Is it politically incorrect to mention a person's skin color when describing what they look like?

Question

I would consider it the same thing as mentioning their hair color or eye color, but it seems like a lot of people are uncomfortable doing it. When I describe myself, I say that I have very pale skin, because that's one of my most noticeable features.

Answer 1

Not if you're just describing someone... like if you are trying to explain how to recognize them in a crowd.

I think it's different when people use skin color where it is not necessary, like it "There was a really obnoxious group of loud black kids in the mall." I don't care what color they are -- obnoxious loud kids are obnoxious loud kids. Period.

Answer 2

not at all because people with the same eye and hair color look different with different skin tones. What I hate is when they describe a crime suspect on the news and they mention the clothes, hair color and eye color but leave out the race. How would you know where to look if you couldnl't narrow it down to black, white, hispanic, etc.

Answer 3

I can't think of any reason why it should be wrong as long as it's an accurate description. Actually it would be a good thing if we payed more attention to individual differences instead of stereotyping people by race.

I didn't mean you shouldn't mention their race, because you can't really get around that. If you described a black man by saying "he has dark hair and eyes" that would be a totally useless description. If you said "he's a black man with medium brown skin" that would be more useful.

Answer 4

If your describing someone you usually mention all the obvious stuff height ,eyes ,hair etc,i think talking about colour only comes into play when your introducing someone from outside your own race,but even then i don't see what the issue is.Everything depends on how you were brought up and the social circles you move about.That movie Guess Who sums up in a light hearted way not mentioning skin colour.

Answer 5

Sure...why not? Like you said, it's just like hair color or eye color. Giving a physical description of someone should never be considered racist, but everybody in this country is so nervous about political correctness that we freak out over the smallest things.

Answer 6

The pigment of a persons' skin is genetic and is therefore part of their identity. Try and describe a daffodil without using the word 'yellow'!. Don't get hung up on appearances, after all, it's the person within thats important.

Answer 7

If the color of their skin was described in such a way as to not be offensive, then I see no problem with it. If, however, derogatory words are used to describe the person, than, yes, it would be polically incorrect.

Answer 8

I wouldn't mention it in a professional setting only because it can be misconstrued. Unless of course it's pertinent for some reason. Like explaining to the cops that it was a purple guy with orange hair that robbed you.

Now all the purple folks and people with orange hair are going to email me...

I see one of them has already given me a thumbs-down. Alas.

Answer 9

There is huge debate about that. Then again you really shouldn't because that person might get offended by describing them as such so i would stay safe and try to describe them in a different way.

Answer 10

No.
i think truth is neutral in description of others.
profiling is a burden on society but it is a more effective tool than burdening all of society.
a black man will always be Black and dark of skin color unless in the resurrection their color is changed.