Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder why people still use this word.

372 replies

Creepycrawler · 30/04/2023 16:30

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?

OP posts:
ShowUs · 30/04/2023 17:26

I’m 32 and was always bought up to say it.

Obviously I’d never say it now but some people still do.

The content of what they are saying depends on whether it’s offensive or not.

E.g. My friend was talking about how pretty a new colleague is and said she’s half cast with green eyes. There was nothing racist about it.

It’s about education.
If someone is in a white area and has no non who’re friends or family they not be aware that it’s now an offensive term just like ‘coloured’.

willWillSmithsmith · 30/04/2023 17:27

I haven’t heard that phrase for many many years. Some of the older generations (I’m thinking 80+) would probably still use it but I can’t imagine anyone under 60s using it.

The mention by someone else of dual heritage seems strange as dual means two but people could be a mx of more than two.

2bazookas · 30/04/2023 17:27

I don't think this woman made the comment intentionally but surely people know by now not to use it?

Evidently not, unless you make the effort to correct them every time (instead of walking away to sit somewhere else). IME the vast majority of mis-speaking is sheer clumsiness by people trying to avoid saying "coloured", or "black". Lets just say, I never had to tell the same person twice....

Male101 · 30/04/2023 17:28

Whenever I hear the term halfcaste at work its usually followed by me sayin "oi. Its mixed race you racist" obviously its semi lighthearted and more of a reminder times have changed

SongsThatBoughtTheHouseAndCars · 30/04/2023 17:29

I think there’s a few posters who are enjoying getting to use this term along with other offensive terms on this thread, all in the name of just discussing it of course. 🙄

VivaLesTartes · 30/04/2023 17:29

I think the only time I have ever heard it is when we studied the Poem of that name at school in literature, really to talk about the use of it but as it was an outdated offensive term. I have never heard it said irl I think tbh I would be a bit shocked if someone did use it a d have to say something.

Original poster
Creepycrawler · 30/04/2023 17:30

Seriously79 · 30/04/2023 17:25

This isn't meant to be inflammatory, but what is the correct terminology to use?

I've heard both half caste and mixed race used, and I'd hate to cause offence through my own ignorance.

I and my family have no problem with the term mixed race. DD has been called the N word on several occasions too. That word is horrible and I do not understand why it's still OK for it to be used or 'reclaimed' by anyone black or white.

Some people will refer to my children as 'black'. They are not because I am white.
I've not come across anyone who thinks mixed race is not acceptable.

OP posts:
Tulipvase · 30/04/2023 17:30

I thought half caste was specific to people from India, due to the caste system.

But yes, certainly not a word to be used.

nakeklak · 30/04/2023 17:30

Can someone explain to an absolute idiot like me why it's offensive? I could probably guess but it would be just that, a guess

Katherine1985 · 30/04/2023 17:31

olderthanyouthink · 30/04/2023 16:40

Dual heritage does not work if you have more than two... I've not heard POC say they don't like mixed race though

Show quote history

Exactly what I was coming on to say about dual heritage not covering all situations

Justathrowawaycomment · 30/04/2023 17:31

I remember the day I found out HC was no long appropriate, I used it (as a description, absolutely not meant in offence) in 1999, someone corrected me. And from then on I knew not to use the term again.

Horrifyingly, 1999 was 24 years ago. So I presume that's about the time the wording changed in South London.

CurlewKate · 30/04/2023 17:31

"My friend was talking about how pretty a new colleague is and said she’s half cast with green eyes. There was nothing racist about it."

Er-yes there was!

ThankYouMama · 30/04/2023 17:32

Sorry you've had to experience this.

I have two mixed raced sons (I'm white) I've never used to the word, I also find it very offence!

As of yet, nobody has referred my children as "half caste" but if and when it does happen, I will definitely make it known to the person that the term is unacceptable.

