RE: The word "Gal" and racism (Full Version)

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Irishknight -> RE: The word "Gal" and racism (5/21/2008 10:06:20 AM)

Maybe I missed something in the video that was supposed to prove the point but I did enjoy it.  Pulp Fiction rocks.

As I said, any word can be used in a racist way by an idiot but it doesn't make the word racist.  If I call you a washing machine with racist intent, it doesn't make the words inherently racist.  Those same men who use the word "gal" in a racist tone probably call women they like "good ol' gals."  I'm 37 years old and have traveled the majority of this country and I still hold that it is the intent behind the use and the power that you give it that makes a word bad or not bad.
I would have to agree with those that qualify "gal" more in the sexist category.  I still hear people refer to horses and cattle as gals to identify gender.  Bigotted plantation owners probably didn't see any difference in cattle or slaves .... although they probably treated the cattle better.  They probably referred to them with the same terms. 



lronitulstahp -> RE: The word "Gal" and racism (5/21/2008 10:09:35 AM)

The video was just for fun...no point intended.  In the beginning Sam Jackson says"allow me to retort"....i always found it funny that it precededed a murderous killing spree is all....



DomAviator -> RE: The word "Gal" and racism (5/21/2008 10:12:56 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MusicalBoredom

On the other hand, when I was growing up in the South, "little old ladies" often referred to their "girl" which was usually a black lady in her 60s or 70s who had worked for the "little old lady" for years.  It made me cringe even as a kid.  I have also heard a bunch or drunk rednecks say "girl get over here and take our order" to people of just about any race but that seemed more offensive as it was meant to make them better than the person they were talking to.


I dont see that at least here in Texas. "Their Girl" more often than not means secretary / assistant / employee whatever. My lawyer tells me to "just leave a message with my girl" - who happens to be a gorgeous 20 something blonde.  My dentist, who is female herself, will say "If they have any issues that I wrote all three on this form just tell the pharmacist to call my girl (also caucasion)"... I call the latina who cleans for me "my girl" as in "oh damn, I forgot to have my girl clean the..." I think the southern ladies with "the girl" are referring more to the fact that she works for them than her race. As for the rednecks and the waitress - again its not meant to be demeaning - at least here in Texas shes quite likely to walk over to the table and say "you boys needin some more beers" or "what can I git for you boys" 

as for what vield said about ships - he couldnt be more right! [:D] I still remember when I became a shellback. Talk about a sexist event LOL Even US Navy warships are female - a carrier is called "Mother".



lronitulstahp -> RE: The word "Gal" and racism (5/21/2008 10:31:31 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: philosophy

FR

....surely the odd slave owner called a slave, "hey you".........by the same logic as the OP then this makes the word 'you' a racist slur.
It's not the word...it's the spirit of the word.  For example a common way to denigrate and oppress black men even after slavery was by calling them "boy".  And it wasn't even pronounced "boy" but more "bwoy".  Perhaps people on these forums would like to say that wasn't racially motiviated either...i don't care to argue the point...it's exhausting. 
If you call me gal, i'm not going to go ballistic...and i hate people that turn everything into a racial issue.  That's weak.  Playing the victim is a turn-off in my book.  But the OP had a question, and coming from a background where these terms and their nuances were known, i replied to his post.  Pretty simple...the points of view here will vary based on  each one's own personal experience. 



BRNaughtyAngel -> RE: The word "Gal" and racism (5/21/2008 10:39:26 AM)

I thought of another word southerners use along the same lines..... "son". 

It's usually an older man talking to a younger man who isn't always his son.

"Now son, let me tell ya 'bout this here machine.  She'll cut your grass as smooth as glass in half the time, got the power to get through the toughest briars and damned if she ain't got a cupholder for yer beer!  That's a win-win combination if ya ask me!"

Hehe.  [:D]



QuietlySeeking -> RE: The word "Gal" and racism (5/21/2008 2:41:43 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: faerytattoodgirl

why is it that men...call their toys...including their car.... girl...

but never call their car...boy...

surely some cars are boys..... or do they not call them this for fear of being thought of as gay?



...because they are all something we slide into when we want a little fun?  [:D]

that would be my perspective as a hetero male....not sure about any other side of the fence!



Asherdelampyr -> RE: The word "Gal" and racism (5/21/2008 2:42:26 PM)

My car is a tempermental bitch that wont accept any other male except me

what else would ya call her?



