racist or no?

The Bollox · 23-09-2008 2:00pm #1

would you think any less of a person who, when describing a person they met / saw / had a fight with/ etc... and one of the describing features was "he/she was black"

for example "I had a run in with a guy in the beer garden last night. tall guy, black, very broad, and had a serious temper..."

or

"I got talking to this really nice black girl at the bus stop yesterday. she had long hair, a beautiful face..."

for me it may come as a momentary shock, but in the end it's just a description and I wouldn't think any less of the person telling the story

rizzla · 23-09-2008 2:02pm

No, I wouldn't even be shocked. It's not racist.

Turd Ferguson · 23-09-2008 2:03pm

No, its a description. Is it sexist to say "Aw there was this woman being all loud and obnoxious the other night. She was perioding all over the place too..."

Dudess · 23-09-2008 2:04pm

It's just a physical feature - made all the more distinctive by the fact that there aren't many black people here (no matter how many have immigrated here, they are still very much a minority).
I'm sure the reverse would apply in predominantly black countries/communities.

Anyone who reads something political into it needs to get over themselves...

SV · 23-09-2008 2:04pm

how is that EVER racist...

some people....

Wazdakka · 23-09-2008 2:04pm

Nope, Not at all..

Spent some time out in the caribbean and was called "the tall white boy" all the time..

The Bollox · 23-09-2008 2:06pm

I agree with all, but if you look at it.

if I was to say "some American guy was burning the ears off me last night" no-one bats an eye. If I was to say "some French/Spanish/Chinese guy was burning the ears off me" you will probably get a look off the person you are talking to as if to say "what does the fact they're from x have to do with anything"

****ing PC Ireland

Dinter · 23-09-2008 2:08pm

Nope.

From Wiki:

While the term racism usually denotes race-based prejudice, violence, discrimination, or oppression, the term can also have varying and hotly contested definitions. Racialism is a related term, sometimes intended to avoid these negative meanings.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, racism is a belief or ideology that all members of each racial group possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially to distinguish it as being either superior or inferior to another racial group or racial groups.

The Miriam Webster's Dictionary defines racism as a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular racial group, and that it is also the prejudice based on such a belief.

The Macquarie Dictionary defines racism as: "the belief that human races have distinctive characteristics which determine their respective cultures, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule or dominate others."

Can't see how any of those definitions would apply in your examples.

rizzla · 23-09-2008 2:09pm

Not from me, I'd be like, "Why the hell you talking to the french?"

pickarooney · 23-09-2008 2:09pm

It's like accents. It's grand to do a Canadian or Uzbeck accent but people think you're being fierce bowld if you talk like a Bangladeshi or a Korean.

CPT. SURF · 23-09-2008 2:13pm

pickarooney wrote: »

It's like accents. It's grand to do a Canadian or Uzbeck accent but people think you're being fierce bowld if you talk like a Bangladeshi or a Korean.

I know right! A friend of mine bitched at me for doing a stellar Bhutani accent. Sure it was only the other day when he was talking like a Honduran and I said naught

krpc · 23-09-2008 2:15pm

pickarooney wrote: »

It's like accents. It's grand to do a Canadian or Uzbeck accent but people think you're being fierce bowld if you talk like a Bangladeshi or a Korean.

Especially when you have sellotape stuck to the side of your eyes.

In regards to racism, nope don't consider describing someone as black racist. It's like calling some one ageist for saying "I saw a little old lady doing ... [insert some inappropriate comment here].

Wagon · 23-09-2008 2:15pm

How is that racist? Your just describing people's appearance. Why are you even momentarily shocked?

Turd Ferguson · 23-09-2008 2:16pm

Wazdakka wrote: »

Spent some time out in the caribbean and was called "the tall white boy" all the time..

You're always called the tall white boy...even here!

Dinter · 23-09-2008 2:18pm

pickarooney wrote: »

It's like accents. It's grand to do a Canadian or Uzbeck accent.

That's true, unless you start of by saying; "I saw this black Canadian and he was talking aboot this and aboot that."

It'll suddenly become racist.

KrazeeEyezKilla · 23-09-2008 2:24pm

The Bollox wrote: »

I agree with all, but if you look at it.

if I was to say "some American guy was burning the ears off me last night" no-one bats an eye. If I was to say "some French/Spanish/Chinese guy was burning the ears off me" you will probably get a look off the person you are talking to as if to say "what does the fact they're from x have to do with anything"

****ing PC Ireland

If you said some Chinese guy it wouldn't be racist. Have you met anyone that sensitive? If you said 'some Chinese c**t' or made a big deal about him being Chinese rather than him "burning the ears" off you then it might be different.

Darragh29 · 23-09-2008 2:25pm

Turd Ferguson wrote: »

She was perioding all over the place too..."

Where in the name of Jasus did ya dream that one up Turd!?!?! I'm picturing that in my head, maybe not quite how it's meant to be pictured and laughing my arse off here!!!

