Black Hole = Racist term?

[bumbershoot]

Well, that chick Omagrossa on the first Apprentice said the expression the "pot calling the kettle black" was racist. What a dumb bunny!

A near war was starting one day on theknot, a wedding planning site, b/c of that phrase. The person hearing it did NOT understand what it meant. Of course, the person wrote something like "hello, pot? kettle calling...you're black!" So the misunderstanding was a BIT easier to happen, but still, it's just saying that two things are the same, not a demeaning statement at all. Thread was "disappeared" quickly, before anyone could unravel what the phrase actually meant, so maybe that was the one from The Apprentice who never learned what it meant! Was she married in '01 or '02 by any chance?

And just what do you mean by "lighten" up?

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

I guess it depends on what area you're from and how you feel about the terms "black" and "African-American".

Growing up, I was taught that 'colored' was the polite term for any one who was half-black or more. 1/4 or less black was 'octoroon' or 'quardroon' depending on how much black blood the person actually had in them. But even then, my parents and grandparents generally referred to anyone who was black or had obvious biracial features as 'colored'.

When I was engaged to DH, my supervisor was black so one day I asked her what the polite term for a black person was. She said it was African-American.

Fast forward a few more years and I ask the question again. The person I spoke to this time insists it is 'person/people of color' because black refers to when they were slaves and African-American is no longer relative unless you're actually FROM Africa immigrating to America.

So I just use Person/People of Color because now I am totally confused.

 

[kangareaux]

Watch out -- the llamas are offended.

And llamas SPIT!

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

I guess it depends on what area you're from and how you feel about the terms "black" and "African-American".

Growing up, I was taught that 'colored' was the polite term for any one who was half-black or more. 1/4 or less black was 'octoroon' or 'quardroon' depending on how much black blood the person actually had in them. But even then, my parents and grandparents generally referred to anyone who was black or had obvious biracial features as 'colored'.

When I was engaged to DH, my supervisor was black so one day I asked her what the polite term for a black person was. She said it was African-American.

Fast forward a few more years and I ask the question again. The person I spoke to this time insists it is 'person/people of color' because black refers to when they were slaves and African-American is no longer relative unless you're actually FROM Africa immigrating to America.

So I just use Person/People of Color because now I am totally confused.

This is precisely my point...I cannot keep up. Whether it be "African-American" or "Blacks" or "Colored" or "Mexicans" or "Hispanics"....I cannot keep up. I just give up. I cannot go about my life scared to say anything because I might offend someone. I say get over it unless someone is being threatening to you or your family.

 

[breezy1077]

Watch out -- the llamas are offended.

 

[ticktock]

If you think thi is bad how about what the brits are up to?

LONDON, July 7 (UPI) -- Toddlers who say "yuck" when given flavorful foreign food may be exhibiting racist behavior, a British government-sponsored organization says.

The London-based National Children's Bureau released a 366-page guide counseling adults on recognizing racist behavior in young children, The Telegraph reported Monday.

The guide, titled Young Children and Racial Justice, warns adults that babies must also be included in the effort to eliminate racism because they have the ability to "recognize different people in their lives."

The bureau says to be aware of children who "react negatively to a culinary tradition other than their own by saying 'yuck'."

"Racist incidents among children in early years settings tend to be around name-calling, casual thoughtless comments and peer group relationships," the guide says.

Staff members are advised not to ignore racist actions and to condemn them when they occur.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

what the?

I'm afraid for my kids when they grow up.

My children don't say yuck. They say ew.

 

[breezy1077]

Seriously folks, I predict a major anti-PC backlash happening at some point.

 

[Mr Man]

That's what happens when undereducated people are let loose in society.

Good point.

I wish that every time someone takes offense about something due to their own ignorance, we the people should have the opportunity to administer a short quiz to determine their intelligence level and veracity of their claim. It would be simple.

1. Have them repeat the offending word or phrase out loud.
2. Spell it.
3. Use the word/phrase correctly in a sentence.

Bet less than 1/2 would make it past #1 & none of them would pass #2 (hey, that just sounds wrong)......


A "Spelling Bee for the People"!

