"uppity" is racist?

[Deleted]

I was talking to a friend yesterday after reading the neighbor's email (see other post for more info). I said I have uppity neighbors at the new house. Later, I googled to see if I used the word correctly. I was surprised to see that it is racist. Ooppss! Did you know this?

One website says it has racist connotation when applied to black people. None of my neighbors are black. So maybe I was fine using it, but I'll definitely try to avoid that word.

[fuddyduddy]

This is news to me.

[stingsharkruns]

didn't know that. DH calls me "uppity" when I'm being a smart ass to him or when i'm short on patience.

[Pom]

That sounds like an "old-fashioned" definition. In the modern terms, to me it is more like stand-offish.

[heyrebekah]

I think I've only ever heard that word applied to black people & it is definitely racist in that context. Basically it implies that people are acting above their station in life and giving themselves airs they don't deserve.

[Deleted]

I thought it meant you were a snob.

[Awkward]

I've heard it used in a racist context. I don't think I'd ever use it myself in conversation for fear of the connotations. I've also heard it used against women who are considered 'bitchy.'

[Deleted]

Racist depending on usage.

[Deleted]

I've only ever heard it when someone calls someone else "uppity" because they are freaking out over something--like up in arms kind of thing.

[ejpint]

I could be wrong, but I don't think the word on its own is racist. It just means someone taking on airs "above their station". It's not a polite description by any means, but used to describe someone in a minority group? Yeah, pretty racist connotation there. There was a big controversy last year when the oh-so tactful Rush Limbaugh referred to the Obamas as "uppity".

[aurora]

I also didn't know this. Thanks for the warning to pay attention!

[mollybrown]

It used to be followed by "Negro". I would never call a black person uppity.

ETA: Or a less polite n word.

[protozoa]

I had no idea. Good to know.

[Deleted]

Aug 29, 2012 9:00:04 GMT -5 @spenjamins said:

Racist depending on usage.

This.

[carfar]

I've actually never heard it used in a racist context, but knew it could be.

Basically I think of it as a synonym for pretentious.

[mskitkat]

Racist or sexist, dependent on context.

[dr.girlfriend]

Yeah, that's one to avoid. It has the connotation of "acting above your place," your place being "down below mine." I think if you mean someone is stuck up, you say "stuck up," and if you mean they are insolent, you say insolent/impudent/disrespectful, etc.

[luvmagoldn]

Yes, I did know that.

[mbcdefg]

I don't think it's racist on its own, but I would never call a black person "uppity."

The context I've heard it used: Someone who is easily offended or pissed off about something, especially if the thing in question wasn't something to get angry about. Also a sense of entitlement, like, "How dare you speak to ME that way, don't you know who I am?"

I think it's one of those things that's become racist because of historical context, not because it's exclusively used as a racial slur (like the n-word).

I wouldn't have a problem saying that my (white) sister was being "uppity" if she had a pissy attitude about something, and so technically it shouldn't be a racist thing to say about a black friend (because I'm describing her attitude, not her race). But I'd still never say it about a black person because of all the connotations behind it.

[Deleted]

Aug 29, 2012 8:58:33 GMT -5 aswartzw said:

I thought it meant you were a snob.

Same here.

[milkrations]

Aug 29, 2012 9:04:42 GMT -5 flygirl said:

I've only ever heard it when someone calls someone else "uppity" because they are freaking out over something--like up in arms kind of thing.

This is how I've heard it used and how I use it. I've never heard it in the context of someone acting like a snob or above their station in life.

[aspentosh]

Aug 29, 2012 8:58:33 GMT -5 aswartzw said:

I thought it meant you were a snob.

Ditto. I've never heard otherwise until this post.

[6fsn]

I guess I learned my new thing today.

[bunnysmom]

I had no idea, I learnt something today. Thanks!

[ondaflipside]

Didn't know. I'd just call people racist if they are.

[h]

It can be used in a non-racist context, but I think the most common historical usage is a racist one. It's definitely a word that should be used with caution for that reason.

[mbcdefg]

Aug 29, 2012 11:53:44 GMT -5 pennypenny said:

Aug 29, 2012 9:08:00 GMT -5 sameoldash said:

Yep. Also, "bougie" and "hacididy" (<--no clue how that's supposed to be spelled). Same thing.

And hifalutin. That's how I spell it anyway.

Sent from my ADR6300

I always picture people like Yosemite Sam saying this word.