:D:D:D:D:D:D

Saint_Mel · 23-09-2008 2:37pm

There's still a confusion in some places over descriptions like that ...

I remember way back in the day being told it was insulting/racist to describe someone as a "black person", instead the term to use was Coloured.

Then as soon as people got used to saying that, suddenly it was an insult to use coloured and it was Ok to say black again.

I remember years ago watching League of Ireland games when Mark Rutherford started playing here .... "Who got the goal" would be asked .... and when answered with ... "The black fella" ... queue looks of shock on some peoples faces ... Still though, everyone knew who they meant

Ruu_Old · 23-09-2008 2:41pm

I wouldn't be shocked at all, just a description as mentioned and I've used it often. Though in the USA, it is normally African-American male/female. We can't be seen to offend anyone now can we?

Dinter · 23-09-2008 2:43pm

Ì remember when I started second class coming home to tell my mum how there was a black guy in my class. Was pretty rare at the time.

Turd Ferguson · 23-09-2008 2:45pm

Dinter wrote: »

Ì remember when I started second class coming home to tell my mum how there was a black guy in my class. Was pretty rare at the time.

6 years later, you're still in second class and now you're the only white boy there. Oh how times have changed :pac:

R0ot · 23-09-2008 2:47pm

If you said you had a fight with a guy that was black and he started throwing water melon pips and fried chicken bones at you then yes that would be racist.

Calling someone black is not a racial slur just as calling someone ginger isn't although the way some gingers act about it would make you think otherwise.

/me looks at Vialli :pac:

Dinter · 23-09-2008 2:49pm

R0ot wrote: »

If you said you had a fight with a guy that was black and he started throwing water melon pips and fried chicken bones at you then yes that would be racist.

What if the fight broke out after a picnic?

Kold · 23-09-2008 2:53pm

I'd be taken aback if someone said something like; "That black bastard."

KTRIC · 23-09-2008 2:55pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xg5aBCiy_g

Sums it up perfectly

Silenceisbliss · 23-09-2008 3:00pm

tbh, I would consider it more racist to draw attention to and ask about such a stupid thing.

so what, the person is black. its's descrptive. use it how you want to. I personally consider it more racist to pussy foot around the issue, it suggests that your not confident and comfortable anough calling someone black, hence insinuating theres something wrong with being black

Saint_Mel · 23-09-2008 3:03pm

Kold wrote: »

I'd be taken aback if someone said something like; "That black bastard."

Just remembered a good few years ago my cousin used to work in an office and one of the new employees in his section was black. Now my cousin would make a joke over anything and got on very well with the new lad so they both came up with a scheme to try and shock people. This is about 12-15 years ago.

Cousin came in and let a shout down the office ... did anyone see that little black bastard anywhere ... the rest of the office nearly died ... then later on the othe guy would come in and say, if anyone see's that pink bastard, tell him Im over in the other building

WindSock · 23-09-2008 3:05pm

I think just about as little of people who bandy that word around so readily, as I do actual racists. To me, a racist is a person who discriminates against others and thinks they are superior in every way. I have been called a racist a few times, but I have yet to have someone a decent example as to why they call me it.

Silenceisbliss · 23-09-2008 3:05pm

Ruu wrote: »

Though in the USA, it is normally African-American

Those racist americans...ALL OF THEM ARE RACIST! yes people...it's a pun

anyway, its ignorant saying African -american, because youre making two distinct assumptions: that the person is african, and that the person is american. of all the black people I know, none of them fit this description.

SoWatchaWant · 23-09-2008 3:05pm

R0ot wrote: »

If you said you had a fight with a guy that was black and he started throwing water melon pips and fried chicken bones at you then yes that would be racist.

Haha, stylish description:D

Gyalist · 23-09-2008 3:05pm

I don't know anyone (apart from a few Saffies) who describes himself as coloured.

When I am born, I am black
When I grow up, I am black
When I am sick, I am black
When I am out in the sun, I am black,
When I am cold, I am black
When I die, I am black

BUT YOU?!?!

When you are born, you're pink
When you grow up, you're white
When you're sick, you are green
When you go out in the sun, you are red
When you're cold, you go blue
When you die, you're purple

And you have the nerve to call me coloured?!

Kold · 23-09-2008 3:07pm

WindSock wrote: »

I think just about as little of people who bandy that word around so readily, as I do actual racists. To me, a racist is a person who discriminates against others and thinks they are superior in every way. I have been called a racist a few times, but I have yet to have someone a decent example as to why they call me it.

Whut? That's not what a racist is. Maybe you are racist if people are calling you one a lot.

SoWatchaWant · 23-09-2008 3:09pm

Kold wrote: »

Whut? That's not what a racist is. Maybe you are racist if people are calling you one a lot.

I'm racist! You're racist! WE'RE ALL RACIST!:eek::eek:

Wazdakka · 23-09-2008 3:14pm

God damn Crackers and Honkies

R0ot · 23-09-2008 3:24pm

Dinter wrote: »

What if the fight broke out after a picnic?

