Is the word 'Negro' racist?

[binkley]

I just had a surprising conversation with someone interesting in which use of the word 'Negro' was labelled racist. I've never considered the word racist per se, just a little awkward and old-fashioned (as in United Negro College Fund, or Malcolm X's use of Negro in his speeches).

What do you think of the word? What alternatives would you suggest if you disapprove of using Negro?

 

[Purrde Flower]

I don't think it is racist. It depends on how it's used though and what tone of voice you use. I was talking to a woman of darker skin than mine and we were discussing this a long time ago. She told me she didn't want to be called black, colored, African, African-American, negro, nigger(I would never ever use that word in the first place but this is what she said) or any other word that would call o ut her skin tone. She had no problem calling me a white girl though.

 

[deliciously_naughty]

I just had a surprising conversation with someone interesting in which use of the word 'Negro' was labelled racist. I've never considered the word racist per se, just a little awkward and old-fashioned (as in United Negro College Fund, or Malcolm X's use of Negro in his speeches).

What do you think of the word? What alternatives would you suggest if you disapprove of using Negro?

It is racist within a modern context. Prior to 1960-something it was the acceptable term to use in reference to people of African descent. And during that time, it was certainly a better word choice than the "n" word.

It was a socially acceptable word until the 1960s (hence the use of it by such luminaries as WEB DuBois and Malcom X). During the 60's and 70's the term African American was coined and became the acceptable term.

The word Negro is now viewed as perjorative by the African American community. As such, it is an unacceptable term to use with regards to that group. I would have as much problem with the usage of the word "negro" as I would "fag", "chink" or any other term which is now seen as perjorative.

 

[HeavyStick]

depends on the usage and language, in spanish "negro" is black.

it isn't a pleasant word.

 

[nike]

Well, i would suppose not, considering the fact that there is a United Negro College fund

 

[Lost Cause]

label of the month...

Seems like everyone is a little thin skinned in this time in history, changing a stupid physical characteristic label more than their underwear. I'm just a lil' ol' cracker, whitey, honkey, mick, and biker trash, but at least I can laugh about it. Just like that English teacher that was reprimanded for a "N" word that sounded racist, even though it's meaning has nothing to do with race in any way! That is the height of the ignorance, stupidity, and erroneous behavior of a portion of the population that lives to be a victim. Negro/Negroid is a scientific term like Caucasian, and Asian. How you take it is your own neurosis.

 

[deliciously_naughty]

Well, i would suppose not, considering the fact that there is a United Negro College fund

The UNC was created during a time when it was the acceptable label. To still use it is a choice by that community. But it is not the prevalent use

 

[nike]

The UNC was created during a time when it was the acceptable label. To still use it is a choice by that community. But it is not the prevalent use

point noted

 

[crappie master]

During the O.J.Simpson trial a few years back ,I remember one of the witnesses was talking a bout hairs found in the car. There were some described as caucasian and some described as african-american. My thoughts on this were that..ok I see how lab test might reveal the race of who the hairs belong to but how could the test reveal citizenship.Couldn't those hairs have belonged to a Kenyan or Ugandan or a Haitian or even a Canadian of african descent . In this context negro might not have been as politically correct but probably would have been more accurate.

 

[Purrde Flower]

Where is the United White College fund?
or the White American Awards or the White Entertainment Television?

Do you think if we have a TV station called WET (snicker) -White Enterianment Television that we would get sued over and over and there would be press and tons of other stuff at how unfair it is?

Persons of dark colored skin are too sensative. Anything ruffles their feathers. i don't kow maybe it's just me but I really think over all persons of dark colored skin are way way way more racist than white people. The ones I have met, they, get offended by any gesture they consider a slight to them, even if it wasn't. It's beyond insane.

I read somewhere that there were people seeking payment for things that happened forevery and a year ago. The American-Indians get payment because this is/was their land. I think if decents of former slaves what somehting they should ask for shipping cost back to the country their ancestors were born in.


*I'm not going to edit this post. But by shipping I mean getting on a ship. Shipping.. ship.. I didn't mean to bundle up anyone in a box and ship anyone through the postal service.

 

[deliciously_naughty]

Where is the United White College fund?
How about the college funds for descendants of confederate veterans...not one cent has gone to a descendant of a person of color.

or the White American Awards or the White Entertainment Television?
Most television shows feature white people as the main characters.

Do you think if we have a TV station called WET (snicker) -White Enterianment Television that we would get sued over and over and there would be press and tons of other stuff at how unfair it is?
Try most tv stations. When was the last time I saw a black person on friends? Where is the tv show featuring Asians?

Persons of dark colored skin are too sensative. Anything ruffles their feathers. i don't kow maybe it's just me but I really think over all persons of dark colored skin are way way way more racist than white people. The ones I have met, they, get offended by any gesture they consider a slight to them, even if it wasn't. It's beyond insane.
How many have you met? How many have you sat down and talked things over with?


