Is this racist? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Shortsguy1 · #1 11-13-2013, 12:24 PM

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.

ramonajim · #2 11-13-2013, 12:26 PM

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.

Botnst · #3 11-13-2013, 12:30 PM

If white people are involved it is racist.

MTI · #4 11-13-2013, 12:30 PM

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.

dynalow · #5 11-13-2013, 12:54 PM

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.

Based on this post only, I come down on the side of RS. What he really does, imo, is to suceed in being a total A-hole.
Maybe he's trying to imitate Incognito?

Maybe he is Incognito?

Mike Murrell · #6 11-13-2013, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

If white people are involved it is racist.

What he said.

G-Benz · #7 11-13-2013, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

If white people are involved it is racist.

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!

Simpler=Better · #8 11-13-2013, 04:46 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!

I'm the toughest one on my street. They call me stale saltine I'm so hard, white, and square

MS Fowler · #9 11-13-2013, 05:08 PM

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.....

aklim · #10 11-13-2013, 05:37 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.

To decide if it is racist or not, I'd have to understand it. Since I don't and have no interest in trying to figure out what language it is, I wouldn't bother. If I have a manual labor guy speaking like that in an interview, I'd hire someone else if I could but if not, acceptable. Higher level, hell no. I am not going to let you represent my company and thus me that way. White, black or purple, you can't speak, I can't hire unless it is for a strong back with a weak mind and the customer expects you to be that way.

panZZer · #11 11-13-2013, 05:41 PM

The first chukkle of the day

.

aklim · #12 11-13-2013, 05:53 PM

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.

Why the fine line? I chose to speak ghetto so others have a poor opinion of me. Same as me going to a board meeting and dropping my pants to scratch my nuts and put my feet up on the table. Either case, I can't complain if someone has a poor opinion of me because I chose to behave one way or the other. As to a racial stereotype, I am simply saying that because you are (insert race here), you will be (insert stereotype here).

aklim · #13 11-13-2013, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Benz

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!

What has the actuality got to do with anything? She could be both. Don't sell her short.

If that is your testimony of yourself, I am not saying you are XYZ. YOU are. If I came to an interview with you in flip flops, torn and dirty clothes, half shaved face, red eyes from the party last night, smelling of booze and 420, etc, etc, it is not you that is saying I am a poor candidate for the position. It is my testament of myself.

POS · #14 11-13-2013, 06:20 PM

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.

elchivito · #15 11-13-2013, 07:02 PM