# If you are white and were called a "wypipo", would you be offended? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 7, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752 "2018-05-07T14:22:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![skyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/54ee81/32.png) [@skyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skyr)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/21 "2018-05-07T16:25:53Z")
**If you stereotype people based on their race, you are part of the problem. Period. End of story.** It doesn’t matter to me if some random asshole has a problem with white people, but it does concern me very much that it seems more socially acceptable to talk this way. It seems to me like the American left is getting increasingly comfortable with race based bigotry as long as it is directed against white people. I know they have come up with some twisted ways to rationalize this by arguing you can’t be racist unless you hold institutional power and shit like that. However, who is going to be there to say, “OK, it was fine to kid around about how white men were the root of all evil yesterday, but now today you have enough power in society that it’s not okay anymore, so let’s knock it off”? Anyone who pays any attention to history should be very concerned any time a group of people is being singled out based on sex, race, religion, etc. When I see people sharing bullshit like “You can’t be racist against white people” it makes me think, “If you had been around in 1940s Germany, you would probably be a Nazi”. **It’s only obvious in hindsight** that the Nazis were unquestionably evil motherfuckers. At the time that shit was going on, it all seemed very reasonable at the time to a portion of the German general public to blame Jews for their problems. Look at the Rwanda genocide for a more recent example of how easy it is to convince a large part of society to slowly get comfortable doing something terrible to their fellow man. The other problem with this kind of shit is that you are just encouraging white people to become more tribal when you make them feel like they’re being targeted based on their race. This leads to MORE white supremacists, not less. Just look at how most prison gangs are based on race. In a prison environment, it is a very rational decision to form alliances with the people who look like you, because you have a genuine reason to fear that people who don’t look like you might target you. If you’re a white guy and you were in a violent prison where the black and Hispanic prisoners were threatening you, while the Aryan Brotherhood prisoners were promising to protect you, don’t kid yourself that you would refuse to join the Aryan Brotherhood. The instinct to preserve self trumps all and even the most anti racist person would join a white supremacist gang if the alternative was facing a real danger of being raped or beaten. Now imagine if white people in general society felt as vulnerable as that white guy in prison does. Do you think that the scared white people are gonna join hands with the people bitching about how awful Wypepo are for Kumbaya or are they going to start paying more attention to the message of people saying they want to protect white people from the brown folks who don’t like wypepo? (Note: I’m not saying that I think it’s a good thing that people act like this - just that this is the reality of how human nature operates, whether we like it or not) ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/22 "2018-05-07T16:32:02Z")
A racial slur says more about the sayer than the target. I’m not going to get offended by someone else feeling so lazy and insecure about himself that he has to resort to calling me a name. Whitey in general isn’t in danger of widespread oppression so I’m not even that worried about allowing the sentiment to proliferate–people have hated Whitey for as long as there has been Whitey and that’s not going to change. I may feel sorry for him. But I’m also going to understand there is someone in my presence who is not interested in being my friend. I’ll get over it. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/23 "2018-05-07T16:42:26Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > As I understand the term, “wypipo” refers to Trump supporters and confederate flag wavers. > > I would be offended to be lumped in with those people. I believe it’s the reverse: it’s a not-sufficiently “awakened” liberal white person. So one who supports Black Lives Matter, but doesn’t support them taking over a restaurant and screaming at the patrons through megaphones\* Or one who believes in reparations, but not the 4.70 trillion proposed by Randall Robinson and favors a smaller amount. \*I don’t know if this actually happened, but ferinstance. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/24 "2018-05-07T17:19:22Z")
I can’t imagine being annoyed or offended by wypipo, but I would also probably not take anything that person said very seriously afterward. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/25 "2018-05-07T17:26:14Z")
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names that I don’t understand will never hurt me. ‘You’re a white guy! You can’t dance! You wear funny clothes! You oppress everybody!’ Whatever, kid - I still make more money than you. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/26 "2018-05-07T17:29:13Z")
Is this supposed to be a phonetic spelling of how “White People” might sound in AAVE? If so, it sounds like it’s more insulting to black pepo than it would be to white pepo. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/27 "2018-05-07T17:36:25Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > … it sounds like it’s more insulting to black pepo than it would be to white pepo. I’d go with divisive social media bot tactic. Nonwhites already have their epithets for us. They don’t need _more_, they need to give the ones they have _teeth_. How privileged that is: providing critiques for others to slur me more hurtfully. 🙂 I’m dumb. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/28 "2018-05-07T17:38:15Z")
