Am I a racist?

[bearishgurl]

Spot on, UR. Thanks for your thought-provoking post!

[Anonymous]

I find it difficult to keep up with the latest terms for various races. I know that blacks were once called “Negros,” and then called “colored” (my mother still calls them that but I know she doesn’t mean any harm by it.)

I grew up calling them “blacks” but now it seems that “African American” is the latest fashion. I don’t use this term because it has too many syllables and I’m too old to change my ways.

I’ve also heard the phrase “people of color” which sounds like the old-fashioned “colored” but I think it’s different because it includes anyone who isn’t white (I’ve always wondered if whites are should be called “people without color” – that doesn’t sound very flattering, but I’m sure those who coined the phrase “people of color” never meant to imply anything negative.)

I know that Indians are now called “Native Americans,” but I don’t use that term either for the same reason as above. Plus it is somewhat confusing to me as I was born in Ohio which is part of America so it would seem that I am a native of America as well (perhaps the people who coined the term “Native American” would claim that I am not a native of anywhere but that doesn’t seem very kind to deny someone the ability to claim to be a native of their home, so I’m sure whomever coined the term “Native American” never meant to imply anything negative.)

One thing I’ve always wondered is who decides on these name changes. For example do Negros/colored/black/African American people get together and have a vote? Of course not, but it is interesting how there are influences on our language that can change basic vocabulary every few years.

So are you a racist? We all are.

Unless your username ends with the word “realtor” in which case it appears you exist in some sort of higher ethical dimension. Who would have ever thought that putting a cheesy picture of yourself on your business card would have such a profound effect?

[Anonymous]

I find it difficult to keep up with the latest terms for various races. I know that blacks were once called “Negros,” and then called “colored” (my mother still calls them that but I know she doesn’t mean any harm by it.)

I grew up calling them “blacks” but now it seems that “African American” is the latest fashion. I don’t use this term because it has too many syllables and I’m too old to change my ways.

I’ve also heard the phrase “people of color” which sounds like the old-fashioned “colored” but I think it’s different because it includes anyone who isn’t white (I’ve always wondered if whites are should be called “people without color” – that doesn’t sound very flattering, but I’m sure those who coined the phrase “people of color” never meant to imply anything negative.)

I know that Indians are now called “Native Americans,” but I don’t use that term either for the same reason as above. Plus it is somewhat confusing to me as I was born in Ohio which is part of America so it would seem that I am a native of America as well (perhaps the people who coined the term “Native American” would claim that I am not a native of anywhere but that doesn’t seem very kind to deny someone the ability to claim to be a native of their home, so I’m sure whomever coined the term “Native American” never meant to imply anything negative.)

One thing I’ve always wondered is who decides on these name changes. For example do Negros/colored/black/African American people get together and have a vote? Of course not, but it is interesting how there are influences on our language that can change basic vocabulary every few years.

So are you a racist? We all are.

Unless your username ends with the word “realtor” in which case it appears you exist in some sort of higher ethical dimension. Who would have ever thought that putting a cheesy picture of yourself on your business card would have such a profound effect?

[Anonymous]

I find it difficult to keep up with the latest terms for various races. I know that blacks were once called “Negros,” and then called “colored” (my mother still calls them that but I know she doesn’t mean any harm by it.)

I grew up calling them “blacks” but now it seems that “African American” is the latest fashion. I don’t use this term because it has too many syllables and I’m too old to change my ways.

I’ve also heard the phrase “people of color” which sounds like the old-fashioned “colored” but I think it’s different because it includes anyone who isn’t white (I’ve always wondered if whites are should be called “people without color” – that doesn’t sound very flattering, but I’m sure those who coined the phrase “people of color” never meant to imply anything negative.)

