Could it be possible that behind those words there is a history behind it as far its original meaning? Many times such words were used to demean a specific person. Granted, that today, there are some that do not get easily offended for example: maybe a Caucasian, upon hearing the label “honkie”, an African American with the word “niger” etc. But, if a person label themselves as such, than of course they are not going to get offended. Normally, the offense comes from another individual, especially from another nationality. Basically, going by the “Golden Rule” “Do unto other as you would want them to do unto you”. When it comes from another individual , automatically it is going to come across by its original meaning. I submit that the reason for such thinking is because such words that were originally used to demean a specific person came from another nationality.

Probably because white people are smart/secure/mature enough to realize that it just doesn't matter what they are called. I mean, would you be offended if someone called you honkie? I wouldn't.

I have a Chinese friend who got into an argument with some jerk who called her a "Damn Jap!" Her response; "I'm a Damn Chink. Get it right!"

People who are into political correctness believe that by just changing the words used that people will change their views. As far as a bigot is concerned, African American is just another word for the "N-word."

call me what you like,whatever but dont call me Whitey because it is offensive as it was only brought out in use by veangence seekers who are pissed off about the white races domination,and is applied with distaste.I have one of the foulest mouths on here but to call some one ,anyone by the color off their skin or by names that refer to their race is just rude.That would be no different to an alien race belittling us as humans for living on "that" inhumane planet earth.YOU CANT HELP WHERE YOU COME FROM this is why the first dispute i had on CD was with kinda.I think of all the insults ive used in response to his desire to dislike "whitey" such as bobblehead is quite shameful.I am not proud of my rebuttals,at all,but hypocritically i return the favour.PS if you take a look closer than you will see that this( )is the color white.Now when you think about it ,the only people i see this color is albinos.

This is an idiotic question, and I'm going to tell you why.

1. there is nothing wrong with calling a black person black. That's a legitimate descriptive term with no negative conotations so I'm not even sure from where this entire question stems.

2. they say African because that is what an African is, African. There are Philipinos and Cubans as black as anyone on earth, but they are not "African." So for things like say a survey, it needs to say African instead of black.

By the same token, this is why it often says "White non-hispanic" because there are Hispanics whiter than me (example Joe)

Now I do agree the whole thing is retarded, and at some point our species is going to get to a place where we don't have to worry about all this.

But we are not there yet.

Next.

Maybe I'm synical,

but reading the first few replies this entire debate looks like another white boy whining session about how they really really really want to say nigger.

In which case I have to ask,

why?

It is very odd that you would care one way or another.

There is no law prohibiting it, it's freedom of speach. So you can use that term if you want.

But why would you want a slang term on things like a job app?

It's just dumb.

like "are you"

Cracker

Nigger

Beaner

Beaner non-Cracker

Wet Back

Gook

Towl Head

Is that how the form you speak of should read?

Again, your question is silly.

Yeah... I think it's only black people who ever get offended...

They get easily offended about thousands of things though...

I don't mind being called brown/asian/desi and sometimes paki. But calling me an arab is a different story (unless ofcouse its for a laugh in which case that person is a somalian)...

i see that some people feel fine when others can be very upseted by a very simple comment. and i found maturity a very strong topic for describing the way african americans react when called black because that may be the way they are sometimes but others wont react that way could it be the way they were raised or the community they grew up in that made them always act that way?

its dumb because nobody wants to be called white, black. they just want to be called an american, mexican, or african american

I sumbit that regardless of what nationality, everybody came from one blood. That is, we are all human beings.

Let me start off by saying, I love this site!

Ok, this is, as previously stated, and idiotic question with idiotic answers. "Maturity" seriously? That's immature in itself! If it were immature to not like the remnants of past actions against you displayed as a joke then I think we are all subject to that labeling.

I am black, and have no problem being referred to as such, but for someone of an offending ( other ) race to refer to me as a once widely used derogatory slang for people toned as myself, that would be aggravating at best antagonizing on average and down right fucking with me at worst.

This topic was most likely the thought of someone young, someone who doesn't yet understand that racism did and does still exist and won't go away on command, and to talk badly about those people is simple minded in my closest approximation. Just because you're not faced with the adversity of racism and probably doubt it exists, I wouldn't be surprised with the suppression of information going on in this country, does not mean it isn't a real issue in their lives, and to have white kids making jokes with this word and using it as everyday vocabulary is like a slap in the face, and to then being belittled for not having let it go, because in your eyes it's all ok now, doesn't help the situation either.

Also " why are caucasin people openly called white? " " white " is like saying " black " not the N-word.