Why are black people referred to as "colored people"?

[Anonymous]

When I born, I black.
When I grow up, I black.
When I go in sun, I black.
When I scared, I black.
When I sick, I black.
And when I die, I still black.

And you white people.
When you born, you pink.
When you grow up, you white.
When you go in sun, you red.
When you cold, you blue.
When you scared, you yellow.
When you sick, you green
And when you die, you grey...

And you calling me colored?

(Written by an African child and nominated by The United Nations as the best Poem of 2006)

[ohsheeT]

Yeah I like your question because I've never understood it either I don't understand why the word black or white is even used when talking about people

I mean my loving God said he created everybody equal and I believe in that

My loving God also knowing this Earth that he created

Knowing how big it is and knowing all the elements in the harsh conditions that it has on it depending on where you live

He made all of our bodies so they would adapt to protect us from any element or climate depending on where we lived he made our body so we could adapt to protect us and that is what has happened thousands of years after thousands of years when our bodies adapt our DNA are genes change

And if you need more proof of that go stand outside in the sun everyday this whole summer tell me what happens and then do that for a hundred years day in and day out tell me what happens your body will adapt to protect you to keep you safe from the elements of this planet thank you God for having common sense something that when you made some of us they exchange their common sense for ignorance it's kind of sad but it's their choice I guess it's too bad that we the people who understand have to be associated with those people in some form or manner because it just holds the whole planet back from being who we're supposed to become

[Soteris]

Historically African slaves were called colored and negro first, as such both these words carry a historical and social stigma as they relate back to them as historical slaves and being seen as a lesser form of humanity.

Some examples:

It is a word with a lot of baggage that influences its meaning and usage today. Why was it chosen originally? Does it really matter? They needed a word that would distinguish themselves from another group so they picked a word and then stuck to it. It can be anything, even positive aspects that you twist and pervert to something negative. The fact that they used both colored and negro at the same time tells me that they just needed something to be a container for their racism and abuse and that there was no really special purpose behind the choice.

[strateguy632]

close, because several minorities were various "colors" plural besides white.

[Soteris]

@strateguy632 Yes and no. While it would undoubtedly be used that way, it also would not in the grand scheme of things. The over representation of black people meant that this term was ultimately used against them specifically. Again, the word itself does not really make sense so trying to find some reason for it to specify "plural" is a lost cause. The way it is seen today is a direct consequence of how it was used back then, almost exclusively against black people.

[RolandCuthbert]

The term people of color came from the need to classify non-"Whiteness". Race basically function as a way of dividing humanity into two groups, "Whites" and non-"Whiteness". It wasn't meant to talk about "Black" folks specifically. But since race only really describes "White" people accurately, it began to be used as a term to describe "Black" folks.

[jshm2]

Eric Cantona says it best

https://www.radiox.co.uk/news/watch-eric-cantona-recites-dear-white-brother-poem/

[bolverk]

It is not the general public who refer to Black people as "coloured people" but those on the Political Left and The Intersectional/Identitarian Mob as they are intent on breaking the populous into tribes, Black, Asian, White etc.

This helps none but the Political Left and The I/I crowd, while limiting any cross group communication that would be able to resolve problems at a local level.

[gorydetails]

Does this kid (and you) realize you don't actually turn yellow when scared and green when you're sick?

[Anonymous]

"People of color" is just a racist term made to exclude white people. Sometimes they exclude Asians too. Black people are not white, therefor they are included.

[Anonymous]

I don't think anyone refers to black people as colored anymore except for other colored people.

[Anonymous]

No idea