Stemming from on of the FOI threads I had some thoughts on the subject:
I definitely understand the history and context in which being referred to as black can be hurtful. My question is; is it not ok to refer to someone as black with just a description? IE: there is only one African person in my office, if someone came to me and asked who she was, the simplest way for me to point them in the right direction would be "she's the black woman on the floor above". Is that viewed as racist by black people? I could use African in this context but only because I know that she is actually from Africa. Would it not be considered racist to call black people African if they are not from Africa, since it's just an assumption based on their skin? I've heard of some people taking offense to being referred to as African American/Canadian because they just want to be considered Canadian/American.
IE I'm a white person born in the US with Canadian citizenship. If someone wanted to physically describe me saying that I'm American, Canadian, or even Irish doesn't really help someone point me out (maybe Irish, but even then with such a heterogenous world now its not really safe to assume anyone is from anywhere). I find a lot of times it is people who are not of the "targetted" race that find these things offensive, but over sensitive white people worried that they are being racist. I view racism more as an internal feeling either for the person making a comment or being commented too.
It's also pretty well considered that white people can't be discriminated against. Words like cracker, white-boy and something like the movie White Chicks generally get thrown around without much incident, is that not racist as well. Obviously I understand that historically, it is white people that have brought prejudices upon other people. But I feel like it has gotten to the point where that historical context is used to excuse racism against white people today, while we as white people try to tip-toe around everyone else trying not to hurt peoples feelings. Not that I take offense to any of it, but I just find it interesting.
How fortunate we are as Canadians to have the time and desire to seriously pre–occupy ourselves with thoughts like this!
If you are implying that this is a petty or trivial thought I'd disagree. I too find it a compelling thought and it has nothing to do with being Canadian or otherwise.
I am often the minority (I am white) in some of the circles I hang out in and am identified as the white guy. It doesn't bother me. I also use color to identify minorities in some of the other circles I hang out in. It is never used maliciously and often in jest.
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It's a tricky path - though it's ok to say Blonde guy or the ginger girl. Strange we get hung up on the colour skin or ethnicity of one's bloodline.
We have a girl from Ethiopia in our department and at lunch yesterday she said 'You people' when talking about us white guys - it was funny. /coolstory
It's also pretty well considered that white people can't be discriminated against. Words like cracker, white-boy and something like the movie White Chicks generally get thrown around without much incident, is that not racist as well. Obviously I understand that historically, it is white people that have brought prejudices upon other people. But I feel like it has gotten to the point where that historical context is used to excuse racism against white people today, while we as white people try to tip-toe around everyone else trying not to hurt peoples feelings. Not that I take offense to any of it, but I just find it interesting.
Not trying to be a dick but is this really what you're claiming as an example of racism against white people?
I would not define pointing someone out, in the case that they are searched for, based on their skin color racist whatsoever and I say this as a minority.
However, I do notice racism in the work place in other senses.
For me it's about context and intent. I see nothing wrong with saying someone is black or brown or Asian as a descriptor. I'm even cool with jokes. What Asian guy doesn't love Russell Peters?? It's funny because it's not actually meant to harm or restrict my rights.
But when some old dude uses your race as an insult, insinuating that you don't belong in this country because of your race (yes I'm being specific here lol), there is definitely negative intent, and shouldn't be tolerated.
Pretty much every well adjusted adult of any colour/race is AOK with skin colour/ethnicity being used as a general physical descriptor. As long as the intent is to generally describe physical appearance it's as benign as hair colour to most people.
One of my first real jobs was working for a black guy, even he would refer to clients and such as "yeah the black guy, john" or what have you. It's all about intent.
Not trying to be a dick but is this really what you're claiming as an example of racism against white people?
White Chicks isn't racist?
I recommend making a film using two white guys to play black women using all the black stereotypes possible for the sake of low-brow humor and see what type of reaction there is.
Like I said, I don't personally take offense to any of this, but you can't deny that it is racism. And actually, denying that it's racist is exactly my point in that paragraph.
Not trying to be a dick but is this really what you're claiming as an example of racism against white people?
