IS "MURZYN" word RACIST?

@rozumiemnic
You have just called me a nasty racist because I dare to disagree with you about a word that is neutral in Polish and because I said the society today sometimes(!) gets carried away with political correctness. You even suggested a fight. Seriously?

Moors are a particular cultural group, there are 'white moors' and 'black moors'. Refering to the whole of Africa (and people of colur elsewhere) as Moors, is a bit like calling all white people Kaszubs.

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I did? where was that?
Oh did you mean where I suggested you go up to a black man and call him a moor?

is that what you mean? well there wouldnt be a fight if your term was so acceptable and inoffensive would there?

honestly Kaprys, once someone starts whining about not being able to use racist terms, complaining that we are 'too PC' ...then I can see what kind of people they are.

wouild you like to be called a dumb Polack?

Yes, that's what I mean.
Pollack in English isn't neutral. Murzyn in Polish is.

English speaking cultural imperialism at its best - transplanting the notions of the words from English to Polish - because we know better you know

Very well said, Roz.

Some people just fear whatever is different, is new. There are actually neurological reasons some people feel that way. Use of certain words that offend some (the users always deny an intended offence, though when you hear who says it and the context they use it in, this doesn't always ring true) is a symptom of this.

@jon357
The same applies to the word Maur in Polish. It may mean someone from North Africa or Central/South Africa.

It isn't the same though, is it. The root is the same.

Can't you find a way to speak about millions of people that doesn't objectify them?

Both of you are missing my point. The Polish word murzyn is neutral. Whether you like it or not. You can call me racist if that makes you feel better - that won't turn me into one.

I didn't know we have a neuroscientist here

Both 'murzyn' and 'Maur' are derived from Latin 'Maurus'. So is 'Moors', I believe. Is 'Moor' offensive?

I suspect there are far more things you don't know than you do.


And is it always used with neutral intent? Is anyone ever offended to be described as that in a context where their roots aren't relevant?

how does that objectify them? care to explain?

and you have ignored my point totally. Yes I generally think that people that take to public forums to whine about PC, are racist idiots. Just an observation.

It's not a word that is used to define your ancestry, so who are you to declare who should and shouldnt be offended by a non self referential term?.

See above. Get a dictionary and check the meaning of the word 'context'. Better still, ask a person of colour about Casual Racism.

you bloody imperialist Brit - you see I used the term Brit to insult you - we should ban the term Brit, no?


to some black people in America the word ***** is a self-referential term, you must have heard about it

lol..wth? what are you arguing about?
18 pages arguing over nothing..."murzyn" is not offensive word in polish language..

Entirely out of context (and as abuse). So obviously offensive. A weak example too.


Or simply have the good manners to use language in order to specifically avoid causing offence. You might actually feel a better person if you try to choose words and phrases to affirm and be positive

to some black people in America the word ***** is a self-referential term, you must have heard about it


we are racist idiots, me, you kaprys and greggy - all of the Polish anthropologists of the 20th century were racists idiots - they just didn't know it

do you mean nigg.er? why not just spell it out, you said it anyway. Yes I know. And your point is?

it's not me who put asterixes in the place of nigg.a - it's the forum engine that did it - I'm not affraid to refer to this word and it being a self-reference by some black Americans

Apparently Miodek and Bralczyk are racist, too.
Not sure about John Godson, who doesn't mind the word.
You do realise 'murzyn' is not the equivalent of the 'n' word in English, don't you?
And it all started with me writing about an old Polish poem for kids in which murzynek is just like Polish kids and the author wrote it was a shame he didn't go to school with Polish kids. Ehh ...

John Godson must be a self-hating 'murzyn', hahha :)

yes of course. You do see my point though dont you?
Stop whining about PC. At least you might think twice before trotting out that line again.

John Godson must be a self-hating 'murzyn', hahha :) - it is the only explanation why he settled in the racist Poland

poor Gumi ..lol

my financial status is none of your business

That's what it's all about really.


A language isn't its etymology - it's its use. Very very few people are even slightly aware about the derivation of the words they use. Far more are aware of the context in which they use them, their intent in selecting that lexeme, and the effect it may have on their listener or reader.

Just because I don't agree with people who take political correctness to the extreme doesn't mean I whine about it.
Such people often do more harm to those who are truly oppressed because of their race, sex, age etc. As political correctness is not only about race. Are you going to call me sexist if I think it is ridiculous to have politically correct traffic signals? Or accusing men of mansplaining even if they don't? Go ahead. Will I be told to face a six-foot feminist?

but you did whine about it, without these gradations that you are now introducing.

Why on earth are you bubbling on about traffic signals now? Diversionary tactics? do you mean the ones in London? and what does a 'six foot feminist' have to do with it? confused.com