Is It The Word “Mulatto” Politically Incorrect & Obsolete ?
Last night during our phone conversation my close friend and I started to talk about a coworker he is having some problems with at work. He says the girl is from St. Vincent and she is a “mulatto”. I sat up when my close friend used the word “mulatto”. I cringed. The word “mulatto” is a term many people still use to refer to someone that has black and white heritage.
I know he didn’t use the word in a negative way or whatever he was just talking. I also do not believe he was being politically incorrect. I just recall during my undergraduate days in Caribbean Studies my professors drilled into my mind to never use the word “mulatto”. The word “mulatto” means “mule” it refers to people that have African and European ancestry. I suggested to my friend that perhaps a more appropriate term to use can be “mixed race” or “biracial”.
He asked “why would it be politically incorrect to use the word mulatto?” All I remember is how passionate my Caribbean Studies professors were about the word “mulatto” they said the word is “obsolete” and it is “wrong” to use the term. I try not to use the word “mulatto” to refer to people of mixed ancestry because I remember the course lessons and the legacy of slavery in my Caribbean Studies classes.
What do you think? Do you think the word “mulatto” is “obsolete” and should be removed from the English language? Or is the word “mulatto” simply a word with a long history that should be utilized when necessary?
This is a very interesting topic. I think “mulatto” is one of these words that certain (black) cultures have been brought up to use it. I have never been told off for using it because I was always told it was another word for “mixed-race”. My other African friend uses it too but never in a disparaging way at all.
I would never dream of meaning it in a disparaging way. However, you have raised some great points. We must be on the same level, I was literally going to do a post on whether mixed-race people are ‘black’ or whether they are wholly separate.
Gorgeous new template too!
Hi Aulelia, thanks for your comment about the change in design for my blog! I have conflicting feelings about the word mulatto because I remember my Caribbean Studies professors were so against the word. The term “mulatto” has been so ingrained in society since the days of slavery that people know what the word means.
I dont know. I know its politically correct but it never sounded right from my mouth or in my ears. Dont know why. Never use it but dont blame people who do.
It reminds me, I was in a class recently and we were talking about product branding. We had a product to review and the lecturer asked why isnt it plain and black instead its full of color and all these fancy words… etc. This sweetest asian girl said “Well, because black isnt beautiful.” It hit me like a brick. I looked around and realised I was the only one uncomfortable with that sentence. Then I realised she I was being oversensitive and she didnt mean it THAT way. Anyway, I digress but my point is sometimes we say things not really knowing they are might be offensive but we just never know.
ps is the prison break guy biracial?
Hi Miss S yes Wentworth is biracial his father is African American and his mother is a white American woman.
Yes; I think it is obsolete and inappropriate, reminiscent of another time and mood. It is outdated terminology.
I have two acquaintances (one, a co-worker and the other, a neighbor) and I cringe when they use the term “Oriental” to describe Asians. The word is Asian — not Orientals or Oriental.
Grrrrgh.
Actually, I was going back and forth about if I should mention this to them.
Should I?
Never would have guessed. He looks white to me. But then again, this is someone who at one point could swear Halle Berry is 100% black.
I also heard its inappropriate to describe someone as Indian. Instead, people should use Asian.
@The Black Actor I think you should reprimand the person that uses the offensive term “Oriental” instead of “Asian” because it is politically incorrect and offensive.
@Miss S you know for a long time I didn’t even know Halle Berry was half white until she mentioned it on television. When I saw Wentworth on Prison Break I can tell he is part black by looking at his hair, nose, skin tone. I like that Wentworth has never denied his black heritage. I think he was excellent in the film the Human Stain.
You think so, Orville?
I know. You are right.
Okay. I will mention this to both of them the next time they use the term.
THank you.
(And thanks for your supportive comment on my blog. That lady was being mean to me.
LOL
Girl, I totally agree with you about that woman on your blog I guess she is a big fan of that particular actress. I love how you examined the actress movies though and broke down all the classic stereotypes. I think your post was very thought provoking. I guess some people can’t handle the truth.
@Orville, Wentworth was amazing in the Human Stain. I think that was one of the best performances of a newbie actor.
I think I am going to sit on the fence about Wentworth. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I think for his career anyway, he needs to be sure that he is a black man. Ambiguity in cinema does not work which is why his role in the human stain was fabulous.
@the black actor + orville, that person was a lunatic. what is with some people ? she/he was an internet troll for sure!
Glad to know Im not the only one who didnt know Halle is biracial. I think I didnt pick up on Wentworth because I was busy drooling over him :-). There is something good but mysterious about the guy. I hope it extends to his real character.
@Aulelia + The Black Actor that person on the other board is a complete psycho LOL!
@Aulelia, Wentworth is totally gorgeous and cute! I find it strange that such a sexy, strong, masculine man like Wentworth Miller isn’t getting more work? Wentworth has a large following so it has to come down to other factors. It is also interesting that Wentworth isn’t getting any work besides Prison Break. Wentworth’s white British co star on Prison Break is getting all kinds of roles while he’s getting nothing. I do believe that “race” is a factor into the reason why Wentworth isn’t getting more roles. Prison Break is an established program on the FOX Network Wentworth should be getting more work.
I think part of the difficulty for Wentworth is the casting directors don’t know what to do with him. It is true that Wentworth obviously looks more white then black but the ambiguity is the issue too. I applaud Wentworth for never denying his black heritage he has always been honest about being proud of his blackness. I hope Wentworth gets more roles though.
@ Aulelia and Orville
Thanks, blog buds.