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[QuicheFontaine]

"Coloured" is normal terminology here in the UK. I would have fallen into the same trap as cumberbatch.

Hell, they even use the term "coloured" on the news here.

Ehhh, no I'm going to have to disagree with you on that one. While it wouldn't be a shocking thing to hear down the pub you'll not get public figures saying it in the UK without someone kicking off.

I mean, this was nine years ago now. And didn't Alan Hansen get introuble for using the term on Match of the Day?

 

[War Peaceman]

smh

It is not normal terminology and that term would never be used on news in the UK.

I haven't heard it used on the news for as long as I can remember. Not including interviews with people, which is a completely different kettle of fish.

 

[BocoDragon]

There's a such thing as "race theory class?" Why?

Same as women's studies, etc.

Yeah it's necessary. It's a good thing to teach fish about the water they swim in.

 

[BearFlexington]

Same as woman's studies, etc.

Yeah it's necessary. It's a good thing to teach fish about the water they swim in.

Isn't that assuming that we all swim in the same water? Or that we all swim for that matter?

 

[Heavy's Sandvich]

I can see why he might have made the faux pas considering people use "people of colour".

I've also never heard the news refer to coloured people whatsoever - I live in the UK

 

[BocoDragon]

Isn't that assuming that we all swim in the same water? Or that we all swim for that matter?

Good questions. I guess the point is that you've considered the issues.

 

[gohepcat]

I've been gone all day.

Why is this an open-and-shut-dont-even-say-it observation?

If the WWF can change their name to WWE overnight, don't blame me for looking at the NAACP and thinking "its a depreciated term but this advocacy group wears it proudly and that doesn't make sense...?"

Yeah there's some hypocrisy at work here. And if it's like "we've all excused this organization's right to use this name and it's a legacy term and we all know that" .... No. Nobody got the memo outside of a race theory class. Sorry. Nothing obvious about that. My reaction is perfectly sane.

Maybe you should be looking at my observation and saying "maybe the NAACP needs to change too". And if there's some pragmatic reason why not? Maybe you need to forward that memo to more of society....

Do you really not have any words that are antiquated where you are from? Is this really a foreign concept to people?

I deal with this constantly with all the foreign scientists where I work. It's just a function of language. Nobody holds it against them, and everyone understands it. How have you avoided this phenomenon your entire life?

..and why the hell are people looking for a logical, direct reason for why a word becomes antiqued? The entire filed of linguistics is dedicated to answering questions like this. We can't point to a single thing and say "This is why".

It's a complex subject.

 

[DBT85]

"Coloured" is normal terminology here in the UK. I would have fallen into the same trap as cumberbatch.

Hell, they even use the term "coloured" on the news here.

Please tell me which news channel uses the word coloured to refer to anyone.

Coloured is used by some people and not at all by many others. Though there are plenty who still say black in a slightly hushed tone as if they are worried they'll get in trouble.

 

[justjohn]

"Coloured" is normal terminology here in the UK. I would have fallen into the same trap as cumberbatch.

Hell, they even use the term "coloured" on the news here.

Wat

 

[TatteredHat]

Looks like he meant no harm in saying it, but good on him for apologising. Having said that I'd rather people stop using "People of Color" as well, it just makes it confusing to figure out what is and isn't proper terminology for foreigners like myself.

 

[Gastone]

I personally think he has nothing to apologize for. But i guess it's the PC thing to do these days. People get offended far too easily, imo.

 

[Dabanton]

"Coloured" is normal terminology here in the UK. I would have fallen into the same trap as cumberbatch.

Hell, they even use the term "coloured" on the news here.

Lol when the 1970's? I've mostly seen "coloured" used by older white people aged 60+ etc And people who don't encounter ethnic people very much in their day to day lives who live well outside London and the major cities.

I personally don't find the word that offensive as it was in use when I was growing up, but times and attitudes change.

It's like the word "half breed" used to be used frequently to refer to mixed heritage children when I was growing up as well. No one would use that word anymore.

 

[leadbelly]

It seems clear to me that not only did he think the term was okay, he thought it was a politically correct term. I have a feeling it isn't a term he even uses casually, (if it was, he probably would have knew this by now) but because he was in America and because he was on TV he tried to think of the most politically correct way of saying it. I can't help finding that amusing.

As other people have pointed out, some people use 'people of colour' and that seems to be an acceptable term in the States. By saying 'coloured' you're pretty much saying the same thing, the only difference is the history. If you're not fully aware of the history, then it can be easy to make that mistake.

