The Definition Of White

[haney591]

Let me say first that I do not want to get into a discussion about the existence of races. That being said I find it interesting how the vernacular has changed and become somewhat confused over the last century as regards the term "white". Around the turn of the century (1900) the term was very specific meaning only those of Anglo-Saxon ancestory. Over time the term came to be applied to all people of European heritage; however, and this is were it becomes interesting, the term has retained something of its original meaning to such an extent that one could say it now has two legitamate meanings. I first started thinking about this when a slavic aquaintance of mine stated that he was not "white". I realize that this post does not pose a clear question but I would like to here people's comments or additions on this subject.

[Syron]

Indeed, In america Irish and to an extent Italians weren't considered "white". And of course as Drac would say, Romanies aren't "white" either.

In modern usage though i think that the term doesn't really retain the narrow Anglo-saxon definition it once did, today it's usage is more appearance based.

I think this is possibly as a result of larger groups in western countries from radically different ethnicities. When you put your Slav up against a Black guy the fact he's appearance-wise "white" is rather more obvious than his slavic features.

[MiniMe_from_org]

Around the turn of the century (1900) the term was very specific meaning only those of Anglo-Saxon ancestory.

You certain about that? Somehow me had an impression that WASPs around the turn of the century thought this way not only for themselves but also for Dutch with Scandinavians and to less degree about Germans and French

[haney591]

I am not entirely certain. I imagine there was some lattitude in the definition at that time as well. My information comes from a newspaper article that I read some time ago.

[eventhorizen]

You certain about that? Somehow me had an impression that WASPs around the turn of the century thought this way not only for themselves but also for Dutch with Scandinavians and to less degree about Germans and French

Well many of those share the same ethnic ancestry.

However the history of racial anthropology is a minefield of utter rubbish, and that is where the concept of White has taken its meaning.

You are unlikely to get a definition of "White" that is not rubbish. I am not sure what modern ethnic research chooses to define its subjects as.

[Cyphon88]

You are unlikely to get a definition of "White" that is not rubbish. I am not sure what modern ethnic research chooses to define its subjects as.

Terms, like white, black, asian and so on are all complete rubbish. They're generic names used for emotive issues. Humanity differs far much more than into definitions like white. Term's like anglo-saxon are more accurate, i would think as there are probably (i'm no expert) differences between every area which has interbred over countless generations. I imagine as globalization continues and spreads further and further (especially with movement of labour) these terms such as white will become less and less accurate, useful and representative.

[Randarkmaan]

'White' seems to be mostly an invented category and has been termed to different people throughout the ages. As said earlier in the 19th century and at the start of the 20th century Irish and Italians (certainly Southern Italians who were the second most likely group in the US to be lynched) weren't considered white, as weren't most Southern Europeans as well.
This is a pretty interesting piece I stumbled upon some time ago, it's about how Irish were seen in the 19th century by 'white' Americans.

Also interesting is this thing from Agesialus by Xenophon (it's of the Spartan King, whom the work is named after, who invaded the Persian Empire) where the Greeks sort of mock the Persians for their 'white skin'.

But seeing that contempt for the foe is calculated to infuse a certain
strength in face of battle, he ordered his criers to strip naked the
barbarians captured by his foraging parties, and so to sell them. The
soldiers who saw the white skins of these folk, unused to strip for
toil, soft and sleek and lazy-looking, as of people who could only
stir abroad in carriages, concluded that a war with women would
scarcely be more formidable.

Another interesting thing is that in the American possessions of the Spanish Empire one could by a certificate which stated that the holder was of white and of pure Spanish heritage, the interesting part was that anyone could buy it, even 'obvious' mulattoes or mestizos could, and also interesting is the fact that many of those of pure Spanish heritage probably wouldn't be considered 'white' by people coining that term farther North.

[Panzerbear]

white = something like "nordic" right?

[Holger Danske]

white = something like "nordic" right?

No, we're just like :tacticalw

[HorseArcher]

For this thread title and the very specific reason of racism I have posted my thread a few months ago, where you can find out everything about race:

Racial Reality, So you don't become a racist
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=138560

White-race (or "black" race, or anything that falls between) based on the skin color and facial features, does not exist.

It's only the tunnel-visioned politics and racists trying to make a distinction between humans, who are actually more mixed than a granola bar.

[haney591]

White-race (or "black" race, or anything that falls between) based on the skin color and facial features, does not exist.

It's only the tunnel-visioned politics and racists trying to make a distinction between humans, who are actually more mixed than a granola bar.

I think you would have to admit that, as a historical concept, race does exist. My intent in this forum is examine one aspect of that history which I find interesting. I specifically did not want this to turn into a debate about the scientific existence or relevance of race; which I stated in my OP.

[mongrel]

There was a programme about Englishness that made me laugh

http://entertainment.timesonline.co....icle635789.ece

[Burnum]

what's black? I've got dark skin, so does that make me black?

[Snoopy]

White is usually a guy with white skin. In the same way, a Black guy is usually a guy with black/dark brown skin. Although the White/Black/Asian doesn't seem to work these days, as there is plenty of Jews, Aboringinals, ect who aren't any of the 3. Plus there is mixes of things like 25% white 25% black 50% Asian.

[Ahiga]

Black, as well as African, tends to mean through popular usage that you come from sub-Saharan Africa, or that you resemble such an ethnicity although you might be from South America (Such as Brazil or Haiti).

As for White, the definition has varied. The one I prescribe to is from a site which I felt handled the issue of ethnic groups in a fair manner (They combat both Nordics and Afro-centrics): http://racialreality.110mb.com/

It is that Caucasians or Whites are North Africans, Europeans and West Asians. It really depends on which ideology you are asking - Some have included Ethiopians in, some do not include Semitic Jews/Arabs or Middle Easterners.

[Matty_P]

To me, white is; see shaded map:

Basically, the three lightest swaths of color: the off-white, the light-green, and the darker green.

Those are white people. I mean that, even though the Asians are included. Asians act like white people, the other groups don't.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

To me, white is; see shaded map:

Basically, the three lightest swaths of color: the off-white, the light-green, and the darker green.

Those are white people. I mean that, even though the Asians are included. Asians act like white people, the other groups don't.

Asians "act like white people"? LOL




PICK-UP TRUCK




CRUISE SHIP



Asians don't "act white", each country has their own distinct culture.

[Trey]

Asians act like white people, the other groups don't.

[Burnum]

Asians act like white people, the other groups don't.

How does one act white?

[Legionem Insanis]

Those are white people. I mean that, even though the Asians are included. Asians act like white people, the other groups don't.

They cant play basketball or dance but do well in school?!?!?

Dude, your funny.