Lately I have been hearing the word “colored” used (on Pitzer's campus) loosely and with little regard to its historical heritage and the weight that it holds. I thought I would take this opportunity to shed a bit of light on the history of the word and its connotations.
The word “colored” started being used as a derogatory term during colonization and slavery; the term is meant to insinuate the subservient place of Black individuals. It should not be viewed as a term which parallels “White,” like “Black.” It is a derogatory word that should not be used to refer to the Black community.
During the Jim Crow era, bathrooms, entrances, and water fountains were labeled as the “colored only” or “colored drinking fountains.” The use of the word “colored” was used as a racial slur to refer to and segregate the Black and African-American communities.
Please be aware of your words: they have meaning, history, and weight. Using the word “colored” is in no way a replacement for the statement “people of color.”
The word “colored” started being used as a derogatory term during colonization and slavery; the term is meant to insinuate the subservient place of Black individuals. It should not be viewed as a term which parallels “White,” like “Black.” It is a derogatory word that should not be used to refer to the Black community.
During the Jim Crow era, bathrooms, entrances, and water fountains were labeled as the “colored only” or “colored drinking fountains.” The use of the word “colored” was used as a racial slur to refer to and segregate the Black and African-American communities.
Please be aware of your words: they have meaning, history, and weight. Using the word “colored” is in no way a replacement for the statement “people of color.”
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