When did 'negro' become a derogatory term for black people?

Valentino · 30 Nov 2010 at 23:47

I've been watching Mad Men and they seem to use the word 'negro' all the time, I very rarely hear it used nowadays unless it is being used as an insult.

At what point between the 1960's and present day did it become derogatory and how?

Ahleckz · 30 Nov 2010 at 23:50

I think it was because some people felt that it harked back to the days of slavery and instead preferred the term 'blacks' which has now mutated again and 'coloured' is the word of the day atm. Though I understand that it is still used for some things in the States.

TaKeN · 30 Nov 2010 at 23:52

It's still used on the boxes of 'Black' Silotite bale wrap I use in the summer.

They're clearly marked 'Negro' , I sometimes wonder if I'll get lynched for using them

Vonhelmet · 30 Nov 2010 at 23:59

It's a word of Greek and Latin origin, meaning black. Various languages have words for black derived from it.

It's been used since the 15th century to describe black people, so I'd guess it's been an offensive term since about the 15th century as well.

Cybermyk · 1 Dec 2010 at 00:01

I think some African American rights organisation decided the word black in any language was derogatory. It's Spanish/Portugese for black.

Apparently the word Negro is making a comback though as some institutions are using it again.

The United States Census Bureau announced that Negro would be included on the 2010 United States Census, alongside "Black" and "African-American," because some older Black Americans nevertheless self-identify with the term.

Maybe because of Martin Luther King Jr.

unwashed potato! · 1 Dec 2010 at 02:03

TaKeN said:
It's still used on the boxes of 'Black' Silotite bale wrap I use in the summer.

They're clearly marked 'Negro' , I sometimes wonder if I'll get lynched for using them

negro is spanish for black.

Swi1ch · 1 Dec 2010 at 03:32

I was actually thinking about this the other day, as I was re-reading some of the books from my childhood (Enid Blyton stuff) and was shocked to realise that she uses the word negro quite a lot; "He was covered in coal and black as a negro boy".

Kind of shows how meaningless words are in a way; I never thought twice about it 12 years ago.

Castiel · 1 Dec 2010 at 06:06

Negro isn't derogatory, the context in which it's used can be.

Van Hellseek · 1 Dec 2010 at 06:16

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh_lvxH2u2c

See 1m18s.

B@Th*nG · 1 Dec 2010 at 08:09

Castiel said:
Negro isn't derogatory, the context in which it's used can be.

that's what i thought, it just become unfashionable to my knowledge

B@

"andy" · 1 Dec 2010 at 08:19

Ahleckz said:
which has now mutated again and 'coloured' is the word of the day atm.

sure about that ? i was under the impression its a big no no. after all everyone is a colour

Cosimo · 1 Dec 2010 at 08:23

Castiel said:
Negro isn't derogatory, the context in which it's used can be.

Yup and it's used very infrequently.

DBT85 · 1 Dec 2010 at 08:36

I think its also because some people hear negro and actually think that its being used like ******. Obviously the two words are actually worlds apart but i c an see why people wouldn't use negro for fear of upsetting people.

Andy · 1 Dec 2010 at 12:03

I use the word twice a week i'd say.

HAz · 1 Dec 2010 at 12:07

Ive had Negro biscuits in spain before, they were lovely

AFK_Matrix · 1 Dec 2010 at 12:12

Ahleckz said:
I think it was because some people felt that it harked back to the days of slavery and instead preferred the term 'blacks' which has now mutated again and 'coloured' is the word of the day atm. Though I understand that it is still used for some things in the States.

I think its the other way round mate as I called some lady that came in the office coloured and another black lady in the office jumped down my throat that I shouldn't use that word as its offensive. Got a right ear bashing about it too.

DBT85 · 1 Dec 2010 at 12:52

AFK_Matrix said:
I think its the other way round mate as I called some lady that came in the office coloured and another black lady in the office jumped down my throat that I shouldn't use that word as its offensive. Got a right ear bashing about it too.

My mum still says coloured and I cringe every time. It makes it sound like "god" coloured in some white people and the word reminds me of the witch from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves shouting "The painted man!".

Half the problem is that most white people don't want to offend black/coloured/negro/african people but have no idea what words they can and can't use without doing so.

I know of some white people that think calling them "black" is wrong because they are actually brown. My point that I'm actually pink doesn't seem to mean anything.

aardvark · 1 Dec 2010 at 13:04

Ahleckz said:
I think it was because some people felt that it harked back to the days of slavery and instead preferred the term 'blacks' which has now mutated again and 'coloured' is the word of the day atm. Though I understand that it is still used for some things in the States.

i certainly wouldn't use 'coloured'. afaik thats offensive to most people.
just use 'black'.

meghatronic · 1 Dec 2010 at 13:11

Castiel said:
Negro isn't derogatory, the context in which it's used can be.

Almost true of any word.

I've given up calling people anything (race/religion/height/weight/whatever) through fair of being rebutted. They can self identify if it comes up.

Devrij · 1 Dec 2010 at 13:12

This is a minefield for me. At work I often have to tell my colleagues to serve a customer or bring stock out to them, and describing someone very often comes down to me awkwardly guessing their nationality rather than trying to explain their ethnicity. My boss who is of an older generation simply tells me to go serve the "darkie" up at the front of the store. I'm pretty sure I can't use that word.