Does anyone actually say "African-American" in everyday life?

[blobfish]

They do not think so.....

If you want to get technical than we all are African as it is widely accepted as the cradle of civilization....

So lets start saying..

White African
Asian African
Mexican African

What do you call a white guy from South Africa in America? By your logic he is African American as well? More so than a black person who has been here fro generations...

No, I think the "African-American" thing is stupid. I just meant that if American blacks aren't offended by it, then Haitian blacks shouldn't be offended by someone calling them "African-Haitians" or what have you.

 

[Recidiva]

No, I think the "African-American" thing is stupid. I just meant that if American blacks aren't offended by it, then Haitian blacks shouldn't be offended by someone calling them "African-Haitians" or what have you.

What does it cost you though? A few syllables to address someone in a way that makes them feel someone cares about their preferences?

You've wasted an awful lot of syllables in defense of being offensive, so that can't be it.

 

[blobfish]

What does it cost you though? A few syllables to address someone in a way that makes them feel someone cares about their preferences?

You've wasted an awful lot of syllables in defense of being offensive, so that can't be it.

I refuse to say it on principle. I'm not "European-American". I'm white. Besides, I find it difficult to accept that any black person outside of the vocal fringe that finds "black" offensive. I've said it around black people tons of times, and no one has ever expressed their displeasure.

 

[Recidiva]

I refuse to say it on principle. I'm not "European-American". I'm white. Besides, I find it difficult to accept that any black person outside of the vocal fringe that finds "black" offensive. I've said it around black people tons of times, and no one has ever expressed their displeasure.

Your principle is laziness?

So don't take offense by what other people call you, that's the principle in effect that you're expressing.

So if you ask some black people and they DO have a preference, you ignore it? Or do you just think that your inability to listen to them will inspire them to give a damn what you think?

What purpose does applying it in a blanket to other people serve except justifying being rude and lazy?

 

[blobfish]

Your principle is laziness?

So don't take offense by what other people call you, that's the principle in effect that you're expressing.

So if you ask some black people and they DO have a preference, you ignore it? Or do you just think that your inability to listen to them will inspire them to give a damn what you think?

What purpose does applying it in a blanket to other people serve except justifying being rude and lazy?

I'm not being lazy. I just refuse to say it. I don't care if a few blacks in the lunatic fringe are offended. If we had to not say anything that could be offensive to someone, then nobody would ever say anything. "African-American" is just a politically correct scam created by guilty whites in an attempt to make up for hundreds of years of oppression. Very few blacks even use it outside of very formal or businesslike settings.

 

[Recidiva]

I'm not being lazy. I just refuse to say it. I don't care if a few blacks in the lunatic fringe are offended. If we had to not say anything that could be offensive to someone, then nobody would ever say anything. "African-American" is just a politically correct scam created by guilty whites in an attempt to make up for hundreds of years of oppression. Very few blacks even use it outside of very formal or businesslike settings.

That's not the same as saying it doesn't matter, because if it didn't matter, you'd call anybody anything they chose.

You're not applying logic, you're just pissy.

You're making the same mistake of giving words too much power that you're accusing others of taking.

You want to use YOUR word that YOU are comfortable with and fuck everybody else.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

No, but starting actions such as aggression and demeanor affect outcome. Though I'm actually a fairly scary bitch, people I've worked with for years are convinced that a swear would offend me and I'm the sweetest, nicest, most reliable person ever.

It's because I act like the person I'd like to be, not necessarily who I know I started out to be through inclination and brain chemistry. I fake it until I make it. Actions do matter over thoughts. Eventually actions become habits and thoughts die out. Well, in my case, not exactly, but they become less of a truth and more of an option.

I've chosen to judge myself on my actions, not all the bullshit the bickering parts of my brain spew out over the course of a day or a lifetime.

I agree, and follow your example; but being sweet and unobstrusive and cooperative doesnt spare me the troubles I prefer to avoid. When I help my neighbor with a problem it never stops her from tossing a pan of dog shit onto my yard. So I'm forced to wonder if playing Mister Nice Guy isnt lotsa self deception.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

There's plenty of evidence of cruelty, assholery and horror on the earth.

