[TontoKowalski]

Thanks for the advice on the kid's formula. I'll tell her that. I didn't know their was a kid's formula...

Thanks also for the clarification on "kinky" and "nappy." I grew up in the Deep South, and sometimes I don't know what passes muster (words/phrases which were just part of our speech when we were kids).

For example, the old TV Show "Benson" had an episode surrounding the racist connotations of the word "uppity." In my upbringing, "uppity" was just one of those vague Southern words with unclear definitions. My mother would get on us if we got uppity, which I took to mean when we put on airs or otherwise got too big for our britches.

I had no idea "uppity" was a racist word. Frankly, I'm still not sure, but I don't use it anyway.

[stainlessbanner]

I remember alot of those words, too. I never took them to be particularly offensive, but you never know what the PC folks are banning nowadays.

Check out this thread for some old Southern sayings; you'll probably recognize a few!

[cyborg]

I never knew uppity was a racist word. I do not hear that word unless it comes from a black American from 'down south'. Uppity is usually synonymous with uncle tom negro, bougie,etc. and perhaps that's where the race thing comes in.

Calling someone negro is considered racist BUT I grew up hearing the words negro, white, coulie, coloured,etc. because my mom is from a British colony. I'd never say negro though. I don't want a lecture on black identity.

[Wordsmith]

I had no idea "uppity" was a racist word. Frankly, I'm still not sure, but I don't use it anyway.

I never knew until after my wife and I were married for a couple of years how racially charged this word is. As far as I know, it still is, so I avoid it. Too bad, as it's so evocative.

[mafree]

The word "uppity" is problematic for some Blacks because it was regularly used by Whites to describe a Black person who seemed not to "know their place" (another loaded phrase). This Black person usually did, owned, or said something that only whites could do, own or say. Once a Black person was referred to in this way the next thing they frequently got was fired, assaulted, falsely accused of a crime, or even lynched.

I can understand your puzzlement over why this word is so racially charged, for it is rarely explained. To most Black folks who study their history, the word "uppity" was a way of telling them "Who do you think you are? You're too big for your britches. You're asking for too much. Get back in the inferior, second-class place we have for you."