@Pauline 7 I think it was a switch of terminology in the UK and US sometimes in the 1950s. I can see that to older people it must seem a bit daft that it would make a difference, at it all feels like a bit of a minefield. But the two terms do land differently here. To me it seems also that "coloured people" in the UK referred to black people of African or Caribbean origin, where "people of colour" now is a broader term for anyone who isn't entirely 'white'.
In my view black, white, Asian etc is all very arbitary so I don't tend to use any terms. It's all a constructed idea, the constructs not backed by science of 'race'. Mostly the whole black/white/colour thing gets my back up. I am everything. It's generally more political and about self-identity than anything else - attack, belonging, that kind of thing. But that's my two cents.
Language has changed over 50-60 years. To many the term 'handicapped' is now held to be more insulting than 'disabled', and 'disabled' is sometimes more insulting than 'person with a disability'. 'Spinster' is now not held to be a kind term. Words like nutter, loony, nutcase etc are said to be insensitive to people with mental health problems, but I quite like them. 'Spinster' was originally a woman who spins her own wool and I like that too, the equivalent of a hipster. 'Queer' has been reclaimed as a poisitve and inclusive term.
My view is that communication comes first and so many people are so worried about saying the wrong thing, so we should cut people some slack and realise the generalised anxiety. It's no good flying off the handle because someone doesn't understand a term the same way that you do. Yes, I would flinch inside at the word 'coloured' but then assess if it's just being used in an outdated way. If in doubt, just ask.
Thank you for your comments, @Fire. I think sometimes we can be paralysed with anxiety about causing offence when none is intended. Perhaps if you live in a vibrant, bustling city, you can keep up with the changes in language and ways of communicating, but here in the countryside, we can lose the plot. It's easy to fall over yourself trying not to say the wrong thing and easy to see insult where there is only clumsiness. Here's to harmony!
I agree. And that goes for discussing topics like death, terminal diagnosis, miscarriage, mental health issues, divorces... Often with a recent decease, people feeling so anxious about saying the wrong thing that they end up saying nothing at all. I personally think it's better to speak and risk maybe get it a bit wrong. Be interested in learning - be open to honest discussion and feedback - but let people know that you care and want to be of help.
I was thinking about changes of word use and how the UK charity currently known as Scope was known as 'The Spastic Society' until 1994. Growing up in the 1970s, the word 'spastic' or 'spaz' was only ever used as a word of insult in our school. Technically it was referring to people with cerebral palsy, but as kids it meant anyone who seemed to be an idiot. 'Mong' was much the same, in fact referring to people with Downs syndrome, but we didn't know it then. I should say that I didn't use either word.
Likewise the word 'Paki' was also only ever an insult, even when its use was technically correct and the person in question was from Pakistan. They were usually not from anywhere even close. Caribbean kids had this shouted at them. It's quite amazing how much pain and abuse can be packed into four little letters.
Oh! Tell me about it! I was a teacher, I have heard so many of these. One of the ones that annoyed and amused me most was - from boy to boy, "You're a woman!" Tempting to reply that they might both be more sensible if they were!
Likewise the word 'Paki' was also only ever an insult, even when its use was technically correct and the person in question was from Pakistan. They were usually not from anywhere even close. Caribbean kids had this shouted at them. It's quite amazing how much pain and abuse can be packed into four little letters.
It’s not just words that can cause pain. In my first year of primary school, a girl came up to me and pulled the corner of her eyes upwards and was laughing. I was too young to understand but I was upset.
I don’t think she knew what she was doing and possibly an older child told her to do it. She only ever did it once so maybe a teacher had a word with her.
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