Yeah, I think if I used the term ethnic, 9 times out of 10 they'd think I'm talking about African Americans. I can see tying the word to smaller racial groups as well, such as Masai or Yoruba, when you hear the word 'ethnic'. So you're right. It's all valid in my eye. I just didn't want to rub anyone the wrong way. xD
I think it depends on who you're speaking to and where you are. Usually if I refer to someone as black or Hispanic around here (Dallas, Tx), no one really takes offense to it. If I said someone was "ethnic," I think people would go, "Huh?" It's not a term I've ever heard anyone use to describe any particular racial group. Food, yes, I've heard people refer to recipes that originated in India or Thailand as "ethnic." Once they learn where the recipe actually came from, then it becomes Indian food or Thai food, etc. So, I'm not sure that the term "ethnic" is necessarily offensive, but it could be confusing.
I would suggest not using 'colored' - it has a lot of connotations of an earlier, (even) more openly racist era. 'Ethnic' the way you're using it implies that white people don't have ethnicity, which perpetuates the idea of white as the norm and everyone else as "other" people.
'Person of color' seems to be considered a fairly neutral term, except that it's often used more broadly than I think you are - about the same way you're using 'ethnic.' So, people of Asian, Middle Eastern, or Hispanic descent would also be described as people of color. I use 'black,' too, though, pretty interchangeably with 'African-American' (although obviously the latter only works when talking about Americans!).
(Full disclosure: I'm of Western European descent, so pretty darned white. This is just what I've picked up, trying to pay attention to this stuff the last few years.)
I had realize the connotations of the word 'colored', so that's why I stopped using it a long time ago (though I hadn't used it a whole lot, as I just say 'black' mostly).
I admit I do use ethnic in the sense that in terms of the media, white is the 'default', and not a whole lot of people of other ethnicities are featured nearly as frequently, so I had used it to make that distinction.
I was going to write a longish comment, but I basically just agree with your friend Snickfic here! In particular, I agree that "ethnic" linguistically others people of color.
I'm very caucasian myself, but I personally use either african american or black, when talking to others. I try to use african american, because I feel it's the most respectful term, but sometimes I'll slip and say 'Black'. How you use ethnic makes sense to me, but at the same time, if I overheard someone use ethnic to describe a different race, I'd be a bit confused about what race they were talking about. I mean, personally, if I were african american, I wouldn't take offense to the word 'ethnic'. Other races to caucasians could be considered ethnic and I'm sure that to other races out there, we could be considered ethnic as well so I wouldn't understand anyone taking offense to it.
Hrm, yes. I can see that 'ethnic' can be both confusing and maybe TOO inclusive, so as to muddle the context in a situation where I would be using it (in my own way). I might have to tweak my usage of it, should I decide to continue using the term.
Hmm, I guess the right answer (and there probably isn't a right answer!) is dependent on geography too. I mean, in the UK the term "ethnic minority" is most often used. "Black" is only used to describe black people, not Asian, Arab, or any other group.
I have never, ever heard anyone in the UK use the phrase "people of colour", and calling someone "coloured" is definitely considered racist here.
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'Person of color' seems to be considered a fairly neutral term, except that it's often used more broadly than I think you are - about the same way you're using 'ethnic.' So, people of Asian, Middle Eastern, or Hispanic descent would also be described as people of color. I use 'black,' too, though, pretty interchangeably with 'African-American' (although obviously the latter only works when talking about Americans!).
(Full disclosure: I'm of Western European descent, so pretty darned white. This is just what I've picked up, trying to pay attention to this stuff the last few years.)
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I admit I do use ethnic in the sense that in terms of the media, white is the 'default', and not a whole lot of people of other ethnicities are featured nearly as frequently, so I had used it to make that distinction.
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I mean, personally, if I were african american, I wouldn't take offense to the word 'ethnic'. Other races to caucasians could be considered ethnic and I'm sure that to other races out there, we could be considered ethnic as well so I wouldn't understand anyone taking offense to it.
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I have never, ever heard anyone in the UK use the phrase "people of colour", and calling someone "coloured" is definitely considered racist here.
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