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Humorous Remark Or Racism?
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I think this might explain it...
When someone make a remark about someone’s skin colour or religion or racial background - it could be completely innocuous. For instance, if someone is looking for me on my floor in my office, it make perfect sense to refer to my race in the description.
What’s out of order is for my race to become a joke. That’s the big difference. Only close friends can do that - and close friends wouldn’t do that. It would be incredibly weird for a close friend of mine to make a colour joke.
When someone make a remark about someone’s skin colour or religion or racial background - it could be completely innocuous. For instance, if someone is looking for me on my floor in my office, it make perfect sense to refer to my race in the description.
What’s out of order is for my race to become a joke. That’s the big difference. Only close friends can do that - and close friends wouldn’t do that. It would be incredibly weird for a close friend of mine to make a colour joke.
In my experience if a black man/woman is called a ‘black ***’, offence is meant to be taken at ‘black’, in fact more so than the word that follows. It is usually intended to mean that being black makes the person inferior. Perhaps hard for a white person to understand as we haven’t much experience of being considered inferior just because of the colour of our skin. For that reason ‘white ***’ doesn’t really offend in the same way.
Garaman, ‘white’ doesn’t offend in the same way because white people aren’t offended by reference to their colour. If someone were to refer to me as a ‘white ***’, I would agree wholeheartedly with part of that accusation. Yes, I am white – so immediately 50% of their intended insult is unsuccessful - but a *** I am not, and that I would be entitled to take umbrage with.
Togo
No. It goes all ways.
I have Asian and white friends, and the idea of making a joke based on their ethnicity...I just couldn’t see it.
However, at the same time - my northern mates take the mickey of out my southern ways, and class jokes are made all the time.
It’s just the Jim Davidson style jokes that would go down like a lead balloon.
No. It goes all ways.
I have Asian and white friends, and the idea of making a joke based on their ethnicity...I just couldn’t see it.
However, at the same time - my northern mates take the mickey of out my southern ways, and class jokes are made all the time.
It’s just the Jim Davidson style jokes that would go down like a lead balloon.
I've already expressed my views on the original comments but as this thread has broadened out into a more general I thought I'd add my two-penn'orth.
I find it very interesting that so many white people are comfortable deciding exactly when and why non-white people should be annoyed by things said to them.
It's not our decision to make; sometimes it might be disappointment, sometimes it might be the last straw that morning/day.
Whatever the cause, I know I don't have the right to point fingers and condemn...
I find it very interesting that so many white people are comfortable deciding exactly when and why non-white people should be annoyed by things said to them.
It's not our decision to make; sometimes it might be disappointment, sometimes it might be the last straw that morning/day.
Whatever the cause, I know I don't have the right to point fingers and condemn...
Garaman, indeed, coming from a racist the intended insult would be the word ‘black’. If, however, the recipient refused to indulge the assailant by taking offence at that, and instead agreed that he is black – which he is – the insult is instantly impotent. Totally ineffective – so it’s back to the drawing board for the goon. Drat! Foiled again! Black people on the receiving end of verbal racial abuse need to wise up.
naomi24
It’s not a victim thing. It’s common sense.
If someone makes a remark that I find offensive or irritating, I don’t get angry, I just pull them aside and explain my point of view to them. In many situations, the person who has said the remark may have not had a clue how it came across.
Don’t you think that’s a more sensible approach?
Better than allowing people to remain ignorant.
It’s not a victim thing. It’s common sense.
If someone makes a remark that I find offensive or irritating, I don’t get angry, I just pull them aside and explain my point of view to them. In many situations, the person who has said the remark may have not had a clue how it came across.
Don’t you think that’s a more sensible approach?
Better than allowing people to remain ignorant.
I'm trying to find some other way of understanding your assertions that "the [racist] loves it when [black people] allow him to succeed", and "It's your [sp's] choice", and "Black people on the receiving end of verbal racial abuse need to wise up," other than that, at least partly, black people are responsible for the racism they receive. "If only they changed their attitude! But they don't! Why don't they listen to me?"
Granted, even in that interpretation I'm sure you aren't saying it's *only* their fault, and I was exaggerating for dramatic effect. Still, the point really is that I don't think you have a clue what you are talking about, and I am surprised that someone who seems to place a great deal of stock elsewhere in the power of personal experience seems so determined to devalue anyone else's.
Granted, even in that interpretation I'm sure you aren't saying it's *only* their fault, and I was exaggerating for dramatic effect. Still, the point really is that I don't think you have a clue what you are talking about, and I am surprised that someone who seems to place a great deal of stock elsewhere in the power of personal experience seems so determined to devalue anyone else's.
Jim, If it results in misrepresenting me I’d be obliged if you didn’t exaggerate – even for dramatic effect. Firstly you have no idea of my personal experience, and secondly - in my personal experience - I’ve discovered imperviousness to be far more effective than anger. It’s impossible to upset people who refuse to become upset..
SP, people who try to offend with racial abuse aren’t ignorant. They know exactly what they’re doing - and when their intended victims rise to the bait, they achieve their aims.
SP, people who try to offend with racial abuse aren’t ignorant. They know exactly what they’re doing - and when their intended victims rise to the bait, they achieve their aims.
naomi24
No - you’re wrong. There are plenty of people who innocently ask a question or make a statement not realising how irritating or offensive it may be. They are the ones who are ignorant, and they’re the ones who benefit from a quick quiet word.
I know this, as I’ve dealt with those situations.
Regarding those who seek to deliberately offend - the reaction to those people needs to be more robust. They should be challenged and their views argued against.
Nothing wrong with those two reactions, surely?
No - you’re wrong. There are plenty of people who innocently ask a question or make a statement not realising how irritating or offensive it may be. They are the ones who are ignorant, and they’re the ones who benefit from a quick quiet word.
I know this, as I’ve dealt with those situations.
Regarding those who seek to deliberately offend - the reaction to those people needs to be more robust. They should be challenged and their views argued against.
Nothing wrong with those two reactions, surely?
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