>If it's true that "black" is similarly pejorative to the "N" word, which the reaction seems designed to suggest, then it's easy enough not to use that word. Otherwise, perhaps the accusation of bigotry is a convenient fig leaf to disguise "protesting too much" about your scathing depictions of their party. In which case you can let it go now. ;-)

I do not consider it a bigoted word at all. Saying someone is black or white is no different from saying that car over there is black or white. It's a descriptive term. If I thought it was a bigoted word I would not use it. It's PC-to-the-max phrases like "African-American" that are more insidious IMO.

Ideally it would not even be an issue. We truly would be color blind. Well, we're sure not there yet. Show me someone who claims to be color blind and I'll show you a liar. The best we can do is treat everyone equally regardless of their race, gender, religion, or other demographic characteristics. Then we'll really be there.