Why do some people find it so offensive to call black people black. isn't that a bit hypocritical then to call

Question

Why do some people find it so offensive to call black people black. isn't that a bit hypocritical then to call white people white? If you are from a black race then what is the big deal or is it that the real issue is that people are so caught in what happened in the past that they are just plain bitter and resentful.

The past is the past so why don't we just allow sleeping dogs to stay asleep! And get on with the now. Why should some people be forced to walk on egg shells for the rest of their lives. Sure enough that there are consequences for our actions but how long must we go on paying.

I don't see the big deal in a white person telling a black joke or visa verso. I think some people need to have a sense of humor or just buy some. ( but those are just my thoughts what's yours?)

Somebody please explain this to me. What is the differnce in saying you are a black person verses a coloured, african american etc.

Answer 1

If I'm referring to someone and I have to state their race, I call them black. I don't call them African-American, or colored. The blacks that I'm friends with think colroed is derogatory. They also tell me that they've never been to Africa so they are not African-American. They are plain American. For example, I wouldn't say, "That African-American is dressed nicely." I would say, "That black guy is dressed nicely."

Some people might bring "good' and "evil" into it. Not so. Look at me, what color am I? I'm white. Back in the day, black people didn't really have all the different shades they have now. They were for a lack of a better description back then, black. At least compared to white people. And believe me, I'm as white as it gets. If I were to stand against a freshly painted wall, I'd disappear.

Answer 2

Sure as long as the N word is not added...which alot do on here on yahoo when making jokes about blacks . Also as long as other races are allowed to call you the C word would you mind that? If your normal I would guess not. Also everyone is differant I don't mind being called black or African American but I would just perfer American since its been years and years ect. since when got here or whatever.

Answer 3

As a white person, I don't find it offensive to be referred to as a white person, so I don't see how referring to someone as a black person is offensive. It's purely descriptive - just like saying black cat or white cat, when referring to a cat.
I think using terms like African American when you don't know someone is no more accurate or correct, considering not all black people are of African origins.

Answer 4

In the US people never called me a white person...but in Nigeria I heard it all the time...every day every where I went. Someone said Oyboe (white person) or Baturi (White person) or Onyoche (white person) ....It got really annoying...One of the people I toured with once said, Yes I looked in the mirror this morning, I know I'm white.

I agree...get a sense of humor or you'll go nuts...Color is only skin deep what difference does anything else matter?

Answer 5

Why is it so hard to call people... people in the first place? Why is it so hard not to label someone? Some people just are not comfortable with being called black or white. Why is it so hard to respect that? This is the 21st century and I know we can hopefully do better with this in the future.

Answer 6

I doesn't matter to me. I actually feel more comfortable with the term black then African American, I mean I don't call white people "caucasian".

Answer 7

Well, my response may touch off some severe angst, but I have to say it. Would you find it offensive if a man called you a ***** or a "hoe"? I've heard women call men "dogs" quite often, so if a man can be a dog, a woman can be a *****, yes? Have a sense of humor; that's what you said, correct? I am by no means calling any woman anything derogatory, I am simply trying to enlighten and make a point.

You might say my example is too extreme, but the reality is that no one has the right to decide what I am to be called or labeled as, not even the government. If I feel a label given me is derogatory, or offensive, I have a right to demand otherwise, and while people have a right to say what they will, I also have a right to not respect their opinions.

The problem with everyone telling people to relax (I've heard this said so many times, though not to me personally), to have a sense of humor, to lighten up, is that the people doing the telling don't really know what it's like to have to daily define cultural boundaries, to fight negative stereotypes, and define roles via personally selected identifications and positive associations. I once dated a white woman who frequently wore a t-shirt that asked the simple question, "got privilege?" in bold letters on the front. It was a shirt that she and many of her white contemporaries wore in efforts to wake up white people to the reality that they live privileged lives. There are many things that occur in society to which you'd never give a second thought, but as soon as these things are threatened, suddenly you are aware. Well, for many of the people who you might label as uptight, these issues loom all too ominously in their daily lives, thrust upon them, or their rights or sensibilities and liberties threatened, not by their own choices, but merely due to the reality of their ethnic or racial existence.

I hope you understand that I am not by any means trying to attack or offend you, I simply hope you can try to see the perspectives of others, and appreciate those perspectives for what they truly represent. As woman, I would expect you to understand this point as even today, in the "civilized" and industrialized world in which most of us live, women still get paid less than their male "equals", still suffer the onslaught of the effects of misogyny in every facet of life, and still tend to be subject to the whims and preferences of men in the world.

Oh, and let's be realistic here, how many of us have ever actually seen a person whose skin is truly black? I actually have twice seen people with truly black skin; one was African, and the other, was East Indian. Personally, my skin is brown, just like my avatar, but it's clear that this is a racist label because instead of calling us brown, "they" label us with a negative, and diametrically opposite definition. The labels automatically puts us at odds by juxtaposing what is viewed as the "good" with what is viewed as the "bad".

Answer 8

I'd rather be called black, african-american was jesse's idea and I'm not a big fan of his. kittykiss, the "white man" didn't start calling us black (at least not in the US), we chose it ourselves because we didn't like the commonly used term of the 60s: *****.

Answer 9

As Christians, we are expected to love others as ourselves. I am sure that you already do that. But, we are to treat others with the same respect that we want FROM others, as well.

It may be confusing to understand what many groups want nowadays. Acceptance is the most important thing that anyone could want, so let's start there!

Acceptance of a group is not just being politically correct, but being in obedience to the Lord. You are already doing that, I presume. But you want to be appropriate in references, so as to respect them and be "safe", so it sounds.

We can gain more respect from ANY group by accepting them as a mirror image of ourselves and not trying so hard to overcompensate the differences in our cultures. If you want to think of them as Black, that is accurate. We dont' have to make a reference or "label" at all if we treat everyone as our brothers and sisters. Accepting everyone with love and respect will give us all the relief that we need when addressing anyone different.

This golden rule is what we need to pass on to our children and others as Christians without pushing our faith on them.

P.S. Jokes that discount the poise or pride of a cultural group is not sensitive or welcome. They went out of vogue years ago and are unwanted in God's kingdom, so let's all forget them and live on.

Answer 10

I'm black and i agree with you. but i get offended when someoen calls me black because it was white man that gave us the name 'black' its a negative colour, means evil and other things. Compared to white which means good and pure. It all makes no sense really when we are all different shades of brown, why be called black and white?
edit: If you look close enough is a black person really black? is a white person really white?