I have a Question for African Americans........?

Question

I'm a caucasian woman with an 8yo daughter. When she talks about friends at school, people she sees, on tv, etc who happen to be African American, she calls them "brown". (She doesn't mean it in a derogatory sense, she will say, "There's a new girl in my class and she has brown skin and long black hair") For instance, today she bought a new African Amer. baby doll. She stated she wanted a "brown" doll because she thinks the skin looks prettier when its brown. I teach her that they call that African American doll or Black doll.. She argues with me and says that it's not black, its brown. lol My question is, I'm worried if Afr. Americans would take offense to my daughter saying "brown" ? For the record, she calls caucasians "pink" lol. Thanks for your responses! : )

Answer 1

I wouldn't take offense with her saying brown at all. She's expressing what she physically sees and there's nothing wrong with being honest. She hasn't been jaded by the ignorance of people. It's a beautiful thing and I would embrace it. She sounds like a very special young lady. It's a shame that some adults can't see things with the eyes of a child.

Answer 2

I wouldnt take any offense if that came from a young girl. I have light brown skin, but I am of the Black/African race. Black people come in different shades and colours.
She does sound cute, and obviously you are bringing her up the right way... not to see colour when dealing with people. Kudos to you for that.

Answer 3

I don't think anyone in their right mind would take offense.I'm from the UK (England) so i can not speak as an African American but as a black man from the UK she would not offend me .The good thing about kids is that they tell it like it is and that's beautiful .I'll raise a glass to you and may your daughter always be so enlighten.

Answer 4

That is really cute, and no... I don't think there would be anyone who could find that offensive.
I think your daughter just has no idea about race at this point and only sees the differences in skin tone. Too bad we all can't be that way.

Answer 5

KIDS :)

Leave her alone...atleast she's not hating. My son says he's brown too, because he know what black looks like and can't comprehend its a loose description not gospil to your skin tone.

Hell, pleny black adults say "I'm not black, I'm brown". They need to be kicked...I mean, talk about splitting a hair.

ps. You aren't having her call herself "caucasian" are you. Its positively clinical...like refering to people as homosapiens all the time.

Answer 6

No We are beautiful shades of brown from the lightest hue of dust to the darkest hue of the ground. We are God's children. For the record, I am not an hyphenated American. I am Black and proud to be.

Answer 7

I don't take offense to It.She does have her colors right. I've never seen a person that was as Black as a blackboard or as white as chalk. Since she accepts that people are different colors and is not hateful toward them, It's okay with me.

Answer 8

this youthful ones is yet another ploy to make you imagine that American Blacks and Africans hate one yet another, they don't, and that is termed an attempt at divide and triumph over, next time they're going to ask "why do Caribbean Blacks hate American Blacks " or "why do American Blacks hate eu Blacks"...you get my waft....

Answer 9

nah, that would just be absurd. The only problem I forsee is the "brown" kids probably call themselves Black. As long as she doesn't start arguing about it, she will be fine.

Answer 10

I'm white, but I answered so I could give all previous posters a thumbs up. I think it's cute also.