Let’s chat. I’ll start–Anyone heading to Blogher in Chicago next week?
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I am wondering what everyone’s thoughts are about the use of the word “coloured” to describe a black man or woman? I recently provided my mother an article describing the origins of the word and why it shouldn’t be used. She disagreed and spoke with 2 black men who told her they would not mind being called “coloured” or “people of color” and even stated that Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson frequently use the word “coloured” I am curious what everyone’s thoughts are. Thanks
Depends – are you talking about English or American people? And by black do you include South Asians?
I’ve always found the term ‘people of color’ to be mind-bendingly dumb. Especially if it’s considered okay and ‘colored people’ isn’t. Well, that and the fact that I’m not transparent.
To me, it’s all about the thought and intent behind the word, not the label itself. I prefer the Lenny Bruce and Dan Savage approach – own the word. But I know a lot of readers disagree with me.
I’ll be attending “Lobbycon” at BlogHer. Anybody else attending?
Jo,
“colored” or “coloured” in reference to anyone black or non-white is considered pretty offensive in today’s society, regardless of whether any specific/individual African Americans don’t mind the use of the term.
There’s really a very distinct history to racialized language — one used to color-code people as a tool of oppression.
So what looks like rampant political correctness or in the words of dersk seems “mind-bendingly dumb” actually has a history behind it that is not so dumb or glib as a preference for one phraesology (people of color) over another (colored people).
Yes, none of us are transparent, but in a world of white privilege and white supremacy, where those of European background dictated language and terminology for centuries in the U.S. (and in much of the world they colonized), reclaiming “people of color” to recognize a distinction between those who had the power to colonize, who live with and benefit from white privilege (aka: non-people of color) versus those who came from ancestries that had been oppressed and subjugated under this system (aka: people of color), is a rather progressive step in recognizing the roots of racism.
Paula Rothenberg’s edited anthology WHITE PRIVILEGE has some great essays talking about language and white privilege/white supremacy–and Tim Wise is always a good go-to guy on this subject as well, if you or your mother (or anyone else out there) wants a crash course in this subject–Rothenberg’s collection is a bit more academically minded than Wise’s–but I find both pretty accessible/powerful for a variety of readerships.
I just wanted to comment that I saw “The Knowing” the other night and was just disgusted by the whole thing.
I don’t want to be a spoiler but two white kids will repopulate the human race? Barf.
I personally think usage of the phrases “colored person” or “person of color” should be left up to the individual. If someone calls you that, and you don’t like it, politely ask them to not call you that. If they are any sort of decent human being (the only kind worth getting upset over) they will immediately stop and probably even apologize.
As far as Al Sharpton, I really think that the black community would benefity GREATLY in the race-relations department by distancing itself as much as possible from this man. Almost every word I hear him say is dripping with racism and divisive rhetoric.
@Jennifer: I guess part of it is that I’ve never heard (physically, that is) anyone referring to him or herself as a person of color; I’ve only ever heard admissions and HR departments use the word. That makes me suspect that it was invented out of white guilt.
And NAAPOC would just sound weird.
@dersk – wow, really? you’ve never heard anyone refer to themselves as a person/people of color?
Maybe it’s just who you’ve been around. I know several people [including myself] who refer to themselves as people of color, especially when describing themselves as part of a group larger than just one ethnic/racial group.
I rarely hear anyone use the term colored, unless it’s one of my white friends’ grandmothers, so it’s a non-issue for me.
@dersk
I actually know quite a few “old timers” (Most over the age of 60) who use the phrase “Colored guy/girl”.
I think a LOT of it is just the time period they grew up in. Not a single one of them has ever meant anything aggressive/racist by it (The older racist people I know use that horrible “N” word without even a second thought). I can only assume it was just a much more common phrase during their childhood and adult life.
I guess my point is: Pretty much every individual I know who has ever used the phrase “colored person” or “person of color” would be more than willing to stop using it if someone told them it truly bothered them.
It must have gained in popularity since I left the States (been living in Holland since ‘ 94). I think the last time I heard someone use the term ‘colored’ was a racist uncle back in ’87.
Check out this amazing video/spoken word:
http://www.adiosbarbie.com/blog/?tag=ethnic-make-up
Linda, I saw that too. I was sort of hoping that the inference with the multiple ships were many children and we only saw two of them. Hubby joked that the white supremacist look of the “mysterious guys” wasn’t a good sign. Hopefully hollywood isn’t still that stupid but I sometimes put too much trust in people.