"Blacks"

[korme]

Read this sentence today: Should baseball force blacks to play baseball in their neighborhood?

Am I the only one that thinks thats kind of racist? Doesn't "black kids" in that sentence sound better, or am I way off base?

Edit - I mean, I don't think I've ever heard someone say "Look at all those whites"

[Young Drachma]

That's a poorly wordy and silly question to ask. It's not racist, it's just stupid. Racist is telling people they can't go to schools that they support with their tax dollars. We've really warped that word out in this generation.

[Young Drachma]

Dola --

Not saying you are silly. Saying whereever you got that question from (presuming ESPN, since I read a story about the lack of blacks in MLB) is really stupid.

[MikeVic]

Shut up honkey.

[lordscarlet]

The word "black" is not racist in that sentence. The sentiment may be, but to me, the word is not. I think "black" is a perfectly acceptable term for "African Americans." Just as "white" is a perfectly acceptable term for Anglican Americans.

[korme]

Dola --

Not saying you are silly. Saying whereever you got that question from (presuming ESPN, since I read a story about the lack of blacks in MLB) is really stupid.


I got it from a Cincinnati sports blog, which used the word blacks 4 times in a paragraph. Maybe not racist, perhaps a bit ignorant.

[rkmsuf]

"I am dark, and you are light."

"You are blind as a bat, and I have sight!
Side by side, you are my amigo,
Negro, let's not fiiiiiiiight!"

[korme]

The word "black" is not racist in that sentence. The sentiment may be, but to me, the word is not. I think "black" is a perfectly acceptable term for "African Americans." Just as "white" is a perfectly acceptable term for Anglican Americans.

If I am referring to someone I know, I would describe him as black. I think "blacks" and saying someone is "black" is two different arguments. The plural is the subject here, why I think it sounds bad, I guess I don't know.

[larrymcg421]

It's not the word "black". It's the word "blacks", which does have the implication that people of a certain skin color are all alike and/or should do the same thing. I'm not saying that the question is racist, or that the person that wrote it is racist. However, it can be perceived that way, and is often used by people who are racist, so it's probably best to avoid usage when there are perfectly acceptable alternatives.

[lordscarlet]

If I am referring to someone I know, I would describe him as black. I think "blacks" and saying someone is "black" is two different arguments. The plural is the subject here, why I think it sounds bad, I guess I don't know.

Point taken. :)

Stuff White People Like had a huge 15 mins of fame and no one seemed to think it was offensive. :)

[Cringer]

But if I say 'dem peeples' then someones usually gets pissed off at me for dat toos.

[Synovia]

If you think that saying "blacks" is any different than saying "whites", you're a racist.

[larrymcg421]

If you think that saying "blacks" is any different than saying "whites", you're a racist.

Has anyone made that point in this thread?

[sabotai]

"I am dark, and you are light."

"You are blind as a bat, and I have sight!
Side by side, you are my amigo,
Negro, let's not fiiiiiiiight!"

I love that skit.

[Greyroofoo]

I always hated the term "African-American" for two reasons. One is because it puts Africa in front of America. Two is because the term is overused in general. I mean I hear it used when referring to black Europeans, Asians, "pure" Africans and whatnot.

[JetsIn06]

I always hated the term "African-American" for two reasons. One is because it puts Africa in front of America. Two is because the term is overused in general. I mean I hear it used when referring to black Europeans, Asians, "pure" Africans and whatnot.

Well, I don't think it's first because it's more important or anything, I think it's because it's an adjective descricibing what kind of american you are. I agree with your second point and that bugs me too, but it doesn't bug me when we're actually talking about american people of african descent.

[MikeVic]

I always hated the term "African-American" for two reasons. One is because it puts Africa in front of America. Two is because the term is overused in general. I mean I hear it used when referring to black Europeans, Asians, "pure" Africans and whatnot.

Your first reason is funny.

[Pumpy Tudors]

For the longest time, I thought Subby was blacks.

[Dr. Sak]

They should use to learn the correct term...Canadians.

[MikeVic]

They should use to learn the correct term...Canadians.

Drunk already?

[Huckleberry]

I always hated the term "African-American" for two reasons. One is because it puts Africa in front of America. Two is because the term is overused in general. I mean I hear it used when referring to black Europeans, Asians, "pure" Africans and whatnot.

Plus hyphenated terms like that cause problems. Like the white kid from South Africa that applied for and received a scholarship for "African-Americans" that was later taken away.

If a kid born in South Africa that is now an American isn't an African-American then the term might need to be revisited, no? :D

[JediKooter]

I know this white family that is from South Africa that are now U.S. citizens. Are they African American? Or do you have to be black to qualify for that designation?

I really hate the whole -American thing to begin with. Are we the only country that thinks that it's important that someone HAS to be categorized in such a fashion to be politically correct? I hate political correctness as well, so, maybe it's my problem...

[Logan]

Black and African American are mutually exclusive terms.

[lordscarlet]

Black and African American are mutually exclusive terms.

No. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutually_exclusive_events

Unless you're saying "Blacks" are American born citizens of a dark complexion (or however you define it) and "African Americans" are individuals immigrating from the continent of Africa and cannot be referred to as "blacks." Otherwise I think you mean something else.

[Raiders Army]

Maybe we should be less sensitive about things and try to not read into every little thing.

[Raiders Army]

dola, and this wasn't meant to slam you Shorty; it was only meant to say that people in general look for things that aren't there. Could it be worded better? Yes. Was the intent to be racist there? Probably not.

[korme]

I wasn't looking for anything, just to me someone repeatedly using that term instead of- as you said- easily rewording it, seems a bit unitentionally offensive.

