it's funny, i find one always carries the remnants of where they grew up, no matter where they go...
in law class this week, we're reaching the final 5 classes of our year long adventure. we had our half-term national exams in january (which thankfully i passed), and now there are two more exams plus a portfolio for june.
we were told to get our portfolio in for easter, and suddenly the laid back students whose attendance was sporadic at best have now disappeared.
the teacher is taking role and says, 'mrs. x'.
the girl next to me asks me, 'who is mrs. x?'
in america i'd say, 'that's the african american girl who works in town C'
i know it's not right in the UK to say 'african american', so i'm stuck.
in my region of philadelphia, to say 'black' is not the most appropriate. most appropriate would be 'african american'.
uhhhh.
uhh.
that's the girl who works in town C?
seatmate 1: who?
seatmate 2: ohhh, the black girl?
heather: aaah, yes.
it's funny how a term which flies over here would potentially cause issues in, or not be the best in the phillyland area...
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3 comments:
It's strange what's considered "acceptable". I was a reporter for 2 daily suburban Philly newspapers and we weren't allowed to call anyone African-American. We had to use the term black because not everyone who is black is from Africa. It's kind of painting with a broad brush stroke.
Thats funny. I am sure not for you at the time though.
interestingly, no one in canada says african canadian. people would be like, what? we just say black here.
rhonalala: indeed, i was on the spot to not offend anyone, and am now thankful that i didn't. but for a minute there i wasn't so sure. ;-)
kristin: interesting. i wonder if it's because the news must be precise vs. the 'political correctness' of certain areas.
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