So when did the word "colored"

Mrs.JKforever

become acceptable? Last night as I was leaving work one of my students (white canadian) in the class decided she wanted to hold a casual conversation with me at 9pm like I didn't have a 2 hour drive home. Anyway somehow the conversation turned to traveling and I mentioned that I really wanted to be chosen for this 2 week summer work study in Ireland... so here is how the convo went.Me: I really want to attend this 2 week work study in Ireland this summer.Student: well be careful because in England they do not like coloreds and Ireland is no better.  They feel the way we (Americans) feel about Mexicans, they just want to come and still our jobs.  Also there aren't any coloreds in Ireland, I live ther for an entire 6 months and didn't see not one colored person.Me: well you seem comfortable using the word "colored" but I could have sworn that specific terminology was outdated and we are now using "African Americans" or simply "blacks". (all while smiling)Me: Well anyway we coloreds don't mind integrating.  Maybe some of our intelligence will rub off on them and allow them to see what ingnorant jackass they are.Student: I am just telling it like it isMe: Thats find to do that but try and add a bit of intelligence with it.  Have a good night.Now don't get me wrong I was not angry or upset about her choice of words, its just that I think she was hiding her racism behind an entire country. I honestly don't think that the people in England or Ireland will treat minorities differently especially when a lot of people have reported that they have had an awesome time in both locations.

MIABRIDENTAMPA

WTF!!! She so would not be passing my class this term. j/k Some people will never evolve to maturity, sometimes ignorance is their bliss.....

Ladysun083

**re-reading post**  ok, im speechless, I cant get past the point that she is comfortably using "coloreds" in a casual conversation??

miss2mrscj

WTF!!!! Just plain ignorant. I think you told her just right. Maybe she'll think twice before saying the word colored again...UGH!!!

KimRhone

Coloreds?? She needs to be given an "F" just for saying that to you. I totally agree with what you said about her hiding her racism behind a whole country. It is so hard to believe that people are still so ignorant.

brobin01

whhhhaaaaattttttttttttttttttttt!

alfdallas21

What???????...I'm so confused by her camoflauged racism of saying "coloreds" as though that's a cool word.  Your comments to her were very well spoken and informative however I'm sure it went into one ear and out the other with her since she was soooo comfortable using that word IN YOUR PRESENCE!1st - if she's your student I assume she's UNDER the age of 65 which means she knows damn well the PC term for people of African decent is "AA" or simply "blacks"!2nd - the people of England and Ireland maybe racist again ANY minority including blacks BUT I can't tell by the number of inter-racial marriages and children that are born in England as well as Ireland!3rd - she probably didn't see any blacks while in Ireland cuz she was probably making a point not to!!4th - most (AA) do not feel that way about Mexicans or any other foreigner....however, we do get pissed off when any foreigner comes over here and think they all of that and then DEMAND civil rights and benefits all the while they continue to send our dollars home to their families without wanting to pay taxes!!the nerve of some people trying to cover up their issues and use a broad brush to generalize everyone else into their way of thinking....well that's my $0.02 on the matter - I'm done...LOL! 

MrClintonsFirstLady09

First off "colored" has been extinct for years, where the hell has she been since then? I didn't even think they still said colored. And to further show her ignorance, in England we have pretty much made our presence known in that country. There are "coloreds" all over England. Where in the hell did she hear that England don't like blacks? And as for Ireland, well if they don't like us it was never made public knowledge. But when my daughter's father went to that part of the country damn near his whole squadron was black with maybe 20 whites but he said he had a great time there. And was not treated badly at all. I think personally there is prejudice in all countries but they learn to accept, adapt and move on. I think it was unintelligent on her part to even hold that type of discussion with you.

OFF

OK I'll be odd man out. A lot of countries use colored since African American really is an American term. They may use just black too but colored is still out there. Yes, it's antiquated to us but these countries have not going through the race problem/growth that we have over the last century. Many are just starting to deal with their minority populations whatever they maybe. Also, a lot of European countries don't like blacks but this has more to do with Africans than it has to do with American blacks. She was right to warn you to be careful. Just because a place has a lot of blacks doesn't mean that country is all warm and friendly towards us. Both Ireland and Britain have seen a rise in Nationalists groups and have had increased racial violence in some areas, but again this is often directed toward minorities who are there rather than tourists. I'm sure your student didnt mean to offend you she was just offering what she thought was helpful advice.

trevette1981

I'm not at all surprised. I had this happen when I taught 7th grade. A student used the word and the black students got outraged and I was shocked. I took him aside and explained the word to use. Anywho, later on, daddy wants to come up to the school to beat me up, but the principal handled it. It ticks me off to this day. I'm trying to help the child and he wanted to fight me? Please. I'm country, I wish that man would have.  

Deidra123

Ditto to everything the pp said.  I wouldn't sweat it.  People use different terms in different places.  Just b/c the US decided that we are now going to be called AAs doesn't mean that the rest of the world is supposed to follow us.  Heck, we change what we are called every 20-30 years.  Also, like the pp said, most Europeans have a big influence from Africa, where they still use the term sometimes.  Finally, there really isn't anything offensive about being called "colored," is there? 

Mrs.JKforever

Didn't bother me one iota, just wanted to correct her in a sense.  Also one can't really speak for a country that they only lived in briefly.  What I have learned is that different people accept being called things that would offend other people. So to each his own.

tamtam7

I think OFF raised an interesting and valid point.  But it was my understanding from your post that your student was American but lived in Ireland for a few months.  In which case, I do not believe it is acceptable to use the term colored.  We moved away from colored a long time ago, she should keep up with the times.  I think that you were correct in correcting her choice of words (and I loooove the way you handled the situation).  Even if we change the term that we are called a million times, I think that people should respect that.  I work with people with disabilities and it infuriates me when people use the "R" word because it is so demeaning towards the people that I support and advocate for.  Even though the term historically and even today is used in medical diagnosis, advocates for the disability community are trying to promote a more "person first" awareness so that people focus on the person, not the disability.  Thus, the more acceptable term is a person with a disability.  I say all of that to to say that words hurt, and words have meaning, and people in a particular disenfranchised group have a right to assert the words or classifications that they are most comfortable with and that they think most adequately define who they are.  Although, I do agree with OFF that there is racial tension among blacks and whites in other parts of the world and I have heard that some Irish people are very racist.  However, I think it will be a great experience nonetheless and I hope that you are selected for the study.  You'll have to keep us posted. 

Lovie 129

England is not like that at all. There are some parts that are more "spirited" than others, but they like everyone for the most part. Many Africans go to England to study, most blacks are upwardly mobile. Not to mention the huge part hip hop plays in London. She may not be on crack, but she has some crackish ways of thinking.Your conversation was on point.

feleciae19

WOW!! Is she for real? Maybe she is a little racist and she should have choosen her words more carefully. My brother went to Ireland this summer and had a great time. I do not remember him saying any thing about being bothered by anyone. I think you really have to watch your back no matter  where you go these days.

mrzsprinklez

It seems like young white people use that word a lot. I worked with a girl who thought that it was okay to use that word. I actually took her aside and told her that was not okay and that she shouldn't use that word cause not all AA ppl are as nice as me (lol). She really seemed like she didn't know that she wasn't supposed to say that. Since then, i've noticed the use of the word colored a few times.. You'd think they'd know better, but *shrugs* who knows..

ishawnamcm

Everyone brings up some interesting and valid points... Regardless of how you feel about what someone has said, it's all about how you react.  You handled that with class all the way!!! Sweet, nasty and sarcastic... Shame tho cuz it seems all of it went right ova her head.  Some people just lack common sense and people skills...