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[Frumple]

It can be neutral. Conceptually. It's usually somewhat casually contemptuous, though. Like said, not particularly polite.

[Bohandas]

There aren't any terms for races or creeds that no one will take offense to. That's why "negro" was replaced by "colored", "colored" was replaced by "black" and "Black" was replaced by "african american" (and also why "oriental" was replaced by "asian") - despite none of the aforementioned being derogatory terms (by the twenties "asian" and "african american" will probably be considered impolite) - and it's also why no one can agree on what to call people from South America and Central America.

[Gentlefish]

There aren't any terms for races or creeds that no one will take offense to. That's why "negro" was replaced by "colored", "colored" was replaced by "black" and "Black" was replaced by "african american" (and also why "oriental" was replaced by "asian") - despite none of the aforementioned being derogatory terms (by the twenties "asian" and "african american" will probably be considered impolite) - and it's also why no one can agree on what to call people from South America and Central America.

...Call them what their home/ancestor nation is? It's honestly not that difficult. They're also still "native americans".

[WillowLuman]

For the most part, people from South/Central America are of mixed ancestry in various ratios of European, African, and Native American.

[Orange Wizard]

Hang on, why are these terms considered impolite? Is it something I'm missing, or are people just really whiny and affected?

[Frumple]

Generally because they ended up being used by an outside group as a derogatory term for the group in question. Basically, even if they didn't begin as an outright slur, they became one, over time.

The other reason tends to be because they're just kinda' insulting/inaccurate, such as with oriental, or indian being used to refer to native americans.

[TD1]

Nigger was a perfectly accepted form of address until not so long ago, now only a nigger can say nigger and get away with it.

[Bohandas]

Generally because they ended up being used by an outside group as a derogatory term for the group in question. Basically, even if they didn't begin as an outright slur, they became one, over time.

I don't think that "colored" or "oriental" were were slurs. They were used by people with prejudices against those races, but only because they were used by everybody.

Generally because they ended up being used by an outside group as a derogatory term for the group in question. Basically, even if they didn't begin as an outright slur, they became one, over time.

The other reason tends to be because they're just kinda' insulting/inaccurate, such as with oriental,

What's inaccurate about "Oriental"? It's actually more accaurate than "asian" because most of Asia is Russia (and yet Russians inexplicably aren't considered "Asian") whereas "the orient" (and thus "oriental") refers specifically the the southeastern part of Asia that the words are meant to refer to. Furthermore, "the orient" and "oriental" don't have any other meanings whatsoever that are even close to still being in use nor any particularly notable root words, so how could it be inaccurate when the meaning that it's used for is the only meaning it has*?

*I do recall hearing that it is derived from an ancient word for "east", but that isn't a problem because even if we only consider the continent of Asia by itself China and Japan are still in the east

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

When did this thread to into racial slur discussion?

[Orange Wizard]

A couple of pages back. Dunno why. Probably built off the whole "Christians are intolerant pricks" theme of a few more pages back.

[Frumple]

... it was actually bouncing off an aside about derogatory jewish terms. Happened in the last page.

Actually, I think it's mostly Bohandas meandering on a tangent?

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

Ok well can we discuss on topic?

[Orange Wizard]

Never mind, then.

[burningpet]

Ok well can we discuss on topic?

Islam and women rights maybe?

[Helgoland]

Oh c'mon! I don't agree with the people wanting to throw you out of the thread, but don't make it harder than it is.