why is it bad to call a black man negro, but ok to call a white man, white?
142052
The word "negro" is Spanish for black.  The word "nigger", which is used to degrade an entire race of people, comes from the word negro.  So, negro is usually frowned upon.  \n\nIn general, white people are not called "blanco", which is Spanish for white.  \n\n"Negro" has a negative connotation and is reminiscent of the days of Jim Crow.
580466
Negro means black.\nNig_ger comes from negro - but it was used in a very hateful way during the slave times. Even now racists use it to put down someone because they are black. It means much more than just black - it means "stupid, ugly, bad, etc.." so if someone says nig_ger to a black person, they just insulted them.\n\nNow - the blacks co-opted this term and started using it amongst themselves, so it would not hurt so much. In modern times, it became Nig_ga. However, even though they use it among themselves (because they know one black guy doesn't mean all the insults behind it when he calls another black guy nig_ga), they don't like it if another group calls them that - coz they can't be sure if it's friendly or a racist insult.
493261
I refer to my self as white.  and when I am talking about a black guy I say, that black dude.  It just sounds too touchy feely to say African American,   and hey what if they are cuban!!!    just grow up poeple, these are not insults!  Blacks are black, whites are white, and asians, um ok their just asian. and all latinos, sorry Im from california your all mexicans!
193854
Well, I have been discrminiated against and racially profiled. I am a militray wife and been just about every where and because of my fair skin I have been assumed to be Everything but, black. Because they say I "sound" white. Many people are under the assumption that all black people are "brown skinned". NOT TRUE. we come in different shades. I am mixed with Seminole Indian, African American, German and Irish. Despite of my many mixed nationalities I am abdominatly "Black". But, it's ashame to see that people still use the "N" word even within the black community. But, as soon as a person of a different race says it, it's offending. So, why call eachother that. It is a sticky discussion and can go on for years to come.
1140860
I think your point is that "reverse racism" is on the upswing.  But that's not to say it's more prevailant.  Just that it's less taboo, therfore, more visable.  \n\nOn TV, for example:  we'd see blacks making fun of a white boy calling him "Opie" & that seems socially acceptable, but you'd never see, on TV, a white man calling a black man "Buckwheat" or "Amos."  \n\nBut I'm sure there are a lot of guys making such jokes in private.
731074
I guess I should be called then African German?  Never heard that one before.  But I don't mind either African American or black, I usually use black.  I don't know what the big problem is for white people to call us black?  We call you white (even though you are more light-pinkish) and we are not really black but different shades of brown, so what's the big issue?\nWhite people, it is not a crime to say "Black" or "African American".  Just don't call us "Colored" people, we are not in the 60s.  That's all.  I always have to laugh when white people look at me and ask me, is it ok if I say "African American" or black.  Please, come on, do black people really get upset about that?
834730
Well I think saying you have "black pride" is just as bad as saying "white pride", you should specifically say what your heritage is if you want to be proud of it. Like Norwegian pride or Rwandan pride or something, so it's not just pride in your race, because that always sounds bad. There is alot of variation in the facial structure of causcasian people, so I don't know about that argument. People gripe about equality because people deserve to be judged based on their individual actions rather than their skin color (or facial features) since they have no control over that...
156666
I think the majority of the people (including African-Americans) use the words "white" and "black" as a simplifier.  It is the same principle that an official in a basketball game uses to describe to the score keeper the player who committed the foul.  He commonly will say, for example, "push on number 11, blue team" when the color of uniform he is alluding to is actually purple or another odd darker color.  The same if the player is wearing grey.  The official will refer to it as white.  It is just easier for clarification.\n\nThere may be some hidden motivation for some people in the past (or possibly the present) concerning good/bad, black/white, but I doubt that most people get that from it.\n\nAs a matter of fact, I would guess that most people would rather have a black car than a white one.  White is plain (and usually less expensive).\n\nPeople will see what they want to see, I guess.
1148021
Because blacks requested it at one time .. that was after they requested that they be called black, people of color, negroes, colored people etc ... at 43 I have seen the "politically correct" requested term change many times .. it is all VERY silly.
135659
What an obtuse question!\n\nSimply because that word was used by certain people precisely <as> a term of offense to describe 'some other people'.\n\nYour question would have much more validity if it were "why did white people decide to use that word as a term of offense in the first place?"\n\nYes we know that black people use the word within their own community, just as gay people use the word 'queer'. But that doesn't change the fact that the word was first given currency as a deliberate insult.
47901
You are right, it is weird. When whites comment on blacks it is bad. When blacks comment on whites it is okay. Weird times. Why can't we just get along?
1141061
I'm half-black, half-white, and I prefer to be called biracial. \nYou say Mulatto isn't offensive, but actually, it can be to some people, so it's best if it's not used.\nI also know that I've been called an Oreo before. It doesn't offend me too much, it is kind of true (and I like oreos), but I know some people find it offensive, so only use it if you know the person wouldn't mind.\nAlso, I do not look black, contrary to what people are saying. We are not black, we are not white. We do not look black, either, to an observant person. Please, just say biracial, and you should satisfy everyone.
1114950
Yes, You are racist. And who cares about the word??? If they want to use it , let them. It is derogatory for a white person to use it...And ,in my mind, It's derogatory for a black person to use it too. but, like I said...If they do...Who fucking cares? People say a lot of things I don't like...I don't lose any sleep over it.
1177218
Firstly, the proper is 'mulatto', the origin of the term as given by dictionaries is from the Spanish word mulato, "small mule", person of mixed race, from mulo, mule, from Old Spanish, from Latin mulus. \n\nTo answer your question: The term was once a generic designation name for any hybrid species, and as a result it may be considered offensive by some English-speakers who might prefer terms like "biracial" instead. It's a BAD thing.\n\nHence, I agree with the other post, why should a child be called anything other than a child?
71527
My black friend told me it was okay for his white friends to say nig-ga, but not okay to say the other. It was just his view. I think one is a more affectionate term, an attempt to take the sting off the origonal racist slang. Wether intentional, or accidental, it seems to have been effective. The more it's used and the more creative dirrivitives that arise, the less we are reminded of our divided past. Keeping the term taboo only allows it to keep it's stinging power. I don't prefer the black culture at all, but I couldn't imagine america without it. Keep it loose and friendly, we can get along famously forever.
992850
The "n" word is derogatory. People may use it as a term of endearment because they are ignorant - which further supports the fact that the "n" word is derogatory and negative in meaning. Those who choose to use it are foolish and fool themselves into thinking that it's a cool thing to say. For all of the hundreds of years of abuse that black people endured, it seems to me to be a slap in the face our black ancestors, for people, especially blacks, to now support the use of the word amongst themselves.
849573
Absolutely!  Anytime someone refers to another based on physical appearance due to features inherent to a persons race, color or greed, it is racist.  The only feature that should be taken into consideration is whether his fastball is blinding and whether his curve ball drops off the table!!