 

[diamount]

In from the UK and you hear coloured a lot, and it's not meant to be offensive at all.

From the older demographic, sure. Don't hear it often with people in their 30s.

 

[leadbelly]

It's like the word "half breed" used to be used frequently to refer to mixed heritage children when I was growing up as well. No one would use that word anymore.

I think 'half-caste' was probably much more frequent.

 

[diamount]

I think 'half-caste' was probably much more frequent.

Mixed race, I would say.

 

[leadbelly]

Mixed race, I would say.

I mean in the sense of somewhat pejorative terms.

 

[Ventilaator]

The term had "the potential to cause offence".

...?????????

Back in my day, "offensive things" were things that people were actually offended by.

 

[pants]

He's British, wouldn't be surprised if he picked that up from a South African. Over here referring to people as coloured is the correct term as that is how they self identify (coloured is also separate from black)

 

[Gordon Shumway]

I'm just going to stop talking altogether. That seems like the only way to not upset anyone these days.

Thank GOD!

..some people just want to find offence in anything & everything, combine that with social media hype and you have an utterly toxic combination.

I personally think he has nothing to apologize for. But i guess it's the PC thing to do these days. People get offended far too easily, imo.

Luckily, we have you guys to lead the way..teach us, you men that are never phased. Show us the way, so that we may better ourselves, and society at large. Be our beacon..show us strength!

 

[Lollipop Dave]

From the older demographic, sure. Don't hear it often with people in their 30s.

I think 'half-caste' was probably much more frequent.

Mixed race, I would say.

He's British, wouldn't be surprised if he picked that up from a South African. Over here referring to people as coloured is the correct term as that is how they self identify (coloured is also separate from black)

I live near Slough and I hear these terms used daily by all ages and all races. I think it's partially a regional thing. Never hear it when I visit family out of the borough.

 

[reptilescorpio]

Well back in the day "Colored" was the polite way of saying "Nigger"

Thanks for the heads up, I was a little confused until I read this. I hear person of colour fairly regularly here so it's good to get context for different countries.

 

[pants]

I live near Slough and I hear these terms used daily by all ages and all races. I think it's partially a regional thing. Never hear it when I visit family out of the borough.

Typically, a lot of well off coloured folk moved to the UK to escape the shit that happened here. Coloured is seen as a synonym for brown (mostly, coloured is still a distinct section of brown people but covers most) as the translation 'kluerling' and 'bruinmense' (literally brown people) indicate.

Hence I expect that people I meet from the UK would have come into contact with the terms as from their commonwealth cousin.

 

[Gastone]

Luckily, we have you guys to lead the way..teach us, you men that are never phased. Show us the way, so that we may better ourselves, and society at large. Be our beacon..show us strength!

It's interesting you seem to be taking some sort of moral high ground simply because you feel your opinion on the matter is the correct one. Implying (by your gif) also that my comment, or me personally, is moronic and wrong.

I wonder why you also assume i'm a man? Should i take offense to that assumption?

 

[santi_yo]

English is not my first language. And as a foreigner idiot, I'd love to know how to express myself in a good non-offensive way. Which terms are recommended to use in this kind of situations?

Thanks.

 

[kmax]

In all seriousness, kudos to him. He's a gentleman, and wouldn't go his way to hurt other people.

 

[Izuna]

I don't really mind the use of the word coloured itself. It just reminds me of "no coloured" or "no minorities".

He could have just said non-white though, as that was what he was trying to say.

 

[AtomskEater]

English is not my first language. And as a foreigner idiot, I'd love to know how to express myself in a good non-offensive way. Which terms are recommended to use in this kind of situations?

Thanks.

Black person (referring only to black people, of course), person of color (can refer to anyone who is non-Caucasian) or African-American (again used only for black people, preferably if they're from America). None of these are the 100% agreed upon the best way to say it, but they're the most commonly used and cause less offense. Reaching a consensus on this issue would probably be impossible anyway.

 

[Doc_Drop]

Not sure if addressed as I read it on the first page and felt I needed to address it. Coloured and Oriental are not accepted in the UK, only by old people and closet racists. I don't think i'd let either slip with someone I actually know and would avoid a stranger using those words

 

[Izuna]

Black person (referring only to black people, of course), person of color (can refer to anyone who is non-Caucasian) or African-American (again used only for black people, preferably if they're from America). None of these are the 100% agreed upon the best way to say it, but they're the most commonly used and cause less offense. Reaching a consensus on this issue would probably be impossible anyway.

