Comments on: Do White American’s find it hard to say the word black?

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:00:02 +0000

Both examples both seem like cases where the women whispered the word “black” because they were uncomfortable expressing racism. But I have seen white people whisper when saying “black” in an unprejudiced context. I’ve done it myself & I’m an urban kid from Oakland. At the risk of sounding like a whiny victim, lots of us white people just prefer avoiding the topic of race altogether. It’s MUCH better to come off as pedantic/nerdy than be taken as racist.

Though I know she means well, see blubronxtail’s post. Blu makes an interesting point about the inadequacy of the label “black”. But I read that & basically hear her saying that the word “black” is the same as the dreaded N-word. That’s probably not what she means. Despite it’s problems, the word “black” has not violent or hateful connotation.

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By: fkoi

fkoi — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:49:47 +0000

I have not noticed the phenomenon of whispering the adjective,”Black” among White folks. But then I don’t hang around with racists. On the occasions when I have had to deal with them “Black” wasn’t the word being used.

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By: wonka

wonka — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:56:46 +0000

To be completely honest,I have in no way found the
word BLACK hard for a white person to say.Actually,
most of them prefer the word BLACK rather than
African American and they have NO PROBLEM throwing it in black peoples faces.You know what I mean,as if
it’s something to be ashamed of.Then again blacks
have NO PROBLEM referring to caucasians as WHITE
people.I think both are OVERRATED,we tend to feed
too much into it,instead of seeing it for what it is.We are what we are,except it,be proud of it(for
the right reasons of course),embrace it.

Sincerely,
WONKA!!

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By: RYAN

RYAN — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:23:27 +0000

I guess some people are embarrassed to use that word, but i don’t understand why.

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By: renee24

renee24 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 22:15:00 +0000

it really depends on the person, I work with white people and I have noticed some are fine with saying the word black while others shy away from it. (‘strategic colorblindness.’ interesting.)

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By: Ichibod

Ichibod — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:17:56 +0000

I heard a lady at my previous job speaking with another co-worker about something or other (I wasn’t really paying attention. But then she mentioned something that had happened one February were either a store was closed or streets being block off (again, not sure) for “the holiday”. I whispered to a black female co-worker next to me, “What holiday might that be?” She erupted in laughter because she heard and was thinking the same thing I was. There are white people who will not only avoid saying ‘black’ too loud while blacks are around, but anything that that has to do with black (as in race) that they feel could possibly draw conflict or lead them into some kind of defensive position. Conversation amongst themselves about black folk while in close proximity of black folk can almost be like walking on eggshells.

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By: MissDeedz

MissDeedz — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:27:17 +0000

I find the US take on race issues quite interesting at times – I’m English, or British if you prefer.

There is certainly an argument for self-determination as suggested above but, to some degree, that just masks the underlying difficulty of how we can identify (with) each other.

Depending on what I am asked the response changes. My ethnic origin is always African Caribbean but if I am asked for my ethnic group it’s Black British. For me, there is a fluidity to ethnicity that defies a one-size-fits-all definition.

People struggle with saying all kinds of things and whether it’s latent racism of fear of being labelled such, who really cares? I’ve been called ‘coloured’ by old (ought I say ‘senior’??) white people more times than I can count. Do they mean any offence? Nope. Ought they to be a little less stuck in their ways and learn better? Probably. Do I correct them? Never. What’s the point? I am being addressed in terms believed to be appropriate. If the word were whispered as if not a topic for polite conversation, I’d most definitely challenge it!

That people are bigots is natural. The unnatural part is the desire to inflict one’s bigotries on another and cause harm. That’s worth kicking up a fuss about.

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By: blubronxtail

blubronxtail — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:55:02 +0000

I have seen this phenomenon aswell. The issue is also when they are alone they normally emphasize the word” BLACK”. As if they said “AIDS” or “CANCER”. I don’t like to be referred as a color. If someone were to describe me I would prefer African American. Or even woman of color. Or even a tone that is actually close to the color of my actual skin like Mahogany, Caramel,Chocolate. There are other nationalities that are darker some Latin, Asian and Indian tones or darker than many African American people. But yet we are all lumped under the term “BLACK” which is really not a color at all. It’s void of color. I rather someone say the darker complected woman. How many people refer to Latin people as “brown people”? Or Asian as “yellow people”? Maybe that was something that was used in the past out of ignorance. We all know the respective terms and we need to use them for everyone. The whole White & Black was to separate people by making them feel they were on opposite sides of the spectrum yet we are all connected in reality. Also many African People were that dark and some still are. But with race mixing etc that term doesn’t apply to us all. The term “black” wasn’t made up by Africans. Can you imagine being in Africa surround by other Africans and someone asks you : hey where did you get those earrings.. your response : that “black” guy over there. How stupid would you feel to point into a crowd of dark complected people.I feel people should be described based on their origin rather than skin tone or atleast pick a tone that’s someone even close. I notice my feeling when someone says African American vs Black. The term “black” was used by other races to describe people among other such words that werent nice to hear. The issue with African Americans is that we tend to try to take someone’s means of making something sound bad and turn into something that’s cool,hip,good or our own. It’s like someone trying to strangle you with some curtains and then you go and make a skirt out of it. It’s our way of saying ” I’m taking my power back! You can’t hurt me anymore. Remember: “I’m black and I’m proud” .Take the “N”word for example. How many times have you heard someone say that for fun or in a rap song? I don’t like the word never have never will but people are trying to make it socially acceptable to say. To the point that now other races try to say it among their African American friends as if it’s cool. Some even do it on a sly just to see your reaction. What’s even worse is when some do it out of spite but act like they are being friendly. This word should be outlawed. I understand we have a need to turn someone’s crap or abuse into something positive, but leave that word where it came from: ignorant, fearful and racist people. Why not just accept who we are and where we come from to identify ourselves. Instead of letting someone else identify who we are.

If I had my way, we would all be blue!
Much Blue Love!
~blubronxtail:)

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By: fromchicago

fromchicago — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:52:23 +0000

interesting comments

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By: NubianGem

NubianGem — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:36:05 +0000

In response to OnSamePage’s comments, I have never been to Africa myself either and for the most part I prefer being recognized as Black also. However, race (black and white) are said to be false separators and a divider of social construction, which is the truth.

Garveyism and activists such as Dubouis introduced America to the term African American and I completely understand why. The ideologies of mainstream America were and are intended to assimilate people into mainstream culture. I am not promoting segregation however seeing as there is a divider of class and race in this country,I refuse to pretend that the struggles for recognition outside of being a Negro weren’t dire and if more people conducted themselves as African Americans showing that we are Americans yet aware of our cultural distinctions and proud of them we would be better off as a people. I am Black, I am an African American(of African descent, which we all are) and I will not be upset if referenced as either.

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