I read somewhere that there were people seeking payment for things that happened forevery and a year ago. The American-Indians get payment because this is/was their land. I think if decents of former slaves what somehting they should ask for shipping cost back to the country their ancestors were born in.
these last two statements are racist and horrible beyond belief. I can't believe people like you are walking around in the us today. I knew in theory that there were people like you, but I've never actually met one.

 

[peachykeen]

kinda boggles the mind, don't it?

 

[Nora]

Ok, I'm genuinely confused. I thought that "negro" was the equivalent of "caucasian" when talking about human races? It's not a word that comes up for me often, so I don't know that i use it any context (I don't use "caucasian" either though... I rarely discuss the census or other topics in which it would come into play). So I guess if that's true it would be neither positive nor negative, just descriptive.

 

[Saint Peter]

If the word negro is racially slanted then what is the up to the minute, politically correct word to use to describe a person of color?

 

[medjay]

Where is the United White College fund?
or the White American Awards or the White Entertainment Television?

Do you think if we have a TV station called WET (snicker) -White Enterianment Television that we would get sued over and over and there would be press and tons of other stuff at how unfair it is?

Persons of dark colored skin are too sensative. Anything ruffles their feathers. i don't kow maybe it's just me but I really think over all persons of dark colored skin are way way way more racist than white people. The ones I have met, they, get offended by any gesture they consider a slight to them, even if it wasn't. It's beyond insane.

I read somewhere that there were people seeking payment for things that happened forevery and a year ago. The American-Indians get payment because this is/was their land. I think if decents of former slaves what somehting they should ask for shipping cost back to the country their ancestors were born in.

The word negro isn't offensive, just old and dated. And it is true that a lot of black people have very thin skin and need to stop taking everything so seriously.

I don't, however, see the necessity for such harsh words being directed toward the United Negro College Fund and other such organizations. Yes it is a double standard but, in many ways, a necessary one.

The last I heard black people make up about 16% of the nation's population. Definately a minority. Even though we are all Americans we still exist as a subculture within this society. There is Spanish language TV, Korean TV, etc. Go to any big city and you will find Greek Town, China Town, whatever. Why is it no one faults any of these groups for recognizing and celebrating their individual nationalities? Black people are just trying to do the same thing. Personally I think BET sucks. But I don't see why any white person should be threatened by it. Nor should they feel threatened by black people trying to raise money to send other black people to college.

 

[Guest]

The American-Indians get payment because this is/was their land.

I'd really love to know how this American-Indian gets payment.

It hasn't even been a full 100 years since the civil rights movement. Each generation provides more ease. So, maybe this "oversensitivity", as you call it, will ease with the years.

 

[deliciously_naughty]

If the word negro is racially slanted then what is the up to the minute, politically correct word to use to describe a person of color?

African American...for people who identify as such
Latino/a...for people who identify as such

someone that you would call black may be of either heritage.

But for what you mean, African American has been the accepted term since the late 60s.

 

[crysede]

Persons of dark colored skin are too sensative. Anything ruffles their feathers. i don't kow maybe it's just me but I really think over all persons of dark colored skin are way way way more racist than white people. The ones I have met, they, get offended by any gesture they consider a slight to them, even if it wasn't. It's beyond insane.

I read somewhere that there were people seeking payment for things that happened forevery and a year ago. The American-Indians get payment because this is/was their land. I think if decents of former slaves what somehting they should ask for shipping cost back to the country their ancestors were born in.

Do you wear sheets too, or do you just talk the talk?

 

[medjay]

If the word negro is racially slanted then what is the up to the minute, politically correct word to use to describe a person of color?

African-American is the politically correct term but I know plenty of people who prefer not to be called that. It's a generic term that ignores the fact that there are many different types of "Africans" and most black people don't know who they were decended from in the first place.

Plus it has too many syllables.

 

[deliciously_naughty]

Do you wear sheets too, or do you just talk the talk?

good going crysede

 

[70/30]

nigga, niggah, nigguh, niggaz, nig, etc. plenty different ways to address "negroes"

 

[Saint Peter]

African-American is the politically correct term but I know plenty of people who prefer not to be called that. It's a generic term that ignores the fact that there are many different types of "Africans" and most black people don't know who they were decended from in the first place.

Plus it has too many syllables.

What would the people that do not like the term African-American like to be used instead?

 

[deliciously_naughty]

nigga, niggah, nigguh, niggaz, nig, etc. plenty different ways to address "negroes"

you a member of the klan too?

 

[medjay]

What would the people that do not like the term African-American like to be used instead?

Mostly just "black". Simple and to the point.

 

[Purrde Flower]

Do you wear sheets too, or do you just talk the talk?

I don't do anyhting. but I do believe in equal treatment. If people wanted to be treated equally then they should act equally.