4 ms·

Well, there may or may not have been racism occurring (sometimes it is difficult to distinguish a joke). Now if you are the type of person who thinks a racist

Well, there may or may not have been racism occurring (sometimes it is difficult to distinguish a joke). Now if you are the type of person who thinks a racist joke is a "bad" joke, then I guess you also hate South Park and love to bathe in politically-correct self-righteousness. I have friends of every race, and we joke openly about our respective races/religions/ethnicities. The one thing I will say is that the author is clearly racist towards white people (yes, this is possible), or at the very least grossly lumps all white people into the same category. A few quotes from his article (linked below): -- "Beyond culture = hipster racism = neoliberal white supremacy" -- "Dumbwhite*" -- "A brief moment of clarity only to be again submerged in the sea of white privilege and supremacy" -- "white men always telling which way is up because they feel they are the “authority” when it comes to any and everything, most often when they don’t know shit about shit except how to protect their privilege by telling me my life experience is false" The author takes (at most) minor infractions, and uses them to demonize the entire white race. On the other hand, it would be stupid for a company with a culture like this to hire a gay black guy, they are just asking for a lawsuit. http://venturebeat.com/2012/10/02/kixeye-takes-substantial-corrective-action-after-black-contractor-calls-out-racist-behavior-at-social-gaming-firm/ http://venturebeat.com/2012/10/02/kixeye-takes-substantial-c...

geoka9 14y ago
Now if you are the type of person who thinks a racist joke is a "bad" joke, then I guess you also hate South Park and love to bathe in politically-correct self-righteousness. I don't know much about South Park. Not sure about self-righteousness either. But I like to bathe in the feeling that I don't accidentally insult people I have no intent to insult. That's why I try to be careful with my jokes (racist-wise or otherwise).
- gavanwoolery 14y ago
  Good policy. :) Here is a good joke: Q:"How does every racist joke start?" A:[Looks over both shoulders]
- deleted 14y ago
  [deleted]
danielweber 14y ago
On the other hand, it would be stupid for a company with a culture like this to hire a gay black guy, they are just asking for a lawsuit. Talk about asking for a lawsuit. Also, behavior that is entirely appropriate for you and your friends may end up being entirely inappropriate in the workplace.
rmc 14y ago
No, racist words/talk is talk that openly or subtle re-enforces existing power inbalances between people of different races. Since black people have very little power (statistically as a group) compared to white people (statistically as a group), then it's not racist for them to make comments like "dumbwhite", "white privilege" etc. Note this can work the other way in some cases, in a very female dominated work place & profession (e.g. floral shops, nursing etc.), then there can be many comments that could put down male workers etc., Maybe if you're a (white) rapper you might experience (black) people putting you down, etc.
- yummyfajitas 14y ago
  Since black people have very little power (statistically as a group) compared to white people (statistically as a group), Explain it like I'm 5. Specifically, what "power" do white people have that black people lack? Also, how is it meaningful or useful to bring up statistical generalities when discussing individual behavior? Are you taking as an unstated premise that if certain statistical properties hold for a reference class, then all individual members of a reference class are bound to act in a certain way? (I.e., some sort of collective guilt/responsibility?) For instance, if group X were statistically disproportionately likely to commit violent crimes, would all members of X be obligated to behave in such a way as to avoid scaring members of Complement(X)?
  - rmc 14y ago
    Explain it like I'm 5. Specifically, what "power" do white people have that black people lack? Mostly it's not having to worry about certain problems, since they are out of your mind, one can forget about them. This is a great analogy to video games, "white people" is one of the lowest difficulty settings for Real Life™ ( http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/05/15/straight-white-male-the-lowest-difficulty-setting-there-is/ http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/05/15/straight-white-male-th... ) For some examples of "things that usually easier for white people" (aka privilege) for white people, look at this list ('Daily effects of white privilege'): http://www.amptoons.com/blog/files/mcintosh.html http://www.amptoons.com/blog/files/mcintosh.html

geoka9 14y ago

Now if you are the type of person who thinks a racist joke is a "bad" joke, then I guess you also hate South Park and love to bathe in politically-correct self-righteousness. I don't know much about South Park. Not sure about self-righteousness either. But I like to bathe in the feeling that I don't accidentally insult people I have no intent to insult. That's why I try to be careful with my jokes (racist-wise or otherwise).

gavanwoolery 14y ago
Good policy. :) Here is a good joke: Q:"How does every racist joke start?" A:[Looks over both shoulders]
deleted 14y ago
[deleted]

danielweber 14y ago

On the other hand, it would be stupid for a company with a culture like this to hire a gay black guy, they are just asking for a lawsuit. Talk about asking for a lawsuit. Also, behavior that is entirely appropriate for you and your friends may end up being entirely inappropriate in the workplace.

rmc 14y ago

No, racist words/talk is talk that openly or subtle re-enforces existing power inbalances between people of different races. Since black people have very little power (statistically as a group) compared to white people (statistically as a group), then it's not racist for them to make comments like "dumbwhite", "white privilege" etc. Note this can work the other way in some cases, in a very female dominated work place & profession (e.g. floral shops, nursing etc.), then there can be many comments that could put down male workers etc., Maybe if you're a (white) rapper you might experience (black) people putting you down, etc.

yummyfajitas 14y ago
Since black people have very little power (statistically as a group) compared to white people (statistically as a group), Explain it like I'm 5. Specifically, what "power" do white people have that black people lack? Also, how is it meaningful or useful to bring up statistical generalities when discussing individual behavior? Are you taking as an unstated premise that if certain statistical properties hold for a reference class, then all individual members of a reference class are bound to act in a certain way? (I.e., some sort of collective guilt/responsibility?) For instance, if group X were statistically disproportionately likely to commit violent crimes, would all members of X be obligated to behave in such a way as to avoid scaring members of Complement(X)?
- rmc 14y ago
  Explain it like I'm 5. Specifically, what "power" do white people have that black people lack? Mostly it's not having to worry about certain problems, since they are out of your mind, one can forget about them. This is a great analogy to video games, "white people" is one of the lowest difficulty settings for Real Life™ ( http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/05/15/straight-white-male-the-lowest-difficulty-setting-there-is/ http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/05/15/straight-white-male-th... ) For some examples of "things that usually easier for white people" (aka privilege) for white people, look at this list ('Daily effects of white privilege'): http://www.amptoons.com/blog/files/mcintosh.html http://www.amptoons.com/blog/files/mcintosh.html