Collarspace Discussion Forums


Home  Login  Search 

RE: Racist or not?


View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
 
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> RE: Racist or not? Page: <<   < prev  1 [2] 3 4 5   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 12:39:32 PM   
Alumbrado


Posts: 5560
Status: offline
quote:

A relative of mine was verbally attacked in a department store by a woman in line next to her while trying to return something that came out of the box busted.  Because the item was on clearance, they would not let her return the item and she said "What a gyp."  meaning of course, that she thought she had been ripped off.  The woman next to her called her a racist because the phrase was originally a racial slur against gypsies.  It has long since passed into the vernacular and is not typically recognised as having any racist connotation, since most people don't even know the etymology of the phrase.  I fail to see how anything can be racist without prejudice or the intent to discriminate behind it.  I respect the right those who have suffered discrimination to take offense at overt reminders of that, but I am also of the opinion that I need not join that fight.  It is their problem, not mine.  I am half-German, but I have never bristled when someone doing an improvised mechanical fix calls it a "Gerry-rig."  I just don't have the time nor the inclination to get angry about ridiculous crap like that.



That's not the etymology of the word 'gypsy' or the phrase 'jury rig', but  your point is well taken... much of the topic of racism is either about blaming the victim, or about creating offense where none existed. 

Memphis had a flap a few years ago when a politician claimed that a rival's references to spam blocker email filters and Nigerian scammers was coded racism because 'everybody knew' that Nigerian filter was a cigarette filter made from cotton picked by the most despised slaves....

Of course the history books didn't know this, since they persist in saying that the cigarette industry didn't offer filters until decades after there were no more slaves picking cotton. 
Add to that the false claims made over the use of the word 'renege', or similar bogus assertions about 'handicap' and 'rule of thumb' being perjorative.and so forth.

The 'its only racist if...' tactic is another  bit of disingenuity.. Blacks 'can't be racist' when they firebomb Korean groceries, because after all, in  major cities with black mayors, police officials, judges, and so forth, and not a single Asian in any such position, blacks have no power.  Add to that the ' ...but that N****r played the race card...' tactic. 

Bottom line, racism is the belief that one group or another is superior or inferior because of being a member of that group.

Things like jokes about 'gorillas', 'gooks' 'watermelon', et al. that fuel the ignorance required to sustain that sort of belief  are serving the racist's agenda, so why pretend otherwise?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnd7NovxFsg

< Message edited by Alumbrado -- 8/11/2008 1:24:11 PM >

(in reply to Maxwell67)
Profile   Post #: 21
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 1:27:03 PM   
Termyn8or


Posts: 18681
Joined: 11/12/2005
Status: offline 		"Bottom line, racism is the belief that one group or another is superior or inferior because of being a member of that group. "

I disagree, that is called bigotry.

T

(in reply to Alumbrado)
Profile   Post #: 22
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 1:32:12 PM   
Archer


Posts: 3207
Joined: 3/11/2005
Status: offline 		Then you disagree with the dictionary terminator.
including Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism
and Websters http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Racism


(in reply to Termyn8or)
Profile   Post #: 23
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 1:36:25 PM   
Alumbrado


Posts: 5560
Status: offline 		Disagreeing with the dictionary is practically a badge of honor with some of the posters around here..

(in reply to Archer)
Profile   Post #: 24
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 1:36:33 PM   
candystripper


Posts: 3486
Joined: 11/1/2005
Status: offline 		You can't control him...you can only control yourself.  Clearly his remarks upset you -- if it matters, they would upset me too.  Spending time with a racist for me is like deliberatly choosing ugly wallpaper for my living room -- I could do it but why would I?  It's my environment and I try to filter out annoyances like this.
 
If I were in your shoes I'd stop spending time with this guy.  It would probably enhance your well being, and as a small side benefit, maybe it will dawn on this asswipe that there are social costs to behaving like a racist...with or without disclaimers.
 
candystripper

(in reply to hazelmae)
Profile   Post #: 25
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 1:44:21 PM   
KyttynTheMynx


Posts: 4880
Joined: 5/10/2006
From: Moosecrotch, Va
Status: offline 		Be part of the problem and stay and give him an audience, or be part of the solution, tell him to knock it off, and if need be, dissolve the friendship if this bothers you so much.

_____________________________

Hibbie's Hottie

The next time you think I give a fuck, remember the 3 F's... Unless you are Feeding me, Financing me, or Fucking me, I don't give a fuck!!

"Kyttyn: The Other White Meat!" - DRH

10 Miles of Hot Chocolate Lovin'.

(in reply to candystripper)
Profile   Post #: 26
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 1:58:08 PM   
kittinSol


Posts: 16926
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

Racism is a part of life, we all would like to be around "our own kind". It's how you treat the other "kind" that matters.



Not all of us, since not all of us feel there is anything like 'our own kind' at all, and that people are human beings first and foremost: the days of the clan are long gone.



_____________________________



(in reply to Termyn8or)
Profile   Post #: 27
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 2:17:05 PM   
Termyn8or


Posts: 18681
Joined: 11/12/2005
Status: offline 		OK Archer, we seem to have engaged.