CherryCokeFanatic · 30/04/2023 17:34

Wap the John Agard poem out whenever it is uttered

MidlandCatGirl · 30/04/2023 17:36

I was at school in the 80’s and we were told by the teachers that ‘half caste’ was a polite and accepted description.

Of course times and attitudes have changed and I would never use that terminology now (and haven’t for many many years) however I know that a number of people around my age would still use the term and not realise the offence and upset it would cause.

Maireas · 30/04/2023 17:37

ThankYouMama · 30/04/2023 17:32

Sorry you've had to experience this.

I have two mixed raced sons (I'm white) I've never used to the word, I also find it very offence!

As of yet, nobody has referred my children as "half caste" but if and when it does happen, I will definitely make it known to the person that the term is unacceptable.

Same here, we use "mixed heritage"
I haven't heard half caste for decades!

LBFseBrom · 30/04/2023 17:37

Justathrowawaycomment · 30/04/2023 17:31

I remember the day I found out HC was no long appropriate, I used it (as a description, absolutely not meant in offence) in 1999, someone corrected me. And from then on I knew not to use the term again.

Horrifyingly, 1999 was 24 years ago. So I presume that's about the time the wording changed in South London.

I too am a S Londoner. I first heard it corrected around 1983-84.

YouWithoutEnd · 30/04/2023 17:37

Mischance · 30/04/2023 16:37

It is not easy to keep up frankly. Things change - what is acceptable one year is not the next. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and look at their intentions. It is very easy to say the wrong word inadvertently.

I remember being told about 30 years ago in primary school about why “half-caste” wasn’t acceptable, so I’d hope there’d been at least some opportunity to keep up with that in the intervening time.

Familyfoods · 30/04/2023 17:37

This is the first I’ve heard about it being inappropriate/offensive, though I have noticed that my town has absolutely no diversity in it so it could be that.

Tulipsemerging · 30/04/2023 17:38

Mixed race ....tut tut @Creepycrawler really not on to use that. don't you know that another word is now considered more polite.

Some people may not stay up to date with what is the correct term that is acceptable. Different cultures, different languages all use slightly different terms.

Maireas · 30/04/2023 17:40

I've noticed that in the USA they use "biracial", which I don't like because, like pp have said - the human race is one race.

willWillSmithsmith · 30/04/2023 17:41

Creepycrawler · 30/04/2023 17:30

I and my family have no problem with the term mixed race. DD has been called the N word on several occasions too. That word is horrible and I do not understand why it's still OK for it to be used or 'reclaimed' by anyone black or white.

Some people will refer to my children as 'black'. They are not because I am white.
I've not come across anyone who thinks mixed race is not acceptable.

Show quote history

I watched a documentary with some very famous, very successful, very rich black singers and they were all calling each other the N word. I was really shocked as I can’t understand why such an offensive and disrespectful word is being reclaimed (or at least used very freely) by them. I know now that it seems acceptable as long as you’re black but I also know that a lot of black people don’t like it. It seems to me to give mixed messages - it’s ok but it’s not ok🤷‍♀️, (but admittedly I am white so may be shouldn’t have an opinion on it). Personally I have never used the word and am sorry your children have had to endure that.

Familyfoods · 30/04/2023 17:42

nakeklak · 30/04/2023 17:30

Can someone explain to an absolute idiot like me why it's offensive? I could probably guess but it would be just that, a guess

I just googled it and caste means pure, so it’s saying they’re only half pure

Spring2008 · 30/04/2023 17:42

Sadly people still do.
I find it offensive when people throw the "m" word about as I have a child with Down's Syndrome, and amazingly some people still use the term mentally handicapped which makes me feel physically sick.
The same when I hear the "R" word as my son can't speak.

Male101 · 30/04/2023 17:42

CurlewKate · 30/04/2023 17:31

"My friend was talking about how pretty a new colleague is and said she’s half cast with green eyes. There was nothing racist about it."

Er-yes there was!

I'd disagree it was racist. Ignorant maybe.

There no nastiness, hatred or prejudice in what she said . Just sloppy in using a very outdated term