Contentious word

[1mrcabbage]

Is it still acceptable to use the word 'negro' in any context?

[andy hughes]

The word 'negro' should be acceptable because it is a dictionary definition for a specific racial characteristic. In modern times, some pople prefer 'person of colour' but I think anyone taking offence at the term 'negro' should be asked for an alternative term with which they are happy, but you shouldn't feel initmidated out of using it.

[geofbob]

I don't agree with andy hughes. The term "negro" is now so discredited that it should only be used in very specific contexts - such as this discussion, or in quoting from a historical text. Just because a word appears in the dictionary, does not make it acceptable. Where absolutely essential, there are more acceptable terms that can be used - eg African American in the USA; Afro-Carribean in the UK; but the key question should be whether you really need to refer to somebody's ethnicity at all.

[Waterwolf]

I'm with geofbob, 'negro' is such an antiquated word that it can't really be used in a modern context without the user sounding old-fashioned. And the same applies (even more so, I'd say) to the feminine equivalent, 'negress'.

[andy hughes]

I'm sticking with my answer on this one people - the question referred to wether it is acceptable to use the word 'in any context' which I took to mean that there is a conext for usage, and as far as that goes, my answer is valid. Had the questioner narrowed down the field of usage - modern language / speaking to an Afro-Caribean person, then I would have answered differently. I did not wish to infer that the word is suitable in all, or indeed most, situations, but there are contexts - this discussion being one - in which use of the term is valid, and that is what I said. As to whether someone's ethnicity should be referred to - again it's purely a matter of context. In everyday conversation, probably not, if you work in the police, or the Passport Office, you probably use it every day. There is a time and a place for every dictionay definition - so they are all valid for use in communication. I hope that the need for correct application to avoid offence can be taken as implicitly understood. Hope that makes my position more clear.

[Ewood27]

'In any context', says the question. What is the song 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'? A 'person of colour spiritual'? An 'Afro-Caribbean spiritual'? Or a negro spiritual?