Cynthetiq

I'm normally not offending by racism. In this case I'm not totally offended by the elements. I'm more offended by the double standards. If these had elements been about black people these things would have NEVER aired.

I'm not about to boycott these things, albeit I definitely don't watch The Surreal Life. What is your take on these?

Surreal Life: 7 Celebrities of Death (long)

Skittles: Sour Man

Tonight Show in India

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I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

Stompy

I'm more concerned about people being overly sensitive and offended by things that aren't really offensive to begin with.

I watched all 3 and don't really see a problem with any of them at ALL.

You think that's bad... you should stay far far away from Chapelle's Show!

PU PU Clan in the hizzy.

Anyway, I think there's a fair amount of rotation involving this so-called 'racism' that goes on between the different cultures. Chapelle's show makes fun of whites, blacks, chinese... everyone, really, as do many other shows.

Sit back and laugh. It's funny.

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Ace_O_Spades

I didn't watch the surreal life because apparently it hates my firefox

But I found the skittles ad to be essentially nothing, I don't find it offensive, it's not making an attack or making light of anyones ethnicity. I'm not asian, but if I were I really don't think I'd be offended.

As for the tonight show one, it's satire, it is making light of many aspects of eastern culture which is what satire is all about - like what stompy said, just laugh... no offense or deliberate attack was intended by these

I'm personally curious as to how these commercials would have been different if they WERE about african culture. Quite frankly, you just don't see many satires of actual african culture.

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guthmund

Stupid and really not all that funny, but not offensive.

Of course, I've been accused of having a high tolerance of "offensive," so what do I know?

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MooseMan3000

I don't know if anyone noticed... but the Tonight Show clip was making fun of The Tonight Show.

Not India or Indians. Seriously, it was a parody of itself. Jesus.

Coppertop

Agreed: not funny, not racist - just lame. Which is the real crime here.

Rlyss

For the life of me I can't see how that's offensive. They commented that the weather was as hot as an Indian food... if the same joke was made on the real Jay Leno show about spicy chicken wings at KFC it would never be considered an attack at American culture. It might get a lot of eye-rolls but nobody would claim Leno was making a mockery of the American people. It's just comparing two things that are hot - weather, chicken wings, weather, curry. Not that I find Leno funny anyway...

However I think I see what Cynthetiq is saying - that he's not necessarily offended by those videos, instead he's pointing out that using Indians and their accent, music and regional references is acceptable, but if it was an African setting, with african accents, music and regional references it might be thought of as a mocking their culture. Am I far off Cynthetiq?

Cynthetiq

Exactly what I'm saying.

Grasshopper Green

I agree; if they had been about African culture, there would have been a huge stink if they had aired at all. I didnt find either offensive, or funny for that matter. In fact, the Skittles one would make me want to NOT buy skittles because the commercial was so lame.

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billege

They were pretty lame, that much is sure. I know Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle have a good time with satire of their own black culture; and, it's making them very rich.

I don't think it's considered acceptable for people to make fun of black culture if they're not of that culture. Why that is, I'm not sure.

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kutulu

Chappelle makes fun of all cultures pretty equally.

Carno

Well think about it this way: what if some stranger just started making fun of you? What if he cracked jokes about your hair, laughed about how you walk, poked fun at your clothes? You probably would not be amused.

But it's completely different if you were to make fun of yourself for those same exact things.

slimshaydee

I've found that black comedians can make as many jokes about white people as they want, but no white people will make jokes about black people because they don't want to be labelled racist. Black people can get on stage and call people niggers and crackers but a white person could never do such a thing.

Cynthetiq

and that's where there is still double standard... because if you say it's okay for Chris Rock, Chappelle etc, to do it because they are black, then why are these white people, esp in the Surreal Life clip making fun of kung fu movie people, they aren't chinese.

and that's exactly right too Slim.

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Joan of Arc

I guess the answer is that in the past black people were made fun of lots. And they got tired of it. It may not seem fair but it was totally unfair to black people at one time. So white people just don't do it anymore.