Doesn't mean that I follow their example. Means it happens and if I can, I should help defend against them and/or clean up after them and/or persuade them to stop being a cruel asshole. I think I just realized that this may be why I still talk to you and that's just what it is. Probably more manipulation. But...I won't become them.

I've been fired on Christmas myself. I've had someone told they had cancer on Christmas.

Out of curiosity, what was in the envelope, money or a pink slip...or something else?

Money! and a turkey. Marty was always generous. But the method to Janes madness was her husbands job. He worked for a competitor, and Jane was sneaking contract info home to give to daddy.

 

[blobfish]

That's not the same as saying it doesn't matter, because if it didn't matter, you'd call anybody anything they chose.

You're not applying logic, you're just pissy.

You're making the same mistake of giving words too much power that you're accusing others of taking.

You want to use YOUR word that YOU are comfortable with and fuck everybody else.

We have a difference of opinion. Personally, I treat black people the same way I treat white people. I don't walk on eggshells around them or put them on a pedestal because of their skin color. We're all the same, so why should I treat them differently? I don't call them "niggers", but I don't call them "African-American" either. They're just people. If you ask them, I'd be willing to bet that most would prefer to just be treated as a person.

 

[Recidiva]

I agree, and follow your example; but being sweet and unobstrusive and cooperative doesnt spare me the troubles I prefer to avoid. When I help my neighbor with a problem it never stops her from tossing a pan of dog shit onto my yard. So I'm forced to wonder if playing Mister Nice Guy isnt lotsa self deception.

No, it doesn't spare me troubles, just gives me a new set of them. But I tend not to end up being the "stand out alpha" that then becomes the target of everybody new to the prison looking to make their reputation or someone wanting to shoot it out at OK Corral to do the same. I go under the blowhard's notice. They pass me by and I prefer it that way. They think I'm kinda dumb and sweet and I just usually get my way. I just do what I have to do politely and get out if I can once I've realized things go south. I have a life that works with that. I work at home, I don't even know my neighbors' names.

Overall, I prefer to be underestimated because I know from experience it gives me an advantage if someone dumb decides to rumble.

So far that's always proven more or less to be a good strategy, so I stick to it. The one who does her best, who doesn't start a fight, but once it's started, usually gets social support based on her actions and arguments. Doesn't always work out, but it's the best I've got.

Mine isn't a deception so much as a life strategy. I'm playing the odds and staying below the radar, making a smaller, faster moving and less rewarding target. I am not a good target of opportunity.

 

[Recidiva]

Money! and a turkey. Marty was always generous. But the method to Janes madness was her husbands job. He worked for a competitor, and Jane was sneaking contract info home to give to daddy.

A turkey in an envelope? How do you...wrap that?

Good for Marty.

I'd happily move my desk away from Jane's.

 

[Recidiva]

We have a difference of opinion. Personally, I treat black people the same way I treat white people. I don't walk on eggshells around them or put them on a pedestal because of their skin color. We're all the same, so why should I treat them differently? I don't call them "niggers", but I don't call them "African-American" either. They're just people. If you ask them, I'd be willing to bet that most would prefer to just be treated as a person.

I think I have to just quote Inigo Montoya at this point and say "I don't think that word means what you think it means" and wander off. You're just doubling down on the stupid that doesn't make any sense except that you've decided to pick something completely tiny and pick a fight about it for a reason that you think is what it is, but that's not what it is.

What it is belongs to you and I think I know about as much of it that I want to know. I have to go wash my hands now.

 

[blobfish]

I think I have to just quote Inigo Montoya at this point and say "I don't think that word means what you think it means" and wander off. You're just doubling down on the stupid that doesn't make any sense except that you've decided to pick something completely tiny and pick a fight about it for a reason that you think is what it is, but that's not what it is.

What it is belongs to you and I think I know about as much of it that I want to know. I have to go wash my hands now.

