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Is it PC to say "black"?

  • 08-06-2007 6:50pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,552 ✭✭✭Steoob


    hey, something i always wondered.. is it politcally correct to say "black" when discribing a person of negro origin? i was just watching the interview from emily from big brother where she said "i love my black friends" or something to that effect and i winched when she said it, as i always do when i hear someone say black... is it PC and if not what IS the correct term?


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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,351 ✭✭✭✭super_furry


    I think so. Who knows? Crap like that changes by the week.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,257 ✭✭✭✭Rabies


    Are you white?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,525 ✭✭✭vorbis


    i believe it is now.
    "African American" sounds very labored to me but "black" sounds much more natural. I use the word around black people and there's never been a problem.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,111 ✭✭✭MooseJam


    yes it's 100% PC


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,625 ✭✭✭Sofaspud


    Rabies wrote:
    Are you white?

    RACIST!!!!!

    The correct term is "caucasian", you damn nazi!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,111 ✭✭✭MooseJam


    vorbis wrote:
    i believe it is now.
    "African American" sounds very labored to me but "black" sounds much more natural. I use the word around black people and there's never been a problem.

    you can hardly call them African American if they are Swedish


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,257 ✭✭✭✭Rabies


    Sofaspud wrote:
    RACIST!!!!!

    The correct term is "caucasian", you damn nazi!
    The correct term is Lolazi.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,778 ✭✭✭✭Kold


    Black people are black. Black is the right word. White people are white, Asia- things get a little more complicated.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,625 ✭✭✭Sofaspud


    MooseJam wrote:
    you can hardly call them African American if they are Swedish


    That reminds me, I was in Memphis a few years ago on a student exchange, and we got to meet the mayor of Tennesee (who happened to be black, as was his right hand man). Anyway, his right-hander was keeping us occupied while the mayor was busy, and he asked us "Do you have many African-Americans in Ireland?"

    One of the guys said "Well, no, but we get some African-Irish people . . . ."


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 36,634 ✭✭✭✭Ruu_Old


    On many of the employment forms for many companies it lists like below from what I have noticed. Fear gorm as it was in Irish. :)

    Race/Ethnicity

    Black (or African American)
    American Indian or Alaskan Native
    Asian or Pacific Islander
    Hispanic
    White (Caucasian), Non-Hispanic
    Other


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,243 ✭✭✭kelle


    A Zimbabwean girl told me years ago she hated the term "coloured" as she's not blue, green or purple - she's black, she's proud of it and wishes to be referred to as "black". However, I don't think "coloured" is used anymore.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,880 ✭✭✭Canis Lupus


    I use the word monkey but for some reason it gets me into fights alot....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,773 ✭✭✭Binomate


    I think a big part of it is determined by whether or not you sound like you're comfortable using the word.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭fred funk }{


    I use the word monkey but for some reason it gets me into fights alot....

    Ouch!........bada bada bing!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,027 ✭✭✭alleepally


    CSO question 14 in the 2006 census.

    Looks like black is an ok term then :rolleyes: and how could it not be - how can anyone "winch" (sic) when they hear someone described as such.

    http://www.cso.ie/census/Question14_000.htm


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,252 ✭✭✭✭stovelid


    I was told before that colored or Negro were the acceptable words before the civil rights movement in the states. Black and now, African American have replaced them.

    In the UK and Ireland, I have alway used black amongst black and white friends with no problem.
    I use the word monkey but for some reason it gets me into fights alot....

    Quite a controversial, zany kind of a chap aren't you?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 28,128 ✭✭✭✭Mossy Monk


    Steoob wrote:
    is it PC and if not what IS the correct term?

    Yes, black is the correct term. I really don't see what else it could be.


  • Posts: 16,720 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I always think the term 'african american' is hilarious in itself when describing someone's skin colour. Could you be a white african american?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,552 ✭✭✭Steoob


    hmm i suppose black is alright, i dunno maybe it was just the way i was raised... its just the way people say "black" it sounds like theyre singling them out as different, as in "we're white, theyre black" i think the way the world is now is that you cant even discuss how another human being is different to you, we're all human and you have to accept that
    alleepally wrote:
    CSO question 14 in the 2006 census.

