M: Hi, could you watch for my friend to come meet me here?
T: Sure, what do they look like.
M: Well she is white, has brown hair, green eyes, has a thin build, and always wears hats. Her name is Jill.
T: Okay, I will look out for her.

Example 2 (using no potentially discriminatory terms):
M: Hello, would you mind keeping an eye out for my mate?
T: No problem, could you describe them?
M: She wears hats and her name is Jill.
T: Um, okay I will try to keep an eye out.

As you can see example 1 is much more likely to complete successfully. That doesn't mean scenario 2 can't work, but it is much less likely to. Those terms are very important terms, the problem isn't the term itself. The problem is when people feel the need to assign unneeded weight to those words (I.E. Discriminatory or negative connotations). There is nothing wrong with Jill being white, and there is nothing wrong with Joe being black. I don't care if someone is female, male, black, white, heavy, thin, blond, brunette, or whatever. Those terms can be useful and should be used in appropriate situations.

 

[MacChris1991]

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.

What is that even based on? Seriously ask yourself where those stereotypes are coming from? T.V.? Movies? That is like assuming everyone from the South is a drunk, meth dealing racist who sleeps with family members (an extremely stupid thing to do, just to be clear). Look, besides the fact that most stereotypes are misunderstood, misapplied, inaccurate, or just plain false, you aren't part of said group so you can not know which, if any, are accurate. You can not know if the person you are applying the stereotype to is a part of the group you are stereotyping. Stereotypes are incredibly useless and offensive, you should really try not to use them with people, because again they are people. No real person is a stereotype.

Watch any Comicon or E3 video and you'll notice exactly what I'm talking about.

I mean come on, you really think people of African ethnic origin aren't a minority when it comes to video games as a hobby?

So more people at a convention means no people enjoy the hobby? I honestly don't know who or who doesn't enjoy the medium, I also don't care. But by making assumptions about who is and isn't playing, and limiting who is or isn't likely to enjoy a particular entertainment choice by the color of their skin, you are limiting the medium. Gaming is an awesome, universal hobby,or it can be if we let it.
Also I don't think white guy is the default for a gamer. Not anymore. I also don't think E3 footage is the best evidence for your mostly white people like games theory. Even if it was, it would not prove or disprove the whole black people don't like games idea. And, big picture, using stereotypes (period.) to prejudge a person, is dumb. So very dumb.

 

[barbzilla]

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.

What is that even based on? Seriously ask yourself where those stereotypes are coming from? T.V.? Movies? That is like assuming everyone from the South is a drunk, meth dealing racist who sleeps with family members (an extremely stupid thing to do, just to be clear). Look, besides the fact that most stereotypes are misunderstood, misapplied, inaccurate, or just plain false, you aren't part of said group so you can not know which, if any, are accurate. You can not know if the person you are applying the stereotype to is a part of the group you are stereotyping. Stereotypes are incredibly useless and offensive, you should really try not to use them with people, because again they are people. No real person is a stereotype.

Watch any Comicon or E3 video and you'll notice exactly what I'm talking about.

I mean come on, you really think people of African ethnic origin aren't a minority when it comes to video games as a hobby?

So more people at a convention means no people enjoy the hobby? I honestly don't know who or who doesn't enjoy the medium, I also don't care. But by making assumptions about who is and isn't playing, and limiting who is or isn't likely to enjoy a particular entertainment choice by the color of their skin, you are limiting the medium. Gaming is an awesome, universal hobby,or it can be if we let it.
Also I don't think white guy is the default for a gamer. Not anymore. I also don't think E3 footage is the best evidence for your mostly white people like games theory. Even if it was, it would not prove or disprove the whole black people don't like games idea. And, big picture, using stereotypes (period.) to prejudge a person, is dumb. So very dumb.

Agreed, you can't use preconceived notions about someone based on their anything and not expect them to call you out on using stereotypes instead of obtaining your own information. Now if you said you did a major survey and obtained this data and presented it as such, that would be one thing. But you are making assumptions about a single person based off of socially implied notions. It doesn't matter if you are correct or incorrect, what matters is that you feel the need to separate that person from the group based on one facet of their description (not even their personality).

 

[Something Amyss]

This thread makes me think of this song:

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.

That's not entirely accurate. Negro was pretty much always the major term, "******" being an offshoot that was considered derogatory for most of its history by anyone who gave a crap about black people.

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.

Are you familiar with George Carlin's routine on the word ******?


