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African American, black, of color, colored???

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For African Americans: which term do you prefer?
African American
black
person of color
colored
other (pls comment!)
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stinabloom On January 22, 2009




Lund, Sweden
#1New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 12:13:01
Hi everybody!

I am a Swedish student writing my thesis in translation theory. My essay is about political correctness in translating a text, which contains lots of words regarding ethnicity, "race" and culture.

I'm trying to figure out how African Americans (and Caucasian Americans too) feel about certain words like:

African American
black
people of color
colored (I know this is offensive - what do YOU think are the reasons for this? and how did it become offensive? I have my own theories, but I want yours too!)

any other suggestions?

Thanks for your help in advance!

p.s. I am also writing about the words Hispanic, Latino, Mexican-American (and all other "brown" terms), Native American, Indian, white, Caucasian, Eskimo, race, ethnicity, nationality - so if anyone has any opinions about these too - go ahead!!
Delta62 On February 03, 2023
Natural asshole





manchester, United Kingdom
#2New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 12:23:11
i prefer african american
markfox01 On October 23, 2021
innit!





Welshman in Brum.., United Kin
#3New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 12:31:40
Colour is how its spelt.

But in this situation it should be dictated by the skin colour that there happy with.

I dont like people using names that people are not happy with. People need to be more aware of it.
Kasabian On May 25, 2009

Deleted



, United Kingdom
#4New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 12:39:31
In time all terms will be deemed racist.

why refer to dark skinned people as anything whites don't get the same reference (not as much), maybe thats racist to!
stinabloom On January 22, 2009




Lund, Sweden
#5New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 12:54:04
I agree - I would prefer if this terminology puzzle was not an issue. But in translation it is - I need to make a choice of terms.

The text is however "The Concept of Whiteness and American Film", a chapter in the book America on Film. This chapter's focus is on Irish, Italian and Jewish immigrants that had to negotiate their whiteness. So whiteness is certainly discussed in this text.

But of course, whiteness has been the standard for so long, that the first issue is to SEE whiteness at all.

Thanks so much for your answers!

p.s. I thought "color" was American English and "colour" was British English... is this totally wrong?
Kasabian On May 25, 2009

Deleted



, United Kingdom
#6New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 12:59:16
@stinabloom Said

I agree - I would prefer if this terminology puzzle was not an issue. But in translation it is - I need to make a choice of terms.

The text is however "The Concept of Whiteness and American Film", a chapter in the book America on Film. This chapter's focus is on Irish, Italian and Jewish immigrants that had to negotiate their whiteness. So whiteness is certainly discussed in this text.

But of course, whiteness has been the standard for so long, that the first issue is to SEE whiteness at all.

Thanks so much for your answers!

p.s. I thought "color" was American English and "colour" was British English... is this totally wrong?



English is spelt colour. the americans are lazy and stopped writing the U, maybe its because we gave it to them in the first place
Delta62 On February 03, 2023
Natural asshole





manchester, United Kingdom
#7New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 12:59:31
@markfox01 Said

Colour is how its spelt.

But in this situation it should be dictated by the skin colour that there happy with.

I dont like people using names that people are not happy with. People need to be more aware of it.



the american spelling is color
Delta62 On February 03, 2023
Natural asshole





manchester, United Kingdom
#8New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 13:00:20
and erbs who the hell uses erbs its herbs theres a f***ing H in it alright
stinabloom On January 22, 2009




Lund, Sweden
#9New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 13:49:19
maybe this is mainly a British forum? In that case, I was mistaken - thought it was American!
Charles On November 16, 2010




, Christmas Island
#10New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 13:53:30
It all depends on the time of day you come on line. Our American friends will be here en mass later in the day.
Charles On November 16, 2010




, Christmas Island
#11New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 13:55:22
Oh By the way on the subject of colour. I'm not white. I'm a little pink and if exposed to the cold can be blue. If exposed to the sun I go a lovely red colour and my hair is now silver and never grey.
stinabloom On January 22, 2009




Lund, Sweden
#12New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 14:00:09
@charles Said

Oh By the way on the subject of colour. I'm not white. I'm a little pink and if exposed to the cold can be blue. If exposed to the sun I go a lovely red colour and my hair is now silver and never grey.


That sounds certainly marvelous! Me, I'm spotted, like a cheetah! (and pink, red, blueish and probably all kinds).

And thanks for the reminder of the time difference in this world - I'm quite Scandi-centric it seems!!
Charles On November 16, 2010




, Christmas Island
#13New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 14:08:43
Your what we would call Strawberry Blonde, if we were trying to chat you up and Ginger if we were just good friends.
iwannano On May 19, 2010
Mountain William


Deleted



,
#14New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 14:18:31
@stinabloom Said

maybe this is mainly a British forum? In that case, I was mistaken - thought it was American!


Hi,I am in New Mexico USA.
It is a pretty fair mix between us and them folks across the pond, just depending mostly on the time of daythat you are on here.

I voted 'other' and here's my comment. I have been around Spanish Americans and Mexicans from Mexico all my life, My family are Irish/German ,you mentioned your next deal would be about the 'brown ' skined folks. Unles they are from /citizens of another country we all be Americans. With the exception of the Native Americans , all of our families came here from somewhere else. Where I live there has aways been only 3 colors of skin, Brown , White and a mix of brown and white. I have a real problem with this BS of racism in this 'modern' days , so , by voting 'other' I want to call an American 'American ' .
Charles On November 16, 2010




, Christmas Island
#15New Post! Nov 27, 2008 @ 14:22:44
I know Chinese people who would say that they are the white race and that Europeans are pink or brown.
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