“I want to tell you one more thing I know about the Negro,”

[crossnote]

Here's a question. Is the word "negro" considered racist?

It's in the 'intent' behind the word not the word itself.
Back in the '50's it was equivalent of saying Afro-American today.

 

[Elizabeth619]

It's in the 'intent' behind the word not the word itself.i

And who determines the intent? I see many words used where it's only racist if white people use them.

 

[Animus]

I think there is some very poor communication going on about this. Generally when a person says, "white people" or "black people" or "Asian people" they are referring to the majority of people in the group. The same problem in communication happens all the time in discussions about men and women.

"Women are attracted to apathy", I suspect many women that just read that thought, "Not true, I'm not attracted to apathy". But the person who makes that claim doesn't doubt that there are exceptions, but rather that they don't make the original claim an exercise in irrelevance. Poor communication? Yes. And even if it isn't true, it's usually not addressed for what it really is, and so both sides start arguing. The women are arguing that it isn't true for everyone, and the man is arguing that it is true for most, and neither side realizes that they aren't talking about the same thing. If they were talking about the same thing, they might still disagree, but it would be a very different discussion.

 

[Ecclesiastik]

Here's a question. Is the word "negro" considered racist?

Generally no. However, since the word is practically NEVER used anymore except in history books, most of the context now adays of people using that word (opposed to any other such as "African-Americans") is derogatory. If it's an old person, I probably can understand cause they come from an era where the word was used more. My grandma still uses the word "colored" occasionally.

 

[pastac]

I'm southern and I'm white so because if that you call me a racist? You're no better than those you accuse.

it really irritates me when people try to spoon feed a able bodied grown man(Jest) don't put words in my mouth I did not imply or say, is any word racist that some consider racist I'm not debating that issue its foolish and not my point

 

[pastac]

Here's a question. Is the word "negro" considered racist?

here's an answer and a question are you a negro then don't try to think like one
I happen to be of African decent mixed but considered your word negro, since you are grouping that's the danger it gets us off track heaven will have some you know!

 

[pastac]

My response was to the Bundy quote, not the nba owner's obvious racism. Totally different, obvious I was not commenting on the nba situation and an absolutely bad attempt to discredit and smear my statements.

you did that all on your own I just made an attempt to refute some of your notions is all

 

[jennymae]

I find it difficult when non southerners (correct me if I'm wrong, because I don't know where yall are from) knows exactly what it is like in the south. I'm a wee bit worried when it is written in capitals how bad things are, and how racistic we are. Why don't yall spend some time in the south, not just be speedin' down the I-65 desperately passing through the state, and then, back home, finally able to tell everybody how bad the south was.

And it is real annoying when folks from everywhere else are free to use whatever words they feel like to describe us. What if a southerner did the same thing? Then we'd be corrected immediately, and I tell yall, in the south theres a whole mess of words describing folks that aint got no raising.

 

[David_1]

I find it difficult when non southerners (correct me if I'm wrong, because I don't know where yall are from) knows exactly what it is like in the south. I'm a wee bit worried when it is written in capitals how bad things are, and how racistic we are. Why don't yall spend some time in the south, not just be speedin' down the I-65 desperately passing through the state, and then, back home, finally able to tell everybody how bad the south was.

And it is real annoying when folks from everywhere else are free to use whatever words they feel like to describe us. What if a southerner did the same thing? Then we'd be corrected immediately, and I tell yall, in the south theres a whole mess of words describing folks that aint got no raising.

You are right. People should not use stereotypes and offensive terms to describe whole groups of people based on location, race, ethnicity.

If we have to discern the character of person, why go by their words and actions. For example this Cliven Bundy who says racist things.

 

[pastac]

but it happens it happens here on cc ,every sunday, everyday, everywhere, that is just a fact. I live in the south North Carolina the bible belt good ole boys still alive and well here I travel extensively and its the same a bit more covert up north but still there the point is it has to be addressed in the proper context and forums doing nothing is an unjust and believe me its not just us who think so. Just some thoughts

 

[SonInMe]

Negro is spanish for black.

When I was young it was THE accepted and polite word for a black person.

Just a fyi....life did not start in the 90's

 

[pastac]

and what was the most accepted word for a white person pale face lier thief cracker honkey pig? that statement makes no sense on any level don't be polite be right, racist are polite too you know. But they sure can spew venom with the best of the non racist if there is such a thing. I made valid points about reality and you give an English Spanish lesson? Now tell me the one more thing about the negro?

