Unhelpful use of English

[Peter Moss]

Surely the time has come to stop referring to people as "Black" or "White" since these descriptions are totally inaccurate and racially divisive?

[bernardo]

I agree. Let's use "Dark Brown" and "Pink" instead.
(he said sarcastically)

[pat2936]

If none of us mind being the color we are, what difference does it make? The Indian has been called the red man, Chinese called yellow, so white is a fair skinned man, and dark is a black man. What's the problem with that?

[Grunty]

I agree Pat. Colour is an obvious way to describe someone and is not offensive in itself.

[stanleyman]

It was certainly the case at least a few years ago that black people prefered and were proud to be called that.

[NiceCupOfTea]

I hate it when people are referred to as 'coloured'. What's that ditty about white people - we go red when in the sun, are pink or beige normally, go green with envy, etc etc but we have the cheek to call black people coloured. Can't remember it, obviously, but it's quite good.

[waimarie]

I live on the south bank of the River Humber and it is well known they (we) detest those on the north bank who are Yorkies. In the past we have been lumped together with them in a place called 'Humberside'. (a now defunct county).

Now that is what I call racially divisive.

As regards 'black and white', usually it is the ultra PC's who get their knickers in a twist about this sort of thing and, strangely, not those referred to.

[dannydingbat]

One thing that really gets me going is people who go on about any mention of black, white or anything else being racist. I always thought that racism is when someone from a particular race is disadvantaged by others because of it. To describe someone as black or white is not racist. Nor is it racist to speak factually about people from difference races, ie. black people make rubbish swimmers but great boxers is a fact not racist. What does confuse me however is when black people object to the word "coloured" or the N-word but then call themselves "person of colour" or call themselves by that taboo word.

[jno]

Blacks are seldom black. Whites are seldom white. You're quite right Peter though few other users it seems have noticed. It's more a kind of short-hand than an accurate description. And black is often an emotive and pejorative term - black market, black economy, black-hearted.

[campbellking]

Dannydingbat. Not all black people are 'rubbish swimmers'. Anthony Nesty was an Olympic champion!

[Pherstun]

Apparently black is now the appropriate way of referring to someone who is of a dark(er) skin colour. The 'rules' keep changing...

I called someone coloured the other week and got pulled up over it.

[dannydingbat]

Campbell King - I think you have just ilustrated what this thread is all about. Speaking generally, blacks are rubbish swimmers - its a physical thing about bone density. There will of course be exceptions. If I'd said whites make rubbish boxers, would you have pointed out Ingmar Johanson, Henry Cooper, etc? Why pick out one exception to a general comment? The point of the thread had been made!

[bondy]

Youve opened up a can of worms! Its best too avoid ever mentioning anyones colour.Usually it is completely unnecessary ever to do so. If in doubt ask them how they would like to be described........ if it is really necessary and avoid offending someone.

[JudgeJ]

I do not mind being called white. Although not strictly accurate it is a convenient way to describe my skin colour and almost everybody knows what it means. Of course, I could take utter offence and link my description to that heinous term “whitewash”, which implies an illegal or immoral cover up. Fortunately I’ve not enough time and far too much sense to worry about such things.

In the 1950s and 60s it was considered wrong to describe Africans and Afro-Caribbeans as “black” – they had to be termed coloured. Now the reverse is, apparently, true. Until, that is, a group of the chattering classes discuss the matter over an agreeable dinner in Islington one evening and decide to the contrary.

Sorry, bondy, but life is too short to consult everybody you are likely to describe throughout your life. Skin colour or other such descriptions are often useful. Even if not always strictly necessary, they should not be deemed offensive. It is no more racist to describe someone as “black” or “coloured” than it is sexist to describe someone as “a woman”. It is the context and manner in which the words are used, rather than the words themselves.

People in this country are, generally, robust and sensible. They know when they are being offended and when they are not. The sooner we start to ignore those unfortunate souls who seem to be on a mission to build perceived offence into every innocuous phrase and description, the sooner we may return to sanity.

[Gef]

Well said JudgeJ.
Bondy, imagine you were asked by the police to give a description of someone. Could you actually do that without mentioning skin colour? Would it be racist for a police officer to ask you?