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arch13

Or another way of looking at it,
In the over 100 years since emacipation, and 50 years since civil rights activism, the african american culture has spent it's capital. Time to get over it and deal with the having equal footing in all respects. That includes getting cracked on, not getting special consideration for anything, and working on improving problems that do exist in African American culture and communities.

I've lived a good deal of my life in Miami, where anglo's are a minority (12%), so should I get special consideration in Florida schools for growing up a minority and being beaten up for being the stupid white kid?
No. And neither should any other race.

As MLK pointed out,
So from that perspective, Chappel is equaly as damaging to equality.
There is really only one community that still see's a difference, and that is the African American community. As long as they perpatrate racism amd closed-minded attitudes towards themselves and others, this nation will not be equal

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jorgelito

Of course it's not offensive...you are probably not Asian (those that thought it wasn't offensive). Asians should just get over it...they're too sensitive....

I don't think that's for you to decide. Is it that hard to respect your fellow man?

Asians are kinda weird. They've been lost in the whole race dialogue. It's usually black and white with Jews and so-called Latinos thrown in the mix.

Whether or not it's offensive is somewhat subjective. The real issue is about parity and balance. I'm assuming Asians wouldn't mind a good joke at their expense if there were just as much if not more representations of Asians in a "normal" light.

For example: Most of use think of Asians in a stereotypical sense (yes I'm generalizing and I'm sure someone's going to write in that they have an Asian friend blah blah blah). Look at the common image and view:

Asian male - glasses, nerdy, emasculated, small stature, waiter, laundry, bad Engrish, computer related, abusive to women, etc.

Asian female - bad driver, demure, submissive, sex object, needs to be rescued, mail-order bride.

Our culture pretty much dehumanizes Asians. We simply don't see them as American or worse, as humans. In the media, they are forever sandbagged to their roles as waiter, kung-fu etc....

So what's my point? Offensive: maybe, I don't know, but it is one-dimensional and does not further the mis-quote from an above post. It is precisely that we judge Asians by their "skin color and NOT the content of their character" that is the real issue.

No one has the right to tell someone else to "get over it". It is that attitude that reveals that we still have a long way to go.

In the end, balance, communication, understanding and yes, a sense of humor will move us all to "get over it".

Until then, we sit in anticipation for that dream to become reality. For now, the dream will have to wait.


MLK, you are sorely missed...

Aladdin Sane

Americans have become a bunch of hypersensitive whinners and professional victims. As a nation, we are nothing more than a collection of offended classes stalking each other with imagined grievances; hoping to steal, one from the another, that one big parasitic "settlement" that will guarantee to our lazy-ass-selves a leisurely life on the public tit.

Fuck you if your self-identity comes from any race other than the human one. I'm sick of this shit.

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tecoyah

While I wouldnt put it quite that way....the sentiment is a match for my own.
Race is only an issue because we make it one. We being the society as a whole......this wiil be with us for some time still. We simply need to make the best of it, and try to change what we can, ourselves.

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jorgelito

I agree Tecoyah, that's exactly it: we are in the process, it will take some time a well as effort but I think it'll be fine. Not so sure about the the post above yours but whatever.

Self-identity goes two ways too. No matter how American I identify myself as, people will always see me as black first, or Arab or Latino etc. Understandably too. It goes back to the -isms: tribaliam, regionalism, ethnocentrism etc. Sometimes the people that "make" race the issue, aren't the ones who "suffer" its ill effetcs. It's rather silly to blame "racism" on the victims too and then accusing them of being oversensitive whiners.

I think eventually we can move past it but it will take time and effort. Communication, understanding, patience, tolerance will help.

