I have a silly question for you!?

Question

Both my kids have been taught african american culture (both are cauc) (Probably more so my daughter because she is older)

Anyway, my son doesn't refer to his friends as black or white. Instead he will say my friend with brown skin, or tan skin, sometimes says white skin, etc. I have referred to friends of his as being black and he always corrects me.

Do you think it's offensive for him to say brown skin etc when speaking of certain friends or should I teach him instead to say african american or black? I think it's kinda cute but I don't want any of his friends to be offended. I can just see in my mind my son saying "your not black your brown" etc.


BTW he's seven

Answer 1

I would teach him to say african-american. Later in life he will probally run into trouble for saying brown skin. It's also not politically correct.

Answer 2

As a black man I will say this. No matter what you say someone will be offended. You can call me that fat black guy, that fat brown skinned guy, or that fat African American and I wouldn't mind. I think it would be better to teach him a more mainstream/politically correct term - african american would probably be the best. By him not wanting to use the term "black" that is as if someone should be ashamed to be "black". Which isn't the case for most blacks.

Answer 3

I don't think this is a silly question! I think that intelligent people will understand your son's meaning. I think your son is being as politically correct as he knows how. Maybe you should teach him to politley ask of people's background or heritage instead of letting him decide on a color for them-or else he might start getting really creative and calling certain people "ecru" or "burnt sienna". I think it's neat that you have raised him to be conscious of others differences and respect their cultures without being judgemental. I can't really see anyone being offended by this, and I think as he gets older, he'll be able to distinguish all of the wonderful cultures that make up this world instead of using color to describe people. Keep up the good work!

Answer 4

I have been trying really hard to teach my children that other kids have names. No one calls her "the white girl with really blonde hair." She shouldn't call her friends "the girl with slanty eyes" or "the girl with dark skin and wierd hair". You should make an effort to get to know their friends, work in the classroom, meet them at the playground ,etc and then they won't feel compelled to try and "describe" them. They can refer to "the one with brown skin" as Bryan and you'll know who they mean. It's not really something the kids do to be mean. They just have to learn that people have names and feelings and what they look like on the outside shouldn't matter and shouldn't be used to "define" them.

Answer 5

ya i think u should explain to him... but sumtimes black can be just as offensive as brown skin. teach him how to use good old african american... caucasian is a little too much, so just let him use the term white.

Answer 6

children at that age generally don't know the difference between black and white until they are taught, my five yr old says brown instead of black, until they get older he'll understand the difference..

Answer 7

he should refer to them as Black or African American, beside blacks are not the only on to have brown skin!! Mexicans, Hispanics, Portoricans, Etc

Answer 8

like some one said he should call them by the name he knows them as. when people don't see color just the person in front of them the world will have become alot better place .and a better world starts at home .anyway that's what i teach my kids.look for the person that's all that counts in the end.

Answer 9

he doesnt have to refer to their color at all..my girls have several friends of different ethiticities and most of them I dont know what they are until they come over to play..all except one little girl who is from India and I only knew that because of her name...im kind of sensitve to it because my grandmother used to refer to everyone based on things like..."her black friend mary...or old irish drunk kenny...those italians on the corner" I thought it was horrible that she couldnt just see people for who they were rather than the color of their skin or where they came from...You are doing the right thing teaching them tolerance for people of all shapes, sizes, colors, religions etc...

Answer 10

i think you can teach him that it's okay to say stuff think you need to get him a book to read show the way those people live or tell his teacher about the issue and let her classroom be taught the right way and it is OK to talk like that the proper way