Coloured - racist or just a word

[Oneeyedvic]

So people get annoyed with words - sticks and stones obviously doesn't apply anymore.

So what is racist, what is ofefnsive and at what point do we stop.

Listening to 5 live quite a while ago, I remember a woman saying that she found the word "miss" offensive. Obviously TCL and j_bug find coloured offensive - or do they?

Do they actually find it offensive, or do they not like the use of the term in case some people do find it offensive?

How many people does it take to take offense at a word before it gets banned?

Best quote I ever heard was from a member of the dyslexic association. When asked if dyslexics found the term "brain storming" offensive she replied in the negative and added that they actually took offense at the word "dyslexic"

[OBonio]

Just a word. But some might say I don't fall into the perceived 'coloured' demographic. I shall remain transparent. And so will my opinions probably.

[Grunty]

Some time ago I was told by a social worker that the word 'blind' is offensive and that it is more correct to say 'visually impaired'.  I made the point that if people cannot keep up with what they can or cannot say, they will tend to say nothing to or about such people.  My own view is that these rules are made up by people with too much time on their hands.

[Chessman]

As've said before, i'm a train driver, we were instucted not to say 'do you', over the public address, because said together, 'dyou', sounds like Jew, and someone moght get offended and sue the company, i'm Jewish, and I think its daft, but there you go, we'er in the pc and litigation age. 'I may not like what your saying, but i'll defend to the death. your right to say it', sadly, thats all gone now, in the pursuit of 'something for nothing', hard to imagine, but people must spend hours, trying to find things to be offended by, some even get paid to do it.

[Coobeastie]

Don't you find that its normally not the actual 'victims' that take offence but a group of people speaking on their behalf. Which in my mind is more offensive.

[THECORBYLOON]

Since ma name has been mentioned, I looked up the definition of the word "coloured" in the Oxford Dictionary which is part of AOL Learning

"coloured ( (US) colored )

→ adj. 
1. having a colour or colours.
2. ( also Coloured ) wholly or partly of non-white descent (now usually offensive, except in South African use). � (S. African historical) of mixed ethnic origin.



→ n. 
1. ( also Coloured ) (dated) or (offensive) a person who is wholly or partly of non-white descent. � (S. African) a person of mixed descent, usually speaking Afrikaans or English as their mother tongue.
2. (coloureds) clothes, sheets, etc. that are any colour but white.
(USAGE Coloured referring to skin colour was adopted in the US by emancipated slaves as a term of racial pride after the end of the American Civil War. In Britain it was the accepted term until the 1960s, when it was superseded (as in the US) by black. In South Africa, the term is used to refer to people of mixed descent, and in this context is not considered offensive.)"

As you see, the compilers say the use is offensive. not just me or Jan-bug 

[kempie]

The OD entry doesn't really address the problem; to whom is the adjective coloured 'usually offensive'?

The compilers do not indicate whether those who find offence are people who would be recipients of the term, or those that think somebody else may be offended.

Perhaps the same compilers will include a similar style of definition for 'piggybank' in the 2010 edition. Who knows!

[THECORBYLOON]

kempie what do you think it means?

[kempie]

I believe "usually" implies "the opinion of the majority" - and since the subjects of the term form a minority of the population, then there is no proof that their opinion (the one that counts) has formed any part of the definition.

[THECORBYLOON]

kempie, the Office for National Statistics asked about Ethnicity in the 2001 Census, it included Black Caribbean, Black African and Other Black groups.
among the options. I am sure they made extensive enquiries wi relevant groups and organisations before using the word "Black" rather than "Coloured"

As for the Oxford Dictionary, would you not assume (unless stated to the contrary) that the term "usually" means "generally" or "as a rule?" If the majority find a word to be offensive, then it IS offensive by definition.   

[kempie]

Yes, but offensive to people who have no stake in the matter - is that not what political correctness is?

[kempie]

Also, do you honestly believe that the ONS consults the populace, and not focus groups, before issuing forms, statistics etc.

[THECORBYLOON]

kempie I can think of several organisations that include the word "Black" rather than "Coloured." Can you name some Coloured organisations? 

[kempie]

TCL - it was never my intent to champion the word "coloured", a word which I am certain has not passed my lips in over 20 years, but rather to try and show that just because a word has been deemed offensive by society doesn't automatically mean that it is actually offensive to the subset of society to whom it may have been applied.

Maybe "coloured" is not a good example for this thesis. Perhaps we should consider how the N-word is viewed by various ethnicities in the US.

IMHO a word is a word is a word and cannot in and of itself cause offence; it is the intent of the person using the words that may be offensive.

[THECORBYLOON]

Ma last post was just an attempt to show that some of the groups who are most affected by the use of the word "coloured" choose not to use it, thereby proving the point, that to them, it is offensive.

I object to the use of  "England" and "English"  when what is meant is "Britain" and "British." The use of certain words is, at the very least, a sign of laziness, an unwillingness to learn the differences in meaning or a lack of appreciation of the hurt felt by the recipient.

[Chillum]

Corby & Kempie, as a matter of interest, how do you feel about the term "Jocks"?

[THECORBYLOON]

I have never used that term and it offends me when it is.  Ma parents are Scots not Jocks

[kempie]

Chillum - I've stated my position. I do not find offence in words per se, but rather the intent. Perhaps I am thick-skinned?

One person could use the term "Jocks" as a term of endearment or banter and another could use "Scots" as part of a vile invective. Surely it is the person who should be castigated and not the tools of communication.

BTW it would be inappropriate to call me either.

[january_bug]

Right - another brilliant attempt to start a row between users... oh happy happy. 

• I find the word offensive because it is patronising.  I think it's as bad as "darkie".
• Yes, I'm white - you all knew that anyway.
• In my opinion, of course racism goes beyond the words we use.  But, if one is not a racist person, I don't see that it's a huge hardship to try to use the correct words.  I'm not suggesting banning piggy banks here for goodness sake, just writing "Black" when one mean it!
• I do feel there's a level of confusion here.  From my understanding, "coloured" was the term meant to replace "n1gger" when that was deemed offensvie (Ed this is a discussion about words, please at least leave it in here!).  However, I thought sometime later (1970s or 80s maybe?) it was found that the "them and us" labelling was offensive, and also just plain wrong. 
• I presume you've all heard the thing that starts "When you're born, you're pink.  When you're cold, you're blue.  When you're sick, you're green.  When you're sunburnt you're red......"?
• To make my first point again, I think "coloured" is an uneducated (not in the academic sense before one of you lays into me) term that implies a "them and us" mentality. 

[El D]

pshh why is it acceptable to black people to use ****** in reference to themselves? Doesn't this lead us to the conclusion that it's not the word itself that is offensive it is it's perceived meaning. I do not think that any words should ever be banned, nor free speech ever impaired.

[libertie]

Just wondering if it's also an age thing, 25 years ago I don't think the world coloured was offensive and I don't recall it being used to replace the word n*****r! Not sure when it became non PC, sometimes find it hard to keep up with whats deemed proper and whats not!