Respectable names?

Question

I have lived through decades where "African Americans/Canadians" were called, and accepted as respectable, terms such as *****, coloured, black and Afro-(whatever). During all this time I have been called "white".

Why can't we just settle this uncertain nominal delemna, once and for all?

Answer 1

I think the reason that it can't be settled once and for all is because self-determination is a dynamic thing.

You had what was once most acceptable to refer to as "hispanic" since become outdated and seemingly replaced by "Latino/a"...  There was "Indian", which graduated to "Native American", followed by "indigenous people (of the Americas)..."  It even happens more than just with respect to race.  Once upon a time you could say, "The 'chairman' of this committe..."; then it became "chairperson".  "Homosexual" became replaced by "g*y" and "L*****n"...  

How people define themselves or their group, and the reasons why, is ever changing.  It may not be important to onlookers or people not in that social group, but it's important to that group, apparently.  For that group it's more than just a matter of nomenclature; it's a matter of identification.

Answer 2

I really don't see the need for any label other than human, myself.

Answer 3

Jan Stolz misses the point.

The richness of our language means that we can describe things with different words. You wouldn't call all tigers, lions, cougars, cheetahs, etc., just "cat" would you?

Language, however, develops and is a reflection of the age in which it is spoken. Look at the change in the usage of the word "g*y" as a good example.

Political correctness it may be, but language only serves to describe our social and ethical feelings at the time, not the other way round.

Answer 4

Because what underlies all nomenclature, is the secret desire to justify the feeling of being offended...

Then, if one becomes angry about something, they can say, well, it's because you called me by the wrong designation...

Answer 5

Political correctness. The fear of offending a section of the community.