I know that Indians are now called “Native Americans,” but I don’t use that term either for the same reason as above. Plus it is somewhat confusing to me as I was born in Ohio which is part of America so it would seem that I am a native of America as well (perhaps the people who coined the term “Native American” would claim that I am not a native of anywhere but that doesn’t seem very kind to deny someone the ability to claim to be a native of their home, so I’m sure whomever coined the term “Native American” never meant to imply anything negative.)

One thing I’ve always wondered is who decides on these name changes. For example do Negros/colored/black/African American people get together and have a vote? Of course not, but it is interesting how there are influences on our language that can change basic vocabulary every few years.

So are you a racist? We all are.

Unless your username ends with the word “realtor” in which case it appears you exist in some sort of higher ethical dimension. Who would have ever thought that putting a cheesy picture of yourself on your business card would have such a profound effect?

[Anonymous]

I find it difficult to keep up with the latest terms for various races. I know that blacks were once called “Negros,” and then called “colored” (my mother still calls them that but I know she doesn’t mean any harm by it.)

I grew up calling them “blacks” but now it seems that “African American” is the latest fashion. I don’t use this term because it has too many syllables and I’m too old to change my ways.

I’ve also heard the phrase “people of color” which sounds like the old-fashioned “colored” but I think it’s different because it includes anyone who isn’t white (I’ve always wondered if whites are should be called “people without color” – that doesn’t sound very flattering, but I’m sure those who coined the phrase “people of color” never meant to imply anything negative.)

I know that Indians are now called “Native Americans,” but I don’t use that term either for the same reason as above. Plus it is somewhat confusing to me as I was born in Ohio which is part of America so it would seem that I am a native of America as well (perhaps the people who coined the term “Native American” would claim that I am not a native of anywhere but that doesn’t seem very kind to deny someone the ability to claim to be a native of their home, so I’m sure whomever coined the term “Native American” never meant to imply anything negative.)

One thing I’ve always wondered is who decides on these name changes. For example do Negros/colored/black/African American people get together and have a vote? Of course not, but it is interesting how there are influences on our language that can change basic vocabulary every few years.

So are you a racist? We all are.

Unless your username ends with the word “realtor” in which case it appears you exist in some sort of higher ethical dimension. Who would have ever thought that putting a cheesy picture of yourself on your business card would have such a profound effect?

[Anonymous]

I find it difficult to keep up with the latest terms for various races. I know that blacks were once called “Negros,” and then called “colored” (my mother still calls them that but I know she doesn’t mean any harm by it.)

I grew up calling them “blacks” but now it seems that “African American” is the latest fashion. I don’t use this term because it has too many syllables and I’m too old to change my ways.

I’ve also heard the phrase “people of color” which sounds like the old-fashioned “colored” but I think it’s different because it includes anyone who isn’t white (I’ve always wondered if whites are should be called “people without color” – that doesn’t sound very flattering, but I’m sure those who coined the phrase “people of color” never meant to imply anything negative.)

I know that Indians are now called “Native Americans,” but I don’t use that term either for the same reason as above. Plus it is somewhat confusing to me as I was born in Ohio which is part of America so it would seem that I am a native of America as well (perhaps the people who coined the term “Native American” would claim that I am not a native of anywhere but that doesn’t seem very kind to deny someone the ability to claim to be a native of their home, so I’m sure whomever coined the term “Native American” never meant to imply anything negative.)

One thing I’ve always wondered is who decides on these name changes. For example do Negros/colored/black/African American people get together and have a vote? Of course not, but it is interesting how there are influences on our language that can change basic vocabulary every few years.

So are you a racist? We all are.

Unless your username ends with the word “realtor” in which case it appears you exist in some sort of higher ethical dimension. Who would have ever thought that putting a cheesy picture of yourself on your business card would have such a profound effect?

[Anonymous]

[quote]African origin in the US connotes, but does not necessarily denote, descent from slaves.
Descent from slaves can connote lower social class and less affluence.
Lower class can connote propensity toward criminality.
Criminality is undesirable in a tenant.
Here is the problem with that chain:
It is literally true but complete bullshit.
Most welfare recipients are white.
Most criminals are white.
[…][/quote]

Someone needs to revisit their Logic 101 textbook.