    Looks like black is an ok term then and how could it not be - how can anyone "winch" (sic) when they hear someone described as such.

    http://www.cso.ie/census/Question14_000.htm
    are you alright there?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,315 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    stovelid wrote:
    I was told before that colored or Negro were the acceptable words before the civil rights movement in the states.
    Aye. But they copped on that "negro" and "n|gger" sound the same, so they say black.

    I know 3 people from Africa, and they're all white. So I call a spade a spade.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,880 ✭✭✭Canis Lupus


    stovelid wrote:
    Quite a controversial, zany kind of a chap aren't you?

    Not really trying for either there. Black people are black. Altho tbh I reckon they're often more a shade of brown. I don't often see too many outright black people.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,625 ✭✭✭Sofaspud


    Steoob wrote:
    its just the way people say "black" it sounds like theyre singling them out as different, as in "we're white, theyre black"

    That's sort of what it is, except it's not so much singling them out as using a vague description. It's like saying that using the term "blonde" is offensive, because it separates them from us brunettes.

    Same reason I don't get offended when people call me fat. My usual response is "and your point is . . . . ":D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,027 ✭✭✭alleepally


    Steoob wrote:

    are you alright there?

    eh, yeah. why?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 497 ✭✭FranchisePlayer


    kelle wrote:
    A Zimbabwean girl told me years ago she hated the term "coloured" as she's not blue, green or purple - she's black, she's proud of it and wishes to be referred to as "black". However, I don't think "coloured" is used anymore.
    Yeah your right never ever say that to a black person they find it very offensive don't blame them to be honest.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,650 ✭✭✭cooperguy


    It changes the whole time. I for one always just say black. African-American is the most ridicules PC phrase I know. You can have African-Americans that have never set foot in Africa, African-Americans that have never set foot in America and African-Americans who have never set foot in either country!!

    I might aswell call myself a Swedish-American.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,124 ✭✭✭Jonny Arson


    anyone who calls me white is a massive racist


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,854 ✭✭✭zuutroy


    Man I'm sick of this PC crap....We're NOT all the same....There were, are, and always will be divisions between people be they ethnic, religious, sporting because of the different environments we live in. Get used to it. All this tip-toeing is so f@ckin stupid and an insult to the intelligence.

    PS. Is it wrong to note that black people are better athletes than the pasty facers?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,650 ✭✭✭cooperguy


    zuutroy wrote:

    PS. Is it wrong to note that black people are better athletes than the pasty facers?

    The term your looking for is Cracker:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,854 ✭✭✭zuutroy


    cooperguy wrote:
    The term your looking for is Cracker:D

    Don't be correcting me you bad-dancing honky :p


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,333 ✭✭✭Cake Fiend


    anyone who calls me white is a massive racist

    The correct term is 'gravitationally enhanced'.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,226 ✭✭✭✭Pherekydes


    zuutroy wrote:
    PS. Is it wrong to note that black people are better athletes than the pasty facers?


    Yes.


    White men can't jump, eh?

    On topic again: What would you call the offspring of one black and one white parent?

    And how about the offspring of the above and one white parent?

    Labels are stupid.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,854 ✭✭✭zuutroy


    That would be a 'Brownie'. Check the link.....A racial slur for every occasion...Why not learn em all and impress your friends.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_slurs


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,239 ✭✭✭✭WindSock


    I sometimes wonder this myself. How long will it be, before the PCers make it into ''an inappropriate(sp?) term for those of african descent.''

    It will be seen as racialist to ask for ones coffee black.


  • Moderators, Regional North East Moderators Posts: 12,742 Mod ✭✭✭✭cournioni


    All I have to say is, fcuk political correctness. Call people whatever the hell you want, but treat people the same way as you would like to be treated.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,074 ✭✭✭BendiBus


    I remember someone once describing someone to me so I could identify them in a group at business conference. They described their height, outfit, glasses, whatever (can't remember the details). They were too PC to point out that the person I was looking for was the only black person in the building, if not the whole town :D


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 37,214 ✭✭✭✭Dudess


    Calling someone black is no more offensive than calling me white.

    "Negro", which the OP used, is offensive. Gerry Ryan used it the other day referring to hip-hop artists - idiot.

