Racial Terminology

noun a person who is not white or of European descent

• It is important to treat every colored person with respect and dignity.
• I heard that the new employee is a colored person.
• Some people still use offensive slang terms when referring to a colored person.
• The artist used vibrant colors to represent the beauty of the colored person in the painting.

noun an animal of mixed or inferior breeding

• The term 'half breed' is considered outdated and offensive when referring to someone of mixed racial heritage.
• Some people still use the term 'half breed' to describe someone who is of mixed race.
• I heard that guy is a half breed, his mom is from Japan and his dad is from England.
• In the world of dog breeding, a half breed can sometimes exhibit the best traits of both parent breeds.

noun a person of mixed white and black ancestry, especially a person with one white and one black parent

adjective relating to a person of mixed white and black ancestry

• The historical term 'mulatto' refers to a person of mixed white and black ancestry.
• My friend is proud of her mulatto heritage.
• Some people use the term 'mulatto' casually without understanding its historical significance.
• The painting showcased a beautiful blend of colors, much like a mulatto person's mixed ancestry.

noun a person who is one-eighth black by descent

• The novel explores the complexities of race and identity through the character of the octoroon protagonist.
• My great-grandmother was actually an octoroon, which means I have a mix of different heritages.
• She's only like one-eighth black, so some people might call her an octoroon.
• The painting was a beautiful octoroon of colors, blending together in perfect harmony.