Inspired by http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6725653.stm
Speaking as a Ginger person, I have no problem with it at all, and anyone who is genuinely “offended” really ought to grow up. But I do agree with those in the article who say that it is the same as insulting black people. Which I also have no problem with.
I agree with the spirit of this, but not with this particular example.
And I don’t agree with this at all.
Insulting black people is being racist, insulting ginger people, or fat people, or people with big noses, is just dumb. So both should be avoided, but for different reasons; racism is despicable and sprouts from the fear of the other, of the alien, and someone of a visibly different race could trigger this idiotic behaviour. Racism needs education (as well as punishment, of course).
But insulting someone with unusual or disagreeable features, like ginger hair, or fat, or big noses, or whatever? Just trying to score easy points, so to speak, hitting on “easy” targets. This needs politeness.
I don’t agree that insulting black people is being racist.
Uhhh, care to elaborate? I wouldn’t want to misunderstand what you mean, you know. I could make up a hundred scenarios but I’d like to know exactly what you’re thinking of, please.
Seriously - what is it with Brits and redheads?
Refusing to employ a “nigger” is racist
Refusing to employ a “black person” is racist
Calling someone a “nigger” isn’t racist, as it isn’t discrimatory
Is this really a serious issue?
If so, it looks cultural. I’ve never even heard the term “Ginger” applied to Redheads (the term I’ve invariably heard, growing up in the US), and I’ve never heard of teasing about it. “Fiery redhead” is the only association I’ve heard, and I don’t know of anyone who actually believes it.
Of course, America is awash in “dumb blonde” jokes. If I would have expected to hear about any objection to hair-color-discrimination, it woul’ve been from blondes. And even that I can’t recall.
OK. Calling someone a nigger isn’t racist. What planet are you living on?
That’s because they don’t get the jokes.
How on earth is it racist? It’s just an offensive derogatory term. Racism is discriminating against people because of the colour of their skin.
Just because it isn’t discriminatory in an employment sense doesn’t mean it isn’t discriminatory:
It also IS insulting, which was the point of your post, wasn’t it? If you’re insulting someone based on their color, it’s discrimination.
I think my post could have been worded better. Perhaps it should have been worded as “Is it wrong to insult people?”, or even “Are there any insults that should never be used?”.
Sometimes and yes.
Hang on, and labelling people with offensive derogatory names is not discriminating? I feel it is, after all they’re insulted and labelled and set aside, by someone saying that they’re apart, they’re lower and therefore contemptible. That’s why it’s racist.
I feel you may confuse racist behaviour with good natured ribbing between friends. I mean, if you’re black (or Jewish, or Asian, or whatever) and some random stranger on the street shouts at you “You filthy nigger!” or whatever racial insult, isn’t that racist?
It would be racist if he is insulting them because they are black. If had they had been white he would have been shouting some other insult at them then it isn’t racist. Make sense?
Ok, I see you reworded it. If you’re still interested in my opinion, I’d answer like this: yes, it’s wrong to insult people, with the possible exception of ribbing between close friends, and yes to the second, because it’s one thing to insult people saying “You lazy bastard!” and another to say “You filthy nigger!” (or whatever applies); both are bad and both should be avoided, but the second is worse than the first.
And which insults should never be used?
Is this “Ginger” thing a British concept? My sister is a redhead and I’ve never heard the term, and neither has she. And she’s 51. From my perspective here in the US, it’s much ado about nothing. But maybe the cultural landscape is different in the UK.
I love redheads…
So yeah, gingerism is just as bad as racism IMO.
Both things are inevetable, if you are born with red haird, or if you are born black or chinese or whatever, there isn’t much you can do about it…
On second though, redheads can dye there hair…
Everyone knows that the problem is called gingervitis, and is a consequence of ginger kids not having souls. Their skin is so light, ginger kids must avoid the sun, not unlike…
…vampires.