One of my best friends is Guatemalan. He’s probably one of the smartest people I know. Yet, sometimes - because we are close friends - I make fun of the way he says “physics.”
Another one of my friends, just became an American. He originally was a Mexican citizen. Incredibly intelligent and articulate. Since we are close friends - I asked him when he was going to make me a taco.
While watching the Pirates of the Caribbean, I sat next to some Asian Americans who were grossly offended when the Asian pirates began to shout in broken English, in a comical way - but I laughed.
I, am an unintentional racist.
When is it ok? And when is it not?
June 12, 2007 at 20:00
Was anyone offended when the British sailors speek in over the top British accents, or by the Indian pirates speeking in Middle Eastern accents? It’s a kids movie, don’t take it seriously.
Besides, Fu Manchu movies kickass, as do poorly dubbed asian engrish kung fu movies. They are no more racist than crocodile dundee or Lary the Cable Guy or any other movie character that acts like a complete cartoon.
June 13, 2007 at 00:01
Um, I think it’s okay when no one is offended, and when I say no one, I mean not the person you’re talking to or anyone who can overhear you. I also think moderation is a big thing. When everyone is playing and trading snaps most everything is fair game: “You suck at basketball” “You sound retarded when you laugh” “You have a big head” “Your accent is funnier when you’re drunk” “You don’t even like girls” “Awesome bald spot” “Go back to your country” but, when it’s completey unsolicited, “Hey Guatemala” “me and LB Mexico” “Dude I told you I don’t speak Spanish” that’s when it can get annoying.
The way I think about it is at what point do I start to dislike people making a comment about my race or my gender? I should stop making those comments to them a couple of steps before that.
Do you ever get tired of deaf jokes or people purposely whispering so you can’t hear- or under the assumption that you can’t? If you do, think of race the same way. If you don’t, then it may be hard for you to care about this stuff.
June 13, 2007 at 00:01
Um, I think it’s okay when no one is offended, and when I say no one, I mean not the person you’re talking to or anyone who can overhear you. I also think moderation is a big thing. When everyone is playing and trading snaps most everything is fair game: “You suck at basketball” “You sound retarded when you laugh” “You have a big head” “Your accent is funnier when you’re drunk” “You don’t even like girls” “Awesome bald spot” “Go back to your country” but, when it’s completey unsolicited, “Hey Guatemala” “me and LB Mexico” “Dude I told you I don’t speak Spanish” that’s when it can get annoying.
The way I think about it is at what point do I start to dislike people making a comment about my race or my gender? I should stop making those comments to them a couple of steps before that.
Do you ever get tired of deaf jokes or people purposely whispering so you can’t hear- or under the assumption that you can’t? If you do, think of race the same way. If you don’t, then it may be hard for you to care about this stuff.
June 13, 2007 at 10:32
I think some of it comes down to a sense of self-esteem. I don’t mind jokes about myself from people that I know pretty well - but its given an take though.
One of my buddies Jack is diabetic … I always go, “Jack, your blood sugar is too low, that’s why you suck at volleyball.” And he goes, “huh?!”
Addison, I agree with you too, sometimes people over politicize things. I wasn’t personally offended, but other people were … and I bet there may have been some other races offended as well. Of course, in order to create some good humor, somebody always gets offended.
June 14, 2007 at 10:41
I’m not quite sure how to answer this. There are so many variables that go into it. You could always make a joke and THINK that the person you made it to doesn’t get offended. Well that person could quite possibly be offended without you ever knowing. That person has probably learned to not outwardly react to it and supress all emotions inside him/herself. So just be careful. No matter how close you are to the person you’re joking with doesn’t necessarily mean that the person doesn’t get hurt.