I want to know the correct capitalization for black and white, referring to people.. In otherwords, if I say, "He is Black and she is a white woman," is that capitalization correct? Whites and Blacks are the same except for different skin color. If you refer to Blacks or Whites as a noun, do you capitalize then, but if you use it as a adjective, then it is not capitalized? Also, is it biracial or bi-racial? Thanks

Question

I want to know the correct capitalization for black and white, referring to people..  In otherwords, if I say, "He is Black and she is a white woman," is that capitalization correct?  Whites and Blacks are the same except for different skin color.  If you refer to Blacks or Whites as a noun, do you capitalize then, but if you use it as a adjective, then it is not capitalized?  Also, is it biracial or bi-racial?  Thanks

GuruBlue · Answer

The correct spelling is "bi-racial".

I would not use a "color" to describe a person. Unless you are being asked about ethnic background,then that comment would be indicative of bias. If one has to use it, then it would be as an adjective and would not be capitalized.