Anyone heard of Chris Rock?

[TessB]

Having said that, the word "******" is fairly common in Bristol as is "chalkie", it's not seen as a racist comment. It's just used in normal conversation. I've also used the term in Essex and hasn't met with any adverse response.

I'm unclear as to what the fuss is about - I do disapprove of using the N word though.

Obviously the Americans say how bad it is, then carry on beating up the likes of Rodney King on a daily basis - especially in the Bible Belt south.

Col

It's definitely a term of disrespect over here.
It's derogatory. Methinks perhaps the word "Yank" has become more derogatory in recent years than it was in the last several decades. Maybe I should take more offense to the term myself, but I choose not to.

As far as carrying on beating up "the likes of Rodney King", that is a completely unacceptable behavior as well. Well, to be fair, it is completely unacceptable amongst the de facto standards of America. I can't disagree that there is not still racism in America. I know there is. But in my naive heart, maybe I cannot bring myself to believe how prevalant it still is in this enlightened country of mine.

When I was a young child, I thought that there was racism before I was born, but that was an old generation and it was being corrected. The old racists would soon be dead and everyone else would be harmoniously happy. I thought Martin Luther King set everyone straight and became a martyr because of it. I was naive then. Perhaps I am just as naive now.

But it seems a shame that this is the supposed reputation of America... as a racist country. It's possible that the UK is more evolved than we at this point, at least as far as this issue goes, but I don't think we're too far behind. I think maybe the spotlight is focused on the worst of us, and an exaggerated charicature of that as well.

Do the other Americans think I'm right or wrong on this point?

Love you guys.
Tess

 

[ColinEssex]

When I was a young child, I thought that there was racism before I was born, but that was an old generation and it was being corrected. The old racists would soon be dead and everyone else would be harmoniously happy. I thought Martin Luther King set everyone straight and became a martyr because of it. I was naive then. Perhaps I am just as naive now.

Tess, how sweet. You must live in a wonderful place, sheltered from the realities of what actually goes on. Remember it was only around 30 years ago that the segregation (separate buses etc) in the USA was abolished. Yet, I was reading an article recently, that said it's still (unofficially) rife in certain parts of the "deep south", and GWB's attitude to the "poor blacks" after Katrina is glaringly lacking.

MLK? he was destined to go the same way as JFK, Bobby, Lennon et al. Becoming too popular and trying to change the "establishment" in the USA is a certain loser.

Another point being, is that many people in the USA have little or no interest in what goes on outside their own state, they are very unaware of anything outside the USA even. I think this is patently obvious on these boards by some of the blinkered comments that come from US posters. They would rather dismiss our comments as being "anti-American, rather than research and find out that we don't make these things up.

Even you Tess, have admitted in the past that your knowlege of anything outside Florida is definately scant.

For example, did you know the Russians sent a bomber over towards UK airspace yesterday? We sent up 2 Tornado fighters to "shadow" it.
ref
As we have such a close "special relationship" with the USA, I wondered if it was on the US news.

Col

 

[Pauldohert]

Having said that, the word "******" is fairly common in Bristol as is "chalkie", it's not seen as a racist comment. It's just used in normal conversation. I've also used the term in Essex and hasn't met with any adverse response.

I should really improve my TV watching but - In big brother this year - there was a contestent from Bristol - a particluarly stupid white blonde (hard to stand out on BB but she managed it) , who to me seemed like a bit of a posh kid. Anyhow - she called one of her fellow contestents ****** and was removed form the show.

She claimed it was a normal expression in her circle of friends in Bristol. I suspect her circle of wanna be middle class kids may have used it regularly to make themselves more hip and happening and edgy and from the street, Stupid bint!

 

[ColinEssex]

I should really improve my TV watching but - In big brother this year - there was a contestent from Bristol - a particluarly stupid white blonde (hard to stand out on BB but she managed it) , who to me seemed like a bit of a posh kid. Anyhow - she called one of her fellow contestents ****** and was removed form the show.

She claimed it was a normal expression in her circle of friends in Bristol. I suspect her circle of wanna be middle class kids may have used it regularly to make themselves more hip and happening and edgy and from the street, Stupid bint!

The word ****** is not commonly used in Bristol, I've not heard it used recently.

Col

 

[Rich]

I should really improve my TV watching but - In big brother this year - there was a contestent from Bristol - a particluarly stupid white blonde (hard to stand out on BB but she managed it) , who to me seemed like a bit of a posh kid. Anyhow - she called one of her fellow contestents ****** and was removed form the show.

What is ironic is that Channel4 allowed it to go out in the first place and then took "the moral high ground" and had her removed, bloody hypocrites, they left the scene in as a publicity stunt!

