To get right to it: i'm dating a girl who prefers not to be called a ginger. I don't see any harm in it, but she equates it to 'nigger' for reasons that are all her own.

Since i learned of this i've been avoiding its usage. It's not a word i ever used often (i haven't dated many redheads), and never derogatorily; but when i want to call her something like "my little ginger" i avoid saying it in her presence. I also generally avoid the word lately.

I don't feel like i'm sacrificing anything in this, i couldn't care either way, but i also can't be certain she's not throwing a power play (to put it crudely).

What are your opinions on this?

To clarify: Things are pretty good between us, and purely physical. I have absolutely no reason to think she's establishing a stepping stone... but i don't have a ton of experience; and she's pretty smart. I'm just curious about your experiences with this kind of thing.