No, it’s just a manipulation of ‘white people’ to avoid detection by social media algorithms. Apparently neonazis can have facebook pages with no repercussions but posting too many times about white people can earn you a temp ban for violating community standards. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/29 "2018-05-07T17:46:32Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > [**“NegusWhoRead”**](http://neguswhoread.com/wypipo-explained/) > > Found this via Google. To say it is an afro-centric web site would be the understatement of the day, but the segment below was interesting nevertheless. I am not the target of the OP’s question. But I have a childhood memory of watching an episode of Oprah where there was a white supremacist on the show outlining the “differences” between black people and niggers. I don’t find the list above any less moronic. If you have a problem with all white people, and you have the ability to enunciate your reasoning, then do so. If you have a problem with a specific subset of white people, then elaborate on who those people are, why you have the problem with them, and what they have in common beyond being white. Don’t equate them with everyone who happens to be white. Don’t come up with some stupid name for them that leaves a lot of ambiguity about who you’re referring to. Don’t use “nicknames” as an excuse to be racist. At best, it’s lazy. And it is never “at best.” ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/30 "2018-05-07T17:55:24Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > No, of course not. Only tremendously insecure or racist people get all bent out of shape by silly things like this. > > I would however, laugh, as I know what it means and I ain’t one. The term is clearly meant as a racist insult but only a racist would take offense to it. That makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/31 "2018-05-07T18:22:27Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Is this supposed to be a phonetic spelling of how “White People” might sound in AAVE? If so, it sounds like it’s more insulting to black pepo than it would be to white pepo. According to Michael Harriot at [theroot.com](http://theroot.com), it’s a Twitter abbreviation, to get around their character limit. ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/32 "2018-05-07T18:58:49Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > To my understanding, it’d be a one-off remark by the occasional fucking assclown. “Nigger” (for example) has historical weight behind it and means something and is a real insult. > > “Wypepo” is an assclown speaking baby-talk, IMO. An oversensitive and tone deaf original post, followed up by dropping the n-bomb. Wow. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/33 "2018-05-07T19:04:29Z")
Have to agree with **Fenris** here. If you’re trying to come up with a new and stinging insult\*, it helps if you don’t sound like you’re four years old and need to be comforted or bought an ice cream cone. \*not that the rather confused criteria apply to me. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/34 "2018-05-07T19:07:50Z")
Hey, I’d just be thankful someone is talking to me. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/35 "2018-05-07T19:08:24Z")
> [@Whiskey\_Dickens](#): > > An oversensitive and tone deaf original post, followed up by dropping the n-bomb. Wow. Is it your contention that the word “Nigger” can never be written in any context? Because what **Fenris** did wasn’t what is typically meant by “dropping” any kid of bomb. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/36 "2018-05-07T19:25:32Z")
In regard to what the “wypipo”-callers seem to be trying to stereotype, [Phil Ochs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u52Oz-54VYw) did it better. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/37 "2018-05-07T19:49:28Z")
Yes. Not because it’s remotely as bad as a real racial epithet, but because it informs me about the person who says it. That person is intending to insult me, and thus their action is offensive. Is it bad enough that I would respond and give them the satisfaction? Not unless I can figure out some perfect snarky reply, which is all it deserves. The best that comes to mind right now is faux outrage and saying “How dare you! That’s our word, bro.” But I doubt that would go well. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/38 "2018-05-07T19:51:08Z")
> [@Whiskey\_Dickens](#): > > An oversensitive and tone deaf original post, followed up by dropping the n-bomb. Wow. And yet you are fine with the obvious homophobic implications of “a\*\*clown”? Check your privilege, bro! ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/39 "2018-05-07T20:01:05Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > And yet you are fine with the obvious homophobic implications of “a\*\*clown”? Check your privilege, bro! Censoring out the “ss” in “assclown?!?” Can I get you a safe space? 😛 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2018, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752/40 "2018-05-07T20:02:58Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Is it your contention that the word “Nigger” can never be written in any context? Because what **Fenris** did wasn’t what is typically meant by “dropping” any kid of bomb. Nono, not at all. Sorry. Nigger is totally a cool word to be using in normal conversation. Just adding it unsolicited to a thread about race is just fine. Carry on good man! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-white-and-were-called-a-wypipo-would-you-be-offended/813752.md?page=3)