Even asking this question begs comments about my PC but here goes... When introducing a character would it be wrong to write, "ALEX a black woman in her 40s" or should I write, "ALEX an African American woman in her 40s" I tend to feel that readers will accept black in this usage but wanted to hear other opinions.
Screenwriting : Politically correct usage in action by Simon King
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Personally I'd say African American. But ultimately I try to keep race as open as possible with all characters and only state it if it's undeniably relevant.
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Upon reflection I realized I was pushing casting into the script. I wonder if they had this problem when writing 12 Years A Slave...
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Unlikely, as the film is about the enslavement of a black man. Black is fine if a race is necessary (not all black people are African American)
So... only blacks can be slaves? You would not know that script was about a black man from the title.
I am really starting to believe that the story is the only important thing when it all boils down to it. Seems like the nationality or race of a character is only used to the benefit of the writer because we know how we want the character to be portrayed and how WE see the story unfolding in our heads. Here's a question, how many writers get to do the casting for their scripts? Unless the story is directly dealing with an issue of color, how you physically describe that character may not make a difference anyway. But I could be wrong. Black is ok to me.
pl use African American yeah definitely people hate the terms blacks or negroes
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Also, remember, not every black person IS African American. I was at a con last year and somebody asked, in a panel, "Do you think there will ever be an African-American Doctor?" (Talking about Doctor Who). The room went into shocked silence because, of course, the Doctor can't be American. But I agree. Is it important that this character is black? Is race key to the character, the story, or your goals with the script?
IMO sure it's ok...
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Context. According to the historical timeframe.
so this begs even more questions - if you are writing a screen play - your character is described in your character list - there should be no more mention of her ethnicity - or race or any other feature of note - unless one of your characters is speaking specifically about her - then that character will be speaking in his voice and he will say what ever his voice would say - regardless of PC - if your character is a woody allen type then he will repeatedly be saying every version possible to ensure no one is offended - archie bunker type - he will use a halting wide sweeping generalization of the most current PC words which do not fit well into his mouth -and in doing so he will break the fourth wall and ask rhetorically and usually silently if this is ok as it is all the audience would rather any other version were used - if a george jefferson type - then your character will be rude and in your face - with no thought to PC - or you can use a name - to describe - the way phaestus is -the "cripple" in gunsmoke - Hephaestus is the greek god of injured trades workers - so the name says it all - can you call your character Ebony ? if you read W. Somerset Maugham The Summing Up - he speaks to this stuff at great length
Whether you use "Black" or "African American" it is still not that great either way. Why not just say "A dark skinned woman ALEX (40's) ...........
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I guess to conclusion to take from this is to be as considerate as you can and do what you feel is comfortable.