Quote:
Originally Posted by Indydealmaker
The point is that absent the "intent to espouse that a given race is inferior" there is NO racism. There are words that are purely derogative without dispute. Then there are words that a minority have chosen to label as racist without regard for the actual use in context. The mere acknowledgement of the difference in color of a person's skin is not racist. If you believe and promote such a belief that that color difference proves an inferiority, then THAT is racism.
I have had many a conversation with my black brother-in-law as well as my hispanic son-in-law about the perceived racism in this country. They agree that most people who cry "racism" are simply attempting to profit in some fashion from the politicization thereof.
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I hate to use Wikipedia, unless of course it fits my needs. But this
seems to be a reasonable statement:
Origin and Meaning[edit]
The origin of the word "redskin" is debated. Some scholars say that the word was coined by early settlers in reference to the skin tone of Native Americans. Smithsonian Institution senior linguist and curator emeritus Ives Goddard asserts that the actual origin of the word is benign and reflects more positive aspects of early relations between Native Americans and whites. It emerged at a specific time in history among a small group of men linked by joint activities that provided the context that brought it forth.[3] That context was the need for a term that all could use in negotiating treaties during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.[4] It is later that the term became more pejorative. A linguistic analysis of books published between 1875 and 1930 show an increasingly negative context in the use of redskin, often in association with "dirty", "lying", etc.; while benign or positive usage such as "noble" redskin were used in a condescending manner.[5] The term continued in common use until the 1960s, as evidenced in Western movies, but is now largely considered a pejorative and is seldom used publicly aside from football teams. As with any term perceived to be discriminatory, different individuals may hold differing opinions of the term's appropriateness.[6
My bolding. Reference #5 refers to an analysis of how the word Redskin was used IN CONTEXT from 1875 to 1930 and it clearly was often used as a slur. I seriously doubt that either you or Mr. Snyder would greet a group of Native Americans using the term "redskin". Now if you want to talk potatoes....
I also note you have come into the 21st century in choosing to refer to your black and hispanic relatives with non-offensive terms. I'll bet that 50 years ago you would have used neither of those terms. Proving that language, even yours, changes to not give offense even if your inner feelings would have not meant to give offense had you chosen whatever term might have been ok 50 yrs ago.