 

[Cool-Beans]

I am offended by the term "white lightning." This means that everyone has to STOP saying that. If you do not stop, you are:

1. Racist
2. Cruel
3. Not respectful

And I will take you to court for using hate speech.

You may call it an "electrified occurance." "Lightening" - even without the horrid "white" attached to it - just carries too much baggage. And, really, you should have known that without having to be TOLD.

 

[NowaSki]

My children don't say yuck. They say ew.

What do your kids have against sheep?





Sorry, I just had to do it.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Fist off, those two people in the article that were offended are complete morons.

Seriously folks, I predict a major anti-PC backlash happening at some point.

I've been thinking this for years and it hasn't happened, however, after what I've been seeing lately this is looking like it might just happen...and I wish it would.

 

[luvmy3]

I guess it depends on what area you're from and how you feel about the terms "black" and "African-American".

Growing up, I was taught that 'colored' was the polite term for any one who was half-black or more. 1/4 or less black was 'octoroon' or 'quardroon' depending on how much black blood the person actually had in them. But even then, my parents and grandparents generally referred to anyone who was black or had obvious biracial features as 'colored'.

When I was engaged to DH, my supervisor was black so one day I asked her what the polite term for a black person was. She said it was African-American.

Fast forward a few more years and I ask the question again. The person I spoke to this time insists it is 'person/people of color' because black refers to when they were slaves and African-American is no longer relative unless you're actually FROM Africa immigrating to America.

So I just use Person/People of Color because now I am totally confused.

That is confusing. When I worked as an assistant manager in retail my manager was black, and I worked with 4 other black women. I remember having a conversation with them and referring to black people as people of color and they said that they were a little offended by that term, I can't remeber why, this was about 10 years ago. I can't say for sure, but I think it had something to do with the history of the black person in America. Since then I have never referred to a black person using that term, its either black or African American. Are those terms now offensive?

 

[gottaluvPluto]

Actually it was an employee in the DC who was forced to resign his position after some ignorant people on the city council took exception to the word. He was later rehired quietly after the Mayor and the members of the council were shown to be idiots. For what it is worth:

nig·gard·ly

// /ˈnɪg

ərd

li/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[nig-erd-lee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –adjective 1.reluctant to give or spend; stingy; miserly. 2.meanly or ungenerously small or scanty: a niggardly tip to a waiter. –adverb 3.in the manner of a niggard.


nig·gard

// /ˈnɪg

ərd/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[nig-erd] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun 1.an excessively parsimonious, miserly, or stingy person.

Unfortunately, we have no more Thomas Jeffersons in government, but instead Bozo the Clowns.

A teacher used the word niggard and a mom became outraged and told the teacher she was racist. The teacher explained the word to the mom, but the mom was still upset. The mom complained to the principal and the teacher was reprimanded. The teacher had to write a letter to all of her students and parents apologizing for the use of the word. The teacher also had to go to a sensitivity training.

 

[mgilmer]

A teacher used the word niggard and a mom became outraged and told the teacher she was racist. The teacher explained the word to the mom, but the mom was still upset. The mom complained to the principal and the teacher was reprimanded. The teacher had to write a letter to all of her students and parents apologizing for the use of the word. The teacher also had to go to a sensitivity training.

I normally do not like lawyers, but in that case my inclination is that the teacher should have retained one and sued their britches off. Unfortunately, with the current state of the jury system, there would probably be more people like that parent and principal on the jury than like the teacher.

 

[olena]

This just in...

The star of Little People, Big World is offended by the term White Dwarf.

BRAVO!

 

[KyraS]

I am so sick and tired of the race card being used. Any race card dealing with any race. I'm just sick of it. I don't care what I'm called, as long as my family and friends love me call me whatever you want, I promise I won't be offended.

 

[breezy1077]

What do your kids have against sheep?





Sorry, I just had to do it.

Wait...you're not talking about black sheep are you.

 

[Robinrs]

I can't say for sure, but I think it had something to do with the history of the black person in America. Since then I have never referred to a black person using that term, its either black or African American. Are those terms now offensive?

No, they're not.

I guess we can call the cable station People of Color Entertainment Television!


Don't worry about it unless it affects you personally. Call the person a person.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

How much longer are we, as a society, going to put up with this?

I tried to find an email addy for this joker but didn't have any luck.