Using the term Paki

Karl Stein · 13-11-2013 04:40PM

Brown lads from out foreign.

cletus van damme · 13-11-2013 04:40PM

FTA69 wrote: »

So now we need to explain why the term "Paki" is offensive? Jesus.

why should we (unenlightened) just accept a view without an explanation?

Are we wrong to seek an explanation or is racism such a sacred cow that we accept whatever "they" ( who are they anyway??" ) decree?

keithclancy · 13-11-2013 04:42PM

Riskymove wrote: »

obviously a very different situation

similar to our general use of the term Paddy vs the use of it by others abroad

The only time its cool to use "Paddy" is when his name is Pat/Patrick/Paddy

Tombi! · 13-11-2013 04:43PM

cletus van damme wrote: »

why should we (unenlightened) just accept a view without an explanation?

Are we wrong to seek an explanation or is racism such a sacred cow that we accept whatever "they" ( who are they anyway??" ) decree?

It's not that hard to understand.
For years in the UK and Ireland it's been the same as calling a black fella golliwog or blackie, it's offensive since it's been used as an insult for so long.

It's like Jap. In America it's considered a pretty big slur. Here, not so much

Riskymove · 13-11-2013 04:43PM

iDave wrote: »

Perhaps but if a politician here used one of those phrases or celebrity would their careers be in jeopardy in the same way as saying the N word or Paki

.

its true that different words have a different level of sensitivity and PC about them

that does not make some of them acceptable

Example, Thierry Henrys hand ball was nicknamed the Hand of Frog in the media. A blatant derogatory term for French people was casually thrown about by everyone. Would that happen for a non-white/European term?

If you look up British media treatment of Maradona in 1986 you'll see plenty similar

Riskymove · 13-11-2013 04:44PM

keithclancy wrote: »

The only time its cool to use "Paddy" is when his name is Pat/Patrick/Paddy

I encounter its use by Irish people to describe themselves all the time (even the ones not called Paddy)

13-11-2013 04:45PM

Unfortunately the usage by the Brits has made it into a slur. Sure Packie is addressed as "Pat Bonner" on Sky.

endacl · 13-11-2013 04:45PM

Pakistan means 'land of the Pak people'. As Afghanistan is the 'land of the Afghan people', Kurdistan is the 'land of the Kurds', etc.

'Paki' is just getting it wrong. It would be more proper to use the term 'Pak', but only if you're sure their heritage is Pak. If it's not but they are citizens of Pakistan, then 'Pakistani' would be correct.

The fact is though, that the term 'paki' is not used to accurately and neutrally identify nationality. The user of the term will invariably use the term as a shorthand for 'brown-skinned and inferior to me'. That's why it's offensive. 'Aussie' is a bit of a red herring. The term originated with Australians, who are widely recognized as world leaders in abbreviation. And tends to be used affectionately. 'Scot' is a proper noun and is entirely neutral. 'Jock' would be a different story. Which would Al Murray use when doing the excellent pub landlord, and why? 'Brit' is historically a loaded phrase, especially on *ahem* 'this island' (another loaded phrase...).

A bit rambling, but that's why it's not ok. If I use the term 'paki', I use it in the knowledge of the context in which it originated. Which is also how it's heard. Diminutive proper nouns are not direct analogues of each other when applied to nationalities.

iDave · 13-11-2013 04:46PM

Riskymove wrote: »

.

its true that different words have a different level of sensitivity and PC about them

that does not make some of them acceptable

If you look up British media treatment of Maradona in 1986 you'll see plenty similar

Correct which begs the question, how can such an inconsistent approach be acceptable. One rule for some and another for others. Doesn't seem right to me.

FTA69 · 13-11-2013 04:48PM

cletus van damme wrote: »

why should we (unenlightened) just accept a view without an explanation?

Are we wrong to seek an explanation or is racism such a sacred cow that we accept whatever "they" ( who are they anyway??" ) decree?

No. You don't have a right to decide what you call a certain ethnic group, you especially don't have a right to use a term that they overwhelmingly find discriminatory and abusive.

A group has the right to decide what they themselves find offensive and that's that. You aren't being censored or oppressed because people object to you calling them by names they don't like.

endacl · 13-11-2013 04:48PM

Riskymove wrote: »

I encounter its use by Irish people to describe themselves all the time (even the ones not called Paddy)

This is a common phenomenon. The reclaiming of a slur. Disarming the attacker if you like. I'm sure y'all can think of other examples.

theblaqueguy · 13-11-2013 04:50PM

Brutal Deluxe wrote: »

If we're gonna get down the black people can say X then let me end it fast: most black people won't say it.
Most black people actually look down on the black people that say it 24/7.

Niggas there you go I said it!

B.A._Baracus · 13-11-2013 04:50PM

Did you hear about the Pakistani man who didnt like to be called 'Paki'?