 

[KalelGmoon]

What is ironic is that Channel4 allowed it to go out in the first place and then took "the moral high ground" and had her removed, bloody hypocrites, they left the scene in as a publicity stunt!

Didnt something similar happen on the last season when this one bint made some derogatory term or comment about an Indian contestant on the show? and she was later asked to leave? or is this the same incident?

 

[Rich]

Didnt something similar happen on the last season when this one bint made some derogatory term or comment about an Indian contestant on the show? and she was later asked to leave? or is this the same incident?

It's a separate incident, I don't know what all the fuss is about anyway, nobody with any intelligence watches this crap

 

[Rusty]

Didnt something similar happen on the last season when this one bint made some derogatory term or comment about an Indian contestant on the show? and she was later asked to leave? or is this the same incident?

Yeah, that was a separate incident in Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year when several of the housemates subjected an Indian actress to "bullying and racism" in the programme.

Telegraph.co.uk

Thankfully 'Jade' now seems to have sunk into obscurity.

Rusty

 

[dan-cat]

Having said that, the word "******" is fairly common in Bristol as is "chalkie", it's not seen as a racist comment. It's just used in normal conversation.

So you weren't abusing Chris Rock then

 

[Sizemore5000]

Not to jump in a conversation already so thick with racism, but...

I'm fairly certain that Americans in general, no matter their race or background, are biggots. The minority that are not are to to be commended, but it doesn't make them better people. I would expect that the entire world is full of biggots, but I have't been exposed to everyone, so I'll hold it at Americans.

Almost everyone I've met has at least a trace of hate lurking around in them, and they want to hide it and pretend that its not part of them. I say to hell with that! Let the hate out! Just don't be exclusionary! I hate everyone equally, including my own race, and I'm vocal about it! Hating a race isn't wrong - people just pick the wrong race! Hate the Human Race, and all we've done to this planet.

'******', 'Chalkie', 'Limey', 'Yank' - who cares!? We're all stupid people with stupid opinions about other people, whether good or bad. Don't be afraid to express what you think, and don't censor your own words - that internalization is what leads to confusion that becomes racism or other hate. How can I call a black man my friend and brother if I can't feel comfortable speaking my mind!? Keeping secrets is a quick way to destroy the communication we need to be an effective team, and right now what the world needs more than anything is teamwork among its peoples -- or the planet is gonna die.






Sorry,
been in the cubicle too long today: think i'll go for a walk outside now.

 

[dan-cat]

Not to jump in a conversation already so thick with racism, but...

I'm fairly certain that Americans in general, no matter their race or background, are biggots. The minority that are not are to to be commended, but it doesn't make them better people. I would expect that the entire world is full of biggots, but I have't been exposed to everyone, so I'll hold it at Americans.

Almost everyone I've met has at least a trace of hate lurking around in them, and they want to hide it and pretend that its not part of them. I say to hell with that! Let the hate out! Just don't be exclusionary! I hate everyone equally, including my own race, and I'm vocal about it! Hating a race isn't wrong - people just pick the wrong race! Hate the Human Race, and all we've done to this planet.

'******', 'Chalkie', 'Limey', 'Yank' - who cares!? We're all stupid people with stupid opinions about other people, whether good or bad. Don't be afraid to express what you think, and don't censor your own words - that internalization is what leads to confusion that becomes racism or other hate. How can I call a black man my friend and brother if I can't feel comfortable speaking my mind!? Keeping secrets is a quick way to destroy the communication we need to be an effective team, and right now what the world needs more than anything is teamwork among its peoples -- or the planet is gonna die.






Sorry,
been in the cubicle too long today: think i'll go for a walk outside now.

Feel better now?

 

[Sizemore5000]

Feel better now?

Phew! Much better, thanks!

 

[qailoh]

How can I call a black man my friend and brother if I can't feel comfortable speaking my mind!? Keeping secrets is a quick way to destroy the communication we need to be an effective team, and right now what the world needs more than anything is teamwork among its peoples

Sorry,
been in the cubicle too long today: think i'll go for a walk outside now.

Wow. In all that you actually said something I do agree with. I can't say I agree with the universality of hatred and prejudice theme you have going here though. The word is spelled bigot by the way.

Also, global warming is boss. Destroy your environment before it destroys you!

 

[TessB]

Tess, how sweet. You must live in a wonderful place, sheltered from the realities of what actually goes on. Remember it was only around 30 years ago that the segregation (separate buses etc) in the USA was abolished. Yet, I was reading an article recently, that said it's still (unofficially) rife in certain parts of the "deep south", and GWB's attitude to the "poor blacks" after Katrina is glaringly lacking.

MLK? he was destined to go the same way as JFK, Bobby, Lennon et al. Becoming too popular and trying to change the "establishment" in the USA is a certain loser.

