Do people find my username (SamboNZ) offensive?

[SamboNZ]

Hey everyone,

I have recently become aware that part of my username (Sambo) is a racist term for people of African decent in some countries.  This was obviously not the meaning I intended when I created this username, and in fact, the name Sambo was given to me by the father of a very close friend of mine when I was a child (my real name is 'Sam') and it has stuck ever since (no, I am not dark skinned or of African decent).  The NZ part is because I'm from New Zealand

In addition to these points, Sambo is also the name of a Russian martial art and a Japanese restaurant in the Philippines, so one could take it in a number of different ways.

However, all this is moot if the name offends people anyway.  Look, I'm not the kind of person who tip-toes around others because of some perceived offense I may cause, but I don't want to put people off and have them avoid dealing with me because of this.

The other side to this is that it's my username, ie; I'm calling myself a potentially derogatory name, so that may influence people's perception of it as well.

I could start a new account with a different name, but then I will have to re-build my (albeit limited) reputation from scratch.

What do you think?

Sam.

[bryant.coleman]

When I heard the term, the first thing that came to my mind was the Russian martial art made famous by Fedor Emelianenko. Be proud of your name, and don't bother what others think about it.

[SamboNZ]

When I heard the term, the first thing that came to my mind was the Russian martial art made famous by Fedor Emelianenko. Be proud of your name, and don't bother what others think about it.

Cheers man

[Farmer17]

I don't even know the word is considered racist and offensive to some African...

[Equate]

I saw it for the first time  and if its your name you should not be apprehensive about it.

[Gervais]

No. People add bo on to many names. Jimbo Steveo etc.

[Rampton]

Yes very offensive. Jk. Never heard of sambo being offensive before.

[bryant.coleman]

I don't even know the word is considered racist and offensive to some African...

Nowadays the Political correctness is getting more and more crazier. I don't know what will be next. May be they will even ban books such as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

[Gervais]

I don't even know the word is considered racist and offensive to some African...

Nowadays the Political correctness is getting more and more crazier. I don't know what will be next. May be they will even ban books such as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

Why would they ban them?

[supernovax]

Most people don't care only those small minded who does. 

[jparsley]

It sounds ok

[apsvinet]

Unless you call yourself something offensive with the intent of being offensive it should pass as OK.

[BitCoinDream]

I think the racial term is Zambo, not Sambo !!!

[apsvinet]

I think the racial term is Zambo, not Sambo !!!

I suspect they're pronounced similarly though?

[wallet.link]

never heard of that being an offensive word. should be ok.

[tekke]

In spanish Zambo means , the result of the mixture between Black race and indian race (Native American). It is ok to use it to describe the racial background of somebody , however it is not ok to use as a derogatory adjetive

[rhino34567]

As most people here, Ive never heard of it.

[BitCoinDream]

In spanish Zambo means , the result of the mixture between Black race and indian race (Native American). It is ok to use it to describe the racial background of somebody , however it is not ok to use as a derogatory adjetive

indian race or red indian race ? Indian race represents Hindu culture, whereas Red Indian race represents Mayan culture.

[tekke]

indian race or red indian race ? Indian race represents Hindu culture, whereas Red Indian race represents Mayan culture.

did you read the complete sentence?  indian race (Native American), any indigenous people form America (Mayan, Aztec, Carib, Wayuu etc), the whole continent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Americas

[apsvinet]

In spanish Zambo means , the result of the mixture between Black race and indian race (Native American). It is ok to use it to describe the racial background of somebody , however it is not ok to use as a derogatory adjetive

Oh yes, I can recall this as well, did some research on what the different 'race mixes' were called. I don't think it's more offensive than calling someone white or black. Just as long as it's not used in an offensive context it's not offensive in itself.