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?

Person of colour is a pc term used in the US to denote non white. It isn't the same as coloured. Language in the UK differs from the US but the intention is the same- to avoid causing offence.

I don't fully understand the one drop theory as it is again an American concept related to specifically American history, but surely it is an indivifual's right to subscribe to it or not?

Is there a PC way of describing someones skin colours? pink, yellow, honey, ... or is everyone who is not white, therefore black?

Good point, clothesofsand.

Anyone remember David Brent in 'The Office'? 'Well if he doesn't mind us laughing at him what's the problem?'

But when I was growing up you did say 'coloured' as opposed to 'black' and even in the early 1980s I can remember a Uni friend from that backwater that used to be East Anglia referring to someone black as being a 'darkie' -

It beggars belief now but I think it depends on age/where one lives etc.....

Not right but it does still happen..... and we even know school families of dual heritage where the (white) mums use what would be perceived as racist comments about their own children/grandchildren - not kidding about this either!

suburbophobe you cannot compare the racial history of America to the U.K.

I never said that. I am European, neither from UK or American, and my son's dad is African.

What UK/USA is in there? I do know the history of both...

What I tried to say is it's not JUST about UK or USA but a whole big world out there with all kinds of mixes.

I only mentioned Barack Obama as an example of not being recognised as dual race...

Halle Berry is obviously referring to the fact that anybody with 'one drop' of black 'blood' experienced racism historically, and she uses the term black in that political context- it is a way of standing alongside oppressed peoples. It does not mean that she is a racist. The one drop theory was originally coined by racists to justify exclusion and segregation. When I say that nobody believes in that theory any more, I mean from that perspective: you don't find the American government arguing that people should be racially segregated in public bathrooms etc. any more. I didn't realise you weren't making that distinction, so I can see the confusion now (I think).

Tulip
I would use, white, black, south Asian, south east Asian, native American, Maori, Arab, or whatever relevant term. It's not racist to acknowledge a person's ethic background.

if you know coloured is offensive and still use it of course you are being racist, you are basically saying fuck you i do not care what you want to call yourself i shall do as i please

i am surprised it is still used (especially by those under 50ish), i do hear it occaionally usually be people who are desperately trying not to come over as being racist but they are still ignorant, i make a point of saying your mean asian/black

chocolategateau - you fool.

My dcs' are mixed race black/white.

When dd1 (now 25) was 7 and at school,she had the following conversation with a little white boy.

Boy: "You're the colour of dogshit"
DD: "Really? Well when dogshit goes old and dry it goes white,so that means so are you"

I just thought I would tell you that...this thread just made me remember it.

Is there a PC way of describing someones skin colours?

I always get red the first day on the beach....

I think the reason he said coloured was because she is not black so obviously describing her as black wouldn't have helped. She didn't really look Indian or Mediterranean but maybe a mix.

It was because her looks were hard to pin down. He certainly didn't mean any offense but it did sound so odd to hear someone using that word to describe someone.

No excuses, the term coloured is racist. I take it your friend knows not to use other offensive terms? Wog, nigger, sambo, etc? Better tell her before she gets herself in serious trouble.

ooooh FUCKING HELL - I think these days the idea of multiculturalism (even in London) is so fucking skewed.

Highly grateful I was brought up in a properly multicultural UK family in the late 60's and early 70's. And there were lots of similar families- where have they gone!

It shouldn't be necessary or relevant to discuss the actual colour of a person's skin. People with a dark tan are often white. Why is it an issue?

Friend is a man

Should we even really be having this conversation in multi-cultural Britain? So much has changed in some part of the UK (particularly London) since the 1960's/1970's and 1980's that race should not what defines a person at all....

Exactly, gazzel. What defines a person for me, first and foremost is the way that they behave, what they do and what they say.

Perception

He had to describe a women I had only met for 2 minutes 3 days ago. Describing her appearance was necessary (although the used of coloured was a little shocking).

Maybe then you could have focussed upon job title, location or acheivements rather than trying to describe the person based upon their skin colour. Not being snippy - just something you might want to consider for the future if you find ethnicity and race uncomfortable to deal with. It would cut out a lot of umming and aahing about what words to use.

FWIW I would find 'coloured' very shocking from someone under 60. Don't defend it!

Oh jesus this thread is hilarious - even goes into people saying things who might or might not look of certain races.

This is why my family would never ever engage with so called mn experts on race, culture and racism.

Wierdo thread.

Not our culture. God help britain.

I met a proper racist once. He decided to describe a young black woman in every racist term he could think of (on purpose, to provoke me) he called her 'a nignog, a darkie, a coloured, a sambo, a wog' that is the league of unpleasantness in which coloured dwells.

Better tell HIM then but i guess he is the typical racist coward and is selective about whom he deems as coloured.

He might end up in hospital otherwise if he survives.

Christ, giveitago- you think there are experts on race, culture and racism?

This is just common sense, isn't it?

Can you tell us what's wrong with Britain? Id love to know.

I didn't know her job title or achievements (or anything else about her). And I have already said HIS description shocked me a little and I started this thread asking if it was out of order to use this term.