Is this racist? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Botnst · #16 11-13-2013, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

Actually, as an African-American, I don't find it such.

In fact it's more like "wannabe-speak" than anything else.

I often cruise through my daughter's social pages and "marvel" at the plethora of "ghetto-speak" that permeates...even though the majority of these adolescents are suburban-Caucasian!

I have a niece whose comments on her page would lead one to believe she is a hard-core street-smart prostitute from the mean streets of Detroit! In actuality, goes to a private Catholic school and daddy is a physician!

Yeah, I hear that all the time, too. Reminds me of that scene in "Gran Torino" in which the Cambodian girl and the white boy are getting harassed by some back kids on the street. The white kid (I think he is actually Clint's son) tries to act all cool and ghetto (clearly out of fear) and the black kids see right through it and lose all respect for the white kid. To me the scene wasn't about skin color it was about courtesy and respect.

Anyway, my comment was a tongue-in-cheek shot at the white guilt crap that makes some white people act differently toward blacks than toward other whites. Fk that, treat everybody as you would be treated.

SwampYankee · #17 11-13-2013, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shortsguy1

The following is a recent post from one of our technical forums. Is it racist or am I being too sensitive?

"I'm lovin' it Brotha! B
rother man, I'm down with you on slamming these antique diesels!
You can slam my mofo CDI, anytime! I'm diggin' yo floor jack!"

FYI, the recipient of the message appears to be African American, assuming he is the driver in one of the photos he posted. And while I am unfamiliar with the phrase "rother man", Webster's defines "rother beast" as a "bovine or black cattle." Perhaps the "B" on the prior line was intended to go with the "rother", but regardless of that detail, the whole post seems a bit over the top to me.

For the record, my wife would say I am too sensitive regarding many things, so I guess I am looking to the PP masses to understand what is considered appropriate here. Thanks.

I believe the poster inadvertently touched "return" after typing the "B" in "Brotherman." Perhaps he was posting on a phone. The rest is open to discussion.

The Swede · #18 11-13-2013, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Yeah, I hear that all the time, too. Reminds me of that scene in "Gran Torino" in which the Cambodian girl and the white boy are getting harassed by some back kids on the street. The white kid (I think he is actually Clint's son) tries to act all cool and ghetto (clearly out of fear) and the black kids see right through it and lose all respect for the white kid. To me the scene wasn't about skin color it was about courtesy and respect.

Anyway, my comment was a tongue-in-cheek shot at the white guilt crap that makes some white people act differently toward blacks than toward other whites. Fk that, treat everybody as you would be treated.

Hmong, not Cambodian.

Shortsguy1 · #19 11-14-2013, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramonajim

Depends entirely on context. There are individuals with a relationship in which that exchange would be entirely innocent.

Other individuals/other flavors of relationship, it'd be entirely crude.

My hunch is that the two people involved did not know each other previously. But there is always a chance it was playful banter between pals.

Shortsguy1 · #20 11-14-2013, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

If white people are involved it is racist.

The poster of the comment appears white in the photos he has posted of himself, but clearly his appearance and his actual heritage could differ significantly.

Shortsguy1 · #21 11-14-2013, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

Actually, as an African-American, I don't find it such.

In fact it's more like "wannabe-speak" than anything else.

Thanks for sharing your impression. My fear is that the recipient of the original comment (or other readers of the forum) will abandon the forum because of the comments directed his way. On some level, I assume the poster of the comment was trying to be humorous. But I don't want this forum to be or appear to be a "good ol' boys" club. Ha ha, that comment is probably racist of me.

Dudesky · #22 11-14-2013, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTI

There's a fine line between racial stereotype and typing in a slang or "eubonics" manner. I know people who are currently or formerly from Hawaii that insist on using "pidgin English" when writing posts. I understand why they do it, but it's a bit too tribal for me.

Ungowah....

Dudesky · #23 11-14-2013, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Yeah, I hear that all the time, too. Reminds me of that scene in "Gran Torino" in which the Cambodian girl and the white boy are getting harassed by some back kids on the street. The white kid (I think he is actually Clint's son) tries to act all cool and ghetto (clearly out of fear) and the black kids see right through it and lose all respect for the white kid. To me the scene wasn't about skin color it was about courtesy and respect.

Anyway, my comment was a tongue-in-cheek shot at the white guilt crap that makes some white people act differently toward blacks than toward other whites. Fk that, treat everybody as you would be treated.

What about the subsidies?

Shortsguy1 · #24 11-14-2013, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

Does it really matter?
You have the choice to engage the person, or not to engage the person.
He may be a total jerk.
"Live and Let Live" I heard some folks say.....

It matters to me for two reasons.

1) I want this website to be inclusive of everyone who enjoys and wants to learn about MB cars, regardless of their race.

2) If this is a website that allows racist comments to appear in technical forums, then this is a website that I would prefer to not be associated with.

Shortsguy1 · #25 11-14-2013, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS

What does it matter? Get over it and stop looking for racism. If you don't like racism, don't be one. Simple as that. You can't control others or how they act.

There is nothing to "get over". Whatever offense this comment caused to the recipient has been done. If the recipient decides to no longer frequent our forum, then I would consider that a loss. So I would prefer this community be a place that welcomes newcomers, as opposed to one that actively alienates them.

Could you clarify what you mean by "stop looking for racism"? I don't follow it.

I cannot control how others act on PP. But forum moderators can.

Shortsguy1 · #26 11-14-2013, 01:03 AM

Thanks all for your thoughts and comments. It is appreciated getting everyone's perspectives.

Botnst · #27 11-14-2013, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

Hmong, not Cambodian.

Busted! I knew that.

At least I got southeast asian right, which is Hmong the best.

Txjake · #28 11-14-2013, 08:52 AM

"I love what you have done to your car, my friend!
I think how you are lowering these old diesel MBs is cool.
You can come lower my CDI anytime! BTW, cool floor jack."

That help? Not racist as much as street talk. quit being so uptight....

Mölyapina · #29 11-14-2013, 11:04 AM

Here's the post in context. Does seem stupid to me, but not racist... just stupid.

Idle · #30 11-14-2013, 12:52 PM

My views are in here somewhere.

Mark Twain quotations - Man