Colored People's Time

Colored People's Time, CP Time, or CPT, is an American expression referring to a stereotype of African Americans and Hispanics as frequently being late.

In media

The phrase has been referenced numerous times in various types of media, including the films Bamboozled, Undercover Brother, Let's Do It Again , House Party and the television series' The Boondocks, The Wire, Where My Dogs At?, Reno 911, 30 Rock, Everybody Hates Chris, The PJs, Bridezillas, Mad TV and Cedric the Entertainer Presents. There was also a 1960s public interest program produced by Detroit Public Television with the name Colored People's Time, as well as a 1980s play written by Leslie Lee which consisted of 13 vignettes of African American history from the Civil War through the Montgomery bus riots. (ISBN 0-573-61894-1). In The Wire S03E08, when a girl asked Marlo Stanfield when he wants to meet, Marlo responded, "Five. And five mean five. I don't truck CP time. Five and change; I'm gone." There was also a mention of "CPT" in the television series "Prison Break" by the character Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell.

In literature

The phrase may be found in the following literary texts:

• Langston Hughes's poem "Dancer" in Montage of a Dream Deferred: "Even a great dancer can't C.P.T. a show."
• Toni Morrison's novel Jazz: "CPT! Surprise me for once, Joe Trace." - Sheila says, commenting on Joe's late arrival.
• Nella Larsen's novel......
...

Read More