Quick question about political correctness...

Reynard369 · May 5, 2011

I'm working on a paper and my professor isn't available, so I thought I'd turn to the wealth of knowledge that is the SF members...

The paper compares the experiences of Jewish people and black people in America and in literature, and I'm wondering if referring to the groups as "blacks" and "Jews" is offensive or if it's, forgive the pun, kosher?

juvefan · May 5, 2011

Originally Posted by Reynard369

I'm working on a paper and my professor isn't available, so I thought I'd turn to the wealth of knowledge that is the SF members...

The paper compares the experiences of Jewish people and black people in America and in literature, and I'm wondering if referring to the groups as "blacks" and "Jews" is offensive or if it's, forgive the pun, kosher?

i gather you are in the US? here in canada "blacks" and "jews" have basically no negative connotations

Neo_Version 7 · May 5, 2011

Originally Posted by Reynard369

..I'm wondering if referring to the groups as "blacks" and "Jews" is offensive or if it's, forgive the pun, kosher?

Reynard369 · May 5, 2011

Originally Posted by juvefan

i gather you are in the US? here in canada "blacks" and "jews" have basically no negative connotations

Indeed I am. I personally see nothing wrong with the two words, but I know some people are hypersensitive and I wanted to see what the general consensus was.

in stitches · May 5, 2011

really depends on the person you are talking to. im jewish and ive worked with pretty much only black people for the past 4 years. for a paper i wouldnt do it.

use jewish people for "jews", and black people for "blacks". its subtle but believe me it may save you a lot of hassle. african americans can also be used but some find that offensive too, as they are not from africa for already 5 generations plus.

basicly in this day and age in our society, with all the sensitivity out there, batter safe than sorry. especially if your grade might depend on it

Neo_Version 7 · May 5, 2011

Black is pretty offensive when you really think about it. A lot of people associate it with things that are evil, wicked, or dishonourable (see: he had a black heart; her soul is black as night).

tphd · May 5, 2011

It's acceptable if you're over 50

Eason · May 5, 2011

Whatever you do, don't say "african-american" unless they're ******* african.

If you want to do it by the book, set very specific definitions of your vernacular ex. "African-Americans, hereby defined as any citizen of the US with 50% or more African ancestry." or whatever.

Pantisocrat · May 5, 2011

Should be fine. Just don't use negros and yehudis. But both mean the same thing. That said, there's no way you can compare experiences of blacks to Jews. When blacks were persecuted, Jews were having a good life in the West, dating beautiful shiksas in Hollywood.

in stitches · May 5, 2011

Originally Posted by Pantisocrat

Should be fine. Just don't use negros and yehudis. But both mean the same thing. That said, there's no way you can compare experiences of blacks to Jews. When blacks were persecuted, Jews were having a good life in the West, dating beautiful shiksas in Hollywood.

this makes me want to pull my hair out. everybody had their own suffering in their own time. dont belittle any of it just becuase a percentage of people in certain place and time may have had it good

Mr. White · May 6, 2011

Bentley · May 6, 2011

FWIW, I believe that "Jewsish" should be capitalized in your paper.

Can anyone else confirm if I'm right about this?

acidboy · May 6, 2011

fwiw I don't see anything wrong using "black" and "jew" if the context isn't malicious. but what does a chinky-eyed zipperhead know, right?

Eason · May 6, 2011

Originally Posted by acidboy

fwiw I don't see anything wrong using "black" and "jew" if the context isn't malicious. but what does a chinky-eyed zipperhead know, right?

nothing that your British-betters didn't teach you, charlie.

Reynard369 · May 6, 2011

Originally Posted by Pantisocrat

Should be fine. Just don't use negros and yehudis. But both mean the same thing. That said, there's no way you can compare experiences of blacks to Jews. When blacks were persecuted, Jews were having a good life in the West, dating beautiful shiksas in Hollywood.

You can compare anything. Doesn't mean they have to be equal.

Quick question about political correctness...

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