He said it was disrespectful and racist to call him that word. As he turned around to walk away, a black man accidently bumped into him... moments later he stopped and said "I bet that N****r was trying to rob me"

This is sadly the world we live in.

endacl · 13-11-2013 04:51PM

theblaqueguy wrote: »

**** there you go I said it!

Oh....... 'nAggers'........

Riskymove · 13-11-2013 04:52PM

iDave wrote: »

Correct which begs the question, how can such an inconsistent approach be acceptable. One rule for some and another for others. Doesn't seem right to me.

we all know PC has led to situations like this, its simply the way media and human nature is here these days

13-11-2013 04:52PM

FTA69 wrote: »

No. You don't have a right to decide what you call a certain ethnic group, you especially don't have a right to use a term that they overwhelmingly find discriminatory and abusive.
.

So are we not allowed to say gypsy anymore

Riskymove · 13-11-2013 04:53PM

bluewolf wrote: »

So are we not allowed to say gypsy anymore

its certainly not PC

Irish Guitarist · 13-11-2013 04:53PM

I remember Eastenders in the eighties and it's amazing how the word paki was used. In every episode Den Watts or Dot Cotton would be complaining about the pakis in the corner shop.

The makers of Eastenders weren't being racist but they were showing the way British people talked at the time.

I also remember an episode where Dot Cotton went to one of the market stalls and asked for 'nigger brown' wool.

endacl · 13-11-2013 04:54PM

bluewolf wrote: »

So are we not allowed to say gypsy anymore

We're allowed to say anything we like! No issue there. Free country n'all dat.

Tzardine · 13-11-2013 04:54PM

Irish Guitarist wrote: »

I remember Eastenders in the eighties and it's amazing how the word paki was used. In every episode Den Watts or Dot Cotton would be complaining about the pakis in the corner shop.

The makers of Eastenders weren't being racist but they were showing the way British people talked at the time.

I also remember an episode where Dot Cotton went to one of the market stalls and asked for 'nigger brown' wool.

Jesus , Dot the racist lol.

But its true, I do remember when using P**i was not insulting or racist.

Mar Mar Marmalade · 13-11-2013 04:55PM

I wouldn't say "Paki" itself is offensive, just the context it's used in. I don't like when people have to include another's nationality as an insult such as (like you stated) "You f*cking Paki/Aussie/Brit etc..". It's so pointless and non-required.

Tzardine · 13-11-2013 04:55PM

bluewolf wrote: »

So are we not allowed to say gypsy anymore

Dont think gypsy is a problem. My OH loves to watch My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and the travellers always refer to themselves as Gypsies.

cali_eire · 13-11-2013 04:56PM

Riskymove wrote: »

we all know PC has led to situations like this, its simply the way media and human nature is here these days

Give me a F'ing break .... it's a about people who have been downtrodden now being given respect. Get real.

endacl · 13-11-2013 04:56PM

Strituck wrote: »

Jesus , Dot the racist lol.

But its true, I do remember when using P**i was not insulting or racist.

T'was always insulting and racist. Just not always consciously so.

When was it ever used to denote admiration?

WindSock · 13-11-2013 04:58PM

:pac: i

No one minds that though. That little guy can get away with loads.

theblaqueguy · 13-11-2013 04:58PM

If you have a friend that is from pakistan and you call them a paki and they are ok with it then its not racist

But it can be used in a racist way in this joke for example:
"Why did the romans build straight roads? So pakis couldn't build corner shops"

Riskymove · 13-11-2013 04:58PM

cali_eire wrote: »

Give me a F'ing break .... it's a about people who have been downtrodden now being given respect. Get real.

?

not sure what you've read into this?

I am saying that PC has led to a situation where some terms are viewed as completely unacceptable but others are virtually ignored despite both being the same at heart

FTA69 · 13-11-2013 05:00PM

bluewolf wrote: »

So are we not allowed to say gypsy anymore

I think the problem with that term is that many Travellers view it as slightly inaccurate due to the fact they rarely use the term about themselves. They call themselves "Pavee" or just "Travellers".

Words like "tinker" are antiquated and viewed as patronising. Words like "knacker", "gypo" and "Pikey" are downright pejorative.

13-11-2013 05:01PM

theblaqueguy wrote: »

But it can be used in a racist way in this joke for example:
"Why did the romans build straight roads? So pakis couldn't build corner shops"

In that case I see little issue with it, the joke has nothing to do with the use of "paki".

DellyBelly · 13-11-2013 05:02PM

But it can be used in a racist way in this joke for example:
"Why did the romans build straight roads? So pakis couldn't build corner shops"[/QUOTE]

That's a good one. I'm going to use that.

When I went to Australia I asked and Australian friend is there many abo's in the Melbourne City and was quickly told that was not the right thing to call them. I though Aussie's shortened all names e.g university - uni afternoon - arvo etc but you can 't use the term abo's for Aborigines apartently

Using the term Paki

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