I'm not really sure about "imagined grievances" or lazy tit-suckling whatever has to do with racism and prejudice. It's those types of attitudes that drag this out. You want people to get over it? Then you got to participate as well too then, not hate on everyone. All vitriol and rhetoric aside, it is counterproductive to tell me "Fuck You". (not conducive to TFP Rules I think)

thingstodo

I think everyone is just generally a little too sensitive everywhere. There is nothing that can't be mocked in some way and made to lighten up a little. I personally love it when someone like Chris Rock makes fun of blacks, whites, asians, hispanics, etc....... let's just have fun in life and enjoy it. We get along more when we're not so serious.

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Aladdin Sane

jorgelito, my "fuck you" wasn't directed at you, or anyone else, personally. I would not say it to you, or anyone, personally. I am sorry that you took it that way.
My "Fuck you" is directed at folks who play the race game. It means they don't get shit from me: not attention, not love, not hate, not a glance their way. I'm not playing. Their sick, devisive game doesn't make it with me. Any person who points the finger of blame at a whole race or class of people and declares them guilty of some crime, well, I simply don't buy it. No more than I accept those who assign sub-human characteristics to certain ethnic groups. It's a fools game, and its been played for too long. I've benched myself and I have no intension of going back in.

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jorgelito

No problems, I gotcha. I was a bit thrown off by what I intrepreted as an invective post. In context I can see where you're coming from for sure. It was the Interesting analogy with the "game". I especially like the part where you're "benching", yourself LOL!

So to add to your analogy, how about, "Don't hate the player, hate the game"?

tecoyah

Guaranteed.....had someone actually told someone else to "Fuck off"......I would have become a bigot very quickly.......as I really dont like assholes


And they tend to go away

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Stompy

Chances are, if someone thinks something is "offensive", it's actually funny.

That's what I've noticed, anyway.

I love "offensive" things.

The creators of Wonder Showzen are white and they make fun of every race.. and there's only been 5 episodes! I laugh so hard at that show just knowing SOMEONE is watching it getting all pissed. I hope they don't cancel it (I'm sure they will, because people are pussies).

I heard once... if something offends you, you can simply turn the channel!

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clavus

Let's all turn our attention to the wisdom of rodents -

http://www.illwillpress.com/hatta.html

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dougiefresh

I agree with the sentiments that we've become a bunch of pussies kowtowing to the PC standard.

There are those who make a career of searching for any trace of racism with a fine tooth comb. Of course, this creates the syndrome of "Crying Wolf" which diminishes the spotlight on the truly racist and true racism. These parasites have been the greatest beneficiaries of the PC culture.

arch13

Truly, that kicked ass.
I must now email that to random people at random times

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IanSturgill

i can't stand those double standards either cynthetic. Blacks rant about equal rights and if whites bitch about unfair bias we're the KKK. I think all the biased fairness is bullshit. they are not special, they are just Black.

Cuatela

Nobody is entitled to special treatment, unless they've earned it. And they shouldn't use things that happened a hundred years ago to get special treatment either. Political Correctness is stupid. Be nice, but tell the truth. It hurts, but it helps people improve themselves.

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ObieX

I love the afro comb in the tail heh

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Lockjaw

However at the same time some white people don't see the injustices that ARE there they just see it as "how things are".

OPgary

[B]Have to agree with Aladin Sane...our nation has become a nation of whiners and professional victims. Oh and don't forget litigious! That dollar will cover a lot of hurt.

MoJoPokeyBlue

Aladin Sane,

"Sometimes" when someone says they're offended by what someone else said or did...they're truly offended. They're not trying to play the "race game" or trying their best to get your personal attention in the matter. When someone comes forward with a complaint, how can you simply shrug your shoulders and call them whiners?

A few shorts years ago, there was municipality outside Chicago where 80% of the residents are African-American and yet they had an all-white police force. Is this okay with you...do you even care...or is your biggest worry that I'm whining too loudly?

MoJo

Hanabal

now about the municipality with 80% blacks and a white police force. Is that it? I dont know my american history, so did anything happen. If some unfair treatment did go on, then thats bad, but it might have just been a case of police brutality that happened to be white cops against black citizens. If a black cop beat on me for no reason, I wouldnt think its racialy motivated, I would just sue them equally if they were white or asian or anything

to continue from a previous post, they are all human beings. isnt that the important thing. Theres only a difference if we make it one.

