Don't talk like a what?!

[[GMOD]Vedicardi]

It's general, so I guess this goes here.

So I'm sitting in math.
We had just recieved the pages for our assignment,
so as usual, the class was talking up a storm.

Now I hate to be mean (okay, maybe I don't really,) but
the person that sits infront of me, I'll call her "Allison," she's what you might
call a radical. If you don't get what I'm saying here's a brief
example: She almost quit show choir because the choreographer
is gay. So anyway, now that we have that established...

Off to my far left, one of my friends, I'll call him Cory, was
talking to someone behind him in what some might call a,
"steryotypical african-american" voice/impression type thing.

As a joke, if you know what I'm saying.

Now here, I will establish, that "Cory," is of Cuban dessent.
It's not particualrly vital, but it kind of makes the situation
even more akward.

So after Cory is done talking, Allison basically shouts, not joking,
"Cory, stop talking like a black person!"

So at this point, I do an old-school double take, and manage to say,
"What?!" At this point most of the class was either awestruck, or
laughing (I was both) .

She turns and says again, "I don't like it when white people talk like black
people."

At this point, I quickly thrust my face into my backpack to muffle my
laughing, while Cory tries to manage to say something, but does
not succeed.

"Isn't that a bit racist or something?" I asked, trying to process what was
going on.

"My cousin (or something) is black, and I don't like it when..." You know
the rest.

I tried to continue the converstation, but my brain caught up with me, and I
began to laugh again. I asked her to say it one more time, just so I could
make sure what I was hearing was what I really thought I was hearing,
and she repeated herself, and that was that.

At the end of the class, the teacher, whom's a pretty cool guy, kind of gave
her a lecture of sorts on how she can't stop people from doing whatever
just because of her opinion, unless it's actually hurting someone, which was
pretty cool.

So bascially for the rest of the day, I was in a great mood, and I joked with
Cory, and every time he started talking I'd yell, "Stop talking like a black
person!"

Immature, sure, but hey, I'm running out of good inside jokes.

Anyway, opinions, views, thoughts?
Discuss.
Or not.

[Stephen]

I hope I don't hurt anyones feelings for saying this. But would there even be a discussion if someone said "Stop talking like a white guy" As a country and culture, we are becoming more thin-skinned with each day. Certain races are allowed to say demeaning things about others, yet if select cultures say anything towards others...they are deemed racist, biggots, or hatemongers. Personaly, I have no issue with other races. I have had good friends from a ton of ethnic backgrounds. As a child, some of my best friends were not my own race, but African American, Puerto Rican, etc. I think, rather then crucify people for saying somthing like that...her heart and motive should be the first thing checked. If the girl is racist, then thats somthing she needs to get over and become a better person. But if she made the comments with innocent intention...then I belive there is nothing wrong with what she said.

Having said all this, I firmly belive that there are many stupid racist people in this world. And that is wrong. However, many people only add fuel to racism and devision by being way to thinskinned. At least this is my opinion. Btw, in case someone would say "You're in Maine, what do you know about racism" (Maine is known for being largely a Caucasian state) I grew up going to school in Baltimore Maryland. My first few years of schooling as a child, whites were not the majority.

But I do hope what I wrote does not offend anyone. It was not written to offend, but rather state what I feel towards the issue.

[oro!]

Wow. Why do we have to soften everything we say when we talk about other cultures/color of skin? It is cautious and everything, and we should speak soft words, so as to not stir up unnecessary anger, but really?

[rocklobster]

GMOD, you handled the situation very well. Even with your fits of laughter.

[Puguni]

I don't see why this is funny. I think she was trying to defend her cousin's dignity, unless I have read wrongly. It's so easy to point at someone and say, "racist."

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I don't see why this is funny. I think she was trying to defend her cousin's dignity, unless I have read wrongly. It's so easy to point at someone and say, "racist."

I think you did read it wrongly. I think what was going on was that the girl was being ignorant by saying it was "wrong for a white person to speak like a black person."

[Raiden no Kishi]

I think if we stopped treating the concept of "race" like it existed or was an issue, that it would largely go away. I certainly don't think it helps for the government/media/whathaveyou to keep treating it as such.

We're all human. End of line.

.rai//

[ShiroiHikari]

I think if we stopped treating the concept of "race" like it existed or was an issue, that it would largely go away. I certainly don't think it helps for the government/media/whathaveyou to keep treating it as such.

We're all human. End of line.

.rai//

Hear, hear.

[mitsuki lover]

Frankly I think she was being a bit overly sensitive.I don't think it sounds like
"Cory" was trying to put African-Americans down or anything,it sounds more like he was goofing off in class to ease off tension of getting homework assigned.
I bet "Cory" probably does a lot of things like that as he sounds like he's the
Class Clown.

[Stephen]

I think if we stopped treating the concept of "race" like it existed or was an issue, that it would largely go away. I certainly don't think it helps for the government/media/whathaveyou to keep treating it as such.

