Called Asian fan a 'coconut'.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....sian-fan-coconut.html

I wonder if Mr Piara Powar, will be arrested, and if found guilty of using this extremely derogatory term, then I wonder what his sentence will be?

[maggiebee]

Is it a derogatory term? Because he's Asian? I've often been called a doughnut but have never taken offence. Think we read too much into off the cuff remarks these days, but will stand corrected

[pa___ul3]

it's a horrible term with absolutely racist connotations, it suggests that white people and black/ asian people think in different ways, as if to say 'as a non-white, you should think this way'. The hypocrasy is ridiculous and a person with such views should not be a member of, never mind in charge of, any group that seek harmony between different cultures.

[jackthehat]

It was very unwise of Mr Powar to use such language.

I hope the appropriate steps are taken.

[chelle7272]

maggiebee, round here it is used to mean a 'black / asian person who is white on the inside'.
as paul says it's used to say that you are thinking or behaving like a white person rather than how a black / asian person should. Absolutely vile.

A local MP who used the term was charged and sentenced ; 12 month conditional discharge

[maggiebee]

Well, I'm learning something new today. Have never heard this expression before and had no idea there were racial connotations.

[sp1814]

maggiebee - yep, it IS a dergatory term, and is has racial overtones, but I think the key thing is, it doesn't actually have 'racist' overtone. These are micron-thin differences, and I actually agree with Mr Singh in that having a racial slur thrown at you be someone who should know better is actually more hurtful, because it displays the height of ignorance.

Also, on the matter of Twitter...

What are people being so stupid with it? Don't they realise that when they post something on there, it's up there for the world to see?

Hardly a week goes by without some knucklehead tweeting something homophobic, then recanting the following day.

If there were a law against being thick, we'd have to build floating jails all over the North Sea.

[Zeuhl]

It may have racist overtones but it can't in this instance be a racist insult because Mr Powar was saying that Mr Singh had the option of either being a 'coconut' or not being a 'coconut' dependent on the view he expressed.

People on the receiving end of racist insults are not given an option by the racist; they are what the racist has decided they are and that's it.

The Steven Lawrence killers didn't ask him if he was thinking of being a ****** that evening before they stabbed him.

[pa___ul3]

sp, I disagree slightly, I think it is racist towards white people, it implies that holding 'white person' beliefs is a bad thing.

[Gromit]

The word Coconut can be offensive. It depends on the context. When used derogatorily it means a black person who thinks or behaves like a white person (Brown on the outside, white inside).

In context, Mr Singh asked why Mr Powar had made no comment about a Manchester United fan charged with Racial abuse. I cannot see how this makes Mr Singh fit the offensive definition of 'Coconut' above.

Another definition is that 'don't be a coconut' means don't be daft or empty headed. He needs to explain exactly what he meant. If a racial jibe was intended he should resign. But i am not convinced that was how the word was used.

http://www.anfieldroa...sent-on-twitter.html/

[mightyWBA]

I never knew this was a "racist" term!
Is calling somebody "bananas" safe?..Are there any other foodstuffs I should steer clear of if using them to describe somebody?

Cheers mon petit pamplemousse :-)

[Zeuhl]

Gromit
by that definition 'coconut' is not a <racist jibe> it is a jibe at someone's values; cultural loyalties whatever.

Whilst it refers to aspects of racial identity I don't see it's any more of a racist insult than calling someone a Quisling for example.

[Gromit]

We used to call our Grandma, 'Nana' - because she was all yellow and bent.

[mightyWBA]

Nice one Gromit

[Zeuhl]

^^ L O L

We used to call our grandma The Lollipop Lady

she was tall and skinny with a big sticky head

[tinkerbell23]

My pal actually calls his gran "granny yoda" x

[Gromit]

That was an old Harry Hill joke. (Before Someone gets offended).

[Zeuhl]

Snap!

So was mine

[maggiebee]

Called my auntie Ding Dong - here name was Belle.

[sp1814]

pa___ul3

I've thought about it - and you're absolutely correct.

I'm so not on the ball today.