[Anonymous]

[quote]African origin in the US connotes, but does not necessarily denote, descent from slaves.
Descent from slaves can connote lower social class and less affluence.
Lower class can connote propensity toward criminality.
Criminality is undesirable in a tenant.
Here is the problem with that chain:
It is literally true but complete bullshit.
Most welfare recipients are white.
Most criminals are white.
[…][/quote]

Someone needs to revisit their Logic 101 textbook.

[Anonymous]

[quote]African origin in the US connotes, but does not necessarily denote, descent from slaves.
Descent from slaves can connote lower social class and less affluence.
Lower class can connote propensity toward criminality.
Criminality is undesirable in a tenant.
Here is the problem with that chain:
It is literally true but complete bullshit.
Most welfare recipients are white.
Most criminals are white.
[…][/quote]

Someone needs to revisit their Logic 101 textbook.

[Anonymous]

[quote]African origin in the US connotes, but does not necessarily denote, descent from slaves.
Descent from slaves can connote lower social class and less affluence.
Lower class can connote propensity toward criminality.
Criminality is undesirable in a tenant.
Here is the problem with that chain:
It is literally true but complete bullshit.
Most welfare recipients are white.
Most criminals are white.
[…][/quote]

Someone needs to revisit their Logic 101 textbook.

[Anonymous]

[quote]African origin in the US connotes, but does not necessarily denote, descent from slaves.
Descent from slaves can connote lower social class and less affluence.
Lower class can connote propensity toward criminality.
Criminality is undesirable in a tenant.
Here is the problem with that chain:
It is literally true but complete bullshit.
Most welfare recipients are white.
Most criminals are white.
[…][/quote]

Someone needs to revisit their Logic 101 textbook.

[urbanrealtor]

[quote=pri_dk][quote]African origin in the US connotes, but does not necessarily denote, descent from slaves.
Descent from slaves can connote lower social class and less affluence.
Lower class can connote propensity toward criminality.
Criminality is undesirable in a tenant.
Here is the problem with that chain:
It is literally true but complete bullshit.
Most welfare recipients are white.
Most criminals are white.
[…][/quote]

Someone needs to revisit their Logic 101 textbook.[/quote]

What was illogical about that statement?

[urbanrealtor]

[quote=pri_dk][quote]African origin in the US connotes, but does not necessarily denote, descent from slaves.
Descent from slaves can connote lower social class and less affluence.
Lower class can connote propensity toward criminality.
Criminality is undesirable in a tenant.
Here is the problem with that chain:
It is literally true but complete bullshit.
Most welfare recipients are white.
Most criminals are white.
[…][/quote]

Someone needs to revisit their Logic 101 textbook.[/quote]

What was illogical about that statement?

[urbanrealtor]

[quote=pri_dk][quote]African origin in the US connotes, but does not necessarily denote, descent from slaves.
Descent from slaves can connote lower social class and less affluence.
Lower class can connote propensity toward criminality.
Criminality is undesirable in a tenant.
Here is the problem with that chain:
It is literally true but complete bullshit.
Most welfare recipients are white.
Most criminals are white.
[…][/quote]

Someone needs to revisit their Logic 101 textbook.[/quote]

What was illogical about that statement?

[urbanrealtor]

[quote=pri_dk][quote]African origin in the US connotes, but does not necessarily denote, descent from slaves.
Descent from slaves can connote lower social class and less affluence.
Lower class can connote propensity toward criminality.
Criminality is undesirable in a tenant.
Here is the problem with that chain:
It is literally true but complete bullshit.
Most welfare recipients are white.
Most criminals are white.
[…][/quote]

Someone needs to revisit their Logic 101 textbook.[/quote]

What was illogical about that statement?

[Author]

Posts