We're all human. End of line.

I wish I had offical tokens for smart posts. You'd get around 5 for this post.

[Nate]

You understand what I'm talking about. You're black.
[pause]
You sound black.
[pause]
Where are you from?

[Mr. SmartyPants]

"Guuuhh... you are such a racist"
"Wait why am I a racist?"
"Because you think he's black"
"He is black..."

[KBMaster]

Well, at least you didn't get mad too and fuel the fire.

That's what's wrong with our society. Certain people get special treatment and treated DIFFERENTLY than others, and yet those of us who might not accept the lifestyle of others are told to treat everyone equally!

LEt's face it, friends; we're in a no-win situation that will only degrade as long as the human population continues to single others out.

[Radical Dreamer]

"Martin?"
"Guuuhh... you are such a racist"
"Wait why am I a racist?"
"Because you think he's black"
"He is black..."

FTW.

Anyways, my thoughts on the subject are as follows--people are way too preoccupied with political correctness these days. I mean, teachers don't even tell their kids (kindergarten, etc.) to sit "Indian Style" anymore (crossed legs on the floor). As far as the conversation you had goes, I don't get what's wrong with talking in a different accent. I mean, people joke around talking in British accents a lot, too, but no one ever says anything to them.

Now, living in the South, I can say that I have seen a lot of racism, even within my own (extended) family. True racism/prejudice is an awful thing, but what your friend did could hardly be considered prejudice, and a lot of the things put in practice today to prevent racism (i.e. political correctness) are pretty ridiculous. Lemme use one of my favorite examples. XD

So a number of years ago, ABC released a televised version of the musical, Rogers' and Hammerstein's Cinderella. Cinderella was played by a black girl, the Prince was Asian, the Prince's mother was black, his father was white...Yeah. XD Anyways, to sum all of this up, I don't think your friend was in the wrong.

[Bobtheduck]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q80m6zjCyIE

This is just a portion (official video clips, unlike the bootleg out there of the whole show)

If you look the entire show or entire song up, be warned about language, innuendo, and such. This ALMOST sums up my feelings on the issue. If you replaced "racist" with "prejudiced"

[uc pseudonym]

While I wouldn't speak in that style to my African-American friends that really do, I'm pretty sure they're not offended that I occasionally use the worst of stereotypical gangster speech when it's funny. People are often more laid-back about this type of thing than we give them credit for, and it's others who get worked up over the issues.

I think if we stopped treating the concept of "race" like it existed or was an issue, that it would largely go away. I certainly don't think it helps for the government/media/whathaveyou to keep treating it as such.

I agree immensely with your central point and don't want to detract from it, but I do feel it necessary to say one thing. While "race" is a social construct, culture certainly isn't. That's ultimately the focus of political correctness, not a person's perceived ethnicity.

A related story about perceptions of race/culture. One of my professors is big on involving international students in any way he can. During one lecture he asked a dark skinned student "What do they think about this in your country?" to which she responded "I'm from Chicago." It was fairly amusing.

[[GMOD]Vedicardi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q80m6zjCyIE

This is just a portion (official video clips, unlike the bootleg out there of the whole show)

If you look the entire show or entire song up, be warned about language, innuendo, and such. This ALMOST sums up my feelings on the issue. If you replaced "racist" with "prejudiced"

Ugh. I should have seen that one coming.
(I really "dislike" musicals)

[Zarn Ishtare]

I'm afraid that all I can say is bravo, Raiden.

[Puguni]

I think you did read it wrongly. I think what was going on was that the girl was being ignorant by saying it was "wrong for a white person to speak like a black person."

Then who said,

"My cousin (or something) is black, and I don't like it when..." You know the rest.

I read her first remark. If it had remained in that context, I would have understood her ignorance. Maybe it's offensive for her because she has a relation who is black. I do, so I understand if that was her point. The whole situation confuses me because of the lack of context and details, because I don't know the rest. Probably better off being left confused. :X

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I read her first remark. If it had remained in that context, I would have understood her ignorance. Maybe it's offensive for her because she has a relation who is black. I do, so I understand if that was her point. The whole situation confuses me because of the lack of context and details, because I don't know the rest. Probably better off being left confused. :X

I see your point

Garry's Mod, care to elaborate?

[[GMOD]Vedicardi]

I see your point

Garry's Mod, care to elaborate?

I'm pretty sure that she meant that she didn't like when white people talked "like black people" because her cousin's black, which is what made me laugh, since she's essentially steryotyping her cousin and her cousin's race, by saying they all talk one way. But that's just me, of course.

