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The problem with the Boris quote is that he would have to do something extremely clever at some point. Unfortunately he is just a racist rich white man who got
by happymellon 2y ago
The problem with the Boris quote is that he would have to do something extremely clever at some point.
Unfortunately he is just a racist rich white man who got burnt by his own lies.
- xanderlewis 2y agoRacist?
- relaxing 2y agoIt means showing prejudice or antagonism towards people based on their membership in a marginalized ethnic group.
- mensetmanusman 2y agoLike using ‘white man’ as an epithet
- relaxing 2y ago‘white man’ is not a marginalized ethnic group.
- mensetmanusman 2y agoPoor whites are in some locales
- happymellon 2y agoBoris Johnson is not poor.
- xanderlewis 2y agoGood example.
- n4r9 2y agoIndeed, e.g. https://www.businessinsider.com/boris-johnson-record-sexist-homophobic-and-racist-comments-bumboys-piccaninnies-2019-6?op=1 https://www.businessinsider.com/boris-johnson-record-sexist-...
- xanderlewis 2y agoOh — yes. I’m familiar with that. I don’t think (if you actually read the original source of the quotes rather than just finding the language offensive, which it seems almost no one does) it quite warrants the term ‘racist’, though.
- n4r9 2y agoInteresting take. Do you think a white person using the n-word is racist?
- xanderlewis 2y agoThis will sound like I’m being needlessly perverse, but: no. Intent is what matters. Quite clearly, the word you mention can be used in a variety of ways for a variety of reasons — not all of them racist. Conversely, you can be the most awful racist without ever saying an offensive word. And there are plenty of those sorts of people too. However, as for the specific example you mention: I know Americans tend to feel very strongly about that word and I understand that. But to most other English speakers, whilst it’s a horrible word, its mere usage isn’t itself always considered a terrible crime. In fact, it commonly occurs in literature studied in schools — and yes, the teachers and students will in that case have licence to use (or read aloud, if you like) the word.
- n4r9 2y agoI don't know if "perverse" is the word... maybe "avoidant". I can try to be more specific. Is it racist for a white person to use the n-word to refer to black people in casual conversation? As in, "I was walking to the shop and passed some n***s playing football."