Shocked at my friend.

Cycrow

Lily-Rose wrote: »

So many people say this pollypenny, and I am sure it's wrong too!!!

Like when people say ALUMINUM instead of ALUMINIUM (usually Americans,)

That isn't actually wrong thou, both of them are valid, there is basically 2 different names for it. Its just we tend to use one name, and the americans use the other.

Its pronounced differently because its spelt differently
the one the Americans use doesnt have the IUM at the end.

Of course there are plenty of words where they are pronounced differently but spelt the same. This just isn't one of them

Person_one

zagfles wrote: »

I reckon 'gay' is going to become politically incorrect in a few years - with it's increased slang usage as meaning 'naff' or 'rubbish'.

Hopefully, more people will start to realise that its unacceptable to use the word 'gay' that way, or as an insult, and will challenge it.

By the way, what are you basing it on when you say its 'PC' to call Chinese people black? That sounds ridiculous, and I've never heard of it. You aren't thinking of the terms BME or BAME are you?

zagfles

Person_one wrote: »

Hopefully, more people will start to realise that its unacceptable to use the word 'gay' that way, or as an insult, and will challenge it.

But that doesn't happen does it? Once words start getting used in a derogatory way eventually the word becomes derogatory itself even if used correctly. Loads of examples, !!!!!!, cripple, P*ki etc.

By the way, what are you basing it on when you say its 'PC' to call Chinese people black? That sounds ridiculous, and I've never heard of it. You aren't thinking of the terms BME or BAME are you?

No, I've heard it several times from those who like to think they are PC, and also in this thread others have mentioned it eg post #26 & #98. Of course I might be out of date.

UK0106

AubreyMac wrote: »

I have a friend who I went school with. She is 1/4 white and 3/4 black African.


Despite being 3/4 black, she is very light skinned. This is often a curiosity to those who meet her and when asked about her heritage, she tells people she is "quarter caste".

I think definitely is dependent on the personal opinion of the person being referred to.

One of my nieces and my nephews are all 3/4 white and 1/4 black, I am 1/2 black and 1/2 white, I have a large number of friends and family who fall into a plethora of different ethnicity mixtures; they all describe themselves as mixed race.

I don't actually know anybody who refers to themselves as anything "caste" although in the early 90s, when most of us were at school, "half-caste" was how we had been taught to describe ourselves. It changed as we got older and started to think more about the meaning behind the term and what it represented.

The poem, Half Caste by John Agard had a significant part to play in a lot of people I knew rejecting the term as we got older (not just those of mixed race either).

AubreyMac

zagfles wrote: »

Just shows how peoples' opinions differ about which terms are and aren't acceptable. As I mentioned before my Chinese gf was offended when referred to as 'black' even though it is apparently PC to refer to Chinese people as black! So even consulting the latest PC dictionary won't necessarily mean you won't offend!

Black people might feel insulted that she is offended at being called black.


You see how ridiculous this could get?

Alikay

UK0106 wrote: »

The poem, Half Caste by John Agard had a significant part to play in a lot of people I knew rejecting the term as we got older (not just those of mixed race either).

That is the poem I linked to in my earlier post.
I'm very surprised that anyone who's been in work, education, or done any volunteering over the last 20-odd years has managed to dodge any training or awareness session on diversity. I can understand people of 80+ who don't read, watch TV or mix with younger people holding archaic views on race, sexuality, gender etc but anyone else must be making a determined effort to stick in the past!

AubreyMac

UK0106 wrote: »

I think definitely is dependent on the personal opinion of the person being referred to.

One of my nieces and my nephews are all 3/4 white and 1/4 black, I am 1/2 black and 1/2 white, I have a large number of friends and family who fall into a plethora of different ethnicity mixtures; they all describe themselves as mixed race.

I don't actually know anybody who refers to themselves as anything "caste" although in the early 90s, when most of us were at school, "half-caste" was how we had been taught to describe ourselves. It changed as we got older and started to think more about the meaning behind the term and what it represented.

The poem, Half Caste by John Agard had a significant part to play in a lot of people I knew rejecting the term as we got older (not just those of mixed race either).

Whatever is acceptable now could change over time.


Sometimes people just can not win either way, I think the person in the receiving end of being labelled should just accept what was well intended. If you're going to correct people all the time it's going to be exhausting.


My nephew has disabilities, one of his conditions has over time been used to describe someone who is very thick/dumb/slow/not intelligent. When my sister and her family went to an attraction, the assistant managing the queue has to inform someone on the radio that 'a wheelchair was coming through'. Though my sister said nothing as she know the assistant wasn't meaning to sound offensive, she is upset that her son is seen as a 'wheelchair' and not a person. I can understand her upset, and can see how it is at times humiliating. It breaks my heart too


On the subject of disability, a 'disabled toilet' technically means a toilet that doesn't work.

AubreyMac

Alikay wrote: »

That is the poem I linked to in my earlier post.
I'm very surprised than anyone who's been in work, education, or done any volunteering over the last 20-odd years has managed to dodge any training or awareness session on diversity. I can understand people of 80+ who don't read, watch TV or mix with younger people holding archaic views on race, sexuality, gender etc but anyone else must be making a determined effort to stick in the past!

I don't find those training very helpful as it's never a 'one size fits all' rule.

heuchera

merlin68 wrote: »

Why on earth do people believe this rubbish, my Aunt is terribly racist as well.

Perhaps they read it in the Mail or the Sun. Or maybe they heard it from someone down the pub, you know what people are like once gossip starts.

Maybe someone who happened to be black got some work done and someone white didn't, for perfectly legitimate reasons, but Chinese whispers and suddenly you've got people saying you've got to be black to get your house fixed.

Alikay

AubreyMac wrote: »

I don't find those training very helpful as it's never a 'one size fits all' rule.

The quality definitely varies, but simply putting aside some time for the issues usually stimulates thought, discussion and an interest in our attitudes to those we share the planet with.