Expert: Mariah AS - 8/19/2010

Question
We are Asians. We look like African American people.There are so many African American people in my husband's work place.My husband is one of the supervises there.One day he told a guy (African American)"-----(name)boy, you did grate."and this African America guy got mad. He started to cuss at my husband,and told "boy" is a bad word in African American culture.( truly my husband wants to appreciate that guy). This is the first time I heard it, but you know better than me.I want to know the truth. Please tell me.

Answer
Well, I don't believe the man should have started cursing at him. I believe that was wrong.

But, the word "boy" to many African-American males is offensive. It comes from slavery, segregation, where blacks were thought of as less than whites. Many whites used the word "boy" to in a way break him down to tell that he is better and more like an "adult" than a "boy". It is seen as a racist word when referring to a man.

To this day many African-American males do not like someone they see of higher status like a supervisor call them "boy". It in a way degrades them.

I hope I helped some. If you have anymore questions feel free to ask.