Is it O.K. to call a black guy "brother"?

[K. Roman]

Calling anyone brother is ok. What's more telling is how uncomfortable you are with it.

[Tishabet]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

i'm the only one on the block that might be "offended".

Never gave it second thought till this thread.

now i hate my friends.

Thanks for making my day.

lmao!

[vash]

brother? isnt it more of a groovy 60's term, and not so much of a skin color term?

best adam corolla line ever. he was on love-lines talking to a dom chick. he said, "i would love it if my girlfriend called me "MASTER". well, not if she was black, because that would be weird"

i do use Brother occasionally..

[dentist90]

I believe the term for the emotion you are feeling is 'white guilt'.

Hopefully the fellow isn't hypersensitive, and as he gets to know you better it'll all be good, Brah!

[ed martin]

Originally Posted by McLovin

I think it's ok, as long as you give the little "black power" fist salute with it.

Oh please! That is so late 60's passe! I think more appropriate would to go high, follow up with a hand clasp and a fist bump. Much more appropriate and eliminates the problematic political overtones. I think customs do vary geographically though, so you may want to check with local playas in da hood while you be kickin it.

By the way, if his shoe laces are red, don't wear blue.

[drcoastline]

The "B" word? You said the "B" word? Now we can't say the "B" word either? Pretty soon we are not going to be able to say the "AA" word either.

[scoe911]

Only one word applies here...subjective...

[Zeke]

Overused anymore so it's diluted. I agree with the poster(s) who said it's all in how it's spoken.

"Boss" is sorta hip but been around a little too long. Nothing wrong with it. I think the Southerners would use "Hoss."

The most derogatory term I know of today is "Pal." Make that inflammatory. Or both.

[ed martin]

Seriously, I think it's a bit presumptuous to call anyone, Black or White, brother. Of course it all depends on context, but usually when someone uses that term on me it initiates the old flight or fight instinct. It's usually followed by some request for something, like your money or your wallet or some wierd favor in my experience. I think in this instance your remark was completely innocent, but your friend would probably appreciate you a lot more if you just called him by his name.

I have to agree wilth Milt. I find words like " Pal, Chief, Buddy, Sport" to be completely offensive. There's a local bakery next door to me and he's the nicest guy in the world, but he always calls me Buddy. I know he means no harm but I actually avoid buying things there just because of that.

As far your situation I'm sure your friend took it the right way, but he's probably having a good chuckle over it.

[Burnin' oil]

No problem with "brother," but I play a lot of basketball and I call everyone "boy," usually in a condescending way. If I'm playing with brothers, I'm a little more circumspect.

[tabs]

Only if you don't mind having your nutz cut off and shoved down your throat...or better yet try calling them "BOY" and it won't be a Pina Colada your sucking up, but a big black snake and your new name will be Linda..

[RoninLB]

bro, brother etc is tame around here. No disrespect, only slang
It comes down to where you live and what the culture is


"boss" is picked up from the army around here. If a store clerk salesman, etc has helped you out and you say "thanks boss" it comes from respect you're showing him and if it doesn't immediately register he'll ask someone and when you come in next time you have his undivided attention. It's used moistly with strangers or occasionally by someone you had to dress down and he's acknowledging "it won't happen again" in the slang of "ok boss"

then again this a couple of NY speak that usually ruffles the feathers of out of state strangers

[johnnywishbone]

Originally Posted by tabs

Only if you don't mind having your nutz cut off and shoved down your throat...or better yet try calling them "BOY" and it won't be a Pina Colada your sucking up, but a big black snake and your new name will be Linda..

big black snake. dam.

[Apollo]

There's a yearly television awards show in Australia( The Logies) and sometime in the 80's? Muhammed Ali was giving an award and the compere said at one point : "That's my boy!" and for a moment Ali had this look of rage on his face, feigned or not not sure, he quickly laughed it off. The compere meant absolutely nothing buy it and I think Ali knew this.

[scottmandue]

Should of use the proper "sweet brother of mine"

I'm typing this from south central so I know about these things.

[ed martin]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Should of use the proper "sweet brother of mine"

I'm typing this from south central so I know about these things.

If you like Black snake.

[scottmandue]

Didn't know we had such a widespread case of Ophidiophobia on this form!