Should we stop saying “people of color”?

[WellPreserved]

https://www.npr.org/2020/12/11/94429100 ... superpower

[Traci_Momof2]

I think it would depend on the context of how the phrase is being used. In some context it could be entirely appropriate. In other context it could be unnecessary detail and therefore unnecessary division.

[SouthernIslander]

I’m not sure it’s a statement on valuing individuality.


People of color isnt really a statement that has to do with individuality, it means they’re not white. They could be blck, Hispanic, Polynesian, Indian… they’re not white.

So ok… people should be able to identify as anything they want…




But I think the question here is - Is it beneficial to societal progression towards accepting all aspects of each American’s individuality by continuing to make the separation between white people and “everyone else”…

Is it beneficial to white children to be taught there’s your group, and the rest of the world’s group…?


Is it beneficial to children from an Indian background to have their identity grouped in with a child with a Polynesian background on the basis that they’re not white?



The commonplace behind defining white people separately from everyone else had a white-driven racist intent behind it. They said “colored” we now say “people of color”. The goal was erasing everyone else’s history.

If the ultimate goal of today is acceptance of unique individuality, is it a lot more important to define others by who they are, rather than who they aren’t?

No and I am tired of politicians constantly micromanaging everyone’s self identity and how we think.

I’m not gonna be forced to consider myself as the same thing as a trans woman because the left wants me to and I’m not gonna be forced to consider myself as the same thing as a White American because the right wants me to.

If he wants to be identified as American only or he finds POC offensive, he has every right to set that boundary with the people he interacts with. However, he doesn’t get to make that decision for a very large number of minorities who do not feel that way.

Its OK to acknowledge how we are different, how we treat is each other is the problem.

I don’t mean this in a rude way and this is a general “you”.

It doesn’t matter what you think outside of your own identity and people have got to learn to respect boundaries by taking the word “No” for an answer instead of pushing white washed/mainstream political views on people.

If you want an honest answer as to why minorities feel a disconnect from white people and how that can be fixed, I’ll be more than happy to respectfully explain. But I am not arguing with anyone about the fact that minorities are not the same as White people.

[SlimShady]

I’m not sure it’s a statement on valuing individuality.


People of color isnt really a statement that has to do with individuality, it means they’re not white. They could be blck, Hispanic, Polynesian, Indian… they’re not white.

So ok… people should be able to identify as anything they want…




But I think the question here is - Is it beneficial to societal progression towards accepting all aspects of each American’s individuality by continuing to make the separation between white people and “everyone else”…

Is it beneficial to white children to be taught there’s your group, and the rest of the world’s group…?


Is it beneficial to children from an Indian background to have their identity grouped in with a child with a Polynesian background on the basis that they’re not white?



The commonplace behind defining white people separately from everyone else had a white-driven racist intent behind it. They said “colored” we now say “people of color”. The goal was erasing everyone else’s history.

If the ultimate goal of today is acceptance of unique individuality, is it a lot more important to define others by who they are, rather than who they aren’t?

No and I am tired of politicians constantly micromanaging everyone’s self identity and how we think.

I’m not gonna be forced to consider myself as the same thing as a trans woman because the left wants me to and I’m not gonna be forced to consider myself as the same thing as a White American because the right wants me to.

If he wants to be identified as American only or he finds POC offensive, he has every right to set that boundary with the people he interacts with. However, he doesn’t get to make that decision for a very large number of minorities who do not feel that way.

Its OK to acknowledge how we are different, how we treat is each other is the problem.

I don’t mean this in a rude way and this is a general “you”.

It doesn’t matter what you think outside of your own identity and people have got to learn to respect boundaries by taking the word “No” for an answer instead of pushing white washed/mainstream political views on people.

If you want an honest answer as to why minorities feel a disconnect from white people and how that can be fixed, I’ll be more than happy to respectfully explain. But I am not arguing with anyone about the fact that minorities are not the same as White people.

Do you think it’s beneficial to the ultimate goal of inclusion for white children to be taught there is an “us and them”?

Do all minorities feel that disconnect in the same way/ are the outcomes to that disconnect equal?

[SlimShady]

We can say "americans" when all are truly treated equally but we aren't and "people of color" take the brunt of mistreatment, so it's useful to have that qualifier. And that seems like how it's used? When distinctions are needed? I guess i don't know exactly what Vivek is referring to when he says to get rid of it.

Because it wouldn’t be entirely correct to say people of color take the brunt of mistreatment.


Are the challenges a financially secure Japanese child raised in Puget Sound, Oregon is going to face when it comes to ability to attend college going to be comparable to the challenges that a financially insecure Hispanic child raised in the bad part of Brooklyn is going to face?

Are the types of racism each child will see comparable?