In fact, the beginning of this video explains it perfectly. It's not the word, it's the context in which it's used. These new words developed negative connotations because bigots and racists started giving a bad connotation. In short, I think you're kinda sorta but not quite right; we only become opposed to these words because groups have started to turn them into negative words, and therefore there's a negative meaning behind them.

"******" is an offshoot of "Negro" in the same sense people might say "gonna" instead of "going to," except for the fact that one was always steeped in hate and the other is just casual slang. Guess which is which. I kid on that last part, but still.

Actually, probably a better example, I'm half Native American--Penobscot to be exact. While the term "injun" may not carry the same harsh connotation, it's still a term that was used derisively against a group as a slang-term that devolved from an actual one. They used to (and sometimes still do) call us Indians, after all. In fact, I occasionally get a white dude correcting me, telling me "they" (meaning Natives) prefer to be called "American Indians." Which is somewhat true, but not true of anyone in my family. I avoid anything with the term "Indian" in it, because absolutely none of my heritage involves the Indian subcontinent. and that's a serious sticking point for some of my brethren who are more connected to their roots. Me? I'm more culturally connected to my Scottish heritage, and since I don't have dark skin my biggest challenge in being biracial is the health concerns that tend to go along with being Native American...Which my family has in spades.

But I digress.

To answer the question in the title, this isn't itself a kind of racism, but it is the result of a kind of racism. Actual, specific racism in fact. Maybe not quite on the same level as what made "******" such an offensive term, but you'll notice contextually no other word will get you quite as strong a response. Even negro, a clearly dated and gauche word, will get less vitriol. You'll notice that we cycle through terms for groups that are culturally hated faster than those we don't.

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.

I hope not. Being black is an inborn condition with no inherent flaws. While I hold no ill will against the mentally disabled, they do in fact suffer from an impairment. Fat people, of which I'm one, suffer health risks that make the condition an undesirable one. Black people are just black. The biggest "flaw" is not fitting into social norms in which white people are the default group.

I'm also not sure I've ever experienced any real problem with calling a black person black.

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

RACIST!

...I don't know why, but the thought of shouting that amused me, so I put it in there. Take it for the joke it is, because I don't think you said anything racist.

 

[Lieju]

I think it more has to do with bringing up ethnicity when it isn't relevant. With a white person, you usually refer to them as just a guy or whatever.

This, pretty much.
It's not unreasonable if you have to identify someone based on thei outward appearance and there's only one black person in the group, but generally, why bring up their skin colour at all?

The thing that most annoys me is when people assume black = race = ethnicity.

Calling an European, for example, 'African American' is dumb.
It's not un-PC it's just factually incorrect.

 

[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.

What is that even based on? Seriously ask yourself where those stereotypes are coming from? T.V.? Movies? That is like assuming everyone from the South is a drunk, meth dealing racist who sleeps with family members (an extremely stupid thing to do, just to be clear). Look, besides the fact that most stereotypes are misunderstood, misapplied, inaccurate, or just plain false, you aren't part of said group so you can not know which, if any, are accurate. You can not know if the person you are applying the stereotype to is a part of the group you are stereotyping. Stereotypes are incredibly useless and offensive, you should really try not to use them with people, because again they are people. No real person is a stereotype.

Watch any Comicon or E3 video and you'll notice exactly what I'm talking about.

I mean come on, you really think people of African ethnic origin aren't a minority when it comes to video games as a hobby?

So more people at a convention means no people enjoy the hobby? I honestly don't know who or who doesn't enjoy the medium, I also don't care. But by making assumptions about who is and isn't playing, and limiting who is or isn't likely to enjoy a particular entertainment choice by the color of their skin, you are limiting the medium. Gaming is an awesome, universal hobby,or it can be if we let it.
Also I don't think white guy is the default for a gamer. Not anymore. I also don't think E3 footage is the best evidence for your mostly white people like games theory. Even if it was, it would not prove or disprove the whole black people don't like games idea. And, big picture, using stereotypes (period.) to prejudge a person, is dumb. So very dumb.

Er, what?

I never said black people can't enjoy video gam-- I have no idea where you got what you're saying from so I am just going to refuse to engage with you on this subject.

 

[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.

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 .

I think it's 'cos racism still exists and is still lingering around the place.

Personally, I don't care if you're black, Asian, brown, gay, bi, trans, A-sexual or whatever else might be "your deal" ... though, I can't stand orange people!

I say that 'cos if somebody says "make up a person in your head for like a story or something" they would be a straight white guy, it's not 'cos I hate any other race or sexual preference, it's just what first pops into my head ... probably 'cos I most identify with it.

If I think about it, the only black protagonist in a game, that I can think of, is the guy from prototype 2.