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Comment by roflchoppa | Hacker News Reader

when i had to pay a ticket at the santa clara court house the cops there are a bunch of smart asses. Except for that black cop who was at the door, he was very helpful.

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Agree, officers of color are usually nicer. The Asian cop who helped me retrieve the impound release paperwork was nice to me. Even waived the $100 paper work fee.

But I'm still pissed about the whole situation. Wasted three hours and $300 because of some cop decided to arrest a sober person to kill time rather than patrolling the street and catching the real criminals.

Edit: had to change colored to officers of color to be more PC.

I'm sure you didn't intend any offense, but for future reference, "colored" is considered archaic and borderline racial-epithet in the U.S. (I realize it's quite normal and non-offensive elsewhere.)

I didn't mean to offend. What word is more appropriate to describe cops who are not white?

I only learned English after 11 year old. What a confusing language... I thought you guys might know some fancy word, but you only switched the words around.

Race relations are complicated in the US (and in most of the world). A term that wouldn't seem problematic can become problematic because of its historical context. That's the case with many racial epithets in English...words that seemingly have no negative connotation can take on negative connotation when used for a period of time to insult or separate people based on their race, religion, origin, gender, sexual or gender identity, etc.

No one blames you for not knowing; all you're responsible for is how you respond and correcting future usage. The appropriate response is something along the lines of, "I didn't know. I will say X in the future. Thanks for the heads up." And, if you haven't been told what a better option is, you can generally ask without causing upset.

English is really confusing as a second language. To make it even more complicated, words with racial or other 'insults' change from place to place. Not only that, but the English that is standard through Europe (outside of the UK) is slightly different altogether - folks will be able to talk to other Europeans, but yet get lost when going to an English speaking country.

But no worries, honestly, except for this minor slip, you seem to be doing well.

If someone had made up a fancy word, would that have been better for you? Just accept what people want to be called. Calling black people in the US colored is fraught with problems; I'm sure you wouldn't go to Northern Ireland and call people Fenians.

Person of Color or POC. You might say, "Cops who are People of Color."

"Officers of color" is more palatable.

i knew what you were saying. no harm intended <3

What a complete waste of time, impound lots are even worse, i assume they did not give you an opportunity to call someone to get your car.

No breathalyzer on spot?

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