To not know 'Spook' is a racist term?

[YeahBuddy]

My local police have a Facebook page which they use to update 'likers' on different issues, open days, schemes to cut crime etc. So a few days ago the update was about Halloween, basically saying to have fun dressing up and celebrating Halloween but they would be keeping an eye on things. The word 'spooks' was used, as in 'we will deal with any spooks that get out of hand' or words to that effect. Somebody commented that the post was racist, that the word 'spook' was a racist term and that he would be making a formal complaint. The post was quickly taken down and an edited version put back on about five minutes later with an apology for any offence caused.

I didn't know spook was a racist term though, I've never heard/seen it used in that context. I'm 24, is it an older slur or is it more an American term?

Yes, I knew this, friends went to America in the early 1980s and I remember them coming back and mentioning it.

I'm not sure I've heard it much since so it may have dropped out of common usage since then.

I've never heard of it being racist before.

I've heard of a similar UK/US differentiation over uppity though. Here uppity just means uppity. In the US apparently it has racist connotations as African Americans "getting above their station" were referred to as "uppity n***s". I saw a huge online row once with all the Brits wondering what the problem was and the US posters getting increasingly angry!

tazzle22 (just following on from your comment) It was obviously a reference to Halloween, I can't remember exactly what the post said but there were references to ghouls and ghosts as well. I'm pretty sure I recognise the bloke who was complaining as a regular on the page who makes stupid comments about the police spending most of their time at KFC, that sort of thing. Anything could be taken as an 'ist' if you want to think about it hard enough.

Oh fecking hell - how utterly ridiculous of the complainant, unless of course you live in Connecticut?

Northamptonshire hmc

I only know it from Back to the Future, when the bullies are trying to intimidate the band at the High School dance! I realised it was racist from the context but tbh never really thought about it. Not used in the UK at all.