Is this racism?

[Deleted member 16999]

Seriously, and I mean mean this 100%, I would not be offended. Very little offends me because I have a backbone and the ability to let water run off my ducks back. You can say what you want about me, my family, my race, and even my football team, as words are simply a combination of letters, and no more. My Anglo Indian mate quite often has Pa7i jokes told to him, because his appearance makes him look as such. He has a number of humorous replies he uses when necessary. If everyone thought like him and I, there would be no problem, and we could all just get on with life. I am white, heterosexual, in my sixties, balding, and not very tall. You can tell me as many jokes as you want about people who fit into my description, and then see how upset I get. Well, I don't, and that's because I don't have a chip on my shoulder.

Yes, there are lines that shouldn't be crossed, but those lines should be very wide, not very thin !

Sorry I’m confused, you wouldn’t be bothered if some bloke punched your mate because he was offended by what your mate said as a joke.
Because your not offended doesn’t mean other people shouldn’t be surely?

 

[Mrs Wiggles]

Surely it’s about knowing your audience, your best mate is probably your best mate because of time, spent together, growing up together etc and shared experiences you’ve developed.
Now if you were on a night out in a pub and he was overheard saying all white people look the same and smell of urine and a white person nearby overheard him and was offended and then punched your mate, would you then calmly explain to the offended your mate meant no offence or get laid into them?

Like the Dundee footballer, there could of been 200 people at that party and even if there was a risk of offending just 1 out of the 200, then he should of avoided offending the 1, and it’s got nothing to do with Political Correctness or being a snowflake or whatever, it’s about being a decent human being. Why risk offending anyone?

There you go, that is exactly what I am talking about, it is about being a snowflake. Your worried about the one person who get's offended, but not the 199 who aren't. In short, society has to change it's behaviour to suit minorities, rather than to suit the majority. The vast majority of countries would never do this, but we happen to be one of the few crazy ones that is.

 

[Mrs Wiggles]

Sorry I’m confused, you wouldn’t be bothered if some bloke punched your mate because he was offended by what your mate said as a joke.
Because your not offended doesn’t mean other people shouldn’t be surely?

Perhaps I got confused, sorry. I would certainly not be offended by what my friend said, but would be offended by the fact he had been punched. There is never a reason for anyone to be physically assaulted because of ANYTHING said. I would hope you agree with that

 

[Deleted member 16999]

There you go, that is exactly what I am talking about, it is about being a snowflake. Your worried about the one person who get's offended, but not the 199 who aren't. In short, society has to change it's behaviour to suit minorities, rather than to suit the majority. The vast majority of countries would never do this, but we happen to be one of the few crazy ones that is.

No, your misunderstanding, why because I’m one of the 199 should the 1 be ignored? Haven’t they got the same rights as the 199.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Perhaps I got confused, sorry. I would certainly not be offended by what my friend said, but would be offended by the fact he had been punched. There is never a reason for anyone to be physically assaulted because of ANYTHING said. I would hope you agree with that

But that’s not the real world is it?
Personally I believe 99% of people are Racist to some degree.
Just pick your surroundings and just as your thick skinned about what you can put up with or take, doesn’t mean we should judge or tell people not to be offended

 

[SocketRocket]

I think it would also be useful to differentiate between being offended and understanding that something could be offensive. As anyone on here who knows me will testify, I am almost impossible to offend. I have thicker skin than Andre the Giants foreskin. However, I can appreciate that certain things could be offensive. I can also appreciate that sometimes people can be over cautious about these things.

Still, live and let live eh. If it's easy to avoid offending someone, then why would I go out of my way to do it, just to make a fairly unnecessary point. Life's too short to be an arse. 👍

Codpieceface 😉

 

[Hobbit]

There you go, that is exactly what I am talking about, it is about being a snowflake. Your worried about the one person who get's offended, but not the 199 who aren't. In short, society has to change it's behaviour to suit minorities, rather than to suit the majority. The vast majority of countries would never do this, but we happen to be one of the few crazy ones that is.

Isn't it possible you're both right? I guess we've all met someone who cries foul at the slightest thing. Ideally, you wouldn't want to offend them but, equally, someone could be ridiculously overly sensitive to the point of having a mental issue. You want to try working with someone who has autism or is on the Asberger's scale. You could say something that 199 people find either amusing or not even worth a second thought. But that 1 person, with valid issues, will flip.

The comment is probably fine but the person on the receiving end that has flipped needs an apology, and deserves an apology. Its about audience. We all know that we can get away with more with the right people, but that doesn't mean we can say it in front of people we don't know. If you want to try it out, try calling your boss's boss a thick tosser. You know you can say it jokey with your mates, and you know you're on dodgy ground with the boss's boss.

