Odd sort of ethical connundrum

[charliesmum]

So, we're watching Wheel of Fortune, and of the three contestants, one was African American. At the end of the show, Charlie says, 'The brown-faced boy didn't win anything.' He's used 'brown-faced' before in describing people, but it's a fairly new thing.

I don't personally see anything wrong with it. I am confident that Charlie makes no distinction between people other then what their personality warrants, but I'm wondering, do you think it could be construed as rude or offensive? Should I correct him? What would I say?

Comments

[lietya.livejournal.com]

Would he accept substituting "black," or is that only reasonable to him in cases where the person actually appears more black than brown? (Not that he wouldn't be *right*....) Even "brown" might be a reasonable alternative. He's also a sympathetic kid; if you were to tell him people might mind being called that, I bet he'd be willing to try something else.

However, "brown-faced" is less likely to be rude or offensive than weird, I suspect; if your worry is only about upsetting people, chances are they'll realize he's got a somewhat unusual take on the world based on the quirky phrasing, and make allowances. If you're also worried about him standing out as weird, though, it might be worth trying alternate suggestions.

I actually think it's kind of cute, but then, I call myself "green." :)