    "Coloured" is quite offensive too - why aren't white people referred to as "coloured"? White is a colour.

    "African American" is ridiculous too - even though black people use it. They're putting themselves into a pigeonhole by using this very term. Are white Americans ever referred to as "European Americans"?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 765 ✭✭✭6ix


    How is negro offensive? It's the same as "Caucasian".

    However, I'd say both negro and coloured are old fashioned. Black/white are the natural terms, and it's been that way for quite a while. It annoys me when someone starts going on about "coloured" people - smacks of excessive political correctivism (or is it "correctiveness?")


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,498 ✭✭✭iFight


    Yea, don't see how it would be otherwise. I doubt anyone would be offended by being called white anyway.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,204 ✭✭✭bug


    Steoob wrote:
    hey, something i always wondered.. is it politcally correct to say "black" when discribing a person of negro origin? i was just watching the interview from emily from big brother where she said "i love my black friends" or something to that effect and i winched when she said it, as i always do when i hear someone say black... is it PC and if not what IS the correct term?

    Depends on where you are.
    New Yorkers refer to it frequently for example.

    It's all bollixology to be honest.

    I wouldn't worry about it too much, if you say something which is construed as negative -just because you don't know what's PC these days.... a simple explanation and apology following that should be accepted on a one-to-one basis.

    Once it's not directly abusive I would say if someone doesn't understand the apology and explanation then question their tolerance.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,778 ✭✭✭✭Kold


    6ix wrote:
    It annoys me when someone starts going on about "coloured" people - smacks of excessive political correctivism (or is it "correctiveness?")

    I'd say more of patronising contempt.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 27,856 ✭✭✭✭Dave!


    Martin Luther King Jnr always used the term "negro", so it's alright by me.

    They're not black, and I'm not white, but it's close enough....... So those terms are also alright by me.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,786 ✭✭✭✭Hagar


    Black is not the correct term to use at all. I always carry my Dulux shade card with me for when I bump into coloured people. That makes the correct term so much easier to find. Tha darkest I've met so far is "Burnt Sienna" althought there have been a few "Bitter Chocolates" and "Teaks". For the record I'm a cross between "Magnolia" and "Original Cream". HTH.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,201 ✭✭✭✭_Kaiser_


    I'd say black myself.

    The irony about this whole PC crap is that the people who get worked up most about it are White people :rolleyes: . Go watch MTV Base for an hour and you'll see how black people refer to each other. No tip-toeing around there! ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,371 ✭✭✭✭Zillah


    I loathe the phrase "African American". White people in the US don't get called "European Americans", why is it that only white people get to be just "American"?

    The only thing thats different between myself and a black person is our skin...so if we're going to use different words to describe us why dance around the issue? I'm white, he's black. Lets not go guessing about how many generations ago his family left Africa. Mine came from Africa originally, and there's plenty of white people living in Africa too.

    Pure pants.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,239 ✭✭✭✭WindSock


    Whatever happened to using good ole 'Chocolate Face?' :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,048 ✭✭✭SimpleSam06


    Jimmy Rabbitte: Do you not get it, lads? The Irish are the blacks of Europe. And Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland. And the Northside Dubliners are the blacks of Dublin. So say it once, say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 28,128 ✭✭✭✭Mossy Monk


    Golliwogs, political correctness gone mad when they were done away with.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,676 ✭✭✭✭smashey


    Kold wrote:
    Black people are black. Black is the right word. White people are white, Asia- things get a little more complicated.

    Where would "occidental" and "oriental" fit into this?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,880 ✭✭✭Canis Lupus


    smashey wrote:
    Where would "occidental" and "oriental" fit into this?


    No no no. They're called chinks. Don't you know annnnnnnnnything? :)


  • Subscribers Posts: 9,716 ✭✭✭CuLT


    Hagar wrote:
    Black is not the correct term to use at all. I always carry my Dulux shade card with me for when I bump into coloured people. That makes the correct term so much easier to find. Tha darkest I've met so far is "Burnt Sienna" althought there have been a few "Bitter Chocolates" and "Teaks". For the record I'm a cross between "Magnolia" and "Original Cream". HTH.
    Laughed my ass off!

    Black is the new black.


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