To not know if describing a person as coloured is politically incorrect.

[WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid]

Was talking to a friend today and I mentioned I had met one of his colleagues (but I wasn't sure who). He said. Oh was she a coloured lady?

I said yes and we each knew who it was I had met. I was a bit taken aback as you don't really hear the word coloured used anymore. But it was probably the best way to describe her (kind of Mediterranean / Indian).

Was I being too politically correct for being at the way he described her?

Obama might be black (even though hes half white) but Tiger Woods doesnt accept he's black, being 1/4 black, 1/4 white (dutch), 1/4 Native American and 1/4 Chinese Thai - So I don't subscribe to the one drop theory - which is very prevalent in the southern states as a moniker to subjugate people deliberately and keep old prejudices alive. Thats a very KKK espousal.

Terminology changes over the years. Some people don't intend to be offensive, they just haven't realised the world uses a different word now.

Basically my non white mum will think that non white people who are of african and asian origian 'coloured' herself included.

She will tell any white person who takes her up on this to generally fuck off.

Is she being racist then ?

Culture changes. What was once an acceptable name for a group now no longer is, and people get to choose their own names.

It should be fairly straightforward to keep up. I am not surprised that the white English no longer walk around behaving like people from Brief Encounter, because culture changes. So it is for everyone else. What was acceptable 50 years ago doesn't really matter; we're not living 50 years ago.

I think in this case it was not meant offensively, but was the simplest way to identify the woman of unknown name and descent.

I use black, white and honey coloured as an absolute last resort. I avoid using actual colours, because I'm so unsure what is allowed these days.

I'm currently working with a small team containing members from almost all continents. (I probably offend them daily with my inability to pronounce their names anyway.) I hope I don't have to describe any of them to anyone, as they are all very distinctive within the team in very politically incorrect ways.

What was acceptable 50 years ago doesn't really matter; we're not living 50 years ago.

Black was offensive 50 years ago - therefore to use Black if you are my age does make you double take even though it is acceptable now. And I agree words change meaning, become vogue, go out of fashion, get replaced - and eventually it will go full circle.

Nobody nowadays subscribes to the one drop theory, thankfully (well, maybe some hardcore nutters), it was mentioned to provide the historical context as to why many people in the States self-identify as black/African-American. It is because of their historical experience of racism. I'm not quite sure how you misinterpreted that.

This old lady has also used the term Jewess.
I believe no racism is involved,it's just that she has lost touch with the outside world.
She was in America in the 50s and was horrified by the segregation in washrooms and diners etc. Quite upset her.

ok, so can someone explain this to me..

many black women, particularly americans, describe themselves as a "woman of colour".. Halle Berry springs to mind as one of those...

So by saying she is "a woman of colour", does that not logically mean, she is a "coloured woman".

This has puzzled me a lot recently as I have read it so much, yet we are told quite often that describing someone as "coloured" is racist. .

I think I know what you mean TG. It is a bit like me being taught not to blaspheme when I was young; even though I'm no longer religious it still makes me twitch when I hear people blaspheming. It must be difficult for you to say things which used to be offensive and now aren't!

I have that issue with US friends, who don't like saying 'black' so I have to remember not to say it with them, even though I would say it in the UK.

how come you think "black" people think it offensive but when you actually ask them, like i did, they don't? and how come, if the term "coloured" is inherently offensive, that what term is offensive changes - what might be offensive at a certain point in time might be the (most) politically correct term a few years on? i am not assuming black/coloured people don't mind the term, i have asked them and they have told me so! you guys are making a lot of assumptions...

"Is she being racist then ?"

Yes. She is using a racist term. She is being racist through ignorance that it is offensive.

If she continues to use it, whilst aware of its offensive nature, she is being deliberately racist.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Person_of_color

"So by saying she is "a woman of colour", does that not logically mean, she is a "coloured woman"."

No.

They signify two completely different things. Basic semiotics.

Xpost ST. You are talking about a different ethnic group. Halle Berry is African American. We are talking about people who are Black British, British Asian and so on. How one ethnic group refers to themselves is irrelevant to the name of another group.

'Woman of colour' it means she is 'on the black spectrum'. Halle is mixed race and often mixed people in America refer to themselves in this way. Personally, I think its a silly phrase, but if that is how a mixed race woman wants to be referred, I am happy to do so and I think so should we all.

Coloured is old school. If a very old person (80+) used it, I might not be offended. But if anyone else should know better, really....

And I quote Halle Berry - "I'm black and I'm her mother and I believe in the one-drop theory," Berry said, referencing the 20th-century law that classified anyone as black if they had any African ancestry

She made that comment February 2011

what do they signify then? genuine question.. as I really do not see the difference.. having been brought up in the 70's/80's when describing someone as "coloured" was not in any way racist... nor did coloured or black people deem it as racist then either..

"how come you think "black" people think it offensive but when you actually ask them, like i did, they don't? "

Wow? you managed to ask every black person? Well done, chocolategateau.

That's it guys, discussion over- chcolategateau asked everybody!

Jesus.

I cant think of a single black person I know who wouldnt be offended if someone referred to them as 'coloured'.

Of course, they might not say anything at the time - perhaps they would just be too polite or too bored of the same argument over and over again - but you would be ticked off as 'racist, or a bit simple' in their heads, definitely.

Sorry about that.

No, SayBoo- you must be wrong. Chocolategateau asked everyone.

By that definition we are all black. Whole human race started in Africa.

'i am not assuming black/coloured people don't mind the term, i have asked them and they have told me so!'

Well, I am offended by it - and so are many other people so you should stop finding reasons to carry on saying it. And you don't get to decide who is allowed to be offended by something.

I don't know why people find it so hard to grasp that it's quite nasty to go stubbornly your own way when you are reliably informed that you are upsetting people. Also really annoys me when people say 'I have black friends so I'm not a racist'. Utter rubbish.

I have to say, in real life, if somebody asks me if I'm offended by their obviously offensive remark, I usually say no. Because asking me is usually part of a wider offensive point they are in the process of making.