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RAGEAngel9

Do you know which city/village/whatever?
Either way the 80% pop/white police is fine with me. Why? Because the population is obviously in the majority! IF they don't like the white police force, they can change it.

Overall, I agree that it would be great if race, religion, or whatever didn't affect people the way it does, but it does.
We just have to keep working toward a better world.
Also just because you're offended by something does not mean the world automatically has to change to accomedate you. You are definately welcome to convince people to change, but don't be surprised if you don't always get your way.

Lockjaw

But at the same time it's not right to try to paint people as being evil or overly bitchy because they are trying to right a proceived wrong. That's how we make progress. If nobody said anything about the potential evils in the world then we'd still be living in a society where people of color are treated as subhumans,women couldn't vote, so on and so forth.

Telluride

Humans are a species, not a race. Other than that, I totally agree with you.

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MoJoPokeyBlue

An 80% Africian-American population with an all white police force is inherently unjust. First, you have to wonder how this happened. Was racism involved? Even if it wasn't, obviously not enough was being done to make this work environment more diverse. The Police force should "look like" the community; in this case, the force should have only a 20% white population. When you're at work today...look around. How many minorities have executive positions; is this what your community (the rest of the company) "looks like"? If you are white, do you have any close friends that would be considered minorities? If not, why not? Even if your against racism, have you made enough of an effort to get to know other people...or do you feel more comfortable hanging around similar people to yourself?

Second, what kind of message does this send to the community and the rest of the world? If you are a young, African-American person growing up in this community and aspire to be on the police force, you have no role models to look up to. In fact, you may start to think that you could never be a police officer, because you're the wrong color. This is where affirmative action comes in. In this particular case, let's assume that you're the Chief of Police and have a few openings. You have in front of you several qualified applicants...some better than others...but they're all "qualified". For the good of the community and the personal growth of the youth, do you seek out the African-American applicant and place them ahead of possibly other, better qualified candidants?

Telluride

If they were all hired based solely on merit, how so?

If no racism was involved in the hiring, it seems pretty racist to rig the results to get diversity anyway.

Should professional sports teams fire black athletes and replace them with players of other races? What about other businesses? What happens if the area's demographics change? Should businesses start firing workers and replacing them with new employees based on race?

Are you going to ask non-whites about the racial identities about their friends? If not, why not?

If you're against racism, wouldn't it be kind of racist to specifically seek out friends of certain races?

I'm willing to be friends with anyone who is nice and has similar interests/hobbies. While I don't believe that interests/hobbies are exclusive to certain races, it's pretty obvious that some interests/hobbies are far more popular with some races that with others. I mean, take a look at my hobbies. Most of the stuff I like to do - hunting, motorsports (F1, rally, motocross, superbike, NASCAR), surfing, snowboarding, sci-fi books and movies - seem to be much more popular with white people - and white males, in particular - than with non-white people. At least this is the case in the area I live in. As a result, pretty much all of the people I hang around with are white, and most of them are men.

What do you think I should do? Should I take up activities I have absolutely no interest in, in the hopes of attractive friends of another race? Should I post an personal ad on the internet or in some newspaper, begging some people of other races to be friends with me?

If all the police were hired based on merit, it sends the message that excellence is the key to success.

Do you think everyone is incapable of being inspired by people of another race, or just blacks?

Would you apply this reasoning to people of all races in all career fields? If not, why not?

Exactly! If somebody is too closed-minded to be inspired by someone of another race, the obvious solution is to start discriminating against white guys.

The obvious question: Would you be okay with a business in a predominantly white area hiring lesser-qualified white applicants just because they looked like most of the other people in the community?

Anyway; to answer your question...

I'd hire the most qualified applicant. The job of a police department is to enforce the laws, not to look like the people in the neighborhoods. If I need to call the police about something, I couldn't care less about the race or gender of the officers that show up. I just want them to do their job.

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