The N-Word

[MMM]

Originally Posted by mercedesjin

Salvanas:

MMM: Yet they're using an image that portrays the idea that one race is superior to the other. The child was ignorant of the fact that he/she had racist ideals. The Japanese that used this image are ignorant of the fact that portrays one race as superior to the other. Both still use racist ideas, whether they're aware of it or not.

If this child believes that one race is superior to another, then the child is racist.
Many racists wear this term as a badge of honor. The child may also be ignorant, but that is beyond the point.

We have no reason to think the programmers of the game are racist, despite the poor choice of images they chose, because we know about the history of Lil Sambo type imagery in Japan.

That image itself doesn't portray one race as superior to another in Japanese eyes, and that is the intended target.

Just as the word "Caucasian" may be based in a system of thinking where one race is more beautiful than the others, it doesn't make users of that word today racist or the use of the word racist because there is no racist intention behind the usage. I can agree there may be a racist history to the word, but that doesn't make the usage of the word racist.

The n-word has been dropped dozens of times in this thread. That doesn't mean the person who used it or the usage is racist.

[Salvanas]

Originally Posted by mercedesjin

Salvanas: I don't think that we can stop racism. Definitely not any time soon, anyway. That doesn't mean that we should sit back and let it happen, though. Spread education. Learn. Make the change you want to see. It's hard to stop racism, but it's not hard to say to your friends, "I heard that the word 'caucasian' is racist. Here's why," or, "I heard that the word 'Hispanic' isn't PC. Here's why."

But it won't do anything. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
What changes? Nothing.

Why do we need to use words to describe people? Why can't we all be people? Why can't I be a short person with curly hair and a red shirt rather than the black girl?

Because there are more things to describe than just that.

You're using words to describe people, right there. How do we say what nationality they are? We might all be human, but there are OBVIOUS differences between us. And as long as we have even names for nationalities, they will still be used as racist. Again, like I posted before, it depends on how the person says it. It's not the word itself, which is what you keep trying to prove.

Again.

"He's a Turkish boy."
"He's a fucking Turkish boy."

The bottom one is aimed to be insultive. And so, we need to sort it out from the root. And the root is making people non-racist. AND OH LOOK, like you said, everyone is racist and it's human right? Then there's no point, and would have just wasted your time!

Also, even if we had no words to describe each other race wise, people will think up of new ones.

With each racial term comes stereotypes. Those are best to be avoided.

Although I agree stereotypes are bad, they DID spawn from somewhere. And although it might not mean ALL of that race, it certainly can be applied for the majority.

[mercedesjin]

Originally Posted by MMM

If this child believes that one race is superior to another, then the child is racist.
Many racists wear this term as a badge of honor. The child may also be ignorant, but that is beyond the point.

We have no reason to think the programmers of the game are racist, despite the poor choice of images they chose, because we know about the history of Lil Sambo type imagery in Japan.

That image itself doesn't portray one race as superior to another in Japanese eyes, and that is the intended target.

Just as the word "Caucasian" may be based in a system of thinking where one race is more beautiful than the others, it doesn't make users of that word today racist or the use of the word racist because there is no racist intention behind the usage. I can agree there may be a racist history to the word, but that doesn't make the usage of the word racist.

The n-word has been dropped dozens of times in this thread. That doesn't mean the person who used it or the usage is racist.

Let's agree to disagree, because all I have to say is exactly what you've already heard.

Salvanas: I disagree. From this thread alone, I've learned a lot. I know some people have learned some things as well. I learned from Tenchu that "falang" is not PC, and so I will never use it. Even if it's just with three people, something in this world has changed. That's a start.

I think that I can easily describe my culture to you without ever once mentioning my race.

Stereotypes do exist because enough people fit the idea. It's funny, I was JUST reading about this in a book. I'll type out some of what it says on stereotypes:

"In a cross-cultural setting, attributions result in stereotypes that may offer a false explanation for individual behavior. Stereotypes are oversimplified judgments made about people on the basis of their cultural group of physical characteristics. Cultural stereotypes may be quite strong and will not disappear easily. Tourists, in their brief contact with another country, often find confirmation of the stereotypes they hold... Though there is often some generalized truth in stereotypes, real-life situations and the people who fact them are more complex than the stereotype admits."
(From The Exchange Student Survival Kit by Bettina Hansel.)

It goes on to give the example of the stereotype that Americans are obsessed with time. There's an American exchange student who screams at her host sister because they're going to be a few minutes late for school. The host sister immediately assumes that the American exchange student is simply fitting the stereotype, when in fact the exchange student had a test that morning, and didn't want to be late. She fit the stereotype, but it was for a more complex reason than, "It's because she's an American."

The word "fucking" doesn't need to be added to make a word mean something insulting. If "Hispanic" is insulting, then that's enough. Unless I'm not quite understanding your point...

