Is this a racist remark.
#16
Re: Is this a racist remark.
Unless one is Indian (Indigenous peoples of the Americas), they are either an immigrant to US or a descendant.
So, if that happened to me I would say I am as American as anyone else here...phuc that. I don't care if I am black brown or white.
So, if that happened to me I would say I am as American as anyone else here...phuc that. I don't care if I am black brown or white.
#18
Re: Is this a racist remark.
The UK is obsessed with the subject of "racism", and the term is regularly mis-used. The UK's laws on the issue are daft, and far too many people make use of that when crying wolf in similar situations to yours.
My definition of racism is a someone who displays a real hatred of other races, it doesn't extend to some pillock who can't find something more intelligent to say during an altercation.
Still, your experience sounds unpleasant, and it is a shame it took place.
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
Re: Is this a racist remark.
I don't know what US law says, except that you can expect every state to be at least slightly different.
From a common sense perspective I don't think that a comment like this is necessarily "racist" (although it certainly may be), and I don't subscribe to the view that the definition of "racist" must include "national origin".
So, while I am sure that the remarks were offensive I don't tend to think (based on what you have said) that they were "racist".
#20
Re: Is this a racist remark.
According to California Penal Code Section 422.56 (f), "Race or ethnicity" is defined as including ancestry, color, and ethnic background. Section 422.56(e) refers to "Nationality" as including citizenship, country of origin, and national origin.
So, per California standards, the remarks were not racist, but rather nationalist(ic?) -- Is that a word?-- And, obviously spoken by a xenophobe.
Just an interesting note, while California does define it's Hate Crime standards, it should be noted that in addition to the listed protected categories, being perceived as such also falls under the Hate Crime definition. Ie. someone commits a transgression against you because they think you're gay. Even though you may not be gay, it is a Hate Crime because the transgression was committed because they perceived that you were gay.
So, per California standards, the remarks were not racist, but rather nationalist(ic?) -- Is that a word?-- And, obviously spoken by a xenophobe.
Just an interesting note, while California does define it's Hate Crime standards, it should be noted that in addition to the listed protected categories, being perceived as such also falls under the Hate Crime definition. Ie. someone commits a transgression against you because they think you're gay. Even though you may not be gay, it is a Hate Crime because the transgression was committed because they perceived that you were gay.
Last edited by Moonshadow_Girl; Jul 27th 2011 at 11:28 am. Reason: can't spell
#21
Re: Is this a racist remark.
I don't understand where all this racist crap is coming from, particularly in an instance such as this. Perhaps now is the time that all peoples worldwide are not taught verbal skills from birth as it now appears that any remark, glance, facial expression can be construed as racist. The pendulum has swung far too much and needs to find its balance.
#22
Re: Is this a racist remark.
It is offensive but not raciest. However being in a political office in the US also opens you up to slander and liable and you can't do anything about it unlike in the UK where you can be jailed or sued for slander or liable against a politician.
#23
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Is this a racist remark.
How can it possibly be racist when they are both of the same race.
And here I have been slagging of the Septics for misusing the language all these years.
And here I have been slagging of the Septics for misusing the language all these years.
#24
Re: Is this a racist remark.
IMHO, at this point, whether it was a “racist” comment, or not, is moot – the offendee obviously handled it adeptly and honorably and dispatched the situation. The offender was, by all accounts, rude, intolerant, uncouth and socially challenged. I doubt I’d have dealt with it with such aplomb!
Considering that I am what my OH calls a “womble”, my personal definition of racism is quite different and not as broad-spectrum as the UN version. However, if that is the now accepted description of the word, then yes, the offender was racist in his comments. That he would be so coarse and crude, selfish and self-centered as to utter such a statement merely in the face of an “accent” is beyond me, unless he had an ulterior motive – such as declaring his “supremacy” with an intent to cause a ruckus.! :-/
Considering that I am what my OH calls a “womble”, my personal definition of racism is quite different and not as broad-spectrum as the UN version. However, if that is the now accepted description of the word, then yes, the offender was racist in his comments. That he would be so coarse and crude, selfish and self-centered as to utter such a statement merely in the face of an “accent” is beyond me, unless he had an ulterior motive – such as declaring his “supremacy” with an intent to cause a ruckus.! :-/
#25
Re: Is this a racist remark.
I had absolutely no intention of doing anything about it, just wanted to see if my interpretation of the event was consistent with the general view of the BE crowd. Clearly it isn't.
#26
Re: Is this a racist remark.
I am reminded of a couple of performances I've seen lately of stand-up comedians of African origin, where they have cracked jokes about their own race which if delivered by a white comedian would probably have caused uproar. As it was, there was a certain level of 'uncomfortable' laughter amongst the audience.
So, while it is only my opinion, I think it would be hard to classify any remark as racist if made by a member of the race at which the remark is aimed. In this case it was offensive, rude, etc. but not racist.
#28
Re: Is this a racist remark.
Have a real serious question for you... Now that you have seen the various comments with regard to the events you described do you feel betrayed, annoyed or has it left you feeling bewildered at the general outside reaction?
#29
Re: Is this a racist remark.
An English person was told by an American in quite an abusive way to "Go back where you come from". This was after they had made other abusive remarks to the person. They were told racist remarks would not be tolerated and to apologize or leave. This was at a community information booth, they then made abusive remarks to an American at the booth, and left
Now it seems very few Americans I have spoken to think that remark is racist. I cannot find a legal definition in the US of what is a racist remark. In England it is any remark which the subject of the remark or any person hearing it believes to be racist.
So opinions please.
Now it seems very few Americans I have spoken to think that remark is racist. I cannot find a legal definition in the US of what is a racist remark. In England it is any remark which the subject of the remark or any person hearing it believes to be racist.
So opinions please.
#30
Re: Is this a racist remark.
On the point of both being the same race, how would it be seen by an average American if both parties were white, but one was Latino?