I got my shit handed to me because I said someone is mentally challenged. But apparently where I work that is considered hate speech. Is there a place where I can read the new terms? Like do we call all people from South America something or is it like Spanish American or Mexican American and so forth?
I think its better to just bypass all of that unless you actually know where they are from and just say, dark skinned fellow. Light skinned woman. There is nothing wrong with using a descriptor.
Given the history of racism and colorism in the US, reducing a person of color to just their skin color can sometimes cause upset. Using a non-skin-tone related descriptor is generally safer, if possible.
Sure I get that. I’m thinking just in a situation where I am describing a stranger. Like “hey front desk person, a dark skinned man with a blue hat dropped his keys but I didnt see what room he went in. I have to leave so I’m leaving them with you”
I’m probably being overly semantic but perhaps saying “A person with a blue hat and dark skin” would be the least abrasive way of putting it? That said, obsessing over endless semantic refinement and searching for a flawless alternative that does not exist for fear of hypothetical offense will lead to recursive over-correction ad nauseam
The best way of saying it would probably be a black person with a blue hat, which is probably also what most would say. Never heard someone think that black is offensive, unless you are saying a black, which is definitely not acceptable.
I see that
dark skinned MAN, you MISANDRIST!
(I kid, I kid)