BBQs

[hors limite]

A Man City scout is being investigated after a complaint of " racially inappropriate language" after referring to black players as BBQs - big,black and quick. Maybe, you had to be there to witness the context but I just don't get it.

 

[patricks148]

thought it was about burning meat over flame.....Mmmm... BBQ

cardbord would even taste nice BBQ'd

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Sounds like something from the 70's or 80's. Astonishing to believe that could be used now.

 

[Orikoru]

A Man City scout is being investigated after a complaint of " racially inappropriate language" after referring to black players as BBQs - big,black and quick. Maybe, you had to be there to witness the context but I just don't get it.

Sorry, what don't you get?

 

[USER1999]

Perhaps he meant big, and blooming quick?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Perhaps he meant big, and blooming quick?

It's football, it would have been BFQ, Big and flippin quick.

 

[hors limite]

Sorry, what don't you get?

I've tried to find a definition of racially inappropriate language andI've not had any luck. If one describes a footballer as big and quick, is that a compliment? If you describe a black footballer as big, black and quick, is it still a compliment? Is it the acronym that turns it into something else? If Ian Wright had coined the acronym with a smile on his face, would it have been OK?
I must confess to not finding anything insulting, racist or demeaning in the remark. I think the reaction is in PC gone bonkers territory.

 

[Orikoru]

I've tried to find a definition of racially inappropriate language andI've not had any luck. If one describes a footballer as big and quick, is that a compliment? If you describe a black footballer as big, black and quick, is it still a compliment? Is it the acronym that turns it into something else? If Ian Wright had coined the acronym with a smile on his face, would it have been OK?
I must confess to not finding anything insulting, racist or demeaning in the remark. I think the reaction is in PC gone bonkers territory.

My understanding would be: To coin it as a phrase 'Big Black & Quick' is to make it a generalisation, or a stereotype, suggesting he believes all black players should be strong and fast, or that their only useful attributes are to be strong and fast.

Sure, it's not the worst piece of racism you'll hear (unfortunately) but it is still grossly inappropriate. The word 'black' should be an irrelevance in this context, by all means say certain players are fast and strong, but to bring race into that is completely irrelevant, as it has or should have no bearing on their ability or skillset.

 

[USER1999]

I've tried to find a definition of racially inappropriate language andI've not had any luck. If one describes a footballer as big and quick, is that a compliment? If you describe a black footballer as big, black and quick, is it still a compliment? Is it the acronym that turns it into something else? If Ian Wright had coined the acronym with a smile on his face, would it have been OK?
I must confess to not finding anything insulting, racist or demeaning in the remark. I think the reaction is in PC gone bonkers territory.

What does the colour of the footy player have to do with attributes which may be useful, like quick, and big? Colour adds nothing to the players ability, and hence as a descriptor of a footy player is redundant, useless, and probably a bit racist.

 

[Rooter]

What does the colour of the footy player have to do with attributes which may be useful, like quick, and big? Colour adds nothing to the players ability, and hence as a descriptor of a footy player is redundant, useless, and probably a bit racist.

The way it has been used is not right, however there has been a lot of global research into why for example black athletes are better at the 100M then other races, it has been proven their muscles are are slightly different to say white people. In fact there has not been a white world record holder in the 100M since 1968. So sorry, call me a racist if you like, black men are faster than white men. Its science.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

Sorry to hijack....On this theme, what do people think of Stormzy setting up scholarships for black students?

If a popular white musician was to setup a scholarship scheme for white students do you think this would be looked upon any different?

 

[Orikoru]

The way it has been used is not right, however there has been a lot of global research into why for example black athletes are better at the 100M then other races, it has been proven their muscles are are slightly different to say white people. In fact there has not been a white world record holder in the 100M since 1968. So sorry, call me a racist if you like, black men are faster than white men. Its science.

That's all fair, but It's still an inappropriate turn of phrase that may make a black footballer think he is only being kept around because he is 'big and black' rather than anything to do with his football ability. It's dismissive.

 

[Orikoru]

Sorry to hijack....On this theme, what do people think of Stormzy setting up scholarships for black students?

If a popular white musician was to setup a scholarship scheme for white students do you think this would be looked upon any different?

It would be different. I imagine their are stats showing that minorities find it tougher to get scholarships or something, which then gives him the platform to say it is necessary. There wouldn't be any stats that say that about white people though I wouldn't thought.

 

[MegaSteve]

Sorry to hijack....On this theme, what do people think of Stormzy setting up scholarships for black students?

If a popular white musician was to setup a scholarship scheme for white students do you think this would be looked upon any different?

I think it's a good thing and well done to him...

The kids/grandkids of many of the folk that came here from our Commonwealth have been on ignore for too long...
A situation that needs addressing...

 

[hors limite]

My understanding would be: To coin it as a phrase 'Big Black & Quick' is to make it a generalisation, or a stereotype, suggesting he believes all black players should be strong and fast, or that their only useful attributes are to be strong and fast.

Sure, it's not the worst piece of racism you'll hear (unfortunately) but it is still grossly inappropriate. The word 'black' should be an irrelevance in this context, by all means say certain players are fast and strong, but to bring race into that is completely irrelevant, as it has or should have no bearing on their ability or skillset.

I think that you are answering a question but not the one I asked in order to fit your preconceived notions. Are you saying that it is wrong to describe a group of black footballers as big, black and quick if that is patently what they are. That isn't stereotyping, it's a description of their appearance and one of their qualities. How on earth you can project this description into meaning that "their only useful attributes are to be strong and fast" defies logic.

 

[WillC]

Sorry to hijack....On this theme, what do people think of Stormzy setting up scholarships for black students?

If a popular white musician was to setup a scholarship scheme for white students do you think this would be looked upon any different?

Whilst what he is doing for those students is positive, I have to agree that is it somewhat counter-productive of the wider problem of people bringing race into things. Doesn't do too much at all to stop that way of thinking. Just my two pence on it! That being said, helping out STUDENTS is a great thing.

 

[Hobbit]

I think it depends on context and the way the message is delivered.

I could say you're an ugly whatever in a jokey voice with a smile and a twinkle in the eye and we'd all have a laugh. Or I could say it with venom and spite and you'd take it badly, especially if a group of your peers joined in.

Some people may think it is only descriptive, whilst others may think its a dumbing down and a slur. Both are right. At the end of the day, its how the recipient feels about the message. We've all said something we thought was a joke, only for us to be horrified that we've upset someone. Same applies here I guess.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Hors, do you think any scout describes a group of players as white and nimble, white and solid, white and anything? BQ is the only abbreviation required, Big and Quick. The colour has no relevance and by using it it dips into racism.

 

[WillC]

Hors, do you think any scout describes a group of players as white and nimble, white and solid, white and anything? BQ is the only abbreviation required, Big and Quick. The colour has no relevance and by using it it dips into racism.

Can't argue with this. As someone said above, it isn't the worst thing you'll ever hear, but not really a need for it and asking for trouble here.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Sorry to hijack....On this theme, what do people think of Stormzy setting up scholarships for black students?

If a popular white musician was to setup a scholarship scheme for white students do you think this would be looked upon any different?

These scholarships are specifically for Cambridge University where a disproportionately low number of black students apply or attend. Hopefully it will help to resolve this. If the numbers were proportionately balanced or close to it then I would not like it but that is not the situation so I admire him for doing this.