It's very hard to be racist towards white people. That's not to say it's hard to hate us blue-eyed devils, but I'll put it to you like this:
Call a black guy an n-bomb. That's going to prompt a visceral reaction.
Now assuming Mr Cube is a white man (dangerous game, I know), what would be your response if a black man called you a cracker? Would you be anything other than tremendously confused?
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I recommend making a film using two white guys to play black women using all the black stereotypes possible for the sake of low-brow humor and see what type of reaction there is.
Like I said, I don't personally take offense to any of this, but you can't deny that it is racism. And actually, denying that it's racist is exactly my point in that paragraph.
If you legitimately believe the Wayans brothers have some sort of deep seeded animosity towards white chicks or white people, then yes, that film is racist.
HOWEVER. There is an enormous difference between racially insensitive and racism. One opens on 2500 screens nationwide, the other leaves a burning cross on a front lawn.
Is this racist? If an artist is going for laughs, I would argue no, though I'm sure there are many specific examples where this isn't the case. But that's usually pretty easy to identify.
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Last edited by GreenLantern2814; 04-04-2014 at 02:28 PM.
Bill Cosby is how they need to act to get rid of racism.
So black people would end racism by walking around saying "Zip zop wop boopity bop" and living exclusively off a diet of Jello Pudding Pops, all while wearing ugly sweaters?
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If you legitimately believe the Wayans brothers have some sort of deep seeded animosity towards white chicks or white people, then yes, that film is racist.
Of course I don't think the Wayans' are racist people, its a comedy movie. It kind of has to be offensive (in a light hearted way) in order to be "funny"
I just use it as an example of the double-standard so-to-speak. like I said, if it was a complete reversal done by white guys, I think there would have been a lot of outrage about it.
Another example: The racist robots in Transformers 2. There is no indication in the movie that they are supposed to imitate any race other than their actions. I honestly didn't even think about them being racist until someone else pointed it out to me. They could have just as easily been making fun of white dudes who want to act gangster, or not been making fun of anyone at all and just gave some gangster characteristics to a couple robots. I can't remember any of their dialogue, maybe they said racist things. But as far as their actions/attitudes being racist, why? There are people in the world that act like this, can we not make fun of them just because the people that do are predominately black? Just like White Chicks can make fun of the traits of what are predominately wealthy white girls, but are by no means exclusive to them?
Can't see the vieo you posted at work but I'll check it out when I get home.
I recommend making a film using two white guys to play black women using all the black stereotypes possible for the sake of low-brow humor and see what type of reaction there is.
Like I said, I don't personally take offense to any of this, but you can't deny that it is racism. And actually, denying that it's racist is exactly my point in that paragraph.
It might racially insensitive or even stereotypical but I wouldn't call it racist. I think women in general have more reason to be upset with the tropes in that movie than white people.
Why isn't White Chicks racist? Well for starters 100% of the tropes and stereotypes used towards white people in that film have never been used to assault their human rights and dignities.
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I recommend making a film using two white guys to play black women using all the black stereotypes possible for the sake of low-brow humor and see what type of reaction there is.
People say things like this all the time and it's just so ridiculous. In order for this to be applicable, you'd have to switch everything. The histories of the people, the quantity of one race who holds power and wealth in society, the subjugation and then segregation of one race by another.
Switch all of that, and then yes, it would be racist. Just switching the two actors and the characters they're playing doesn't change the context as to why something is racist.
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There are probably more neighbourhoods in Canada where it is more dangerous to be a white person walking around at night than a non-white person when it comes to racially motivated threats of violence or actual violence.
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Last edited by FlamesAddiction; 04-04-2014 at 02:49 PM.
People say things like this all the time and it's just so ridiculous. In order for this to be applicable, you'd have to switch everything. The histories of the people, the quantity of one race who holds power and wealth in society, the subjugation and then segregation of one race by another.
Switch all of that, and then yes, it would be racist. Just switching the two actors and the characters they're playing doesn't change the context as to why something is racist.
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Racism vs. Oversensitivity