 

[Kellfire]

I agree with Ricky Gervais, Christopher Hutchins and Stephen Fry’s views on being offended for the most part. Google them if you don’t know. They tend to swear so I won’t post them.

 

[Kellfire]

Hmm...

 

[Mrs Wiggles]

No, your misunderstanding, why because I’m one of the 199 should the 1 be ignored? Haven’t they got the same rights as the 199.

That would mean 199 people are being prevented from using their freedom of speech, or having laugh, because 1 person is offended. Therefore that person isn't given the same rights, they are being given priority treatment.

If you pick up the paper this morning you will see that Chelsea football club are in a little trouble because their supporters have been accused of antisemitism. In actual fact they were singing a song that Chelsea supporters have been singing for at least the past ten years. It is primarily to get at Spurs supporters, as I doubt any of them really dislike Jews. I am both a Spurs supporter, and have some Jewish heritage. Am I offended or bothered, of course not, and anyone that is just needs to grow a backbone.

On a thread a little further down you mention that 99% of people are to some degree racist. At this point I should mention racism travels in more than one direction, despite what snowflakes think. Of course, I agree. Human beings by nature are tribal pack animals. We find it hard and struggle with anything that is different, including sexual preference, colour, race, and especially alien culture. Some of us have evolved at different rates, and I think you will find that the indigenous Brit has evolved to a greater degree than most of our foreign counterparts. However, this doesn't mean we are better than them, it just means they are still living by instinct, rather than society pressure. The answer to all these problems are for people to be less sensitive, and actually accept the fact some other people have prejudices, rather than putting pressure on people to be politically correct. One day (beyond our life time) these things will sort them out, but pressure from governments and liberals will only create more resistance !

 

[Hobbit]

That would mean 199 people are being prevented from using their freedom of speech, or having laugh, because 1 person is offended. Therefore that person isn't given the same rights, they are being given priority treatment.

If you pick up the paper this morning you will see that Chelsea football club are in a little trouble because their supporters have been accused of antisemitism. In actual fact they were singing a song that Chelsea supporters have been singing for at least the past ten years. It is primarily to get at Spurs supporters, as I doubt any of them really dislike Jews. I am both a Spurs supporter, and have some Jewish heritage. Am I offended or bothered, of course not, and anyone that is just needs to grow a backbone.

On a thread a little further down you mention that 99% of people are to some degree racist. At this point I should mention racism travels in more than one direction, despite what snowflakes think. Of course, I agree. Human beings by nature are tribal pack animals. We find it hard and struggle with anything that is different, including sexual preference, colour, race, and especially alien culture. Some of us have evolved at different rates, and I think you will find that the indigenous Brit has evolved to a greater degree than most of our foreign counterparts. However, this doesn't mean we are better than them, it just means they are still living by instinct, rather than society pressure. The answer to all these problems are for people to be less sensitive, and actually accept the fact people have prejudices, rather than putting pressure on people to be politically correct.

Ref the bit highlighted, what evidence do you have that Brits have evolved to a greater degree? As an island nation, with less cross border traffic than, say, the Dutch/German border or Dutch/French border I'd say the opposite is true, i.e. that Brits are more likely to be racist than our neighbours.

And just to go back to the highlighted comment; the following is a definition of racism. Racism is the belief in the superiority of one race over another, which often results in discrimination and prejudice towards people based on their race or ethnicity. Your comment could be deemed racist.

 

[londonlewis]

This thread is getting silly now.

 

[bluewolf]

Brilliant. I suppose that as only a 2nd generation Brit then I should accept that I'm not as evolved as most on here.. A new low for this forum and I quite clearly am in the wrong place.. I'll take my leave until I've evolved enough to join in the conversation..

By the way, I'm not offended in the slightest. I just think that certain individuals are a stain on the mattress of life..

 

[chrisd]

Having read through the last few pages of this thread and now understanding my right of being professionally offended, I state, here and now, if anyone writes anything of a derogatory nature about my age and/or my physical condition I will now be professionally offended and will contemplate taking action against that person (so watch out BIM)

 

[Deleted member 16999]

That would mean 199 people are being prevented from using their freedom of speech, or having laugh, because 1 person is offended. Therefore that person isn't given the same rights, they are being given priority treatment.

If you pick up the paper this morning you will see that Chelsea football club are in a little trouble because their supporters have been accused of antisemitism. In actual fact they were singing a song that Chelsea supporters have been singing for at least the past ten years. It is primarily to get at Spurs supporters, as I doubt any of them really dislike Jews. I am both a Spurs supporter, and have some Jewish heritage. Am I offended or bothered, of course not, and anyone that is just needs to grow a backbone.

