[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by LisaMc46

I didn't hear anyone my age use the term "colored" until I moved to Vermont. Prior to that, my grandparents were the only people who referred to blacks that way.

There certainly are some racist people here. I once had someone corner me at a party and explain how he was upset that his daughter is dating a black man because "they're all on welfare and they don't like to work." But, overall, it's no worse than when I lived in N.J. in an area that was much more ethnically diverse. In N.J., it's just more covert.

Most people here are liberal and will go out of their way to befriend a black or hispanic person b/c then they can say they have friends of different races.

I am hispanic and while I've never been called a **** here I constantly get double-takes. People in my small town just aren't used to seeing olive-skinned, black-haired women with ethnic features, I guess.

"Colored" used to be one of the respectful terms for Blacks, the racist, unkind, term starting with an n and ending with r. "Colored" is perhaps outdated but I've never taken it to connote racism, without other evidence the person saying it is racist.

[LisaMc46]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

It is your position that whites befriend people of other races in order to say they have friends of different races? Isn't making an assumption like that a tad racist?

No. No. No. My friends here didn't befriend me because I'm hispanic; they like me because I'm fun to hang out with and easy to talk to, though the fact that I make a mean sangria and a great arroz con pollo probably doesn't hurt. I was referring specifically to people who feel the need to mention that they have "black" friends and "hispanic" friends, etc. as if they need to prove that they're not racist. I didn't experience this until moving here and I find it a bit strange and kind of amusing.

[harry chickpea]

I have Republican and Democrat friends. Does that count?

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by LisaMc46

No. No. No. My friends here didn't befriend me because I'm hispanic; they like me because I'm fun to hang out with and easy to talk to, though the fact that I make a mean sangria and a great arroz con pollo probably doesn't hurt. I was referring specifically to people who feel the need to mention that they have "black" friends and "hispanic" friends, etc. as if they need to prove that they're not racist. I didn't experience this until moving here and I find it a bit strange and kind of amusing.

Gotcha. I can see how people can be like that. I've had it in reverse. White as Casper and people get weird when they learn I am Hispanic.


Arroz con pollo and sangria are so yummy! My personal preference is arroz con gandules...my g-grandma knew her way around the kitchen. Her rellenos...omg...to die for.

[vermonter16]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

"Colored" used to be one of the respectful terms for Blacks, the racist, unkind, term starting with an n and ending with r. "Colored" is perhaps outdated but I've never taken it to connote racism, without other evidence the person saying it is racist.

Don't use 'colored' in the DC area...you'll either get the sh** kicked out of you or start a riot. However - down here it's a bit of a different ball game. I spent 1 year in an all black ghetto neighborhood directly after moving from Vermont. There were 3 white kids in that neighborhood. All I can say is that everything goes both ways...

[mafriz]

Racism is EVERYWHERE. I have had to deal with it personally from two stand points. I am originally from St. Albans, VT. I left in 1994 when I joined the Navy. There are many racists in that area. When my husband(Mexican decent) and I came home for a visit many years ago; we decided to go out to JW's. We ended up leaving because many of the men where making racial comments as we walked by. On the other hand, I have been called gringa many times, as well as overheard EX friends of my husbands ask him why he would want to be with some white girl and he should stay within his own race. To be honest, I am concerned about moving back to Vermont with bi racial children. The state is NOT as open and welcoming as it likes to pride itself in being.

[Why_Am_I_Here]

I lived in Vermont (for over 30 years) and now live in the south. I honestly saw/see more racism in Vermont. Kind of sad isn't it?

[Aganusn]

I wanted to take a road trip with my girlfriend to Vermont, but after reading this thread, nevermind lol. I thought Vermont was supposed to to be the super liberal, friendly area.

[TaylorRothschild]

Originally Posted by vermonter16

Don't use 'colored' in the DC area...you'll either get the sh** kicked out of you or start a riot.

What a ridiculous notion - that another word shouldn't be spoken because it's just TOO inciteful. Either way, you can't use "c-word" for colored, vermonter. . .that one's already taken.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by vermonter16

Don't use 'colored' in the DC area...you'll either get the sh** kicked out of you or start a riot. However - down here it's a bit of a different ball game. I spent 1 year in an all black ghetto neighborhood directly after moving from Vermont. There were 3 white kids in that neighborhood. All I can say is that everything goes both ways...

The NAACP uses it...

Though I have no plans of ever going near DC anyways, and I normally use "Black" too...