Do you say "blacks" or "African Americans?"

You can all call me "master"! :)

Wow, both off topic AND potentially offensive in the same post, and all in under10 words.

AMAZING.

On topic with 2 points:

1. As Axex just noted, saying THEM or THOSE PEOPLE can be offensive as well (to whomever you are referring).

2. I forgot to mention that I have no preference between Black and African American and use them both equally at work, school, when I teach, etc.

Cracker, at least around here, means "redneck". Nah, would rather not be called that.

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Cracker, in my understanding, means redneck, too. I'm the farthest thing from being a redneck, so I don't think that the designation "cracker" would apply to me.

Honky has always carried a rather negative connotation, not as offensive as the N word, but along those lines. Honky isn't used to oppress people, but it's ususally spewed with the same kind of feeling (venom), not used as a term of endearment.

My bougie black friends all tell my that I'm just , in their words, (upcoming ghetto grammar alert) a "light skinded" brutha. (brother) A classically trained musician friend I know recently married a member of my church. She had never attended before, because she sings as the alto soloist at another church. She's only heard my play in recitals and play "high brow" type things before. She attended church with her new husband yesterday and came up to talk to me after church and was laughing. She said, "you don't play those hymns like a white man--they all play so straight, you play with too much soul. ..and from out in the congregation, you really do look mixed. It's no wonder everyone here thinks you're part black."

I'll just take the designation "me" because I don't really fit any. When most people think "white", they think of the WASP coloration, not those of us who are light olive complectioned with dark hair. White and black may give a basic clue to a person's race, but it's such a broad sweep that it in no way describes them.

We are who we are and we all defy descriptions.

Cracker, in my understanding, means redneck, too. I'm the farthest thing from being a redneck, so I don't think that the designation "cracker" would apply to me.

Honky has always carried a rather negative connotation, not as offensive as the N word, but along those lines. Honky isn't used to oppress people, but it's ususally spewed with the same kind of feeling (venom), not used as a term of endearment.

My bougie black friends all tell my that I'm just , in their words, (upcoming ghetto grammar alert) a "light skinded" brutha. (brother) A classically trained musician friend I know recently married a member of my church. She had never attended before, because she sings as the alto soloist at another church. She's only heard my play in recitals and play "high brow" type things before. She attended church with her new husband yesterday and came up to talk to me after church and was laughing. She said, "you don't play those hymns like a white man--they all play so straight, you play with too much soul. ..and from out in the congregation, you really do look mixed. It's no wonder everyone here thinks you're part black."

I'll just take the designation "me" because I don't really fit any. When most people think "white", they think of the WASP coloration, not those of us who are light olive complectioned with dark hair. White and black may give a basic clue to a person's race, but it's such a broad sweep that it in no way describes them.

We are who we are and we all defy descriptions.
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LOL!

I told you that you resembled my brother! LOL! "White" is more a politcal designation than anything else. There have been a number of books written about how subsequent ethnic immigrant groups have moved into the "White" group over time. The have even been indiginous peoples who attempted the move and sometimes with tragic results ( The Cherokee) Even though they owned slaves ,assimilated , and even intermarried that did not stop the passage of the "Indian Removal Act" during the time of Andrew Jackson. What is white has shifted and morphed in order to appease the prevailing notions of the time. But there are always going to be some that are "whiter" than others and some who may look whiter than white who have not and will not be given a ticket to ride.....


Naughty

Gee, Monty, I'd expect you to have that funeral home pasty look a la Crispin Glover in Willard.

LOL Pecker. I am not your typical mortician...I don't have pasty skin, I don't have cold, clammy hands, and I don't lurk around silently. While being compassionate, I get my families to remember the good things about their "dearly departed" and while making arrangements, I converse with them and try to get them to tell the funny stories that really tell who the person was. That way I can find out how to best tailor a service to their needs. I laugh and play with the kids that come to the funeral home, because they don't want to be there and try teach them the healthy attitudes about death--not to be scared of it, that it's a part of life.

Regarding Native Americans, I know some who are lighter in complection than I am. What's funny about my darker coloring is that I get most of my dark coloring from my Irish and French sides. The Italian side is all very light, thanks to the Swiss blood that's mixed in.

I was called a "Negroid" once by the grandfather of one of my college "friends." Apparently he had been racking his brain for the least offensive thing possible and decided that "Negroid" was the way to go because it sounded scientific. He went on and on about how us Negroids don't like cold weather, as evidenced by his vacation in Negril, Jamaica, where it's hot all the time, but many Negroids still wear winter hats.

Negroid? LOL!

That is great! I'm sorry that was probably a most bizarre experience but funny as all get out! I think he had probably been watching "Soul Man" too many times!
By the way....is that by any chance related to an "Ass-teroid"? That is exactly what that comment made him sounded like. What about "Frank" and calling it a day?

Naughty

I was called a "Negroid" once by the grandfather of one of my college "friends." Apparently he had been racking his brain for the least offensive thing possible and decided that "Negroid" was the way to go because it sounded scientific. He went on and on about how us Negroids don't like cold weather, as evidenced by his vacation in Negril, Jamaica, where it's hot all the time, but many Negroids still wear winter hats.
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Uh, what about all the black people who live in places like Detroit, Chicago, or New York, let alone the black populations in Canada. I wouldn't call those places warm year round. People can be so stupid. One of the finest choral conductors/composers of the 20th century was from Canada and was black, btw.

Off Topic (I'm sorry): Monty, you're a mortician? How did I miss that? Do you follow that typical cliche of a man eating a sandwich and chips while working over a dead body?

"Black" was what I grew up with, so it is hard to use another term. I agree that "African American" really doesn't apply unless you were born in Africa.

I am an American...
... who happens to be "White". I do not refer to myself as a "European American"
My ethnic heritage is mostly Irish and French, but I am 2nd and 3rd generation American, so I don't 'affiliate' with Ireland or France, except as the origin of my ancestors.

I am not Irish-American, or French-American, I am an American.

LapDog :P

I am Indian (American Indian). I say Black. I say White. I say Hispanic/Latino.

If we wanted to technically be PC, we would identify people according to their nation or countries instead of broadly linking everyone into this racial sub-categories.

Blah....

I would rarely say "African-American" when describing another black person in an informal, or intimate setting with other "Blacks". In terms of a formal and or professional situation, during which ,I would be speaking primarily to "White People", the term "African-American" would come into play. Also, when speaking to fellow blacks in a Racially Diverse environment weather informal or formal I would tend to use the term "African-American". Of course there are always exceptions!

I have a friend who refers to himself as Negroid, or just 'Groid for short. He refers to his mother as a Negress. I think he does it for reaction, so I don't follow his usage. When I speak about him, he's my friend, not my black friend.

I'm Latino, but for the most part I just refer to myself as American. I'm a US citizen, so I'm entitled to that designation. When race is germane to the conversation, I don't mind Latino or Hispanic or, more specifically, Cuban. Understandably, I don't care for Greaser.

I say "black" but it's not my primary description tool... I tend to describe height, build, hair, eyes, etc. before I click on and think "oh yeah, he's black".

Oh and I'm white... whiter than most due to the Scottish weather that's living upto it's horrible reputation just now.