I like my race, I prefer a Woman who is of my race and I will admit that I might give preferential treatment to members of my race. But I will not do that at the expense of anyone else. If you want to talk White and Black, I think Blacks have come a long way and done quite well in a society that took us two thousand years to develop. And they did it in a scant two hundred and something years.

Racism is not all black and white so to speak.

So if racist is not the proper term for what I am what is ? I am certainly not bigoted, and I have looked for the term. Racialist might fit, but it doesn't seem to. Nationalist doesn't fit.

So yes, I do disagree with the dictionary. I disagree with parts of the Bible as well. I disagree with parts of the Protocols, Silent Weapons, the Turner Diaries, all of it. I disagree with alot of things.

The only thing I can say at this point is this : Every word you read is written by a person, and people are not perfect.

So now that you got your grain of salt, what is the proper word for me ?

(Gawd I know I am leaving myself open on that one)

T

(in reply to KyttynTheMynx)
Profile   Post #: 28
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 2:22:37 PM   
Alumbrado


Posts: 5560
Status: offline 		I suppose that what you are getting at is the difference between being discriminating, and being discriminatory. 


(in reply to Termyn8or)
Profile   Post #: 29
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 2:27:15 PM   
kittinSol


Posts: 16926
Status: offline 		Do you think I belong to the same race as you, Term?

_____________________________



(in reply to Termyn8or)
Profile   Post #: 30
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 2:29:30 PM   
popeye1250


Posts: 18104
Joined: 1/27/2006
From: New Hampshire
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

"Bottom line, racism is the belief that one group or another is superior or inferior because of being a member of that group. "

I disagree, that is called bigotry.

T


Hmmm, if I said that Asians (Mongoloids) are the smartest race would that be "racist?"
(I'd venture to guess that it's probably true.)

_____________________________

"But Your Honor, this is not a Jury of my Peers, these people are all decent, honest, law-abiding citizens!"

(in reply to Termyn8or)
Profile   Post #: 31
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 2:47:21 PM   
MusicalBoredom


Posts: 620
Joined: 5/8/2007
From: Louisiana/New York
Status: offline 		I agree with what some have pointed out.  Noticing that people look different doesn't make a racist.  Sometimes we we use looks as part of some commentary such as "that guy with blond hair" which would be referring to the person's gender and hair color.  I don't find that offensive at all. 

I'm not sure if I've told this story before (since I'm old and senile) but I think it's a good example.  A friend of mine teaches a class on the study of female poets.  In her class she uses a lot of male poets as comparison as the point of her class is gender based differences in perspective.  Whatever, her class isn't the point.  The people that attend her class are men and women who class themselves as intellectuals.  During one of her classes she was talking about the different types of socio-economic/gender/race perspectives.  She had gone through a few groups of people and asked all of the "black" students to stand.  Well the white young men and ladies in the room just about lost their mind.  They pointed out that "black" was not the appropriate term and that she should have used "African American."  She rolled her eyes and asked the four people standing their nationality.  None-were American citizens and only one was from Africa.  She pointed out that the term "African American" didn't describe any in the group in the least.

(in reply to hazelmae)
Profile   Post #: 32
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 3:09:02 PM   
seeksfemslave


Posts: 4011
Joined: 6/16/2006
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: AquaticSub
quote:

ORIGINAL: hazelmae
I guess racism is the wrong word...thank you all for pointing that out.  I did call him a racist when he said that black people looked like gorillas...and I guess I just haven't changed that idea since then

See that I would regard as racist and offensive.

Why? Is it true or false ?
Only arskin?

(in reply to AquaticSub)
Profile   Post #: 33
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 3:11:40 PM   
Nikolette


Posts: 488
Joined: 10/2/2004
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: YourhandMyAss

To me really it's all about intent, if you make a comment and you ment to be mean against someone because you think less of that race or gender because they're that race or gender yes it's racist. But if it's just an off handed comment like his was then no it's not racist.

Like someone saying you live like a nigger, because they think black people are stinky dirty ignorant people who live in filth, THAT is clearly racist and sterotypical to boot.


Well I'd disagree with this.

I think TONS of people are racist and don't have any active intent toward it and act all agast if you suggest that they are. And while I wouldn't say that reeses and lime pie joke was racist, it definitely doesn't seem necessary. Just because one doesn't intend harm, doesn't mean harm isn't happening.

AND ... saying something POSITIVE about a race is JUST as racist. ANY assumption based on pigments seems to be "racist". Many people are frustrated that people ASSUME that they are a particular way because of: the way they look. Not just black people. White people. Fat people. Thin people. Goths. Asians. BDSM lifestylers. Crossdressers. Everyone. NO ONE likes assumptions about who they are based on the way they appear. Its called prejudice. ("The word prejudice refers to prejudgment: making a decision before becoming aware of the relevant facts of a case or event.and its not fun no matter the context.") I've heard asian folks complain about people expecting them to be smart, black guys complain their dicks are average and everyone expects a monstercock. One of my close friends who's super thin and eats like a horse is constantly being griped at and told she ought to "eat more". So while at a glance racism is about superiority of one race over another, its not JUST about that. When you make positive seeming assumptions based on someone's race (though not all the examples I gave were about race in specific)... that too is racist.

