Closet case racists? What do you think?

Question

This all started out as an honest question that I really didn't worry too much about when asking because I didn't think it was really offensive.

Initially, I asked this:
To "black" people: Are you offended at all when people are PC and call you "African Americans"? Would it be ok or better to call you "black"?


Ok, now... The people of most skin pigment weren't offended at all and actually gave me good answers which are helpful and I thank them.

The white people.... my lord. Most of them were so angry! At what? I didn't do anything to them or anyone but they are fuming, saying I'm stupid (or the most stupid on here).

Now, I was reading the answers and I thought to myself that a piece should be done on this for a national magazine. I can't help but think that the white people must actually be racist. Why would they get so upset??? I hear on cop shows people being called both and on the news, it's not mentioned but they just do generalizations. Whatcha think?

Ran out of room. Sorry.

But I think people need to think about why they are offended (and I'm sorry if I offended you) when I didn't say anything wrong.

Answer 1

Yes, closet case racist baby, dont u worry about em, u just asked a simple question. thats why i dont really like to ask questions on here cus folks get very snappy and have horrible attitudes, just take it as a grain of salt. I personally prefer to be called black, I dont know why. Maybe cus african american is a mouthfull, lol, i dont know. IM me if u wanna chat. My sn is "beautifulblackwoman20yrsold" not "beautifulafricanamericanwoman20yrsold" lmao

Answer 2

If that was the exact wording of your question (and I'll guess it was) then I don't see why anyone should feel offended. I asked a question about homophobia, being that I'm not gay OR homophobic (odd combination, but it does exist, lol) and I got some angry answers calling ME a homophobic, too. Maybe some people don't bother to really read carefully the questions, and they just act on the prejudice of what the question is likely to say (i.e.: a white person asking about black people MUST be racist). On the other hand, I have to admit I have done that, too. And I've misinterpreted some questions that weren't very well written. Only that when I realised I was wrong, I apologised publicly...

Answer 3

This venue is supposed to be "answers" so unless someone is abusive, giving ones honest opinion should be enough. I have noticed in this venue, some people think others are stupid, and assume everyone thinks like they do, but that is foolish and self-centered. I knew a person with deep pigment who said she isn't African-American she was Cherokee Indian, so being pc, you can still be wrong. she was offended because I referred to her as African-American. The bottom line is try to be respectful, but you may still get it wrong sometimes even when trying to be sensitive to others

Answer 4

If the "people of most skin pigment" weren't offended, it may have just not been to your face.

Certainly, racism exists. In fact, it's so prevalent, most whites don't even acknowledge it. They see blatant racism and throw a fit, but are used to the everyday racism that hurts people.

Don't hold yourself above the whites or anyone. That's where the problem starts. Even you (and I) are responsible for racism.

Answer 5

I would automatically use the word "black". I had to stop and think if it was racist. I don't think it is. I'd rather be called white than Caucasian. And African-American does not include Haitian-American or Cuban-Americans, etc.

In our Canadian paper today, the Lebanese community thanked the press for just calling them "Canadians" and not "Lebanese-Canadians". I don't think anybody wants a hyphen.

Answer 6

Thomas gave the snub to Montreal Canadians goalie Carey cost 2 years in the past on the All-megastar activity. Carey cost is Metis and a member of the Ulkatcho First international locations. So, is Tim Thomas a racist ... ... hmmm ... probably

Answer 7

i think majority of whites are classified pre-emptive racists. meaning that they'll choose the high road and automatically snap at your for using a term THEY feel is inappropriate. rather than get it straight from the source, they'll label them what they think is least offensive and assume that's what's better for them. sort of like being a racist in a good way? even though they are not the race in question, they get to choose what to label them since they are better or smarter than the others and would easily find a term more PC than anyone else.

Answer 8

I understand your confusion- it seems that whites get more offended when "Black" or some other less politically correct term is used.

(BTW- what's the link to your first question- I'm interested in the answers you got- if you got any that weren't written by up-tight whites.)

It brings another question to mind--

Some Blacks prefer the term "African-American", some prefer "Black"....
BUT---
I don't know any Whites who prefer the term "European-American".....

Why the difference?

(And where did the term "colored" come from? Who first used it?)

Answer 9

I like the idea of doing a piece in a national magazine

Answer 10

When you use the name "blacks" and "whites", it sorta already has become a form of discrimination for a lot of people. Not all people understand you're true intentions, that is why talking about these kind of things is very tricky.