Why is the color white used to distinguish a race in america?

Answer 1

This probably stems from the deep south segregation days. The former slaves were still treated as 2nd class citizens, and were called "Colored" in a somewhat polite way. When the segregation grew, they used signs to distinguish the facilities that Colored and non-Colored would use. The word "White" was used in that context to mean "non-Colored".

In general, caucasians are a very diverse group that includes many european clans and nationalities. Many of these have a background of hating the other. Even today, many of these nationalities prefer their own separate status in Europe. The separation is much more than language, but in culture. This group is also greatly divided as Catholic and non-Catholic.

Thinking back just a dozen years, Northern Ireland was near the brink of civil war. While economics and political power has a great deal to do with it, a separation of Catholic and non-Catholic is greatly involved. In general, things have gotten much better in Northern Ireland since Tony Blair was elected as Prime Minister.

America is looked at from everywhere else in the world as a great melting pot of diversity. But there are many pockets of close-knit majorities that do with to keep the status the same. Generally, they use the word "White" to describe the class of people that they like. When they use the word "Anglo-Saxon" that discludes many of the European nationalities that they would accept.

Good luck with all this.

Answer 2

I guess it was the best people could come up with at the time. There are three races: Caucasians, the whites we are talking about; *******, often classified as Black; and Asians, who, for some reason, are said to have yellow skin--never saw it myself. I guess white is as close to the color of the Caucasian skin as anything else.

Answer 3

because back in the colonial days, people really were either black or white in America. Men and women would wear makeup and powder in order to make their skin appear as white as possible. It was also used as a symbol of social status. the whiter you were, the more money you had. so white people came to be associated with being called white. it's also just easier to say white than to say caucasian.

Answer 4

Possibly for the same reason that they also use the word 'black' to distinguish a race. And I dont really think we all wanna be called pink :))

Answer 5

Where do you see the color white is used for this?

Answer 6

Because we caucasians lack color. The lack of color is typically considered White.

However, in truth White is the abscense of all color.

The presence of all color? Black.

Redstuff421, consider yourself FLAGGED!

Answer 7

Sometimes its listed as White/Caucasian (because honestly some people don't know what Caucasian means, along with Black/African American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American/Indian, etc.

Answer 8

why is Black used to describe folks from Africa.
It should be Caucasian for Whites in America and
***** for Blacks in America.
No matter where you reside your race remains the same.
Governments hyphenate you

Answer 9

Because they think they are pure and clean and this is the color white as known by everyone.White presents purity.Since they are the ones who found the language(this one), they named it like that...

Answer 10

cause thats the color of americans i think