Another point being, is that many people in the USA have little or no interest in what goes on outside their own state, they are very unaware of anything outside the USA even. I think this is patently obvious on these boards by some of the blinkered comments that come from US posters. They would rather dismiss our comments as being "anti-American, rather than research and find out that we don't make these things up.

Even you Tess, have admitted in the past that your knowlege of anything outside Florida is definately scant.

For example, did you know the Russians sent a bomber over towards UK airspace yesterday? We sent up 2 Tornado fighters to "shadow" it.
ref
As we have such a close "special relationship" with the USA, I wondered if it was on the US news.

Col

Yes, I've never maintained that I was politically savvy at any level.
And, I had no idea about the bomber from Russia. Can't tell you if it was on the news or not over here since I didn't watch TV at all after I got home last night. Spent two hours on the phone with a friend instead.

Col, I'm wondering...
I am picking up a little condescending attitude in that reply. I could be wrong. I could be completely misinterpreting it altogether. So, I'll just come right out and ask instead of taking offense as I don't think you would ever intentionally offend me. You weren't talking down to me just then, were you? I don't want to have to go to Marriage Counseling with you.


Oh, and I've never simply dismissed any of your comments, or Rich's either. I've read a lot of your points in so many discussions and have learned from them all. I hope you are aware of that.

 

[dan-cat]

I've read a lot of your points in so many discussions and have learned from them all. I hope you are aware of that.

What exactly have you learned from his comments on this thread

Let's look at his line of conversation:

The point is that Madonna was on late, the ****** was on at 5:15pm - anyway they're both Yanks so I s'pose foul language is expected on live TV.

So he calls a comic a name. Nobody actually says much about it.

You then chip in with:

"I am utterly amazed that no one questioned this remark."

and back-up it up with:

"I just didn't know if he was using the term showing his mutual disrespect for Chris Rock"

He replies with:

Give that lady a coconut!

Tess, any ****** Yank that comes over here and on live TV at 5:15pm, calls the audience a bunch of motherf*ckers deserves all the abuse he gets.

Thus admitting that he used the term abusively.

Then in the very next post he says:

Having said that, the word "******" is fairly common in Bristol as is "chalkie", it's not seen as a racist comment. It's just used in normal conversation. I've also used the term in Essex and hasn't met with any adverse response.

Now the term is suddenly harmless

So with all this in mind. Are you left a bit confused? What are you supposed to be learning from Col here? Is the term abusive or not? If no, why did you get a coconut? If yes, why is he using it?

Is he being deliberately confusing? If yes, why? If not, will he offer clear explanations to your questions?

ramble ramble ramble...

 

[Rich]

ramble ramble ramble...

That's normal for you, surely

 

[ColinEssex]

Tess, any ****** Yank that comes over here and on live TV at 5:15pm, calls the audience a bunch of motherf*ckers deserves all the abuse he gets.

Thus admitting that he used the term abusively.

Obviously I need to clarify, I didn't think the italicised bit was needed

"any ****** Yank that comes over here and on live TV at 5:15pm, calls the audience a bunch of motherf*ckers deserves all the abuse he gets." [from the UK press and media]

If I thought the term was abusive I wouldn't use it.

Also Daniella, please stop trying to protect the loudmouth who was a guest in our country yet still couldn't speak without obscenities on live TV. As I said, would you like your 8 or 9 year old to hear it at 5:15pm?

Maybe thats normal for the USA

Col

 

[dan-cat]

Obviously I need to clarify, I didn't think the italicised bit was needed

"any ****** Yank that comes over here and on live TV at 5:15pm, calls the audience a bunch of motherf*ckers deserves all the abuse he gets." [from the UK press and media]

I'm sorry you've completely lost me, what does the italicised bit clarify

If I thought the term was abusive I wouldn't use it.

So why did you use it

Also Daniella, please stop trying to protect the loudmouth who was a guest in our country yet still couldn't speak without obscenities on live TV. As I said, would you like your 8 or 9 year old to hear it at 5:15pm?

Protecting him from what exactly You weren't abusing him were you

Maybe thats normal for the USA

*yawn*

 

[ColinEssex]

I'm sorry you've completely lost me, what does the italicised bit clarify

think about it

So why did you use it

Because it's not abusive

Protecting him from what exactly You weren't abusing him were you

You thought I was.

Anyway, this story is not about me. It's about a loud filthy mouthed ****** Yank.

BTW - just watched 'Blazing Saddles' on TCM TV - now that's a great film.

"why don't you sing some ****** work songs?"

"I get no kick from champaigne. . . . . . . "

"How about some more beans Mr Taggart?"

"I think you've had enough"

Brilliant

Col

 

[Rich]

...and they didn't want the Irish....