Nothing is wrong with saying black.

 

[Android18a]

Huh, UK here. I had no idea "coloured" was an offensive term. I always thought of it as less abrasive than "black" or "indian". The more you know.

 

[Deleted member 231381]

Not sure if addressed as I read it on the first page and felt I needed to address it. Coloured and Oriental are not accepted in the UK, only by old people and closet racists. I don't think i'd let either slip with someone I actually know and would avoid a stranger using those words

It's pretty regional. I live in a rural area of Wales and even younger people will say coloured, not out of malice, but probably just because there are basically no ethnic minorities living here and they don't know the difference - same reason Cumberbatch did. I've corrected a few people before on it. I don't think I've ever heard Oriental, though.

 

[Currygan]

Huh, UK here. I had no idea "coloured" was an offensive term. I always thought of it as less abrasive than "black" or "indian". The more you know.

what's wrong with saying black? I mean, people call me white. I don't care, it's how you'd define me, you HAVE to have a way to identify me

 

[Izuna]

Huh, UK here. I had no idea "coloured" was an offensive term. I always thought of it as less abrasive than "black" or "indian". The more you know.

How could coloured be better than simply black? Coloured basically means "non-white", so calling someone coloured means that whatever you point is, it means with the exception of white.

Think of a term that does the opposite.

We call Indian Asian still right? I mean youts still call East Asians Chinese up north. Had to make sure my SO didn't flip the fuck out when I took her there haha.

 

[Symphonia]

I had no idea 'coloured' was considered offensive, and I'm from the UK. Birmingham, in fact, the entirely non-Muslim city. Ain't no white people here at all.

 

[Doc_Drop]

It's pretty regional. I live in a rural area of Wales and even younger people will say coloured, not out of malice, but probably just because there are basically no ethnic minorities living here and they don't know the difference - same reason Cumberbatch did. I've corrected a few people before on it. I don't think I've ever heard Oriental, though.

Fair enough, I live in Nottingham where there is a good mix of nationalities and backgrounds. It's also quite an arty/counter culture-y type of city so I guess it's reasonably forward thinking. No idea what young people are saying though, damn kids!

 

[leadbelly]

Not sure if addressed as I read it on the first page and felt I needed to address it. Coloured and Oriental are not accepted in the UK, only by old people and closet racists. I don't think i'd let either slip with someone I actually know and would avoid a stranger using those words

Either term does not have the same connotation as it does in the States because the UK didn't have quite the same history of slavery and then segregation. That said, in more recent times 'coloured' would probably be more widely known as pejorative than perhaps 'oriental' would. In terms of 'coloured' while I think it is more widely known, I still don't think it is quite as clear to all people as you seem to think. The fact that Benedict said it, kind of proves that.

Oriental is a bit more complicated because, again, it doesn't have the history of being a pejorative word, but also because it was used in British English for a specific region of Asia. 'Asian' means a completely different thing than it does in other countries in British English.

Wikipedia states this about the British use of the word:

British English

In British English, the term Oriental refers to peoples from East and Southeast Asia. The word does not have any derogatory implication as in North America. On the other hand, the word "Asian" refers to people from Indian Subcontinent. Therefore, Orientals is the only term which can refers to people of East Asian origin. East and Southeast Asians comprise 0.7% of the UK population as a whole, and 5.3% of the non-European population. Of these, the majority are of Chinese descent.[9] Orient is also a word for the lustre of a fine pearl.

So basically that would make your offense to the word pretty subjective. You're judging people about their use of words without really taking into account.the historical usage of the word.

 

[Gordon Shumway]

It's interesting you seem to be taking some sort of moral high ground simply because you feel your opinion on the matter is the correct one. Implying (by your gif) also that my comment, or me personally, is moronic and wrong.

I wonder why you also assume i'm a man? Should i take offense to that assumption?

The amount of times I've read "too sensitive" and "looking for something to be angry about" equals..wait for it..

In reality, the majority seem to think it was an honest slip and his apology was most sincere. For some old can't quite put my finger on it reason, the anti-PC™ police always seem to rise, like the mighty Phoenix, to tell the rest of the world to stop whining.

I, and others, find it amusing..I made a joke..was that offensive? I'll apologize, if I must.

As for you being a man, woman or otherwise..if you want to be upset that I assumed you were a man, which I didn't because I call everyone dude, then by golly have at it! It's your right as..whatever you are..a baby? Is that you in your avatar?

Funny enough, there was a thread on that subject (assuming all GAFfers are men)..to lazy to look for it, but you're more than welcome to search for it. Tootles!