Then sir I would like to be invited to those kind of picnics with fried chicken and watermelon because that sounds excellent!

23-09-2008 3:24pm

I was on the bus years ago with my son, and sitting facing us was a little boy from his school and his mum, they were black. My son said to me, mum why are they brown, and instead of getting flustered or embarrased I told him and the woman was not in the least bit pu out.
He always referred to the boy as the brown boy, he was hardly racist at 3 years of age, his basic instinct was to describe something as it was. If you were in the middle of Nigeria chatting to a bloke, do you reckon he'd be off telling his friends later that he was talking to some dude, and neglect to mention that he was white? doubt it.
Instinct, not racism.....

Dinter · 23-09-2008 3:26pm

Grainne C wrote: »

My son said to me, mum why are they brown, and instead of getting flustered or embarrased I told him and the woman was not in the least bit pu out.

How did you explain it?

23-09-2008 3:33pm

Dinter wrote: »

How did you explain it?

In fairness it was hard to explain but just told him that they were from a different country (which they were) and that their skin had to be a different colour because there was so much sun in their country that they would get really badly sunburnt if they didn't, and basically said to him "and what colour is your skin" and he was like white, so I was like, yeh so you are white and they are brown...... it was a bit more detailed than that but we're talking 5 years ago!

Thought of another story actually, was in a nighclub in London last year and while queuing at the door I got talking to a black girl who stuck with me and my friends for the rest of the night, I was at the bar and another black guy started talking to me when the girl came up to us, he was like "hey how are you" and I said, ah do you know her and he went "no" "did you think that just cos we're both black" and I was like, eh, no cos you're chatting like you know her and I gave him a bit of stick and told him that that assumption was actually racist in itself and he agreed and apologised! It happened in jest.....

WindSock · 23-09-2008 3:39pm

Kold wrote: »

Whut? That's not what a racist is. Maybe you are racist if people are calling you one a lot.

It isn't? What is it then? Ah maybe I am so :P

krpc · 23-09-2008 3:40pm

I have a white iPhone. Am I racist?

23-09-2008 3:43pm

i-bloodhound wrote: »

I have a white iPhone. Am I racist?

worst of the worst

Dinter · 23-09-2008 3:45pm

Grainne C wrote: »

In fairness it was hard to explain but just told him that they were from a different country

I would not have wanted to have to explain to a three year old in front of the people concerned!! :eek:

Tight rope I'd reckon.

Turd Ferguson · 23-09-2008 3:46pm

i-bloodhound wrote: »

I have a white iPhone. Am I racist?

iPhone? No, you're not racist...you're just stupid :pac::pac::pac:

krpc · 23-09-2008 3:48pm

Turd Ferguson wrote: »

iPhone? No, you're not racist...you're just stupid :pac::pac::pac:

I would be if I paid for it.

It helps having some Nigerian friends :pac:

23-09-2008 3:52pm

Dinter wrote: »

I would not have wanted to have to explain to a three year old in front of the people concerned!! :eek:

Tight rope I'd reckon.

nah, see I think that we assume that they will think we're racist but they don't, same as if I was on a bus in africa and a 3 year old asked it about me, I would want the mother to explain it? I didn't mind, he was 3 and had a genuine interest and if I didn't explain it to him I wouldn't be a very good mother now would I?!?

Kold · 23-09-2008 3:52pm

WindSock wrote: »

It isn't? What is it then? Ah maybe I am so :P

A racist is someone who discriminates based on race...

WindSock · 23-09-2008 3:54pm

Kold wrote: »

Whut? That's not what a racist is. Maybe you are racist if people are calling you one a lot.

WindSock wrote: »

It isn't? What is it then? Ah maybe I am so :P

I take back my statement of saying maybe I am after reading this article:

It may be defined as the hatred of one person by another -- or the belief that another person is less than human -- because of skin color, language, customs, place of birth or any factor that supposedly reveals the basic nature of that person.

I have never believed this, I do address there are some phyisical differences that may enhance or impair our ability to to things as easily as the other and I laugh at jokes. Not a lot of people call me racist, but it's usually hypocritical pain in the arses that trot around on high horses. The same ones that caused the OP that started this thread.

WindSock · 23-09-2008 3:56pm

Kold wrote: »

A racist is someone who discriminates based on race...

Isn't that not what I said?

23-09-2008 3:58pm

i-bloodhound wrote: »

I have a white iPhone. Am I racist?

Nope, just a sucker / shmuck / sheep

i-bloodhound wrote: »

I would be if I paid for it. It helps having some Nigerian friends :pac:

What?.......cos all Nigerians are iPhone-robbing, thieving scumbuckets?

Racist!!!!!:mad::mad:

:P

Kold · 23-09-2008 3:58pm

WindSock wrote: »

Isn't that not what I said?

Nope.

Gyalist · 23-09-2008 3:59pm

I have never believed this, I do address there are some phyisical differences that may enhance or impair our ability to to things as easily as the other and I laugh at jokes.

What would some of these physical differences be?

racist or no?

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