That's fine. I should point out that you started this debate. I was just replying to Vat's post, and you asked me why I dislike the phrase.

 

[Recidiva]

That's fine. I should point out that you started this debate. I was just replying to Vat's post, and you asked me why I dislike the phrase.

I didn't think the answer was going to be so icky. *scrubs*

 

[blobfish]

I didn't think the answer was going to be so icky. *scrubs*

I don't understand why it's icky to have a desire for all races to be treated equally.

 

[Recidiva]

I don't understand why it's icky to have a desire for all races to be treated equally.

Inconcievable!

 

[blobfish]

Inconcievable!

I think you're secretly a racist and you're threatened by me because I'm 1/16th Cherokee.

 

[zipman]

To be fair I have only worked for one large corporation (80,000+EES). But 5 years ago they called in all management and informed us to longer use African American. It could be because of the huge Haitian population we has in our call centers, but if you think about it it makes sense. Last time I checked Africa was not a country. So even people from the actual Continent are not technically africans..... at least that is not what it says on their passports. African American is offensive to Haitian, Dominicans, European blacks and many more.....

But this dude says it best...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zD7T5klrmRs

While your company may have decided that (and for good reasons) it still is the norm in corporate american HR offices to use the term African-American.

I'm not arguing what they should be called one way or the other, just commenting on the accuracy of your post.

 

[Recidiva]

I think you're secretly a racist and you're threatened by me because I'm 1/16th Cherokee.

You have no idea how funny that is.

So thanks for that.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

No, it doesn't spare me troubles, just gives me a new set of them. But I tend not to end up being the "stand out alpha" that then becomes the target of everybody new to the prison looking to make their reputation or someone wanting to shoot it out at OK Corral to do the same. I go under the blowhard's notice. They pass me by and I prefer it that way. They think I'm kinda dumb and sweet and I just usually get my way. I just do what I have to do politely and get out if I can once I've realized things go south. I have a life that works with that. I work at home, I don't even know my neighbors' names.

Overall, I prefer to be underestimated because I know from experience it gives me an advantage if someone dumb decides to rumble.

So far that's always proven more or less to be a good strategy, so I stick to it. The one who does her best, who doesn't start a fight, but once it's started, usually gets social support based on her actions and arguments. Doesn't always work out, but it's the best I've got.

Mine isn't a deception so much as a life strategy. I'm playing the odds and staying below the radar, making a smaller, faster moving and less rewarding target. I am not a good target of opportunity.

Oh! My! I'd wilt like the Wicked Witch in a rain storm.

 

[Recidiva]

Oh! My! I'd wilt like the Wicked Witch in a rain storm.

I blame my Southern female relatives for showing me how bitchy diplomacy can be.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Americans take each other one soul at a time, and never try to eat the whole elephant in one gulp. Where minorities screwup is forming herds to try and scare the lions, but herds never scare lions, cuz herds are just more meat to enjoy!

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I blame my Southern female relatives for showing me how bitchy diplomacy can be.

Nuthin worse than Southern females, I have 5 sisters. With the Southern gals the meanness goes to the bone, with Northern gals its cosmetic.

 

[Peregrinator]

So you admit to using racist standards, different behaviours when you know someone's race?

I just hate everyone equally regardless of race (or WingedKiss, would you prefer irregardless).

I believe it's "disirregoddamgardless."

But, yes, of course. I mitigate my language use all the time. Lady P likes the word "cunt" to describe her vagina. My mother, probably not so much. I asked my neighbors in Portland whether referring to them as "dykes" was offensive. Different people have different reactions, so I'm careful in groups or at first.

 

[Recidiva]

Nuthin worse than Southern females, I have 5 sisters. With the Southern gals the meanness goes to the bone, with Northern gals its cosmetic.

But it's so elegant.

I remember my sister going to a party and some random cousin commenting on her outfit. "Now, is that what y'all wear up North?"

The tone was enough to be inspiring for a lifetime.

I discovered also that I affect a Southern accent out of defense when around Southerners. It's bad enough being a Yankee, I don't have to admit it.