Clothahump’s boring and now temporarily gone. I’d like to discuss the above. When an American, say, calls Obama a Marxist, does he really believe Obama is as left-wing as a typical Canadian, or is the implication that Canada is a full-on communist country, since it’s further left than Obama, or what?
Those too, and I’m pretty sure I have criticized such misogynistic slurs.
You must be a real joy at parties.
Republican Parties, that is! Bang! Zoom!
I really don’t know man.
The typical Canadian isn’t a Marxist. I think the typical Canadian would be somewhat left of your Democrats (though the gap is rapidly narrowing) so I’m not sure if Canadian is what they mean (I know they don’t mean Canadian - that is just the point of comparison.)
Truth to tell I don’t have a fucking clue what Americans think or mean when they use political words. Left means something different here than it does in the U.S.A. by a few orders of magnitude from what I can gather.
What you guys seem to term “liberal” would likely show up as right-of-center here — but our center is farther left than yours. The whole frame of reference is different.
Compared to the Canadians I’ve met (spent my whole life here) I’m on the outer-edges of left-wing and even our “left-wing” party (The New Democratic Party) is far enough right that I hold my nose as I vote.
I don’t know if that was helpful, but I tried.
Maybe y’all would be surprised to hear that the typical Honduran hates to be called a Mexican … just saying …
It means they aren’t aware of the meaning of the words or are exaggerating for rhetorical effect.
Aren’t you guys both Canadians?
Sorry, I don’t know how to nest quotes 
Now what about hobo or tramp?
The point I am getting at is that words are words and they are used everyday by everybody and just because someone uses an impolitic word does not mean that they harbour impolitic thoughts.
I’ll use me as an example (I often do 
)
When referring to someone of apparent East Indian decent I will use the word Hindu. I am well aware of the fact that there are East Indian Muslims, Christians, Budhists etc. But I am using it so that the person I am speaking to knows that I don’t mean Native Americans (an important distinction in these parts.)
I refer to black people with a non-Caribbean accent as “Africans” if it is important to context.
If colour or being foreign isn’t important to a narrative point then I tend to leave it out but otherwise I use shorthand.
You would be hard pressed to find someone as not racist as me.
If someone needs help and it is in my power to help them (up to and including the threat of personal injury or loss) then I will help them regardless of colour, creed, sexuality, mental infirmity or anything other.
If someone is not attempting to hurt me then I will not hurt (by any definition) them regardless of same.
Case in point, recently I was walking to work at 3:00 am and saw something in the road. As I got closer I saw it was one person trying to help another walk. When I got closer still I saw it was a smaller native lady helping her larger native lady friend try and walk and failing.
I did not think, “Fucking drunk indians, typical.” I thought, “It’s fucking cold out here and she isn’t going to be able to get her friend home.” So I offered to help and the offer was accepted. I mostly carried this chick for about 8 blocks and was a half-hour late for work because of it.
Have I ever seen intoxicated natives and thought, “fucking drunk indians, typical”? Sure I have - many times. Have I said it? I’m sure I have.
Have I offered help whenever I could if it was needed? You bet.
Because regardless the words I think in or use there is no underlying core of “I’m better than them” or “They are beneath me.” There is only, “There is a person that needs help.”
Racism (or any other ism) does not reside in words but deeds and actions.
Getting hung-up on the words someone uses distracts from the real issue and is the most low-end way of proclaiming “see how tolerant and kumbaya I am… see… see.”
It is also the cheapest way to feel self-righteous and superior to someone when an examination of their actions may show them to be as decent or moreso than you.
I dunno. I assume everyone here is American unless I’ve reason to know otherwise.
[Mderating]
Since Clothahump isn’t here to defend himself, I’m closing this thread.
[/Moderating]