That term - Half-Caste.....I don't like it.....

[lokibird]

My baby girl is of a mixed race/ethnicity background, specifically I am Asian of Filipino heritage and my husband is Australian (Caucasian).
I have always thought that the term Half-caste was extremely impolite, if not downright offensive, and yet I am continually surprised at how many times I hear this description particularly since my baby was born 6 months ago. I hear it both from complete strangers (she does attract a certain amount of attention when we are out and about - as do all of your gorgeous bubs, you know what it is like!!!) and even from well meaning family members. "Oh, half-caste babies are so cute..." etc. and ..."Look at her, she's adorable I think she might be half-caste, am I right?"
For me, as a general rule of thumb...if the person clearly does not mean to be offensive, (and it is just a case of them being politically incorrect and maybe just a little ignorant) I try not to take offense, although I struggle when I hear this term.
Because of the (seemingly increasing) number of times I am hearing this I am wondering....Has the term "half-caste" evolved to become something not so offensive these days? (Similar to how some would argue that the use of the word "wog" has shifted since the 80's).
And am I being over-sensitive?
Row

[NonnyMouse]

While I have never used the term myself, I have read it in a lot of books and it has sometimes been in the context of a derogatory term, but just as often used simply to describe someone of mixed race. I would assume that whether it is an insult or not depends entirely on the intent of the person saying it, and in your own personal feelings being at the receiving end.

[2girls&1boy]

To be honest I would never say that as I think it sounds a bit offensive. But when I think about it I don't really know what I would say maybe bi-racial???

I can see why you don't like hearing it even if people are not meaning anything by it. Is it more older people that say it or both young & old?

[safarifun]

Hi Lokibird,

to you! I completely understand and agree with you.

Our child will be Australian-Zimbabwean and I'd much rather people refer to her/him in a more kind, respectful manner rather than half-caste.

I feel this way because many years ago when Aboriginal and Causcasion couples had children, half-caste was said negatively and the children were looked upon in a not so nice manner.

I think to call a child half-caste these days is not so nice - it's much nicer to ask Mum & Dad what their heritage is!

But maybe that's me being a little precious!

All the best, I hope one day it gets better. I know what you are going through.

[bada]

I thought most ppl were aware it was a rather negative term to use. I know I wouldn't use it as I think it is derogatory but I don't actually know why it is, so I looked it up and found this,

Half-caste (or often mis-spelt half-cast) is a term used to describe people of mixed race or ethnicity.[1] Caste comes from the Latin castus, meaning pure, and the derivative Portuguese and Spanish casta, meaning race. The term originates from the Indian caste system, where a person of 'lesser' or half-caste would be deemed to be of a 'lower class'. While the origins of the term are derogatory, its usage has evolved to give it the more objective meaning described above.

http://www.answers.com/topic/half-caste

[JasmineLouise]

I really dislike the word too.

I'm actually really surprised people still use the term at all. Historically, the word has really derogatory connotations...

[Mummaholic]

It is an outdated term and shouldn't be used any more - it's likely to cause offence. In my experience people prefer 'biracial' or simply "half this, half that".

[lokibird]

its usage has evolved to give it the more objective meaning described above.

This is interesting. I thought this would have been the case as I haven't actually heard it being used intentionally to insult...quite the opposite, most of the time they were paying a compliment. Still....it makes me feel uncomfortable.

Is it more older people that say it or both young & old?

Surprisingly mostly younger (as in GenX and GenY) but then this would perhaps explain that older generations remember it as being offensive, because of the history and origin of the term, but younger ones would not.

[lokibird]

I would assume that whether it is an insult or not depends entirely on the intent of the person saying it, and in your own personal feelings being at the receiving end.

Very true.

[A Party of Five]

Yes, it's definitely not a politically correct term and could be seen as highly offensive not a word you would use if you actually respected the person and not a word you would use in polite conversation

John Agard wrote

"this is not as an opposition of half, half, half on a person's total human complexity implies that some sort of 'purity' has been subverted. A child of mixed race is a tangible, loving expression of human beings from different cultural backgrounds getting together - that should be seen not as something threatening, but as something enriching..."