Thread: Racist, or just a joke?

Originally Posted by ecofarm

Yellow journalism.

I dislike your jaundiced view of the media

It was a dumb, racist, forced joke, but was it necessary to fire the guy? I dunno. I tend to think that the power of a racist epithet is directly tied to how oppressed the race was in question. The N word? Highly significant because black people were just about as oppressed as it gets (but they're only in second place since they weren't the target of actual, bona fide mother****ing genocide), but Asians? Aside from a few unfortunate missteps in our nation's history I'm not sure Asians are a terribly maligned race.* I'm not Asian and obviously can't speak for everyone.


*Disclaimer: Asian country that is currently kicking our asses economically will be looked upon in the national media with disgruntlement.

Originally Posted by Wiggen

Of course it is.

By the way, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you.

Yeah? Wanna trade for my ocean front property in Arizona?

Originally Posted by Cardinal

*Disclaimer: Asian country that is currently kicking our asses economically

You do know that they value their own currency and observe no human, labor or environmental rights, don't ya? How many people are dying per year of malnutrition and starvation in China? Healthcare? Haha. Justice? Haha. They got equal rights... no one gets any. It's like comparing apples and yellows.

How can people just assume that the writer meant is in a racist manner? That is a huge leap. Perhaps if it was on a website known for racist remarks, then you can probably assume that it was meant to be racist, but come on, it's ESPN. Bad Headline, yes, but racist, doubt it.

Originally Posted by taxigirl

You say "the reality that people who are aware of the word's racially charged connotation are not necessarily sensitive" why should the rest of the world have to censor themselves because some people take things out of context or are "sensitive" to words. If someone uses a word maliciously that is probably wrong, but what about when it is not, as is the case with your signature.

As for the Linderella issue, I was merely pointing out that people were not aware or "sensitive" to how offensive some people consider the story of Cinderella. My point was proven because you had no idea that some people thought it was offensive.

I suspect that the # of people who think the cinderalla story is offensive is infinitesimal compared to those who know about the word "chink"

Not knowing the first makes you normal; Not knowing the latter makes you too ignorant to be a journalist for a major news provider

Originally Posted by Chaddelamancha

How can people just assume that the writer meant is in a racist manner? That is a huge leap. Perhaps if it was on a website known for racist remarks, then you can probably assume that it was meant to be racist, but come on, it's ESPN. Bad Headline, yes, but racist, doubt it.

How can people assume that it was not racist? I guess it is a YMMV kind of thing. When it comes to hate and racism? I would rather err on the side of caution than to take someone at that their word that it was just a harmless joke or was taking out of context. Do you REALLY think they are gonna admit it if was racist? Of course not. Come on now.

Originally Posted by sangha

I suspect that the # of people who think the cinderalla story is offensive is infinitesimal compared to those who know about the word "chink"

Not knowing the first makes you normal; Not knowing the latter makes you too ignorant to be a journalist for a major news provider

My point was that none of it should be offensive. I was addressing the other user because he was intent on making the point that if you are "insensitive" to how words impact people whom they have charged meanings for that you are wrong. Things are only as offensive as you let them be. I also addressed his signature as potentially offensive because it relied on stereotypical behavior. If you read my post about taking back the power of words it might make more sense.

Originally Posted by Cardinal

It was a dumb, racist, forced joke, but was it necessary to fire the guy? I dunno. I tend to think that the power of a racist epithet is directly tied to how oppressed the race was in question. The N word? Highly significant because black people were just about as oppressed as it gets (but they're only in second place since they weren't the target of actual, bona fide mother****ing genocide), but Asians? Aside from a few unfortunate missteps in our nation's history I'm not sure Asians are a terribly maligned race.* I'm not Asian and obviously can't speak for everyone.


*Disclaimer: Asian country that is currently kicking our asses economically will be looked upon in the national media with disgruntlement.

So you are saying there are various levels of racism and what should or should not be accepted? I mean is there some Top 5 list and if that race falls below it then it is ok to spew racism towards them or something? Racism is Racism and it does not matter if you were really oppressed or oppressed just a little bit. None of it is cool. Give me a break.

Originally Posted by Kali

How can people assume that it was not racist? I guess it is a YMMV kind of thing. When it comes to hate and racism? I would rather err on the side of caution than to take someone at that their word that it was just a harmless joke or was taking out of context. Do you REALLY think they are gonna admit it if was racist? Of course not. Come on now.

Why are you quick to assume that it was meant in a harmful way. Why blow your career over what may be considered a slur? Do we know that the person in question is so racist that he would destroy his career? Why not just start a hate group?