Was This Elderly Lady Being Racist?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2477153/Disabled-pensioner-banned-using-Sainsburys-home-delivery-service-calling-driver-coloured-gentleman.html

Perhaps not quite the correct term to use in this day of Political Correctness, but was it serious enough for Sainsburys to ban her?

/// Using the term ‘coloured’ to refer to black people is considered to be offensive because it dismisses everyone who is not white as the same. ///

[2sp_]

The thing with racism (or any other type of -ism) is that it is all about intent.

This woman obviously didn't intend to offend. She is of a generation that sometimes struggles with the current correct terminology when it comes to describing others.

Sainsburys have over-reacted, in my view.

[Sqad]

I agree with 2sp..........

[Prudie]

If that was the sole reason then it's Sainsburys who should be ashamed for employing thick managers. I myself, although not of her age, was brought up to say coloured as being the polite way and black rude. They should realise different eras have a different list of what's PC.

[Canary42]

Stupid Sainsbury's

[hc4361]

Sainsbury say she has been aggressive and rude on the phone 3 times - two sides to every story, although I agree the phrase 'coloured gentleman' is not racist when used by someone of her age group.

[2sp_]

My poor dad was always trying so hard to be PC, but would invariably get it wrong. I would gently say to him, no dad you can't say that now, you should say "whatever".

If the manager felt the urge to say anything, surely he should have just corrected her kindly?

[roopower]

No, I don't think she was being racist. That was the term which was used and thought to be perfectly all right years ago. This lady,like a lot of the older generation, just isn't up to speed in our multicultural world and would think it acceptable.
Could we argue that Sainsbury's are being ageist by not taking this into consideration?!!

[anneasquith]

with the information provided, no

[jim360]

Two sides to every story -- Sainsbury's talks of her being "aggressive" over the phone, so perhaps while she was using the word "coloured" just because that's what was said in her youth, it's possible that in the context of the phone call it could have come across as racist. In my experience older people tend to be more comfortable with speaking bluntly and directly, so she might not even have been meaning to be aggressive, either.

Either way, a blanket ban with what appears to be no willingness to talk about it seems an over-reaction -- although on the other hand it's frustrating to hear her describe it as PC gone mad. "Coloured" is a word that you shouldn't use for the reasons the DM gives towards the end of the article. I think the better way for the operator from Sainsbury's to have handled the phone call would have been to point this out "I'm sorry but you can't say that" and hopefully leave it at that, although even then it might have got out of hand.

But we'll surely need to hear the full recording to know what was said and how it was likely to have been meant?

[Sqad]

Jim.....as an old aged pensioner and to avoid making the mistake of our disabled friend........how would i describe the delivery man who was as "black as the ace of spades" to the management over the phone?

[jim360]

"Black" ?

[sandyRoe]

Anglo-Carribbean?

[FredPuli43]

There is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in the US. Their press officer said , in 2008, that the term 'colored' was not offensive. They have been using it since 1909. It is now a bit outdated but not offensive. [Source Wikipedia]

Can't help but think there's a lot more to this than the lady's explanation !

[jim360]

I've found the whole White/Black thing slightly odd anyway. I'm not White, I'm a sort of off-pale, while most people classed as Black look to me to be rather closer to shades of brown. So in that sense perhaps even the terms White and Black will die out as being racist in the future. Which in turn explains why this woman said what she did -- she was using the "correct" terminology of her day, it's just that times have moved on. That ought to be pointed out to her, but not really in a fire-and-brimstone cry of "Racist!"

[Prudie]

Coloured is a word you shouldn't use whereas she was brought up that it was the word she should use. Perhaps everyone should be forced to attend Equality and Diversity training before they are allowed to receive their pension.

[sandyRoe]

Of course, that's leaping to the conclusion that he was actually from Anglo-Carribbean stock. It's a minefield, and no mistake.

[Sqad]

Black???? I thought that was non PC?...so she could have said " the black guy" as long as she didn't add " as the ace of spades"..............is that correct Jim?

sandy....Anglo-Caribbean?....eh! does an old lady know the difference between Anglo Caribbean and Asian?.......do you? I am not sure that I do?

[sandyRoe]

X rossed posts there ^

[2sp_]

The woman was trying to describe a man who's name she didn't know. She used the wrong word to describe the colour of his skin. If he had red hair she may have called him the ginger gentleman.

She obviously wasn't being offensive, just old fashioned.

I don't get my knickers in a knot if someone calls me white, when I'm more of a pale blue. (I'm a Highland lass, not a smurf.)

[FredPuli43]

Where is sp1814 when you need him? Who are these 'many people' who view 'coloured' as racist, as the Daily Mail, no racists they, claim? Hypersensitive whites ?