Is "you people" a slur?

Anne Romney said she had a great time in Puerto Rico, and then said "you people know how to party". I think the term "you people" is a term that alienates and shows some prejudice. Same with "those people". I think "the people of Puerto Rico" would have been better. It's not like dropping the N-word, but if I were a PR person or speech writer, I would recommend avoiding it. What do you think?

(about that term...not the Romneys or the Republicans, or the Obamas or the Democrats...)

What do you mean "PR person"...?

I think that you people have way too little to be upset about if that kind of casual wording means anything to you.

I think you people that get your panties in a wad over something like that ought to turn off the tv and go get some air.

PHeller wrote: How bout the lady NPR interviewed this morning who said "she couldn't stand to look at Obama" and that the first lady "didn't look like a first lady."

Does that even hold the remotest candle to most of the offensive stuff said about Bush II, that nobody gave a second thought about?

I think you people are too goddamn sensitive.

Why was Anne Romney in Puerto Rico anyway? Are they trying to pick up more New York voters? Last I heard there were no tax havens in Puerto Rico either.

celica beat me to it...

Earlier comment removed because I didn't want you people to flounder.

I think it depends how it is used. "you people" when used as a positive (as is this case), though grammatically lazy, isn't derogatory.

when a sentence starts.. ."the problem with you people... " or "what is it is with you people..." etc. then the intention is typically to generalize and stereotype, so it sets someone on gaurd and raises their defenses for what is implied.

The term itself is not a slur, it's just generally used in context of a derogatory remark so it's association is linked.

In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:

That was the first thing that came to mind.

Only to retards.

slefain wrote:

"yutes?"

Youse guys gots too thin of a skin.

DILYSI Dave wrote: Only to retards.

Summed it up better than I could have.

xflowgolf wrote: I think it depends how it is used. "you people" when used as a positive (as is this case), though grammatically lazy, isn't derogatory. when a sentence starts.. ."the problem with you people... " or "what is it is with you people..." etc. then the intention is typically to generalize and stereotype, so it sets someone on gaurd and raises their defenses for what is implied. The term itself is not a slur, it's just generally used in context of a derogatory remark so it's association is linked.

It may be lazy, but I think it’s intentionally so to be more 'folksy' or to have more in common with ‘regular people’ The Romney’s are fighting a battle of appearing alienated from ‘normal people’

Note, this is not in support or against either them or any party.

You people is an all inclusive term to allow you to talk positively without forgetting a name. Like on the Emmys when they are always trying to recite a list and forget someone.

Methinks you must be a Dem and are trying to make something out of nothing.

carguy123 wrote: Methinks you must be a Dem and are trying to make something out of nothing.

Methinks you must be a rep and are stereotyping.

I once saw a substitute band teacher disappear into a mob he had just called "you people" who were of differing ethnicity to him. The last I saw of the sub was his glasses flying up into the air. "We people" exited the bandroom and headed to the office to report the riot, but I admit, we made our way up there pretty slowly, because the comment was just the capper on several days' worth of obviously bigoted comments from this guy, and we decided he had it coming.

Yes, my high school was a bit rough, but it did have a way of taking care of things.

Margie

In Minnesota we say, "You guys."

Depends on context, but it can always be taken as a slur by people who want to see it as a slur, so I'd say avoid it.

stuart in mn wrote: In Minnesota we say, "You guys."

That is terribly offensive to women, you people should be ashamed.

You people are getting on my nerves with your damn politics.