Saturday, August 25, 2007
The Second Carnival is up.
It's been an interesting month for People of Colour.
Everyone please go check it out and thank Wychwood for all her hard work. Read and tell your friends and get them to tell their friends.
Tiny Note: In recent discussions there has been conflict over the general use of the term 'people of colour' and the lack of the use of the term 'non-white'. If my choice disagrees strongly enough with someone that they choose not to participate then I'm sorry for the loss. Usage Note: Dissatisfaction with the implications of nonwhite as a racial label has doubtless contributed to the recent popularity of the term person of color and others, such as woman of color, with the same construction. In effect, person of color stands nonwhite on its head, substituting a positive for a negative. It is interesting that the almost exclusive association in American English of colored with Black does not carry over to terms formed with "of color," which are used inclusively of most groups other than those of European origin. See Usage Notes at colored, nonwhite. 1, 2
In recent discussions there has been conflict over the general use of the term 'people of colour' and the lack of the use of the term 'non-white'.
I objected to Americans imposing their beliefs on Other people and denying Other people the right and power to choose their own names because that's cultural imperialism NOT anti-racism. If you were reading the IBARW posts then you'll know that I'm not the only person who raised the issue.
"If my choice disagrees strongly enough with someone that they choose not to participate then I'm sorry for the loss."
And if Americans choose to exclude non-Americans for not using American English then I'm sad for everyone's loss.
I'm always sad when anyone chooses to prioritise their personal beliefs of living breathing human beings.
Clarification: I'm always sad when anyone chooses to prioritise their personal beliefs over living breathing human beings.
One, I'm not American and I'm not trying to impose anything on anyone.
Two, the term non-white is a slap in the face to me and gives me the same kind of catch in my throat and chest as the term Nigger once did and often times still does.
This isn't about my personal belief on what term to use. This is about my feeling like I'm flinging an insult at people even if they don't think it's an insult.
I just commented to someone else that there are women trying to reclaim the terms slut and cunt. And while I can applaud their efforts, those are not terms I want to use towards other women.
I can be uncomfortable when they use that word (or when you use nonwhite) but I don't have to use a term that makes my insides twist.
Leave your response