 

[pastac]

You are right. People should not use stereotypes and offensive terms to describe whole groups of people based on location, race, ethnicity.

If we have to discern the character of person, why go by their words and actions. For example this Cliven Bundy who says racist things.

see post 72

 

[SonInMe]

The accepted word was caucasian.

Were you alive in 1970? I was. I was there and I lived it. Everyone used Negro, on tv and in public.

Unless you are calling me a liar too.

 

[Ecclesiastik]

Son is right about the word "negro" i just made a similar point and I don't think he's a liar. He does hold racist philosophies that he cannot adequately justify (because racism is generally illogical) but he probably has good intentions.

 

[Elizabeth619]

Generally no. However, since the word is practically NEVER used anymore except in history books, most of the context now adays of people using that word (opposed to any other such as "African-Americans") is derogatory. If it's an old person, I probably can understand cause they come from an era where the word was used more. My grandma still uses the word "colored" occasionally.

You bring up some good points. I guess this thread conversation is probably the only time I have ever used to word "negro", and I agree that it is generally not racist(compared to other words), but there is the United Negro College Fund. Should they change the name of the college fund because we live in a different era where people decided certain words are no longer politically correct? I know people who say calling someone "black" is racist. Even know some that are offended by "African American". I have run into situations many times that it doesn't matter what I say in reference to someone who isn't white that I am referring to them in a racist way. Then there are people who laugh at whites if they refer to themselves as "European Americans". The race card is thrown out so much many people are afraid to say anything. Yes, ther is racism everywhere, but people who throw it all over the place to make others seem racist when they are clearly not is insane. Thats the issue I have. I don't deny there is racism in this world. I don't deny it isn't in the south, but the whole situation has gotten out of hand to where whites are stereotyped which is also racist, but no one sees that.

 

[Elizabeth619]

it really irritates me when people try to spoon feed a able bodied grown man(Jest) don't put words in my mouth I did not imply or say, is any word racist that some consider racist I'm not debating that issue its foolish and not my point

I'm not the one that made the ignorant generalization. You did. If you are offended by what I said then be mad at yourself. You stated most whites in the south are racist. You may not have said I personally was racist, but who are you to determine who is or who isn't. Maybe you have had bad personal experiences which leaves you bitter. I am sorry if that has happened to you, but for you to label people based on the color of their skin is also racist.
What if I said most black people on welfare are lazy, and refuse to work? Would that no be racist? Of course it would!

Since I am white, and have lived in the south my entire life I will honestly tell you that me and my fellow white acquaintances don't sit around using the "n" word. We don't wish slavery is still around, and we don't cry because we lost the war.

 

[Elizabeth619]

here's an answer and a question are you a negro then don't try to think like one
I happen to be of African decent mixed but considered your word negro, since you are grouping that's the danger it gets us off track heaven will have some you know!

I happen to have an ancestor who was a slave as well as native american, but I am guessing by you looking at my pale skin you failed to realize most of us white people aren't of a pure white race, and we are ok with it.

"Are you a negro then don't try to think like one" What kind of question is that? Are blacks morally superior or a different type of human? Why are we STILL dividing ourselves by skin color? Aren't we all human? Aren't we all equal in the eyes of the Lord? I don't care if your skin color is green. We all bleed red. We all have a soul, and we all need Jesus. So while you are trying to continue the bitterness of racism with whites there are some out there that are moving and have moved beyond that. MAybe one day you will open your eyes and see it

 

[G4JC]

I can neither confirm nor deny whether the guy is trying to be racist or if he is just referring to historical versions of slavery (I didn't see any foul language used in his allegory) - but I think people are always freaking out too much over racism which is sad but amusing... kind of like this:

My personal opinion: All men are created equal. Color is irrelevant.

 

[JimJimmers]

I know people who say calling someone "black" is racist. Even know some that are offended by "African American". I have run into situations many times that it doesn't matter what I say in reference to someone who isn't white that I am referring to them in a racist way. Then there are people who laugh at whites if they refer to themselves as "European Americans".

Reminds me of the stranger side of the neo-feminist movement, where I can be excoriated for saying "girls", "ladies", "women", or any other word you can think of to describe the fairer sex. (Including 'fairer sex', no doubt.)

I once had a coworker who was a self-described feminist, and I was wondering if she was going to go off if I said 'ladies'. It turns out she was more of a paleo-feminist, the type who oppose beauty contests and such, and she didn't try to see offense where none existed.