Is Mulatto considered an offensive term? I just heard it the other day and I want to know if its something...?

Question

It applies to me, so I am not asking this question to stir up trouble or anything... I am just curious to know. I just want to know if its something I should call myself.

Answer 1

It's an old old OLD word. I do consider it to be offensive but not on a major level. It's a word that one of the 95 year old guys at church might use while trying to not be offensive. It's dated and probably best left unused.

Answer 2

I would say any type of racial classification is bound to be controversial and offensive to some people(Not to mention scientifically unbased).
It depends a lot where you use it. For example, If you are in Mexico, a country with almost no african(black) population, its ok, you're being precise if you refer to someone who is part black/part white. But interestingly, the country of "mulattoes", Brazil, no one likes or uses that term. From my experience there, people usually go by "Black" "White" or "Brazilian"(This last term is for people who rather not classify themselves as black or white). And it also depends on who does the classifying. If its a "mulatto" he/she might consider himself "white" whereas if its a white person might be less forgiving and simply call that person "black"
The term is rather archaic in my opinion, so I wouldnt use it if I were you.

Answer 3

In and of itself it is not offensive. Rather, it is how the word is used that makes it offensive or not. Here is the Wikipedia entry so you know the history of the word and its uses.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulatto

Answer 4

it's pretty archaic and nobody uses it anymore...i think the more common term is "biracial". it's hard to know what terms will be offensive when it comes to race....some people are offended by the term "*********" which has nothing to do with race--if you are ********* it means you're a cheapskate or very careful with money

Answer 5

mulatta is a term no longer commonly used. I say i'm mulatta in basic terms to tutor the mixture section. i does no longer enable every person to call me so. annoying attempting to image horse and donkey.

Answer 6

I have only heard this term in derogatory terms. If you are comfortable with it, well then that is fine with me.

I think Halle Berry would not smile if you called her this, or she might.

Answer 7

My husband is of mixed races. He's been called a mutt, mullato, half cast-dirty *** and a mixer in his life. He just prefers "that really tanned guy"/.

Answer 8

Yes, it offends me I'm white..its labeling someone due to superficial traits...fact is all DNA is traced back to mitochondrial DNA from Africa....yes racists we are all from one tribe! hahha! now culture, that's another thing..that's an issue...civilized or not?