How do Black people like to be addressed?

Question

I sometimes find myself in situations where I am asked what did the person sound like or look like-for example people working at a store or similar and I am not sure the most professional way to say it- If I say African American people look at me funny or do not understand what I mean, if I say Black I feel I am not saying it correctly especialy in a professional setting.

I have asked some of my friends who are african american (black) and they say you can say black or colored and even they are not sure the most professional way to say it...

Can someone help!!

Answer 1

While it may be the politically correcting thing to say in the workplace, simply referring to someone as "African-American" may be an inaccurate description of someone, especially if that person is not American but from another country. Some people do take offense to the term "black". You are in a tough spot; you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. Professional setting do prefer the term "African-American" over black even though it could be wrong. To play it safe, if you need to describe someone you could just say that they have brown skin.

Answer 2

Black is the most correct term. I would say however that "hello sir" is the best way to address ANY man and works in most situations.

There is no need to say, "hello black sir" as the "black" portion in that statement is highly unnecessary and calls undue attention to race.

If you are a less polite individual you would address a complete stranger with just "hello" and leave out the "sir" or "ma'am" part.

I hope that helped.

Answer 3

Saying black is fine. What bothers me is when I ask for a description and that's the only thing you can tell me.
I'd rather you tell me a height, weight, build, hair and eye color; It's more descriptive than just saying "he's black".
And if someone asks you what someone sounds like... I hate it when people say someone sounds black. What's that supposed to mean?

Answer 4

Colored! It's hard to imagine that any black person in America would be OK with being called colored. People are so touchy when it comes to enthicnity. My advice is to try to describe people by general characteristic i.e., tall, dark with locks - that kind of thing. You might get a race riot started.

Answer 5

"African-American" is the most acceptable at this time. You may refer to people as black as well. " I am white, you are black" is fine. " Blacks like rap music" is not. Black is a distinction, not a group. "Colored" is not ok with any person of color that I know.
(Need I tell you that ***** is also no longer acceptable?)

Answer 6

like people and not, "buddah mr. black person." A person is a person, address them as a person. If you really have to differentiate, just say black. People call too much attention to the differences by making all these catagories. Of course, what do I know about it, I'm just a white boy.

Answer 7

I prefer African American but it wouldn't bother me if you said black. I would however be very offended if you called me color. You must be from the south because nobody in California say color.

Answer 8

Whatever you do, do not say 'colored'.. Black is cool, Black person, Black people, Black guy, etc but dont say 'Blacks' like hip hop.. I know it can get confusing but it will save you from disrespecting people of color..

Answer 9

Yeah, black works for me

Answer 10

it's fine to say "black" as long as you're just using it to explain someone's race and not in a derogatory way.