Why do some people use the words 'Colored People' ? Do you find that offensive?

Question

I find it very offensive.

Everyone Loves Chris used it in a answer then deleted his answer when he started getting thumbs down.

Answer 1

I refer to black people as black people. I think colored would be offensive to them. I also do not call them African American. Some people are offended by this also.

Answer 2

It has a long history. Interestingly, "colored people" in parts of Africa are asians, particularly folks from places like India. The "*****" lable began in ancient Rome, and simply meant "black". Of course it takes no great imagination how a word like that gets phonetically corrupted into a common perjorative that people with proportionately more melatonin get to refer to themselves with while feel highest offence or insult if someone of another race were to use it.

Consider, though, that the United ***** College Fund and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People have not had their names changed by those who belong to it. You might ask them how bad the expression is.

Answer 3

it depends on the individual that is using it. its an old school term that wasn't always used to be derogatory. the entire world just cant be educated about everything. we have to be more flexible in life. every generation has different interpretations of certain expressions. it gets more complicated here in the states because we are such a multi ethnic society.
if some people use terms that are not considered politically correct its simply a lack of education (in some cases,not all). its how they use them in there conversation that helps you decide if they are being offensive or simply ignorant. it takes time and patience to educate. we all need to be more tolerant and forgiving.

Answer 4

It's generally offensive unless it's specifically being used to make an inoffensive point. For example, it's sometimes used among black folk to denote generational differences or to indicate a time prior to the civil rights era. Interestingly, the term "people of color" is not offensive and is widely used. And of course, in South Africa, there are still people who refer to themselves as Colored (rather than multiracial) mainly because that's how that community has been known. Although I'll admit I did find it irritating to hear people referring to themselves as colored when I visited SA, I had to respect that that was how they choose to identify themselves. Hopefully, that'll change in the future.

Answer 5

I don't think it's that offensive. to me, all people are coloured. None of us are transparent (or "without colour" as I've heard used) but we all have some sort of pigment in our skin. I just happen to be a rosy gold tone while others might be a lovely chocolate brown...chocolate is a good thing. :) We've *all* got to start looking past the colour of our skins to the person underneath. I think that's the most important issue here on the subject of colour. Blessings, my son.

Answer 6

I don't like that phrase "colored people", maybe people of color, or just refer me as a Black woman is good enough for me. I just remember being down south when I was younger where Older Whites who tried to be politically correct, but still were racist referred to us as "colored people" like we're some sort of crayon or a thing. And under no circumstances do I like to be called African American (although my ancestors were from Africa, most Africans have treated me like sh*t and told me to my face that I'm not a true African, and that being a Black American is beneath them and a disgrace to be associated with them)

Answer 7

i can understand your offense, but it really depends on the person saying it. a lot of older people grew up in intolerant & ignorant communities, and language like this was commonly used. every now and then i'll hear an elder leak out some random racial slur, but they don't mean to be offensive, that's just habit for them.

Answer 8

It's offensive in that historically it's been used in a derrogatory context for may decades.

It makes no logical sense when you think about it.
I forget the comedian who said it, but to paraphrase: "White people turn green when they get sick, red when they get sunburned, yellow with jaundice, blue when they get cold, and they have the nerve to call us 'colored'!"

Answer 9

Yes it is very offensive and shouldn't be used. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't want some one to call him "cracker" or anything of that nature. Its just about having some respect for others differences

Answer 10

I thought this term was pretty much obsolete. I never hear anybody use it anymore. It used to be applied to African-Americans. I always thought it was a rather stupid term because we're all "colored", just various shades.