On a thread a little further down you mention that 99% of people are to some degree racist. At this point I should mention racism travels in more than one direction, despite what snowflakes think. Of course, I agree. Human beings by nature are tribal pack animals. We find it hard and struggle with anything that is different, including sexual preference, colour, race, and especially alien culture. Some of us have evolved at different rates, and I think you will find that the indigenous Brit has evolved to a greater degree than most of our foreign counterparts. However, this doesn't mean we are better than them, it just means they are still living by instinct, rather than society pressure. The answer to all these problems are for people to be less sensitive, and actually accept the fact some other people have prejudices, rather than putting pressure on people to be politically correct. One day (beyond our life time) these things will sort them out, but pressure from governments and liberals will only create more resistance !

So the 1 is put before the 199 and the majority should be able to express their freedom of speech? Who decides the line and when it is crossed? The 199 I take it?
Who decides when the 1 is a snowflake? You? Or someone less sensitive than you?
It’s about common decencey.
Straight away these days you get more non-snowflakes commenting than the supposed offended snowflake.
As for 99% of people are racist, I mean all people, regardless of nationality or race.
I think you said you’re in your 60’s, I can guarantee those in their 70’s will tell you how lucky you are, just like those who were born in the 70’s had it easier than those born in the 60’s, then there’s those born in the 80’s, they have no idea how lucky they were, but for godsake don’t bring the children of the 90’s or the millenials into the conversation, they really really have had it easy!

 

[Deleted member 16999]

This thread is getting silly now.

People are having a healthy debate and opinions are being expressed, nobody is insulting each other or resorting to name calling, you have a choice, ignore the thread, your post adds nothing.

 

[Mrs Wiggles]

People are having a healthy debate and opinions are being expressed, nobody is insulting each other or resorting to name calling, you have a choice, ignore the thread, your post adds nothing.

Totally agree, it's a very civilised conversation being held by two people with differing opinions. I think it's fair to say, that's what forums are for. Going back to your post prior. We differ in the sense that you appear to be bothered if someone is offended by comments made by other people, I am a lot less so. As stated before, I do believe there are lines that shouldn't be crossed, however it is my opinion those lines should be broad, and people must attempt to be less sensitive. This is an argument I am losing more and more as the years go on, and am sure it will come to a point where people will be petrified to have any type of conversation in the fear they get arrested for a hate crime. What makes it worse is that my golf for the last month has been dreadful

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

There you go, that is exactly what I am talking about, it is about being a snowflake. Your worried about the one person who get's offended, but not the 199 who aren't. In short, society has to change it's behaviour to suit minorities, rather than to suit the majority. The vast majority of countries would never do this, but we happen to be one of the few crazy ones that is.

OK then. What about my club Christmas Show scenario. Let's say that the guys in our club Christmas Show had blacked-up for their Diana Ross and Supremes skit - and a guest in the audience takes offence; videos it, and posts it on social media with a very critical comment about the club. Next day some of our greens are dug up and clubhouse windows are smashed.

Worth offending that one individual was it because the other 199 in the room weren't?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Totally agree, it's a very civilised conversation being held by two people with differing opinions. I think it's fair to say, that's what forums are for. Going back to your post prior. We differ in the sense that you appear to be bothered if someone is offended by comments made by other people, I am a lot less so. As stated before, I do believe there are lines that shouldn't be crossed, however it is my opinion those lines should be broad, and people must attempt to be less sensitive. This is an argument I am losing more and more as the years go on, and am sure it will come to a point where people will be petrified to have any type of conversation in the fear they get arrested for a hate crime. What makes it worse is that my golf for the last month has been dreadful

Thankfully my Golf is great,
I come from the point of view of being an Equality & Diversity Officer in the Army for over 10 years and in that time I must of saw and dealt with just about both ends of the spectrum and everything in between, more often than not it was complicated by third party involvement.
There were plenty of occassions people were over sensitive and over reacted, but I also seen cases were individuals were ignored and expected to suffer in silence as the perpatrators didn’t mean any harm.
The other problem these days is as soon as you try to get people to try and see both sides or try and show some sympathy you’re labelled a snowflake, but when that’s used as a defence, some have lost the argument.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

OK then. What about my club Christmas Show scenario. Let's say that the guys in our club Christmas Show had blacked-up for their Diana Ross and Supremes skit - and a guest in the audience takes offence; videos it, and posts it on social media with a very critical comment about the club. Next day some of our greens are dug up and clubhouse windows are smashed.

Worth offending that one individual was it because the other 199 in the room weren't?

What harm or offence would they have caused by painting their faces, copying a pop group in every way, colour/clothes/song they’re not stereotyping black females.