[Noop]

Better to be black then a nigger I guess. "Blacks" shouldn't offend anyone just like whites doesn't offend anyone. That is just commenting on the color of their skin although for "blacks" brown with be more appropriate but given the fact that latinos namely mexicans have that name I guess black will have to do.

[korme]

I don't think I've ever heard someone say "those whites are whatever" though.

[Logan]

No. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutually_exclusive_events

Unless you're saying "Blacks" are American born citizens of a dark complexion (or however you define it) and "African Americans" are individuals immigrating from the continent of Africa and cannot be referred to as "blacks." Otherwise I think you mean something else.

Are you telling me I've been using "mutually exclusive" wrong my whole life?

[Noop]

I don't think I've ever heard someone say "those whites are whatever" though.

Well I have never said those blacks myself. But I have said those white people...

[Pumpy Tudors]

I regularly just type the word "blacks" in a particular IRC channel. I could be idle for 6 hours, come back to the keyboard, and type "blacks" in the channel. So, yes, that word offends me greatly.

[korme]

Well I have never said those blacks myself. But I have said those white people...

You aren't wrapping your head around what I am saying. Blacks/black people whites/white people is a difference to me (one ok, one not)...

[thesloppy]

You aren't wrapping your head around what I am saying. Blacks/black people whites/white people is a difference to me (one ok, one not)...

Ahhh...I was thinking this was kind of over-reaction, but I think I get what you're saying now. It's the pluralization that pushes it over the edge, as it suggests that all 'blacks' aren't really worth separating, and operate as one homogenous entity.

I had a similar offended reaction when the immigration debate heated up and everyone was tossing around the term 'illegals', which seems particularly de-humanizing.

[BrianD]

Are you telling me I've been using "mutually exclusive" wrong my whole life?

Were you looking to say that they are the same thing?

[JW]

Well, my first thought had nothing to do with the word "blacks." I was wondering, what the hell the sentence is talking about? Is MLB going to send armed security personnel to black neighborhoods and force kids to play baseball at gunpoint? It makes no sense to me.

As for the term "blacks," I don't see a problem, since many people commonly refer to white people as whites and black people as blacks. I see a problem with the word "force," however.

[miami_fan]

I know this white family that is from South Africa that are now U.S. citizens. Are they African American? Or do you have to be black to qualify for that designation?

I really hate the whole -American thing to begin with. Are we the only country that thinks that it's important that someone HAS to be categorized in such a fashion to be politically correct? I hate political correctness as well, so, maybe it's my problem...

Not sure if we are the only country but I'll be dammed if we don't do our best to put EVERYONE in some sort of category be it race, class, creed, sexual orientation, political orientation, hair color, eye color etc...

Maybe we should be less sensitive about things and try to not read into every little thing.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[JediKooter]

Not sure if we are the only country but I'll be dammed if we don't do our best to put EVERYONE in some sort of category be it race, class, creed, sexual orientation, political orientation, hair color, eye color etc...



So true. I hate having to fill out a form or something at some place and it seems they are more interested in categorizing me than what my actual pertinent information is.

[lordscarlet]

Are you telling me I've been using "mutually exclusive" wrong my whole life?

That depends on what you thought it meant. :) But it means they never occur at the same time. So you're saying one person cannot be both "African-American" and "black." If you're saying one can be "African-American" or "black" without being the other then you mean something else. (A word or phrase is not coming to me)

[Logan]

If you're saying one can be "African-American" or "black" without being the other then you mean something else. (A word or phrase is not coming to me)

This is what I've always thought it meant (and have never been corrected on, even in work/school papers). Seriously, someone help me out here.

[lordscarlet]

This is what I've always thought it meant (and have never been corrected on, even in work/school papers). Seriously, someone help me out here.

Sorry to burst your bubble. :) "Mutually exclusive" means "cannot be both at the same time."

[korme]

Well, my first thought had nothing to do with the word "blacks." I was wondering, what the hell the sentence is talking about? Is MLB going to send armed security personnel to black neighborhoods and force kids to play baseball at gunpoint? It makes no sense to me.


To be fair to the blogger, I took the quote out of context - he was lamenting that all these storys are ridiculous and thus threw out a ridiculous suggestion sarcastically.

[MikeVic]

You're a trouble-maker.

[Joe]

I don't like them either!

[BYU 14]

To be fair to the blogger, I took the quote out of context - he was lamenting that all these storys are ridiculous and thus threw out a ridiculous suggestion sarcastically.

All this for nothing....great shorty!! ;)

[M GO BLUE!!!]

As for the term "blacks," I don't see a problem, since many people commonly refer to white people as whites and black people as blacks. I see a problem with the word "force," however.

This was the thing that stood out to me too. I recall blacks being "forced" to do some other things in the history of this nation...

[rkmsuf]

Hey whitey, where's your hat!?!?!

[tyketime]

I had an interesting experience with the term "blacks". It was certainly the term I was taught and used. But when my kids were younger (in the 3-6 age range), they referred to their black friends as "brown". I thought that was quite an innocent (and factually much more accurate) term. I even adopted that term when it came up in discussion with my kids. Unfortunately, over the past several years, they have heard the term "black" used so often, in print, on TV, friends, etc. that they have moved away from the term "brown".

[flere-imsaho]

I use the word "black" now exclusively in place of the word "African-American" ever since SkyDog yelled at me* for using the latter.

True story. :D

*Well, maybe not just me.

[Passacaglia]

That depends on what you thought it meant. :) But it means they never occur at the same time. So you're saying one person cannot be both "African-American" and "black." If you're saying one can be "African-American" or "black" without being the other then you mean something else. (A word or phrase is not coming to me)

Equivalent?

[Passacaglia]

Wait, at first, I thought Logan was saying they were equivalent, like BrianD had thought. Based on re-reading LS's post, maybe what he meant to say was pretty much the opposite, that they are simply "not mutually exclusive".