Is Mulatto a derogatory term?

Question

Hmm?

The reason I'm asking is because someone I know described a person as being "mulatto" recently, because they were mixed. I looked it up, and it was in the dictionary, and wikipedia's description made it seem perfectly acceptible, but it sounds like it would be insulting.

Answer 1

It's an archaic term, not originally intended as racist. I think it might be Spanish or Portuguese in origin, describing the offspring of a Spanish or Portuguese and an African. Many terms were used descriptively, have become NPC over the years, but were harmlessly introduced. God, people are so freakin' sensitive!

Answer 2

Yes, any term like 'mulatto', 'quadroon' , 'octaroon' or other term that refers to what percentage black a person is, is derogatory. it's also an obsolete term from a century ago.

I'm from the southeastern US, and can remember segregation very well, and heard the above terms used as racial taunts frequently.

IMO, not OK for general use.

Answer 3

I agree with you that this is a derogatory term, simply because, in American culture, it's typically unacceptable to refer to someone's race.

Answer 4

It means mixed race, so yeah it is or rather, can be a derogatory word.

Answer 5

no,it's just a word to define a mixed person.

Answer 6

yes. the proper term (today) is bi-racial or mixed race.

Answer 7

yes. Same root as "mule". But if someone wants to be called that, they should be.

Answer 8

I think it is not used anymore,actually.
It's the word they used years ago.

Answer 9

yes, say "of mixed race"