Are the societally imposed barriers to success going to be comparable?






Is it useful to have a qualifier that implies their struggles or identities would be one of the same?

[SouthernIslander]

I’m not sure it’s a statement on valuing individuality.


People of color isnt really a statement that has to do with individuality, it means they’re not white. They could be blck, Hispanic, Polynesian, Indian… they’re not white.

So ok… people should be able to identify as anything they want…




But I think the question here is - Is it beneficial to societal progression towards accepting all aspects of each American’s individuality by continuing to make the separation between white people and “everyone else”…

Is it beneficial to white children to be taught there’s your group, and the rest of the world’s group…?


Is it beneficial to children from an Indian background to have their identity grouped in with a child with a Polynesian background on the basis that they’re not white?



The commonplace behind defining white people separately from everyone else had a white-driven racist intent behind it. They said “colored” we now say “people of color”. The goal was erasing everyone else’s history.

If the ultimate goal of today is acceptance of unique individuality, is it a lot more important to define others by who they are, rather than who they aren’t?

I don’t mean this in a rude way and this is a general “you”.

It doesn’t matter what you think outside of your own identity and people have got to learn to respect boundaries by taking the word “No” for an answer instead of pushing white washed/mainstream political views on people.

If you want an honest answer as to why minorities feel a disconnect from white people and how that can be fixed, I’ll be more than happy to respectfully explain. But I am not arguing with anyone about the fact that minorities are not the same as White people.

Do you think it’s beneficial to the ultimate goal of inclusion for white children to be taught there is an “us and them”?

Do all minorities feel that disconnect in the same way/ are the outcomes to that disconnect equal?

I am not entertaining the shaming by implying that I support mistreating children.

As far as the other question. No racial group is perfect, we all have areas of improvement. But yes, multiple minority groups have similar complaints about white people if that is what you’re asking.

[SlimShady]

I don’t mean this in a rude way and this is a general “you”.

It doesn’t matter what you think outside of your own identity and people have got to learn to respect boundaries by taking the word “No” for an answer instead of pushing white washed/mainstream political views on people.

If you want an honest answer as to why minorities feel a disconnect from white people and how that can be fixed, I’ll be more than happy to respectfully explain. But I am not arguing with anyone about the fact that minorities are not the same as White people.

Do you think it’s beneficial to the ultimate goal of inclusion for white children to be taught there is an “us and them”?

Do all minorities feel that disconnect in the same way/ are the outcomes to that disconnect equal?

I am not entertaining the shaming by implying that I support mistreating children.

As far as the other question. No racial group is perfect, we all have areas of improvement. But yes, multiple minority groups have similar complaints about white people if that is what you’re asking.

What are you talking about? There’s absolutely nothing that I said which even implies that you mistreat children, or support mistreating children…

That is what white children learn. They learn they are white, and with this terminology, that everyone else is a person of color. They learn some issues affect us, some affect them… some things are more likely to happen for us, some things aren’t as likely to happen to them… they literally learn that when it comes to how we will experience life in this country, there is an us, and there is a them…



Is that a good thing? Should “them” include anyone who is different than white people, and should the experiences of all those different minority groups be viewed as the same?

[SallyMae]

That is what white children learn. They learn they are white, and with this terminology, that everyone else is a person of color. They learn some issues affect us, some affect them… some things are more likely to happen for us, some things aren’t as likely to happen to them… they literally learn that when it comes to how we will experience life in this country, there is an us, and there is a them…

Is that a good thing? Should “them” include anyone who is different than white people, and should the experiences of all those different minority groups be viewed as the same?

My kids grew up with this terminology and they are fine.

[Quorra2.0]

Depends on context. If we are talking say about NAGPRA, using the term people of color or American would be inappropriate.

[SouthernIslander]

Do you think it’s beneficial to the ultimate goal of inclusion for white children to be taught there is an “us and them”?

Do all minorities feel that disconnect in the same way/ are the outcomes to that disconnect equal?

I am not entertaining the shaming by implying that I support mistreating children.

As far as the other question. No racial group is perfect, we all have areas of improvement. But yes, multiple minority groups have similar complaints about white people if that is what you’re asking.

What are you talking about? There’s absolutely nothing that I said which even implies that you mistreat children, or support mistreating children…

That is what white children learn. They learn they are white, and with this terminology, that everyone else is a person of color. They learn some issues affect us, some affect them… some things are more likely to happen for us, some things aren’t as likely to happen to them… they literally learn that when it comes to how we will experience life in this country, there is an us, and there is a them…



Is that a good thing? Should “them” include anyone who is different than white people, and should the experiences of all those different minority groups be viewed as the same?

Do you want to know the common threads that divides white people from minorities or not??

This isn’t just about white kids.