|
Post by Pahina722 on Dec 22, 2014 19:44:43 GMT
It's the tone of the questioning (and sometimes the stupidity of the questioner) that elicits that response. When someone is genuinely curious, especially another student who realizes that DS is the son of ghostly pale Mr. A, he will tell what we know-- that DS is 2/3 white and 1/3 black. If the person refuses to believe DS or if the original question was along the lines of a snarky "what ARE you?" then the "human race" answer comes out. Just honest curiosity never bothers him or us. Off topic, We have no idea how DS is 2/3 white, 1/3 black genetically, but that's what the testing said! Wow! The things I learn here! I had no idea you could be tested for such a thing! What situation would make this test necessary or beneficial? No snark. Just curiosity. If not appropriate, please disregard. DS was adopted from foster care. His birth mother, white, told him that both she and his birth father had Native American heritage. We also knew that his birth father was at least partially black. So, DS wanted to know what his background was, and we were looking forward to college applications and scholarships, in which race is sometimes a factor. Hence, the test which shows no Native American background, but confirmed his other parts. We we joke that he is ambiguously ethnic, looking as if he's from everywhere (Mexico, Central and South America, Thailand, Middle East, Greece, Turkey). People have guessed all of these.
|
|
|
Post by jonda1974 on Dec 22, 2014 20:01:46 GMT
I was under the impression that that term was no longer used by most individuals. The only time I even see it is on old census reports and other old paperwork that I look at for genealogical research purposes. According to some, the term is used in Latin American countries with no insult taken I had heard the term before growing up, but had never used it in my adult life. Interestingly I heard it used by my Latino best friend a couple weeks ago, and he didn't feel there was anything racist about it. Of course he and I have had several spirited discussions on the appropriateness of using the N word regardless of if its said with an "a" or an "er" on the end.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 2:35:56 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2014 20:17:29 GMT
I've only ever heard/read the term in 19th century literature such as Mansfield Park. I don't know if it was offensive in those days or not. Jane Austen didn't use it in that book in an offensive manner IMO. Sometimes you have to take historical words in the context of the era. Language evolves over time,especially the English language. No doubt in another 200 years someone will maintain that biracial will be derogatory.
Some linguists believe it derives from the Arabic meaning, which is a person of mixed ancestry. Others believe the Spanish/Portuguese translation, meaning mule, which makes it derogatory in this day and age.
|
|
|
Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Dec 22, 2014 21:34:03 GMT
I haven't heard that term in a long long time. It is a very outdated term, and I would consider it racist. When I did hear it, it was only used by the really old folks who grew up with the word and who never really considered the implications (similar to the term colored.) Exactly. It's definitely a slur.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 2:35:56 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2014 21:42:20 GMT
I learned the word on Two Peas from Miss Katie (I can't remember the context). Does anyone remember her? She was in university, her father is black and her mother is white. She had this amazing long, beautiful hair!!!! (Yes, I am jealous of long curls!) I think her name was Cajun Wisdom when 2 Peas closed.
|
|