Racist?

[_Simpson_ 250]

So everyone should be actively aware of any and every phrase that could be interpreted in such a way as to cause argument?

These things happen. Its called a "Faux-Pas"

No of course not or I would of faulted the stewardess in my previous statement.

Being informed of these can help in sticky situations.

My aunt once told me of a story about when she lived in predominantly black neighborhood in Seattle. Some blacks were harassing my Aunt and my grandma came running out and told them to get there cotton picking fingers off of her. It wasnt until my aunt was telling this story that it hit me, black people picked alot of cotton back in the day and that this is where the term had come from. I had said it through the years to my family(all white)and probably others, but never put thought into it, I had been saying it since I was a kid. Looking back at it I realize how obvious it was. Needless to say I dont say this anymore. Just another nugget of info. that will help me in my journeys.

The more you know the better off you will probably be.

[Ladylethal 12]

Living and learning, not being from US nor living in US right now I can say I never knew either of the words being discussed by the OP were racist and reading their meaning is just something new I am learning.

Uppity to me always sounded like snob or stuck up and thought it was referring to anyone with that disposition (of being snob or stuck up), not linked to a race. >.<

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

RACIEST!

[HAL 9000 96]

Living and learning, not being from US nor living in US right now I can say I never knew either of the words being discussed by the OP were racist and reading their meaning is just something new I am learning.

Uppity to me always sounded like snob or stuck up and thought it was referring to anyone with that disposition (of being snob or stuck up), not linked to a race. >.<

Are you Luis or Laura?? Just curious. And also... how is La Ocho if you're in San Juan?

[DeadPoolX 9]

I think assuming some words as "racist" when neither the original meaning nor the original intent to be racist was there is, for lack of a better term, insanely stupid.

Look at the word "niggardly." That means "stingy" or "miserly." It has no connection to a word that sounds somewhat similar and has been used as a racist term for blacks. However, there have been several incidents where the word was used and at least one African American was incensed at the use of a supposedly racist term.

This isn't a race issue. It's an education issue. If people were taught English correctly, perhaps these misunderstandings wouldn't occur. Of course... it doesn't help when dictionaries allow the addition of slang, either.

Edited February 23, 2009 by DeadPoolX

[Danno 1,228]

So everyone should be actively aware of any and every phrase that could be interpreted in such a way as to cause argument?

These things happen. Its called a "Faux-Pas"

No of course not or I would of faulted the stewardess in my previous statement.

Being informed of these can help in sticky situations.

My aunt once told me of a story about when she lived in predominantly black neighborhood in Seattle. Some blacks were harassing my Aunt and my grandma came running out and told them to get there cotton picking fingers off of her. It wasnt until my aunt was telling this story that it hit me, black people picked alot of cotton back in the day and that this is where the term had come from. I had said it through the years to my family(all white)and probably others, but never put thought into it, I had been saying it since I was a kid. Looking back at it I realize how obvious it was. Needless to say I dont say this anymore. Just another nugget of info. that will help me in my journeys.

The more you know the better off you will probably be.

I have heard that term used a lot too and no one ever attached race to it, so why do you?

Are you under the impression blacks were the only ones who picked cotton? Slavery was long over and cotton was still being picked by farmers and families and sharecroppers of every color.

Using your logic... to call someones house a "Shack" would also be racist since blacks, so often lived in shacks -once upon a time-

Sometimes it's not "what you say... but to whom you say it to that makes something offensive.

YOu might joke and call someone who works hard a "slave" in an off handed manor.

If that Person is Black, it doesn't quite have the same ring of humor or even appreciation (if thats how it was meant).

America is OBSESSED with all things Race and X 10 when it's about Blacks, so naturally

we are always just one moment away from some offending moment (real or perceived).... Being aware of this actually creates barriers and makes it a little more difficult for people to SEE PAST RACE.

[_Simpson_ 250]

So everyone should be actively aware of any and every phrase that could be interpreted in such a way as to cause argument?

These things happen. Its called a "Faux-Pas"

No of course not or I would of faulted the stewardess in my previous statement.

Being informed of these can help in sticky situations.

My aunt once told me of a story about when she lived in predominantly black neighborhood in Seattle. Some blacks were harassing my Aunt and my grandma came running out and told them to get there cotton picking fingers off of her. It wasnt until my aunt was telling this story that it hit me, black people picked alot of cotton back in the day and that this is where the term had come from. I had said it through the years to my family(all white)and probably others, but never put thought into it, I had been saying it since I was a kid. Looking back at it I realize how obvious it was. Needless to say I dont say this anymore. Just another nugget of info. that will help me in my journeys.

The more you know the better off you will probably be.

I have heard that term used a lot too and no one ever attached race to it, so why do you?

Are you under the impression blacks were the only ones who picked cotton? Slavery was long over and cotton was still being picked by farmers and families and sharecroppers of every color.

Using your logic... to call someones house a "Shack" would also be racist since blacks, so often lived in shacks -once upon a time-

Sometimes it's not "what you say... but to whom you say it to that makes something offensive.

YOu might joke and call someone who works hard a "slave" in an off handed manor.

If that Person is Black, it doesn't quite have the same ring of humor or even appreciation (if thats how it was meant).

America is OBSESSED with all things Race and X 10 when it's about Blacks, so naturally

we are always just one moment away from some offending moment (real or perceived).... Being aware of this actually creates barriers and makes it a little more difficult for people to SEE PAST RACE.

You have some good points there but still I dont think it would be wise of me to use this term when talking to a black person because of how it might be constrewed in that particular cituation, is it a basic point Ive been trying to make all along. Yes I agree when it comes to racism towards blacks that it has been blown way out of proportion. It still is what it is and I wont put myself in a compromising situation.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You know, as the OP, you can ask Capt. Ewok to lock this silly thread, don't you?

[Ban Hammer 14,297]

You know, as the OP, you can ask Capt. Ewok to lock this silly thread, don't you?

or a mod, just pm one or post your desire for it to be locked.

[_Simpson_ 250]

You know, as the OP, you can ask Capt. Ewok to lock this silly thread, don't you?

I dont find it to be silly, but no I didnt know I had that option.

[dalegg 143]

gotta get in before the lock!

[HAL 9000 96]

Racist Monkey in before the lock! Wooo hooo!!