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by KiloWattKid on November 8th, 2006

KiloWattKid

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Why do they call the races "white" and "black" if people are really tan and brown?

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  • by Osteon on November 8th, 2006

    Osteon

    Throughout American history, black people have always been oppressed primarily because of their race. They were called many derogatory names to degrade them. Many Americans of European decent refered to them as "Negros" as a non derogatory name in the late nineteenth century. In the early sixties, the civil rights movement had altered the racial profiling of Negros to the term of "colored." In later years, colored Americans were content with being refered to as "black." However,in recent years, the term "black" was changed to "African American" as a choice of political correctness.
    To answer your question, being refered to as black or white is just a short and simple way to express the two races of people. Rather than refering the two races of people as Caucasion or Negro, it's much more simplified and non derogatory to refer to them as white or black.

    Comments

    • actually, using 'black' and 'white' as descriptors for different races pre-dates the existence of the nation known as the USA. Even Gypsies used to be called 'black.'

      yoho05 reminds you to DYOH

      by yoho05 reminds you to DYOH on November 9th, 2006

    • We were?? Uhm... I am a Gypsy. Normally we're kind of golden brown colored.

      Arisztid

      by Arisztid on March 26th, 2009

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