Acceptable terminology re people's skin colour and ethnic origin

Racism is the acceptance of the outdated and scientifically false theory of races existing within the human species.

If your post does not give creedence to the theory of race, then it is not racist.

The irony in a user named "freebornman" asking which speech is acceptable to use is amusing.

Originally posted by freebornman
Hi people, I have a thread brewing which kind of 'touches' on race, whilst not actually being 'about' race. My question is this, are terms such as 'black people' or 'the black man' in any way offensive to or even frowned upon, either by the staff or people of african-american descent?
I have gone through several pages in this section, and apart from warnings against 'racist' language, I couldn't find anything relevant. I don't want to cause anyone any offence, and I don't want to spoil my thread, so I would welcome discussion and guidance.

If you need to include the color of one's skin in a statement, isn't that already a racist remark? What can you say about a human where the skin color makes a difference? Sure, there are statements that can be said without being racist, but these statements aren't even worth making, like, black people don't turn red when they get too much sun.

Just by the fact that you want to make sure that you don't offend anyone shows you to be a considerate person, so just be careful on how you word things. I wouldn't want to see you get bashed or banned for making a racist remark.

reply to post by Heisenberg59

The irony in a user named "freebornman" asking which speech is acceptable to use is amusing.

I was born free, and ignorant. I wish to remain free, but not ignorant. It' one of the main reasons I come here, really.

Why don't we just ban adjectives? That should take care of the problem.

Explanation: This song may explain some things ok ...



Personal Disclosure: And this thread I authored may also give some insight ...

This could be a history lesson for you ... if you want to listen to it. (by OmegaLogos posted on 19-7-2011 @ 11:31 AM) [ATS]

I hope this helps.

Originally posted by Ismail

Racism is the acceptance of the outdated and scientifically false theory of races existing within the human species.

If your post does not give creedence to the theory of race, then it is not racist.

Well said. The Church has been saying this for some time now...too bad not many listen.

Originally posted by freebornman
Hi people, I have a thread brewing which kind of 'touches' on race, whilst not actually being 'about' race. My question is this, are terms such as 'black people' or 'the black man' in any way offensive to or even frowned upon, either by the staff or people of african-american descent?
I have gone through several pages in this section, and apart from warnings against 'racist' language, I couldn't find anything relevant. I don't want to cause anyone any offence, and I don't want to spoil my thread, so I would welcome discussion and guidance.

If you are simply using that as a description of a person, then no one should be offended. There are (contrary to what some think) reasons to need a description of people, and skin color can be part of that. If you had a post about various cultures, for example, you would probably have to mention some that tend to be more associated with certain races. Simply discussing differences, though, or looking for information, isn't a racist thing. People do have cultural differences, and those are sometimes based on race. I have noted, for example, that among young women, there are different clothing styles and colors preferred in many cases, by women of various races. Certain styles are favored by those of color A, while other styles are favored by those of color B, and even more different styles by those of color C. Not a thing wrong with any of those; just preference, that seems to be associated by race. I could see how a discussion of why each group prefers what they do could be interesting, and that would not indicate that any one race was better, or worse, than the others.

I have heard people describe themselves as "black" far more often that "African-American". I call myself "white", though my skin isn't really actual white. I had a friend that called himself "Indian". One elderly relative of mine uses the word "colored", because that is simply what people said in her day. Nothing insulting at all, just a different term. It's the intent of your message that counts, not the specific adjectives used. Sensible participants in a thread won't take offense, and those looking to cause trouble would no matter what language you used. The mod are pretty good on seeing the reality, though, and not simply removing posts because some overly-sensitive member complains. Since you aren't talking about using known derogatory terms, I would not anticipate any issues.

Originally posted by rickymouse
I'm white, if someone calls me a whiteman I have no problem. My friends that are Indian don't mind being called Indians. I know some black people, calling them African Americans sounds worse than saying they are black to me because they have never been to Africa. What is the big issue with color anyway, we are all human beings. It isn't color that makes us honest, truthful, or trustworthy. This is what we should be judged on.

I suppose we could always go with the old science terms, caucasoid, amerindian, negroid and mongoloid (that way we could successfully offend both blacks and those from the asian area as we would be associating them with "mongoloid idiots" not my term, but the person who first identified downs syndrome people and used that as a description due to the epicanthic fold). since I'm white, I really hope all of the PC people don't call me white cause it will hurt my feelings and I will have to report them to as many different associations as I can. but anybody who isn't on the PC waggon, feel free to call me white, heck! call me anything except late for dinner

If humans were all the same color it would be a boring world. If everyone's cat was the same color people would be accusing others of stealing their cat when theirs disappeared. People always have to feel superior to others it seems and any excuse they can use is used. I see people of all classes and color pulling this crap to make themselves look better. Even those who get degrees think they are better than those who just finish highschool and get a job. The person with a degree and an attitude still cuts down the person working in the mine even though the miner makes way more than they do. Color is nothing in my mind. It is attitude and honesty that make the person.

It won't matter how careful you are. You will probably still be a called a racist by those who don't agree with you.
I speak from personal experience.
Just say what you want to say, damn the torpedoes...full speed ahead...and good luck.

Thanks to all Mods/Members for your replies, and thankfully it seems common sense prevails here.

Originally posted by freebornman
reply to post by topherman420

 

That's the way I feel about it, but 'political correctness' has made a minefield out of the subject, in the UK at least.

Personally, I am offended when someone calls me a "white man", when in fact I am an opaque man. I prefer precision.

Just kidding. Call me anything you want, just don't call me late to dinner.

Originally posted by Sparky63
It won't matter how careful you are. You will probably still be a called a racist by those who don't agree with you.
I speak from personal experience.
Just say what you want to say, damn the torpedoes...full speed ahead...and good luck.

Calling someone a "racist" has nothing to do with the truth anymore.

It is just a tool for demonizing the opposition by the left.

Living in Toronto Canada for years, probably the most multicultural place on earth. I have many friends, probably, all colours except native Americans.

I call or refer "that black guy" "that ______ guy" if i don;t know the persons name. How is that offensive, its a description, a colour.

I usually feel bad for Indians(The real Indians from India) because, the term "Asian" is taken by the Chinese, the Japanese and the likes... Indians is taken by the Natives.... and "brown" is what people call Arabs.

Its normal and mostly no ones take offense to that( i never seen anyone being mad about them being described by colour)..

not in anyway my friend. You're not hating on them so nope and people refer to them as black people even they themselves. Its non slanderous. Its like saying the white people as previous poster mentioned. But its a good question to ask. I'm sure some racists are using it to not entice a flaming forum.