Why the label?

[Jude Rosenstock]

I'm not offended by it but merely wondering what is the thought behind it??
There had to have been some intent to purposely include that description as it stands out a bit.

I really don't think race has anything to do in article about a pool tournament, and even so, just because Josh is black, does that mean his ancestry is African?? In reality, we all have ancestors in Africa so there needs to be no distinction...

The term "African-American" does actually have specific meaning and although you raise an excellent point, that doesn't mean the term should be dismissed altogether as too vague. It's the same as people I know who are from South Africa who jokingly say they're "African American". They know the term doesn't apply to them but say it anyway to show how silly these terms can be. In regards to your point, you're right. The writer should have confirmed his background and perhaps asked for permission to mention it in the story.

 

[sfleinen]

In that quote it's a little on the nose...

But to be honest, if I see an outstanding black (yeah I use that term) pool player, I can't help but notice their race because it's uncommon for whatever reason. I see strong asian players every day, a few strong females, but a strong black player just doesn't seem to cross my radar much. So I might be more likely to follow this player just to see how he fares. Which is probably the point of mentioning it.

I think if you look at this logically, there's no reason "young african-american player Josh Roberts" should offend more than "korean female pro Ga Young Kim".

Ultimately none of this stuff matters on paper, but we still make a point of rooting for certain countries and talking about how a female compares to the males, etc.

Why should we manufacture indignation when clearly this was written with no offense intended?

The problem with the bolded part is in one case (Ga Young Kim's case), you're referring to her as a foreigner, identifying her native land, and for tournament-announcement reasons (most of the time you'd hear it mentioned this way), the country she's playing for. But in Josh's case, though, you have a no-doubt American, most likely born and raised (but even then, even if he were naturalized, it wouldn't matter), and you're still identifying him by race. That is the specious part. He's an American. Period.

It might be one thing if, in a social setting, where your friend is asking you, "in that crowd of people over there, I need to speak to Josh, but I don't know who he is -- can you point him out to me?" And, if in this instance your exchange went something like this, "That person, over there, with the blue shirt." "What person? There are two people with blue shirts." "The African American gentleman with the blue shirt." That might be ok.

But to use this description in a press release or tournament announcement? I don't know, I certainly wouldn't -- *even if* "African American pool players at this level are rare." No matter how you say that, it can be taken the wrong way.

-Sean

 

[JB Cases]

I used to absolutely hate it when I would FINALLY do well in a tournament and the write up would read John Barton, overweight white man with obnoxious attitude lucks into finals.

I'd be like REALLY? What does being white have to do with it.



I agree Adam!

 

[KMRUNOUT]

Because they are idiots.

Um, who cares? I personally find it interesting if some pool player is black, because as Patrick said, it is somewhat rare. It's not like they said anything good or bad about him, or like being black has any bearing on anything. It's simply an interesting fact. What's wrong with that? I'm tall. Danny Basevich is overweight (and jokes about it). These are interesting ideas. I just can't see an issue with pointing it out. Sometimes people are so nuts about political correctness that the simple realities of life get overshadowed!

KMRUNOUT

 

[CreeDo]

Donny: here's the difference in a nutshell between saying "no offense", and sincerely meaning no offense.

When you say "No offense" it's a way of warning people that you're about to be rude... and you know it ahead of time. Often the words "no offense" are sort of weasel words, used so the speaker can insult people and get away with it.

When someone sincerely meant no offense, they don't know it ahead of time. It's an honest mistake. And after learning that they caused offense, they usually feel bad about it and refrain from it in the future.

A guy who puts up a "No blacks allowed" is not going to be surprised that someone was offended, nor is he going to feel bad about it. So, it's understandable to think "f*ck that guy".

Charlie, being born in korea and (presumably) raised by korean parents, may simply have grown up in an environment where it's not considered rude, and honestly had no idea it would bug anyone.

Leinen: I get your point... one quote points to race, one points to nationality. In fact, if you get right down to it, the 'race' quote is actually pointing to skin color. He probably wouldn't have mentioned it (or realized it) if the guy had light skin for whatever reason.

My point is that, as identifiers, race shouldn't really be more offensive than nationality. To a large extent they go hand in hand. Putting it another way, is "I hate europeans" really less offensive than "I hate blacks"? Logically, neither one makes sense. In both cases, the hatred is irrational and based on stereotypes and skewed perceptions.

 

[PC_John]

Seems like this thread is one that would be better suited for NPR. :boring2:

 

[Pushout]

Seems like this thread is one that would be better suited for NPR. :boring2:

Aha, got it

 

[Cornerman]

In reality, we all have ancestors in Africa so there needs to be no distinction...

Sounds about right.

Freddie <~~~ thinks all women have ancestors in Africa

 

[Scott Lee]

Jude...Not to disagree, but the term "African American" was coined by the black population right here in the USA, in an attempt to denote the "prominence" of their ancestry (think Kwaanza and other related 'holidays'), and to make known a distinct difference in American culture.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

The term "African-American" does actually have specific meaning and although you raise an excellent point, that doesn't mean the term should be dismissed altogether as too vague. It's the same as people I know who are from South Africa who jokingly say they're "African American". They know the term doesn't apply to them but say it anyway to show how silly these terms can be. In regards to your point, you're right. The writer should have confirmed his background and perhaps asked for permission to mention it in the story.