[Zagato289]

Originally Posted by Salvanas

But it won't do anything. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
What changes? Nothing.

It does changes something. It might not be big, but its something. If someone wants a big change, then we need more support. If someone has a negative mind and keeps thinking that there is no point of trying to achieve something because either way its not gonna stop, doesnt help at all. Its like saying, " Why should we continue to take care of the earth, if it still going to end one day". As long as we are alive, we should never stop trying to achieve what we want, even if we know that its not going to happen, at least we try to with our hearts.

[Salvanas]

[quote=mercedesjin;761266]

Salvanas: I disagree. From this thread alone, I've learned a lot. I know some people have learned some things as well. I learned from Tenchu that "falang" is not PC, and so I will never use it. Even if it's just with three people, something in this world has changed. That's a start.

What will that change, in the long run? Nothing.

Another factor here, is that it depends on the person. A racist person will be racist, regardless if he knows or not.

A person who is not racist, will not be racist.

I think that I can easily describe my culture to you without ever once mentioning my race.

But what's the point, when you can just say one word, which describes your culture?

The word "fucking" doesn't need to be added to make a word mean something insulting. If "Hispanic" is insulting, then that's enough. Unless I'm not quite understanding your point...

You didn't understand my point.

Nigger, negro and all the other ones like Caucasian and Hispanic (I don't agree to the last three being racist, but I'll agree with you for my example) are offensive. And I'll agree that they should be, let's say, banned.

Let's say they are. Again, people will still be racist, by using for example, American.

"He's an American." - This isn't racist.
"He's a fucking American" - This is racist.

People will still be racist, when you take away the slurs. It's all about how the person uses the word.

The only way to get rid of this, is to;

A: Ban words that say the Nationalities name. The problem is, people will then make up other words for being used as racist remarks. So...

B: Get rid of racism from people, as a whole. The problem with this, is it's just impossible, and futile, because as you said so yourself, we're all racist.

So in the end. You get no where. You go in circles.

[Salvanas]

Originally Posted by Zagato289

It does changes something. It might not be big, but its something. If someone wants a big change, then we need more support. If someone has a negative mind and keeps thinking that there is no point of trying to achieve something because either way its not gonna stop, doesnt help at all. Its like saying, " Why should we continue to take care of the earth, if it still going to end one day". As long as we are alive, we should never stop trying to achieve what we want, even if we know that its not going to happen, at least we try to with our hearts.

Did you just compare being racist to the end of the earth?...

Tell me then, what will change. Will good will it do?

[Kenpachi11]

Racist words dont bother me at all. I just think that the ppl who use them are racist and i leave it at that.

I say "cracker" but i dont see how thats a racist word...even if it is one.

[Zagato289]

Originally Posted by Salvanas

Did you just compare being racist to the end of the earth?...

Tell me then, what will change. Will good will it do?

Please read carefully. That was just an example. The whole point is, why should we try to stop what we are trying to achieve, just because some people tell us that its not worth it. What will change? Is that a serious question? Think about it. This is just my opinion, and if you believe that is not worth trying, thats your opinion and I respect that.

[Salvanas]

Originally Posted by Zagato289

Please read carefully. That was just an example. The whole point is, why should we try to stop what we are trying to achieve, just because some people tell us that its not worth it. What will change? Is that a serious question? Think about it. This is just my opinion, and if you believe that is not worth trying, thats your opinion and I respect that.

I know it's my opinion. You don't need to tell me that. And I know that's your opinion. Well done, you've just recited the basics of a debate.

I'm not telling you to stop. I couldn't care with what you did with your life.

Hell, it was Merc making assumptions that people who don't try, are people who don't like challenging themselves, and don't want to make a positive change in this world.

And the maximum that will change, is a few people not using those words. Again, a racist person will be racist, regardless. You can't change racist people.

You can try all you want, but I'll use that effort somewhere else, where I know I can make a BIGGER impact on the world.

[Zagato289]

Originally Posted by Salvanas

I know it's my opinion. You don't need to tell me that. And I know that's your opinion. Well done, you've just recited the basics of a debate.

I'm not telling you to stop. I couldn't care with what you did with your life.

Hell, it was Merc making assumptions that people who don't try, are people who don't like challenging themselves, and don't want to make a positive change in this world.

And the maximum that will change, is a few people not using those words. Again, a racist person will be racist, regardless. You can't change racist people.

You can try all you want, but I'll use that effort somewhere else, where I know I can make a BIGGER impact on the world.

Of course its better to do something that you know for sure its going to make a big impact in he world, but its nice trying other things and makes me feel proud of at least trying. The main reason people dont like participating in these subjects in the real world is because of FEAR. Fear of what? Fear of what others will think of them and the consequences after they stte their opinion. You can change a racist person, with enough effort. If no one ever tried to stop racism in history, there will still be the same kind of racism from the past, today, so al those people trying, are actually doing someting, and ill be happy to be part of them .