Should I casually mention/correct parent?

[Anonymous]

So I started babysitting occasionally for a family who relocated from out of the country. They are South African Caucasians. I mostly interact with the mom since dad works out of the home full-time. We talk about subjects beyond child care and she is a very nice down to earth parent. We talked about tv shows and I noticed a couple times when she was referring to a particular character on a show, she would say 'colored.' For example, 'I love the colored guy on blank.'

Just wondering if you would casually and nicely say along the lines of, 'oh you know here we say African American or black?' I am not a PC person, but I think knowing our environment, she would be unfairly judged. My mom used to say the same when I was a kid and I had to correct her lest she unfairly be called a racist...in our native country, black people are called 'colored.'

Would you even bother?

[Anonymous]

OP you are not harming her by letting her know social norms. Just like anything else, this should be rather simple to make a quick suggestion, for a positive outcome.

[Anonymous]

I imagine she does not want to be offensive, so mention it. No big deal, just do it.

[Anonymous]

Agree with pps. She probably doesn't realize that is an offensive term here and I'm sure she'd be appreciative of the info before.she says.it to the wrong person

[Anonymous]

OP where are you? What country?

[Anonymous]

Is it REALLY that bad? I think Colored is fine. People are to sensitive.. What country do you reside in?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't bother. Let someone else correct them.

[Anonymous]

Who the eff cares how she says it? She's not being derogatory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it REALLY that bad? I think Colored is fine. People are to sensitive.. What country do you reside in?

If someone were to respond this way to you over something you deemed offensive, would that change the way you felt about it? Probably not. That is not a productive attitude. For some people, hearing someone refer to black people as "colored" would make them uncomfortable. My generation not so much, but my mother who was in school during the busing era, separate bathrooms and water fountains, you bet she wouldn't like it and I wouldn't hesitate to correct someone making her uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

Are you for real, OP?

[Anonymous]

Thanks pps.

Next time I sit, I will very casually mention it. I don't want her to be offended or to think I'm accusing her of being insensitive or anything, but I know I would want to know if I were her.

Yes 16:23, I'm for real, and???

[Anonymous]

I am in a similar situation. They have an older daughter. The boy is potty training, and both parents will reference his "panties." I haven't told them yet. I'm just hoping that they will catch on when I always call them "underwear."

Now that I really think about it, I should just mention it to them. I'm sure they wouldn't want their son going into the world talking about wearing girl's undergarments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in a similar situation. They have an older daughter. The boy is potty training, and both parents will reference his "panties." I haven't told them yet. I'm just hoping that they will catch on when I always call them "underwear."

Now that I really think about it, I should just mention it to them. I'm sure they wouldn't want their son going into the world talking about wearing girl's undergarments.

Lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with pps. She probably doesn't realize that is an offensive term here and I'm sure she'd be appreciative of the info before.she says.it to the wrong person

National for the Advancement of Colored people
People of Color

What is offensive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with pps. She probably doesn't realize that is an offensive term here and I'm sure she'd be appreciative of the info before.she says.it to the wrong person

National for the Advancement of Colored people
People of Color

What is offensive?

Do you know when that organization was founded? 1909. It was the term used during the time period, and while not the worst thing you could call someone, it has a connotation of being less than. There are a lot of people who would not appreciate that choice in label.