Because the NAACP isn’t going to change it’s name because white people decided to be nicer to us.
It is a bit ridiculous. Here’s a question, if a black friend of mine asks me if I know was NAACP stands for, would I be offending him if I told him? I think not, but in the PC world I’m not supposed to say those words. Unreal. And frankly if I referred to my friends as “African American”, they would give me that “talk to me, not at me, call me black” look. Yeah, it’s great for TV and politics and all that PC BS, but in the real world it doesn’t work like that. At least not in NYC. Especially since many blacks here are not even Americans, and have not been to Africa.
Newt Gingrich says “African American”. So in the PC world, Newt is more sensitive to black issues than Mr. Cumberbatch? That’s just funny.
I think this generation needs to listen to some Lenny Bruce. Don’t get so uptight over “words”, get uptight over “issues”.
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What does NAACP stand for? It may be outdated but it’s negative connotations are certainly a new phenomena.
There probably hasn’t been one biographical movie made that is anywhere near accurate, and I know that this one is not either. But Cumberbatch is such a fine actor and Knightley is as well and so it’s a pleasure to watch.
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The headline should be “Cumberbatch speaks out for equal opportunity for minority actors on Tavis Smiley Show.” The rest is BS IMHO.
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Cumberbatch’s portrayal of Alan Turing made me cry more than I’ve ever cried at the movies.
I just realized I have one degree of separation from Alan Turing, who died the same year I was born. I had a professor in college who was Alan Turing’s doctoral advisor.
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I think Apartheid was an Afrikaner (Boer) policy, not a British policy.
I partially agree. I think words are important, but there’s a difference between words that have always been intended to demean and offend, on the one hand, and words that come in and out of fashion, on the other hand. And also, try speaking as fast as Cumberbatch without occasionally saying something awkward.
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I caught that!
It occurred to me just a while ago that the NAACP has the word “color” in it. Why does that stand? And does an otherwise well-intended Brit know what’s acceptable at any given moment?
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As several people have already pointed out here, “colored” was completely polite and acceptable, and it only became disfavored in recent decades in the United States because of an association with the bad old days. I don’t know how the usage has evolved in GB.
Could you explain the “see you next Tuesday”? I’m not getting it.
Yes, I agree, I could have said that better. Had he said “nigger” obviously that would be way out of line, that word has always been derogatory. But when the NAACP ends in “colored people”, it’s a little ridiculous to be taking offense if a guy uses the term. And again, many elderly blacks like the term, so he did not insult “all blacks”. But “nigger” would.
Also, being a colorful person usually is a positive thing. If blacks are colored, that means we whites are colorless. Boring.
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I know perfectly well the term colored has some negative history attached to it and thus has fallen out of favor. But the NAACP has kept their name intact – I think because it honors the organizations history. Granted, the word is archaic, and odd to our ears, but as spoken by Cumberbatch, in the context of the interview, his intent was clear – the word is benign – and Travis Smiley, the man sitting across from him in that interview, understood that. And anyone who is not willfully obtuse understands that. This should never have become a controversy – except that social media empowered some obnoxious people looking to get off on shaming and humiliating a decent man so they can feel powerful. They have succeeded in extracting an apology from him that some people amazingly applaud. This is manipulation – much more toxic than accidentally using the wrong term.
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Yes, it is strange they have kept that name (NAACP). Yet there is outcry for the football Redskins to change their names. Meanwhile there are Native American schools in CA and other places who call their teams the “Redskins”, because many take it as a compliment, some tribes used to paint their faces red before battle. These are all distractions from real issues, but they are good for media hype, and also give people who draw salaries from all these organizations something to yap about. But they serve no useful purpose in actually helping people out.
Screw all you white people coming here griping about “PC B.S.!” You’re only O.K. with political correctness, when it’s convenient for you! You’re the first a-holes to bitch about political correctness, and then take offense when some black person calls you “whitey!” I don’t give a flying F that Tavis Smiley defended this person. Tavis Smiley doesn’t count, because he’s a self-loathing, Uncle Tom, black republican! Most black people can’t even stand Tavis Smiley! Black republicans always defend any form of racism from white people. And, Benedict Cumberbatch is a pig, and is living in the wrong century! Rarely is is just a “mistake” when people of a younger generation use the term “colored.” That asswipe Benedict Cumberbatch probably said it on purpose!
And, to the commenter above who said many blacks aren’t Americans: well a lot white people living in America aren’t American, either! So, shove it!
A lot of white commenters here are showing their white privilege. Let’s get something straight: white people don’t ever, ever, ever, get to decide what is offensive to minorities, PERIOD! It’s doesn’t matter if black commenters say they’re not offended, you don’t get to chime in, and pile on! STAY IN YOUR F’ING LANE! Tavis Smiley doesn’t speak for all black people, and neither do the black commenters here, who say they’re not offended. White people don’t get to use the NAACP as excuse to disrespect a black person, and call them “colored” to their face!
The NCAAP was founded by white people, and white people created the name. Just because the name hasn’t been changed, doesn’t mean it won’t be changed in the future. White people logic: “The NAACP says it’s O.K., and Tavis Smiley says it’s O.K., a few black commenters (out of the millions in America!) say they they’re not offended, so I can get away with it!” “Waaahhh! It’s not fair! Why can’t we turn the clock back, and call black people colored? The NAACP says it’s O.K.!” B.S.! I repeat, white people: stay in your lane!
I doubt many of the so-called “progressives” here who think it’s O.K. to call black people “colored” would be whining about political correctness, if a Native American Indian took offense to being called a “redskin.” All the resident racists here, such as “Mr. Comments,” can go eff themselves!
Actually I could care less if someone calls me whitey, honky, etc. I just don’t give a shit. I matured. I hear it every day here in NYC and could care less. [quote=“FrankNFurter, post:55, topic:16013”]
And, to the commenter above who said many blacks aren’t Americans: well a lot white people living in America aren’t American, either! So, shove it!
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That’s exactly MY point. We call them white, not European Americans. Because many are not American, and many are not from Europe. Thanks for making my point. Sheeesh.
Me thinks you might have issues. View yourself as a person, not a black person.
Oh, as to the NAACP, they were not “founded by whites” . Blacks were among the founders too. And blacks run it, so why don’t they change the name if it is so offensive? Serious question.
That is so cool. I go back to punch cards, mainframes and everything since I retired a few years ago.
Turing was one of many who foresaw re-loadable computer programs and what we now call artificial intelligence.
Just awful how he was treated.
Totally agree, besides Tavis Smiley would have seriously but respectfully corrected Mr. Cumberbatch.