Politically correct?

Vinin · Post by **Vinin** » Wed Sep 11, 2002 7:05 pm

My AP US History teacher has justtold me that using the term "indian" in reference to a Native American is now politically correct. Is it really? and what other sayings are now politcally correct?

Obsidian · Post by **Obsidian** » Wed Sep 11, 2002 8:25 pm

I'm not sure its politically incorrect so much as innacurate. Native Americans ( the correct term, along with Aboriginals and a first nations people and a host of others) were thought to be Indians, from India, because of their dark skin. Interesting thread, plz enlighten all.
My question, what are blacks called now?

Weasel · Post by **Weasel** » Wed Sep 11, 2002 8:37 pm

Originally posted by Obsidian

My question, what are blacks called now?

I would say it depends on where the person is born. A colored person born in the US is an American. A colored person born in Africa and then moves to the US is an Africa-American. I believe a colored person born at a US embassy in Africa would be an US citzen.

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Wed Sep 11, 2002 9:05 pm

Not sure about the States, but there hasn't been any discussion dealing with what Natives are to be called. Out of respect, they are mostly referred to as "Native Americans", but that is a term developed and given by white men, thus I don't think it is the most politcally correct (In fact, I think it's slightly insulting). Having grown up with the Native culture all around me, I've learned many things, one of which is that they are very much like blacks in North America. They tend to refer to themselves and friends as Indians, in much the same way a black teen will call his friends "Niggers". Anyway, going back onto topic, I haven't hearcd anything about that, but I could be wrong.

Ode to a Grasshopper · Thu Sep 12, 2002 12:30 am

Ack, Political Correctness.

Here in Oz we have a type of native plant called a blackboy, but a few years back we were told it was politically incorrect and we had to call them 'grass-trees' as the term blackboy was 'derogatory' towards aborigines. And the cheese company Coon was sued as being insulting towards aborigines because a slang term for an aboriginal is 'coon'. Thankfully for commonsense the company won the case, but it's still an example of when things are taken too far.