Also, today, my friend quoted me saying, "Oh, here we go," immediatly after she first said, "Cory..." You know the rest. (Not that it's really relevant)

[Dante]

Hmm... Harde Har har har... let me see na matey! Well there we go! I have just gone and prejudged pirates, shibber me timbers. Surely pirates of the internet and the high sea are enraged and want to see me placed away in Davy Jones locker. However, the idea clarifies that this really has nothing to do with a race issue, it has to do with a dialect. Dialects are not specific to skin tone, they are specific to whom you've learnt your language from. To further my argument, it would be silly for you to approach a random person of a different race whose speech dialect was exactly the same as yours and demand they stop using that dialect as it was "insulting your ethinicity". If no direct or indirect insults were made towards the other race or ethinicity she doesn't have a drop of validity to her argument.

Moreover, I doubt that race is really the issue here as much as the fact that she's trying to wave around some form of flag. But you claim she won't take a dance class because the instructor was... hmm... Maybe she's not radical but ultra conservative to an annoying level. If this is the case... your 14... send her an invitation to the young socialists party ! After all, all human beings are created equal, so we should have equal wages to match our equality... or does she REALLY believe that some are more equal than others.

Don't follow my advice, it's just best to leave her alone and let her... deal with the odd chemical abnormality associated with your age... don't worry, you too will soon join her in the oddness... but you won't tell anyone or even think it's odd.

[[GMOD]Vedicardi]

All I have to say to that, is...

Ninjas own pirates.

[Alice]

I agree that we don't know the context.

It sounded to me too like your friend was mocking black people by doing a fake accent. Of course, a lot of it has to do with how it was meant - probably he was just a kid goofing off.

But really, stereotyping how "black people talk" -- how different is that from other stereotypes that people used to have about black people? Maybe the only difference, if there is one, is that this isn't meant in a hateful way.

But I wonder.

[Radical Dreamer]

But really, stereotyping how "black people talk" -- how different is that from other stereotypes that people used to have about black people? Maybe the only difference, if there is one, is that this isn't meant in a hateful way.

Well, like I said earlier, how many people get offended when someone does a British/French/Indian/etc. accent? Just something to think about.

[Puguni]

Well, like I said earlier, how many people get offended when someone does a British/French/Indian/etc. accent? Just something to think about.

I know plenty of people get offended when others talk in English in different accents. Do you think it's fun for me when someone talks to me in English like a Korean immigrant, implying that I don't comprehend? Even if it was in jest, I wouldn't like it. That's just my preference though.

Also, take Diversity Day in The Office. Kelly slapped Michael for doing that ridiculous Indian accent. Yeah, it's funny for white people, but that cuts deep to most Indian people.

It really just comes down to the intent. I get offended either way, even if it's just a smidgen, but some others can handle if the accents were not meant to hurt.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

I was under the impression that his friend's accent was the way he normally spoke. And that the girl was being ignorant by telling him to stop speaking like that.

[lionheart]

Err, Proverbs 11:12?

If your friend was parodying African-American's in general, it can easily be considered poor taste. A request to stop is quite reasonable, I think.

And as far as being "radical", children should be cautious of keeping contact with an individual who considers unnatural (and statistically polygamous) sexual practices, a part of his identity. (It's a safety issue sort of thing)

I'd stick around to be verbally lynched by the resident hotheads, but I really don't have the time. Have fun...

[Nate]

And as far as being "radical", children should be cautious of keeping contact with an individual who considers unnatural (and statistically polygamous) sexual practices, a part of his identity. (It's a safety issue sort of thing)

That's good advice. Also, almost 25% of all adults show pedophiliac tendencies, so children should never talk to any adults.

Also, the majority of sexual abuse in children occurs from family members, so children should also avoid contact with family members.

And...

You know, I could go on like this, but it's just easier to say your statement is absolutely ridiculous. There's plenty of evil in the world without having to invent evil by portraying homosexuals as some sort of evil demonic rapists.

It's not a "safety issue." It's just a way of brainwashing children into thinking homosexuality is some sort of disease or that they're subhuman. Homosexuality isn't a disease, it's a state of sin. They're not subhuman, they're as human as you and I.

If you truly feel this way about homosexuals, I can only pray you change your mind before you have kids of your own, because it's very difficult to witness to the lost when you won't go near them.

EDIT: I wonder if this qualifies me as a "hothead." Oh well. I guess people thought Jesus was a hothead too when he overturned the money changer tables in the temple. *shrug*

[Radical Dreamer]

You know, I could go on like this, but it's just easier to say your statement is absolutely ridiculous. There's plenty of evil in the world without having to invent evil by portraying homosexuals as some sort of evil demonic rapists.

It's not a "safety issue." It's just a way of brainwashing children into thinking homosexuality is some sort of disease or that they're subhuman. Homosexuality isn't a disease, it's a state of sin. They're not subhuman, they're as human as you and I.

I absolutely agree. I'd like to point out that my two uncles, both of whom I love very much and both of whom are gay, are neither rapists nor pedophiles. Homosexuality is a sin, but that doesn't mean we should shun these people or look upon them with some sort of inhuman disdain. Jesus would have been the one to spend time with these people and show them love, not look down on them or act hateful toward them.