I'm doing a project for school, and it includes telling the race ratio of a country in South America. Part of the ratio is Black/Malutto. I seem to have an unforunate tendicy to use scottish names, having a scottish mother. I tend to call blacks ******. Not in a condesending way, but some people at my school think that it is racist-The boy is from CA. I just want to know if the majority agrees. Again, I don't mean in a condesending way. I don't want opinion, please. I would like to know if this is considered racist. I use the spanish term for 'black'. So what?
Thanks!
2007-03-28 09:47:31 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Sociology
In your case, it is not racist. You are just saying what you know! If that is how you were raised, and you aren't saying it to be rude, then there is absolutley nothing wrong with it. Just explain that is how you grew up, and you aren't being politicaly incorrect. If the people who think you are being rude don't understand, then screw them...you aren't doing anything wrong.There is much worse words you could be using. No worries :]
2007-03-28 09:53:14 · answer #1 · answered by Seduce A Stranger :] 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
But if you are speaking English... speaking to native English speakers, why exactly are you specifically using the word "*****" for blacks, knowing that the word is pretty much "taboo"? Yes you have the tendancy, but you should correct it.
Yes, you can say it's not racist... it's not, things mean different things in different languages. But being that you are now in a different country and the people speak a different language where some words in one language is a offensive to others, I say don't use it.
People can honestly think of you as suspect, since you will resort to calling blacks "negroes" in an English conversation, and then using the excuse that it's Spanish.
Basically, it seems as if you'd like people to be welcoming of your culture/traditions/language etc, but you won't acknowledge that in another (one that you are currently in) it can be quite offensive... even to the most conservative black. Now, that is racist.
2007-03-28 17:03:25 · answer #2 · answered by yellowandblack 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's racist at all. As I understand the origin of the term, the Portugese as far back as the 12 Century were colonizing central Africa. They called the people there ******. If you see native Africans from the heart of darkest Africa you will see why they were called ******. It is an apt description.
2007-03-28 16:53:25 · answer #3 · answered by regerugged 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say that it depends on who you're doing this project for. If the teacher is very much against racism, then I would use the term 'black'. I really don't see the difference. They mean the same thing to me. When earlier explorers first encountered Africans, they used '*****' because they WERE black.
2007-03-28 17:13:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard a lot of blacks call each other by worse names. Racism is in the eye of the beholder. Some will consider a word nothing, to others it's the worst racist slur.
2007-03-28 16:56:48 · answer #5 · answered by the_skipper_also 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word isn't really offensive I mean there is the "United ***** College Fund" and that name hasn't been changed.
***** is simply outdated, so know that you know just say black or African-American.
2007-03-28 16:56:06 · answer #6 · answered by JT 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it is not racist. If someone allows themself to be offended by the name, then use another one if you feel so inclined or otherwise value their perception.
And "racist" is thrown around these days with little concern for truth anyways, so don't play into the propaganda. It is a hobgoblin.
2007-03-28 19:04:39 · answer #7 · answered by Reality. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That term is definitely NOT proper to use. I hassle my Grandfather for using that term and he's FAR older than you are. I would cease immediately or risk further trouble from people at school...especially in California.
2007-03-28 17:18:32 · answer #8 · answered by Susie Q 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well -- its not okay to use terms that could be offensive to others -- "*****" is especially bad because of what it implys to black people (it brings back thoughts of slavery, segregation, and etc) I would work on finding more politically correct terms, because the terms you are using are traditionally racist whether you mean them as it or not. Others shouldn't be expected to be insulted because you were raised wrong.
2007-03-28 16:54:03 · answer #9 · answered by Okaydokay21 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I'm hispanic so ***** means black to me, but i can see how that may offend people.
2007-03-28 16:50:42 · answer #10 · answered by ad121ana 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