Comments on: WE’LL TAKE IT

By: dawn summers

dawn summers — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 05:49:53 +0000

Padum-dum. They’ll be here all year, ladies and gents.

By: Pearatty

Pearatty — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 04:33:21 +0000

Excuse me, I prefer the term “European-American people,” thank you very much.

By: Alceste

Alceste — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 04:31:36 +0000

That’s why all whites need one black friend!

That’s European-American to you, young lady!

By: dawn summers

dawn summers — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 04:00:26 +0000

See? That’s why all whites need one black friend!

By: Pearatty

Pearatty — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 03:48:31 +0000

I have an Egyptian-American friend who marks off “African American” on forms because it’s the only ethnic appellation that remotely fits.

Also, I had the amusing experience once of hearing an uncle, from an older generation, who had come back from a safari in Africa and was showing pictures of the locals and was trying to be sensitive, saying, “those are the nati . . , uh, Afri . . uh, African Americans who helped us with our gear.” (Although now that I think of it, I suppose the uncle didn’t really need to point out the locals’ race.)

So I guess in the US we have the issue of what word you use to define an ethnic group; because “African American” doesn’t capture everyone in the group it’s supposed to define (e.g., people not from America), and includes some people who aren’t really in the group we’re talking about (e.g., Egyptians).

But I suspect the real problem with “African American” or “Black People” from the NYT’s point of view is that it takes up too much space.

Anyway, I figure I’ll use whatever appellation I’m told to. So until I hear otherwise, “African-American people” it is. So sayeth Dawn.

By: PAUL

PAUL — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 03:01:35 +0000

is saying “black people or black women” better than saying blacks?

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 02:30:29 +0000

The problem with “African American” is there are white people from Africa. If you’re African American, what is Teresa Kerry (who was born in Mozambique)?

By: Dawn Summers

Dawn Summers — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 23:26:23 +0000

As a general matter, I would prefer to see “african-american” followed by a noun, “the african-american actress then smothers her two pretend children in her armpits.”
As opposed to the standalone african-americans. Like no one would ever say “the shorts are marginalized in the media” or the “fats have to pay higher airfare.”

I guess I don’t mind “black girl” but “blacks” really grates my last nerve.

Clareified: All about education and information.

By: Pearatty

Pearatty — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 23:20:14 +0000

What’s the preferred term? African Americans? Is “blacks” not ok as definition of an ethnic group, but ok as an adjective? I.e., is it ok to say, “that black girl standing over there,” or should one say “that African American girl standing over there” or something else? Not that I notice if someone is black or white, but for other people, you know.

Not being cute, really want to know.

By: Dawn Summers

Dawn Summers — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 21:36:11 +0000

well, for someone from that generation, no…i mean lydon johnson said “negroes” while signing the civil rights bill…but in 2006 the new york freaking times should do better.

By: Pearatty

Pearatty — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 21:27:07 +0000

Judge Motley used to say “blacks.” Is it wrong?

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 21:19:33 +0000

Also, FYI, in the original draft of the article, the word was “negresses.” Not even capitalized.

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 20:53:01 +0000

Was Mo’nique shooting a hair dryer commercial on an airplane? I hear that image is becoming more popular.

By: Chilly

Chilly — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 20:06:01 +0000

You see they are trying to be the fair and balanced reporting service that they were 30 years ago. The Editor decreed that the Times would work to be a trusted source once again and report on things just like they did back in the day.

Who reads the NYT anyway? I much prefer the Register. http://www.dmregister.com