I have never heard a black person refer to themselves as African American. Very rarely have I heard a black person refer to black Americans as African American-- and almost all of those were on TV.
This could be a regional thing. Perhaps the blacks in the mid-west or West Coast do that. Here in the Mid-Atlantic it is always ‘black’. Sometimes black people describing themselves get more specific, like Trini or Bayesian or Jamaican. I’ve also never seen a black person offended by the term African American either.
White people* though, hoo-boy! The only thing that sets their teeth on edge more is when black people call each other ‘nigga’.
*Not ALL white people. In fact, not even most white people. Most people, black or white, don’t give a flying fuck what descriptor is used.
For some people, it’s like they had a mental “find and replace” function. No matter what the context, they substitute “African-American” for “black” with hilarious results.
Shitty pitting or no, I learned two actual facts today - malaria is caused by a eukaryotic protist, not a bacteria or virus, and my people (ie., northern Indians) are most likely to suffer from sickle-cell anaemia.
“Negro” is not the N word – it’s still used by the United Negro College Fund, among others – but there are alternatives. “Of Subsaharan African descent” is a little wordy, but it’s accurate and non-offensive.
I think the flap when Harry Reid used the term “Negro Dialect” despite that being the term that was likely in use in academic circles back when he was in college shows that using Negro is not generally acceptable. I plan on avoiding it unless referring directly to one of the organizations which still have it in their name.
I think it just depends on what linguistical register you’re using at the moment (def: “a variety of language typically used in a specific type of communicative setting”). TV reporters aren’t supposed to use a casual register when they speak; however it would be down right bizarre for anyone else to use (that exact same) formal register in casual situations…
“My wife, shall we proceed with intercourse.” versus “C’mon honey, let’s down n dirty tonight.”
It derives from Johann Blumenbach in the early 19th century, who divided races based on anatomical differences between skulls and used those of the Caucasus as the ‘type’ or stereotypical example of the group. The Caucasian group was considered in to encompass Europe, North Africa, and western Asia up to and including northern India.
Obviously the word has shifted meaning a bit over time, but that’s where it comes from.
Ha, makes 'em uncomfortable. I also use the term colored, or if I really want to watch someone grimace, darky. I was meeting a friend for drinks at bar some weeks ago, and when he called to say he’s about five minutes away, or our conversation was something like:
Me: It’s super-crowded in here, but I’m [at such and such part of the bar, or wherever I was], so that should be enough to help you spot me.
Friend: Well what color shirt are you wearing? Might make it easier.
Me: Dude, I’m the only colored person in the state. I think I’ll stand out.
Friend: (Pause) …Okay…
If this is what you find your purpose in life to be, then that will sustain you through the abuse you’ll get. Nurses are like cops: there are no people better than the good ones, and few worse than the bad ones
(Oh, and I hope your cold is better soon :D)
(bolding mine) my mom was a nurse, both my SIL’s are nurses, my daughter is in nurse’s training right now, and my brother became a nurse when he, like the OP sought a career change. His female co-workers conned him into doing the heavy lifting, with which he complied as a “team-player,” and when he broke his back they gladly supported his employer by lying so that his disability quest would be as long and difficult as possible. He now weighs 130 pounds and will probably not live another three years.
A Monkey With a Gun, I encourge you to get the full 4-year degree and not get stuck at bedside nursing.
I dunno, but I hear black people do it all the time. “Do you remember Jane Smith? She worked in Finance?” “Was she black?” “Yeah.” “Sure, I remember her.”
No, they’ll be Nigerian-American. Or just American.
Good. We should be putting down the slave traders and slave owners and overseers and people like that.
Oh, did you mean that using it seemed like a way of putting the slave descendants down? 'Cause that’s just wack. I can’t imagine what could be shameful about having ancestors who were slaves.
I did. She tartly replied that she was neither African nor American, but from Barbados.
Then again, she got offended at everything, so she may not be a good example.
Well, this white girl TOTALLY lost it when I saw this post. F’in hilarious in that sentence.