But I'd just like to add that the way we have chosen to define "race" is friggin absurd and has no real anthropological sense to it at all if one does the research.

(and they all look like gorillas?!?! wtf. That is just plain, stupid racism. I'd like him to say that to some of the many many incredibly attractive people who fall into that category of "race". SOME of all races can look like just about ANY animal. Jesus. Has he SEEN a gorilla ever?!)

Also I can't believe someone would say that its a stereotypical belief (def-- especially : a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude) for black people to live like that!!! I don't think it is at all. Who actually thinks its typical for black people to live in stinky, dirty, filth anymore? I wouldn't say its stereotypical at this point in our culture to think that way. I think that is the minority of people, not the common assumption- thus NOT stereotypical.


< Message edited by Nikolette -- 8/11/2008 3:13:57 PM >

_____________________________

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." ---Mahatma Gandhi

(in reply to YourhandMyAss)
Profile   Post #: 34
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 3:17:34 PM   
subtee


Posts: 5133
Joined: 7/26/2007
Status: offline 		~FR

Speaking of appearances, what about boobism, huh? There are definitely some boobists on this site.

...just saying

_____________________________

Don't believe everything you think...

(in reply to Nikolette)
Profile   Post #: 35
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 3:19:22 PM   
Alumbrado


Posts: 5560
Status: offline
quote:

But I'd just like to add that the way we have chosen to define "race" is friggin absurd and has no real anthropological sense to it at all if one does the research.


And why should we change the legal, sociological, medical, or even popular usages of the word just because one specialty has an arcane definition for it?

Is no one allowed to refer to literature going off on a 'tangent', or a musical instrument having one, just because math has a different and narrow definition for the word?

It's called a living language for a reason...

(in reply to Nikolette)
Profile   Post #: 36
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 3:20:27 PM   
Nikolette


Posts: 488
Joined: 10/2/2004
Status: offline
quote:

So if racist is not the proper term for what I am what is ?


I already taught everyone the right word for you: prejudice.

Also, fool. Research "race". THEN talk about what race you "are" and who you are going to give "preferential treatment" to.


(and hey, you asked what the proper term was! Normally I'd keep that "fool" part to myself!)


< Message edited by Nikolette -- 8/11/2008 3:35:18 PM >

_____________________________

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." ---Mahatma Gandhi

(in reply to Termyn8or)
Profile   Post #: 37
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 3:24:15 PM   
candystripper


Posts: 3486
Joined: 11/1/2005
Status: offline 		What to do...what to do....it's a personal choice.  Whenever I'm offended by anything or anyone for any reason, I have to weigh the circumstances before deciding how to respond, if at all.  I have long since given up my belief that I have any effect on the thinking of bigots....in fact I must admit it's been a long damned time since I was politically active in the area of civil rights at all.  So that just leaves me and my comfort level.
 
In some situations I have spoken up in attack of a racist joke, because I feel it is (generally) morally wrong to remain silent.  In some situations I have 'taught' people to monitor themselves around me so that for the most part they keep that crap to themsleves and we can work together or get through a family dinner without a fight breaking out.  In a few situations I have simply moved away from a racist.  I can't think of any situations in which I did nothing at all, but they may have happened...I'm not perfect.
 
To my great sorrow I have found the city I live in surprisingly racist....and the average person living here to be so as well.  Someday I hope to relocate to more desirable locale, and a level of tolerance and diversity would be among the criteria I use to decide where that is.  Meanwhile I just gather to me the people who I find pleasant company and spend my time with them.
 
candystripper 

(in reply to seeksfemslave)
Profile   Post #: 38
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 3:25:52 PM   
Nikolette


Posts: 488
Joined: 10/2/2004
Status: offline
quote:

And why should we change the legal, sociological, medical, or even popular usages of the word just because one specialty has an arcane definition for it?


Because its not accurately defining anything and leads people into the assumption that race functions in a manner it does not. Pigment is an inferior way to categorize "races". Thus moronic stuff like "racial pride".

(my own humble opinion yadda yadda)


_____________________________

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." ---Mahatma Gandhi

(in reply to Alumbrado)
Profile   Post #: 39
RE: Racist or not? - 8/11/2008 3:28:07 PM   
Nikolette


Posts: 488
Joined: 10/2/2004
Status: offline
quote:

Speaking of appearances, what about boobism, huh? There are definitely some boobists on this site.


Heck yeah! Its not fun for anyone! (except when it is.... cause hey sometimes anything is fun for SOMEONE)


_____________________________

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." ---Mahatma Gandhi

(in reply to subtee)
Profile   Post #: 40
Page:   <<   < prev  1 [2] 3 4 5   next >   >>
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> RE: Racist or not? Page: <<   < prev  1 [2] 3 4 5   next >   >>
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy

0.125