Accidental racism & Part time racists?
 

So as not to be accused of going off topic, I have created this thread for a serious debate about this.

1. Is there such a thing as "accidental racism"?

2. Can you be a "part-time racist"?


Discuss please.

OK, let's give you some help with the definitions. It has been suggested by a member that "accidental racism" can happen, and you can be a part-time racist. It has been explained by this member that "accidental racism", is when you say something racist in the heat of the moment, but do not really mean it, so it is acceptable.

As for a "part-time" racist, this terminology has not been explained yet as far as I am aware.

In my view, you cannot accidentally use racism in the heat of the moment. If I am in an argument (theoretically) with a french person and I call them a frog for example, would I be forgiven as I say I am not a racist, and just used that term in the heat of the moment? I hope not, because in my mind, I would be racist for saying that. Argument or no argument.

As for a part-time racist. Is this the definition:

Theoretical scenario: "Say Dick works with white, asian, and australian people? During the week, he is willing to go for a drink with them all. Just work colleagues on their own. At the weekend, he wouldn't be seen dead with the asian people, as his friends are racists and he would get a load of hassle and they wouldn't want to know him." Does this make him a "part-time racist"?

Have a look at this BazG

http://comment.independent.co.uk/col...cle1813548.ece

It talks about accidental racism in a totally different way to the way a friend of ours discusses it

Madness!

Totally agree.

I think the terms accidental racist and part time racist are excuses for people which they hope will allow them the odd slip to behave in a terrible way.

Racism is racism end of story really no matter how you dress it up :bored: To think that you can be a part time racist is pure ignorance and comes from someone who is obviously not very well educated or who is not culturally aware at all.

I agree. The only kind of people who would use those terms are racist ones who want to make up some excuse for their behaviour.

Okay MrLuvaLuva, Here we are:-

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(Very Racist) This means that you judge people by the colour of their skin or their ethnic background or say definite racist comments where there is no doubt in anyones mind that they are indeed racist words.

This wasn't the case with CBB Jan.
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(Part-Time Racist) This means that in a situation whereby a person of an ethnic background or skin colour, assaults you or says a racist comment to you or attacks you personally in words and in that moment of rage, you may something which brings race into the equasion

Maybe one or two words in that situation. But generally, you treat everybody equal.

It was said, just to hurt that person in revenge of what they first did to you.

Tit-for-tat, but petty really.

This wasn't the case with CBB Jan.
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(Accidental Racist/offensive words or comments) This means that in a situation whereby a person of an ethnic background or skin colour, annoys you in some way, accidently, something may come out of your mouth, (Jade, Jo and Danielle) for example. Which to some people may be construed as having "racial-over-tones".

It is accidental and an easy trap to fall into.

This is what happened in CBB Jan.
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(Racist jokes) This is what comedians call humour. I don't need to elaborate much on this point

OK. So are we discussing it on this thread now, or the other one? Let's make a decision. This one. Sorry to be presumptuous, but I made a decision. Hope that's ok with you nodis?

Repost from the other thread here:

"If somebody called me a "white honky", I would not retaliate in such a way. It would not come into my mind. If I did, then I would say I was racist. I would not describe myself as a "part-time racist". It has actually happened before, and I have just laughed. To retaliate and be just as bad as them, was not in my mind."

I think there is such a thing as accidental racism, but it should be called accidental "racism"

I once offended my black friend by accident, I spent ages constantly reminding her I wasnt being racist

Can you explain Chris so we may understand further?

I don't want to repeat it, just incase it offends anyone on here.

was it racism or a lack of cultural awareness? they are 2 different things to be honest and young people often say things through a lack of awareness rather than being racist! DOnt beat yourself up over it Chrizzle.

I think that as educated people though we need to accept responsibility for our actions and not hide behind titles like "part time racist". I am an adult and would happily defend my words or actions to anyone as I dont directly do or say anything with a racial under-current or say anything that could be implied as being racist. When working with the client groups that I work with I am very aware of my words and actions because in this day and age of political correctness it is important that we dont do things to cause offence.

She knew after a couple of arguements I wasnt being racist, thankfully. This happeneds 2 years ago. Shes moved to London now:sad: but anyway off topic.

It definately wasnt meant as a racist comment, and I was shocked she would even think it was.

Glad to hear that Chrizzle :bigsmile:

I agree Sunny, but to retaliate to a racist comment, with a racist comment, as nodis suggested, does not let you off the hook. "Tit for tat" as it was said. It is not acceptable in my book. And I do understand Chris. I didn't mean to press you.

I see where you are coming from Baz - it's about being the one to rise above that kid of behaviour. Just because someone might choose to launch a racial comment for example at my hubby (who is mixed race) doesnt mean I have to use a similar vein of retaliation.

Exactly. People use racist comments sometimes as a "cheap trick" to try and get a reaction. If it does not work, they do not know what to do next. I am not saying that we should accept such comments. It is actually unacceptable. But racists use irrelevant comments to try and provoke hatred.

What you want to happen and what actually does happen is two different things.

I spoke to a schoolgirl 13yr old, funny enough, her name is "Danielle".

Anyway, she told me how a Black kid pushed her and called her a white-racist name. I can't remember exactly what he called her, but she then hurled some racist comment back to him.

It was her way of dealing with the situation.

I am also aware that her parents agreed with her actions and now she thinks it is the way to be.

You see MrLuvaLuva what I am saying, is, people can be really racist and take it to the limit and beyond and other people can be Part-Time-Racists and use racism, when they want to hurt someones feelings by using a word or comment, because they have received either violence or a personal nasty comment before-hand.

I understand what you are saying Chrizzle.

This is where Accidental racism comes into play.

You may give an example and describe it and before you know it, people believe that you are racist, when you are obviously not.

It is what is known as, "over-scrutiny"

Looking for problems which aren't even there. Trying so desperately to find the millionth of a possible sounding "racial-over-tone" in amongst what you are saying.

It is better to be careful and sway away from saying what you think, just in case.

Think of it, as walking in bare-feet blindfolded in a room full of broken glass.

That is how careful you need to be Chrizzle in this environment of over-scrutiny...

I know....

In this instance nodis, you have used a 13 year old girl as your argument. You are a 30-something who should know better. What is your excuse? Young people can be naive. At your age, you should surely have some wisdom by now. What doyou think about that?

I don't understand the question MrLuvaLuva?

I was giving an instance of someone I know.

I was also giving examples of what the various definations of the word mean.

You are saying that I need an excuse?? an excuse for what??

Answer me this. You said "a Black kid pushed her ". "Called her a white racist name" The colour of a person comes into the conversation with everything. Look back on my posts. Have I ever talked about colour? I have talked about race. When it comes down to the colour of your skin, well,,,,,,,,,,,,, Do I ask if you are black, yellow, red or white? It does not matter to me.

I am telling you what she told me.

She mentioned that he was a black kid and what occured between them on that day.

I don't think we are talking about you MrLuvaLuva ?

You shall have to open a topic named: (MrLuvaLuva man of infinite wisdom)

Or nodisharmony

man of ifinite bullshit
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JADE GOODY KNOWS THIS!