Is it racist for a white person to call an African American, Black?

Question

Like if I said, 'I saw a hot black guy today...' would that be wrong?

Answer 1

I don't think so, because African Americans call Caucasians "White."

Answer 2

I'm assuming someone told you it was racist to say "I saw a hot black guy today." It's not racist by its definition. Racism implies superiority. Saying a black guy is hot doesn't imply that he's superior (or that you are). It IS possible to say that you saw a hot guy, and then give details as to why he was hot, including the color of skin. The term "black" is socially accepted, so I see nothing wrong with it. I think people have a problem with bringing up race when it's not necessary, like when someone says, "This black man came into the store and bought some jeans." His being black has nothing to do with the purchase of the jeans.

Answer 3

No it's not wrong. We ARE black people - I could care less if someone calls me black, brown or African American. I call myself black .

Most of the white people I know have never been out of the USA, but I have been to Europe and Africa!

BTW Lately I have been seeing a lot of questions from white about African Americans and Black. Where is that coming from? Do you guys know something black people should know. I don't see similar questions from black people or from any other race. You guys sure know how to start racial topics don't you. Is it something you eat that makes that happen or what.

Answer 4

I've never heard of being called black as being racist by a white person. Unless it's put in a bigoted way. Don't worry. No.it's not wrong to say the hot guy is black.

Answer 5

No. Black is like white. It's really what you mean/say about them. Even if you say African American, you could easily say something racist. Same thing goes for African Americans talking about white people. No black people say Irish-American or Italian-Americans or Caucasians.

Answer 6

is it racist for a black person to call a White African American, White ? If he is proud that his skin is black, you have nothing to worry about. and the answer is still NO.

Answer 7

In the eyes of the law yes it is racist.. However your calling them black because there skin colour is black thats it, you dont mean anything derogatory towards them!
Its political correctness! An african american can call a White person "white trailor trash who has indecent affiars with his mother" and nothing can be done about it.. Yet all you have to say is "that person is black" and you can get introuble for it! kinda silly!

Answer 8

Well that really depends on the black person. I had someone go off the deep end on me once because I called them black. Something about being proud of their race. Then, I asked if they or their parents or granparents were from Africa. They said "No". Of course, I really ticked them off when I told them that they were not African but plain old "melting pot" American. That received an answer I can not print here.

Answer 9

I think Black is perfectly acceptable.

Also, what if they aren't of African descent? Melanisians (from Papua New Guinea, Australian aborigines, etc.) also have dark skin and aren't even African. What if they aren't American? If you wanted to describe a black person of unknown nationality, you wouldn't call them an African American would you?

Answer 10

It is not racist and up until a few years ago everyone called them black. They call us white instead of European American, so why not call them black. Most of the black people I know have never even been to Africa whereas I have been to Europe.

Answer 11

Is it offensive to call many of these replies "retarded?"

Racism isn't built in to language, I don't care how bad the words might be. Language is used to communicate things like ideas and emotions. That's where racism lives.

There are words you can choose to use or not use that can be inflammatory or offensive, but that becomes an issue with the kind of relationship you have with your audience.

"Black" is back (among caucasians, since no one else got so wound up about it). There was that whole awkward PC movement in the 90's, but the pendulum is finally swinging back toward the middle of the road.