I could be wrong, but I thought "Coloured" (rather old fashioned phrase to say the least) covered all non-white races, not specifically afro-Caribbean descent. Could you clarify for me?

Basically my point was that calling someone a racist by the words they use is ridiculous, and is picking up on something that may not be there. The basis of racism is the intent and the belief behind the words, and cannot be combated (and may even be propagated) by blackballing certain words. Hell, the black community have reclaimed the "n" words, the gay community have reclaimed the "f" word, and I'll happily be called a Spic by my mates, so it can't the words in and of themselves that are the problem. One should look at what is meant, and not the words.

Rusty Lee would walk it.

Good post

I thought in the US the term "person of color" was a PC term for non-white?

Your husband has never heard of one of the most pernicious systems of oppression in the history of humanity: apartheid. I suppose your husband has never heard of Nelson Mandela either?

Get your husband to use the internet and read up about how people were categorised and stigmatised according to their skin colour : one category being coloured.

Or perhaps he should read about segregation in the 60s in America where there were special drinking fountains for Coloureds Only so that they could not contaminate Whites Only drinking fountains with their melanin.

I assume your husband does not know the social history of this country either, about a time not so long ago when notices were put into the windows of boarding houses declaring No Coloureds and No Dogs.

When your husband has finishing reading up on the subject, I hope he understands why coloured is such a highly provocative term when used by someone who does not consider the term as applying to themselves.

I assume your husband has no black or asian friends, otherwise they would have had a quiet word with him about just how offensive he must appear to others.

Has anyone considered the fact that the people who have won big brother have done so on their appeal to the general public rather than the colour of their skin?
It would be the same as judging marathon athletes who have won over the previous years; do they win cause of their ethnic background [Ethiopian etc] or just the plain simple fact that they are a better athlete than all the others in that group.
I personally think the thread was partially started with the intent on sparking a heated debate rather than making a true observation!

Its a shame this thread was hijacked to make the original poster look bad, especially when his post was one I think non-caucasian(??) posters would have found very interesting. I think the UK only has about 12% non-white population so many people dont have much contact to find out what the preferred term is (especially when the original term logically isnt offensive).

I dont know how the origins of "coloured" became offensive. I will take a guess that it was a term originating from govenrment agencies to describe non-whites. "Black" (if thats the preferred term) was probably chosen as a sign of liberation from being termed by others or whatever.

But the fact is I dont think there is anything racist about the word coloured. I doubt the BNP shout it at non-whites. Its become offensive because "black" is the chosen term by the community and invokes liberation or whatever, so fair enough you use that term once you know. IIRC, The main "black" movement in America, behind a lot of the equal-rights struggle in the 60s, is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

onto the great point originally asked, I dont think racism is to do with non-whites(??) not winning yet. Im sure there are black(?) people well capable of charming the voters. I suppose there is a question about if the likes of Victor, Lee, Adele and Lisa were displaying "encouraged" traits(??) in their(?) community that dont go down well in the white community(??) (be "cool"). The upside of being "cool" is being seen as "cool". Is there a possible downside in a 24/7 viewing level ?

Anouska was very unlucky to go first but maybe would have fizzled out (the panto was tough going for her). I dont think Victor had a chance of winning. I liked Mel. Dean was ok but boring but was the last of the extras to go in his BB . Ahmed was a BB great but awful . Alison was awful. Lee was boring.

But Im sure there are many non-whites who could win it easy on personality. Im surprised how few non-whites have been on the show but then a lot of areas have a very small non-white community and the way the auditions go, it would maybe be unfair to use positive discrimination (non-whites making up about 12% of the population ?). Im sure they want more non-whites on the show as a rule.

You hyave given me permission to call you by that term That is entirely different from your using a term of racial abuse at me without my permission.

If you really think using the N word to an afro-american would be acceptable, would you be happy to be alone in a room with Mike Tyson and say it to his face?

Evil me, I am off repenting my sins.

excellent post.

So now we all know exactly why the term "coloured" is no longer in acceptable use.

http://www.naacp.org/

These people seem happy with the word.

Hi Red Duck,

I'm not trying to stir anything up here - just genuinely interested and you seem to be knowledgable about the subject.. I seem to remember reading about I'm black and I'm proud and I think this had something to do with black people winning the term black for themselves.. could briefly remind me about this please..

You rather seem to have missed the point of what I was saying. The word is not important, the intent is. The sooner that people learn that, the better. That applies to black people, white people and in-betweenies like me.

Floella Benjamin would romp home.

I was so happy not having forgotten the english u, now see what happened. If I would have forgotten that U I would have been slated for being americanised and that proper english is ou.

In short - your husband is scum

or is it the people that try to make others feel that way the real scum?

Definition
ethnic minority noun [C]
a national or racial group living in a country or area which contains a larger group of people of a different race or nationality

Right then, hope you come back fully repented

I am busy checking myself for 666 tattoos/marks.

Hi thanks for a comprehensive answer.

I saw in a documentary once about the aparteid in South Africa, that if you were

"Black" you were black.

"White" you were white.

If you were a mixture of both, you were "Coloured"

When I grew up in the 1960's and 70's we were taught these were acceptable, and we were to stop using words like "darkies" or "n*****s".

I personally, don't subscribe to any of these terms, people are people to me. Yes, we're different, and that's what makes us unique.

I have a friend who lost all his hair as a child, and was mercilessly teased by everyone, (including coloureds!!! ) and nowadays, he very popular with the ladies for his 'cueball noggin'

We have so much hypocracy in this country with pc bullsh*t, it's alright for the tabloids to call the French 'frogs' and the Germans 'krauts' but woe betide the man or woman who uses an unfashionable word. The PC police will jump down his or her throat.

I travelled once to the Derbyshire area, and everyone uses the word "Duckie" or "Ducks" as a term of endearment. If you called someone that in my neighbourhood, you are as good as calling them 'Queer' or 'Gay'. Expect an endearing smack in the mouth!

I'm sure the OP didn't mean anything bad by his post, but it amazes me how quick we are to condemn him.

LOL

I was dreading seeing it getting quoted fully server-space etc

I wouldn't be happy alone in a room with Mike Tyson saying anything - but then that's because he's a violent meathead rapist. Unfortunately, they come in all colours.

I am sure you would be all ear.