By: Sharon Hasenjaeger

Sharon Hasenjaeger — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:32:57 +0000

I have been wondering when “Negro” would re-enter our American vocabulary ever since the re-appearance of the word “Caucasian” for the group meant to include me. I am fine with “European American” to parallel “African American”, “Asian American”, etc. I am fine with “white”, hey I’m fine with “off-pink” (a more accurate term in my personal case). I just find I rankle at the ill-founded “Caucasian” term and even declare “other” when I donate blood to avoid it being applied to me. I appreciate that other people feel differently. Just saying, the connotations of language do seem to matter even if no offense is intended. It behooves us to speak up when something gets under our skin, but I suppose it doesn’t hurt to give one another the benefit of the doubt at the same time.

Comments on: Naming Names: What Will We Call Ourselves Next?

By: Sharon Hasenjaeger