 

[muntersaur]

Do people not understand why colored is offensive?

If white minorities were called bleached it would be fine???

I am a 'person of colour' and will happily interchangeably describe myself as coloured, tanned or brown.

It is not offensive to me in the slightest. I would find myself being described as black more offensive than coloured (though I am not offended by that either).

I think your reasoning implies 'coloured' as offensive because you implicitly regard 'coloured' as having a negative connotation whereas I am happy to have 'coloured' skin and use it as a positive descriptor.

 

[Doc_Drop]

So basically that would make your offense to the word pretty subjective. You're judging people about their use of words without really taking into account.the historical usage of the word.

Yeh, I do see that. Like I said above regarding where I live. It's probably also because of the people I have around me. Friends and direct family wouldn't tolerate either words and most people in my friendship group are a bit hippy/artsy/music types so again it may be less acceptable than in some areas. Hell, thinking about it if I drive to Bulwell or Mansfield near me I would see the difference but I'm getting off point and a bit regional here

 

[Spineker]

I'm not sure how stating a fact is offensive. African Americans, hispanics, whatever, they are of a different colour than white people. That is just a fact, how is that offensive?

 

[Deleted member 325805]

I had no idea 'coloured' was considered offensive, and I'm from the UK. Birmingham, in fact, the entirely non-Muslim city. Ain't no white people here at all.

It's not, no one would even blink if you said it in public.

 

[Molemitts]

"Coloured" is a normal term in the UK? I've lived here all my life and I've never heard anyone say it other than my Nan occasionally.

 

[Android18a]

How could coloured be better than simply black? Coloured basically means "non-white", so calling someone coloured means that whatever you point is, it means with the exception of white.

Think of a term that does the opposite.

We call Indian Asian still right? I mean youts still call East Asians Chinese up north. Had to make sure my SO didn't flip the fuck out when I took her there haha.

I dunno, I always thought saying black sounded really... direct. Like you're picking them out on it? Although like the poster above my family are all from Birmingham and would probably use coloured rather than black, so maybe its a regional thing?

 

[Izuna]

I dunno, I always thought saying black sounded really... direct. Like you're picking them out on it? Although like the poster above my family are all from Birmingham and would probably use coloured rather than black, so maybe its a regional thing?

It's direct yeah, like calling someone gay. But direct is okay since there is nothing to be ashamed of. If you were to mention to one black person and call him coloured it's like saying "hey, non-white!"

But even in London it wasn't okay to just say black. I am glad it is now.

 

[Deleted member 125677]

None of this would have been a problem if could just value what's underneath the color of our skin.

We should all start referring to each other on our common internal constitutions. Like: "It's harder for some of the organized lumps of bowels, blood, meat, fat and bones to find a job in the UK these days."

 

[soepje]

Huh, UK here. I had no idea "coloured" was an offensive term. I always thought of it as less abrasive than "black" or "indian". The more you know.

Really depends on where you are at i guess. I'd say that here in The Netherlands it would also be much more rude to call someone black instead of 'dark' or 'coloured'.

But he was in the US when he said it, so it's good of him to apologize.

 

[EGM1966]

Poor old Benny. In context he was clearly not giving offence and TBH what he was trying to say required some word to differentiate certain ethnic groups.

It's a tricky one. I'd note I certainly here coloured used here in UK although it varies by region. While its not great I believe overall the word is far less of an issue in UK vs US which no doubt contributed to his issue during the interview.

Offence was taken so an apology is quite the correct response.

If we can ever achieve a society where there is no discrimination the issue will thankfully not even exist. One can dream.

 

[QuicheFontaine]

None of this would have been a problem if could just value what's underneath the color of our skin.

We should all start referring to each other on our common internal constitutions. Like: "It's harder for some of the organized lumps of bowels, blood, meat, fat and bones to find a job in the UK these days."

I don't know if anyone was ever refused a job because of their bones though.

Well, maybe someone with rickets who wanted to be a fireman or something.

 

[leadbelly]

It's direct yeah, like calling someone gay. But direct is okay since there is nothing to be ashamed of. If you were to mention to one black person and call him coloured it's like saying "hey, non-white!"

But even in London it wasn't okay to just say black. I am glad it is now.

Actually, the reason why I think Benedict chose to use that word is because it seems more encompassing. Not all minorities are black, and well, not all black people are black, In fact there are many different shades of brown. It seems more considerate of that fact rather than generalising everyone to a single colour that doesn't really apply to them.