MochaNipples -> RE: The word "Gal" and racism (5/21/2008 3:11:44 PM)

Use of the word is offensive.  I have only been called "gal", by someone from the South who thought they were putting me in my place.



Emperor1956 -> RE: The word "Gal" and racism (5/21/2008 3:25:12 PM)

Oh oh.   This probably makes it worse.  The "good old gal" in the song about the Erie Canal (which by the way is actually named "Low Bridge" but no one ever calls it that)?   That good old gal isn't a woman, or a boat...she's a MULE.   Back 'atcha! 

Low Bridge, Everybody Down
(Written by: Thomas Allen in 1905)

I've got a mule, and her name is Sal,
Fif-teen miles on the Er-ie canal,
She's a good ol' worker and a good ol' pal,
Fifteen miles on the Er-ie can-al,
We've hauled some barges in our day,
Filled with lum-ber coal and hay,
And ev'ry inch of the way we know
From Al-ba-ny to Buff-a-lo OH

Chorus

Low bridge ev'-ry bod-y down,
Low bridge for we're com-in to a town,
And you al-ways know your neighbor,
You'll always know your pal,
If you've ev-er navigated on the Er-ie can-al

Chorus

We'd better look round for a job old gal,
Fif-teen miles - on the Er-ie can-al,
You bet your life I wouldn't part with Sal,
Fif-teen miles on the Er-ie can-al,
Giddap 'there gal we've passed that lock,
We'll make Rome fore six o'clock,
So, it's one more trip and then we'll go,
Right back home to Buff-a-lo OH

Chorus

Oh, where would I be if I lost my pal?
Fif-teen miles on the Er-ie can-al.
Oh, I'd like to see a mule as good as Sal,
Fif-teen miles on the Er-ie can-al,
A friend of mine once got her sore,
Now he's got a busted jaw,
'Cause she let fly with her iron toe,
And kicked him in to Buff-a-lo OH

Chorus

Don't have to call when I want my Sal,
Fif-teen miles on the Er-ie can-al,
She trots from her stall like a good old gal,
Fif-teen miles on the Er-ie can-al,
I eat my meals with Sal each day,
I eat beef and she eats hay,
And she ain't so slow if you want to know,
She put the "Buff" in Buff-a-lo OH

Chorus



slaveboyforyou -> RE: The word "Gal" and racism (5/21/2008 3:59:12 PM)

This kind of reminds me about all the hoopla surrounding Obama calling that reporter, "sweetie."  I never thought of that as being sexist.  I call women sweetie all the time, along with "darlin'" and "sugar".

I have never heard the word "gal" used as a racial slur and I was born and raised in the South.  I've always seen it as casual word you use when talking about someone.  I've never walked up to anyone and said, "hey there gal."  It's not a word you direct toward someone you're speaking to.  It's a word you use when talking about someone that's not there.  Now the word "girlie" is one my grandmother always said to her sisters when she was pissed off.  It still makes me want to laugh when I hear it. 

"Boy" is one of those words that has a double meaning in the South.  You can generally tell by the tone of someone's voice whether it's meant to be racist or not. 



Asherdelampyr -> RE: The word "Gal" and racism (5/21/2008 3:59:51 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MochaNipples

Use of the word is offensive.  I have only been called "gal", by someone from the South who thought they were putting me in my place.


How is it offensive? I mean, I have seen the word use multiple times, in multiple different ways (i.e. "Gals Night Out"  "Hey there Guys and Gals"... the former being every thursday night at a club I used to frequent, and the latter being a sign-on for a radio dj) I've never seen a club that had a sign that said N**gers night out, or some such, because that is a racist remark, but gal?



Wildfleurs -> RE: The word "Gal" and racism (5/21/2008 4:53:28 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FangsNfeet

Rather than saying girl or lady, has your accent or up bringing caused you to say gal?

I ask this because it has been brought to my attention that the word or slang of "gal" is a racist remark. According to what I was told, "Gal" in the USA, was the term used to describe black female slaves. This word is offensive as the infamous "N" word.

Is there anyone out there who would like to prove or debunk the orgin of the word gal as it is meant for the English language and American slang?

I'd like to hear your oppinion.


If its worth anything, I'm a black woman and never was aware that gal was a racist term and I certainly wouldn't consider it racist or offensive at all.

C~



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