to wonder why people still use this word.

[Creepycrawler]

Half caste

My children are mixed race and my son when to his friend's house for a sleepover last night.
I was chatting to the mum when she used this term about another boy who '' is half caste as well''. Luckily, my son was in the car and didn't hear.
I was recently in hospital and having a conversation with someone who also used the term and I excused myself to go outside and sat somewhere else.

... And it's not just here. Several years ago H' s (Nigerian) aunty visited from Africa and used the term. We were both very uncomfortable and H told her we don't use that word.

Do people really not understand that it's offensive?

There is still a lot of racism where we live now (South Wales) and we get a lot of it at school ( where I work). I don't think this woman made the comment intentionally but surely people know by now not to use it?

My son's Dad said half-caste to one of my neighbours I was mortified. I can't remember who said it first me or my neighbour but we just educated him that we don't use that any more. He meant no malice with his comment and as soon as it was explained to him that its not appropriate language any more he took it on board and we had a quite sensible conversation about the evolution of language.

It was used regularly when I was growing up in the 60s but it wasn't considered complimentary even back then - you wouldn't say it to someone's face for example (altho' better than some of the alternatives). YANBU.

You might be interested to know that, in Australia, the term 'half-caste' is an extremely loaded, colonialist term. It was used previously as a pejorative towards indigenous people and a tool to take their children, land and possessions. From a government guideline on reconciliation:

"Assimilationist terms such as ‘full-blood,’ ‘half-caste’ and ‘quarter-caste’ are extremely offensive and should never be used when referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples."

If I heard the term casually used in conversation, I would be astonished.

It's extremely loaded in the UK as well. Actually, unacceptable.
I haven't heard it for decades, fortunately.

Dual Heritage isn't necessarily correct though. My x's mother was adopted (but not white). She wasn't dual anything. she was raised in English, spoke English, had an English name, knew no other 'heritage'.

Who, or what group decides that a term is no longer acceptable or that a new descriptor is "right"?

Half caste is totally unacceptable and I would and have challenged anybody using the word.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with mixed race, at all.

No one has said on this thread that they are mixed race and find this term offensive. Dual heritage is a total red herring. Mixed race is fine.

You don’t need to mention that someone has slightly darker skin because their parents were of different races at all. It has no relevance to anything. Even mentioning it is offensive, whatever term you use.

Another phrase that should be avoided now (as advised on the inclusion and diversity course btw) is 'ladies and gentlemen' if for e.g. there was a speech being given and you were greeting your audience. This could offend anyone who doesn't identify as male or female and they'll feel forgotten or left out. So it's now welcome 'everyone' here this evening etc

My cousins use the term half caste to describe themselves. I think it's up to the individual person to choose how they describe themselves.

The fact that you're having to Google to support the point you think you have is interesting.

Tommynever, I'd be interested to know if you are mixed race or dual heritage and if you find the term offensive.
At the end of the day, anyone can write an article and post it online. What is far more important and affirmative is real life experiences of people today hence my question above.

Um, earlier in the thread people were arguing: you can't judge these things based on the views of the few people you know ("that's no excuse"), you have to research them.

So I researched this term and found that many people do find "mixed race" an offensive racist term.

Now I'm told "it can't be", 'cos there are a few posters in this thread who are not offended by it.

Ha, I'll let you sort it out for yourselves. But I won't be using the term "mixed race" from now on, because I'm aware that many regard it as offensive.

Keep using offensive terms if you like, creepycrawler. But you can no longer "claim ignorance".

Be interesting for you to have this conversation with my family who refer to themselves as such. You are telling them they are being offensive to themselves. 🙄

It may be offensive to some and I am sure there are people who may be offended. I don't claim ignorance but I won't be telling my family what they should refer to themselves as. That's their decision not yours or anyone else's.

If someone prefers dual heritage then that us what I'll refer to them as but frankly that sounds more offensive to me as I come from a very mixed heritage myself and you cannot assume others don't.

You didn't answer my question though.

Why?

I think the context is most important. If someone is belittling another cos of "dual heritage" or any other term it becomes racist. I am 100% celtic heritage and personally I would be aware half caste is offensive so i think its a matter of explaining this to someone rather than reading into it.

Anyone remember a few years ago a high st shop caused controversy using the word monkey. I read this bewildered and it took a while for the penny to drop that it was a term used against Africans but i had never heard this. The previous day I had been messing with kids on the monkey bars in the pre school where I work, which is very public. I was egging them on calling them monkeys when they took turns. 1 Nigerian child was particularly good and kept going back and I was shouting "X is a monkey!!" for all to hear. I was so upset to think someone may have misunderstood. Makes me laugh now.

I've never heard any who is mixed race get offended when someone uses the term mixed race .

@TommyNever how can you say 'many people find mixed race offensive' based on one telnet search, yet claim just 'a few people on this thread' are ok with it???

Internet search!!

You may like to contribute to the faux pas thread currently ongoing in Chat!