Phyllis,

That particular term is not one that I use, but quite honestly it is a term which I have heard used most frequently by Italians referring to themselves. It is apparent to me that many people do not find it offensive, even those to whom it used to refer.

The post you took offense to was not directed at you. You may think that you've "joined the wrong club and chosen to visit the wrong place." That is only truye if you wish to join clubs and visit bulletin boards where people think exactly like you. On the other hand if you are willing to accept that different people have different perspectives on things and each has something to contribute even if we don't agree with everything they say or do, then you joined the right club and are visiting the right bulletin board.

Sometimes you are going to hear things you don't like. What a boring world it would be if that wasn't the case.