A question for 'Black', 'Negro', or 'persons-of-color' ONLY PLEASE.

I have the feeling this has nothing to do with seeking an answer to the "poll". For one, it's a bit bizarre that "African American" is not even listed and that term is much more current than "Negro"? And, the OP has posted disdain about minorities in commercials and CRT. Any comments that don't echo those positions are typically ignored so it's not even about open discussion.

 

How come Americans call everybody from Afghanistan to Japan ‘Asians’?
Surely there is a clear differentiation between people from the Indian sub continent and people from the Orient?

 

Oh? Then feel welcome to vote "I prefer to be called something else" if you are, in fact, "African-American", "Black-American", "Negro", "Person-of-Color", etc., et al.... ("White" persons, or "East-Asian" persons are asked NOT to vote in this poll -- PLEASE!)

This has nothing (NOTHING) to do with "critical-race-theory", anyone's alleged "disdain about minorities" or anything other than trying to figure out what these people WANT to be referred to here, in this Forum.

TV commercials? All I'll say is that "Blacks" officially make up approximately 14% of the population of the United States. There's certainly nothing 'wrong' about seeing "Blacks" in TV commercials -- but -- it's kind of weird when nearly every single commercial -- on national or local programming, has a very conspicuous, bizarre over-representation of them, doncha' think...?!

 

My SIL is Filipino. The term Asians is preferred because most of the people in the group are of 'mixed' heritage of the different nationalities that are part of the Asian continent.

 

The correct term for that race, which includes Japan, China, Mongolia, North and South Korea, etc., is actually "East-Asian"... those which are still often referred to as "Oriental".

Only once in my long life have I ever heard a person of East-Asian parentage complain about being referred to as "Oriental". He said, "Hey, I'm Taiwanese -- not a rug! Don't call me an 'Oriental'". Parenthetically, I've never heard a "White" person bitch about being referred to as "Caucasian"....

 

My wife is from Beijing and she is cool with the term ‘Oriental’.

 

I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. His claim was that he wanted to be able to engage in respectful communication and that is a noble cause and something that this forum needs more off. I still think my advice of speaking to someone directly would give the most insight. To prove my point I messaged an old friend / co-worker shortly after my post to ask him what he prefers to be called racially. I immediately got a phone call and we had a great discussion and chance to catch up. This guy is brilliant and we had a great discussion on the topic and I was thinking of posting a brief summary of his response but then I thought about it and it is just another example of white-splaining. I really think if you want to know what some minority group thinks you need to ask them directly. No point in others telling everyone what they think.

 

And each to their own, I guess.

 

I understand that position. I try to understand everyone's point of view even if I don't agree with them. Therefore, I recall this poster's history with these topics and feel relatively certain he doesn't care about stepping on anybody's toes. The only other conclusion is an ulterior motive. The simplest answer is usually the correct one.

Glad you had a chance to catch up with your friend.

 

This is what I learned and live by. I got chewed out about 25 years ago for telling someone that so I don't bother any more. I have a racist neighbor (he says that he's not like most racists) and he won't even eat Chinese food (or Mexican or Italian). It's so silly. Why can't people just be polite? It's not that difficult.

 

Your neighbor's diet must be very boring.

My SIL's Grandfather was full blooded Chinese. Her maiden name is Spanish, which is quite common in the Philippines. I can understand the use of Asian over other ethnic-specific classifications (when needed).

 

They don't.

You are thinking of the Brits

 

It was when I was in contact with him last (about two Summers ago). I distance myself from hateful people. They bother my Qi.

Yes, it is. I went to school with two sisters who were 1st generation Filipino-Americans. They started in the middle of the school year (after Christmas break) as that's when their parents (both doctors) could finalize everything and relocate. I went to a private school so there weren't many of us so news traveled fast. Many people said they thought the incoming students were from some part of South America because of their last names.

The more I think about this kind of thing, the more I'm leaning toward it being a deliberate thing. My mother hated one of my cousins. She's psycho, so...anyway, she would purposely mispronounce my cousin's name and the tone of her voice could break a sound barrier. EVERYBODY had to hear her within 500 miles. In our family, you respect your elders no matter what, so my cousin would just bite her tongue and respond to the witch. So, maybe it's that kind of thing - like "I have so little regard for 'your kind' that I can't be bothered to learn the respectful way by which to address you." kind of attitude. So petty and childish.

P.S. My cousin and I were born the same year. She was a few months older than me and died when we were 29. My mother and her mom said they wished it had been me instead. Fun times in my family. ;-0 I think THAT was the one and only time my mother pronounced my cousin's name correctly.

 

They don’t.
I live in London and the British differentiate differently.
Chinese people are Chinese people to the British, certainly not called ‘Asians’.

 

Well this explains alot. I'm sorry.

 

Pakistani's and Indians are "Asian" to the Brits, not to Americans.

 

All this time has passed AND NOT EVEN ONE VOTE HAS BEEN CAST?!

Then what has all the 'angst' been about in other Forum threads over the proper, academically correct use of the descriptor, "Negro"...?

 

I have already told you in other threads how I feel about the word "Negro". I don't like the word. I recall your enjoyment at calling Professor Cooper "Negro" in your thread about her.
I prefer to be called African-American. My ancestors came from Africa.
There is no continent or country named "Negro".

 

So sorry to hear this MJ Davies.

 

Thanks, Moriah. You're always so kind. I like it!

 

I do respect that. Moriah... now, please if you will, vote.

 

'Negro' means black in Spanish and Portuguese. Given that the official language of the US is English I see no reason why those who are native to the language would use the word 'negro' except to prove themselves ignorant.

Also, my 'color' is tertiary to my personhood. I would hope, therefore, that I am a person first, a nationality second and color third, if necessary.

 

Pollycy, I notice that you and another poster named Chizron use the word "doncha" in the same way. What a coincidence; it's not a common word.

 

I scanned the list of Forum members and the name "Chizron" does not appear, although there is a @Chrizton. In any event, if your imputation is that "Chizron" is some kind of construction of mine, you can always go complain to a Moderator... have fun with that....

(Hey @Chrizton -- are you me, am I you, or is this all just another tiresome distraction so often seen when someone would rather write about nearly anything but a thread's topic...?)

Now, @Moriah ... are you gonna vote or not...?

 

I did vote in your poll. Sorry if I ruffled your feathers with the comparison to another poster. I have been posting on these message boards for many years, and some things are noticeable. Every person has a unique posting style, using certain phrases and words; that's what I notice.
Doncha agree?