# Sleep with a monkey mask to fool the negroes **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 2, 2007, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417 "2007-01-02T15:32:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/61 "2007-01-02T19:52:17Z")
[QUOTE=saoirse] You are not helping. In fact, I don’t think you’re even trying to help. [/QUOTE] whooooosh. ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/62 "2007-01-02T19:54:57Z")
[QUOTE=monstro] What can I say? I don’t like stroking egos. [/QUOTE] After you cut your finger off, who could blame you? [QUOTE=elucidator] …joke…too…cheap…must…resist… [/QUOTE] I love a bargain. Oh well, you snooze with a monkey mask, you lose. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/63 "2007-01-02T20:39:37Z")
> [@Plynck](#): > > Oh well, you snooze with a monkey mask, you lose. No, you fool, if you snooze with a monkey mask, you _don’t_ lose! That’s the whole point! ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/64 "2007-01-02T20:42:47Z")
[QUOTE=Bryan Ekers] [Quote=Ensign Edison] You’re doing it because you’re afraid that if you let claims of racism go by without triple-checking them, black people will start showing up at your house to make you personally feel bad about slavery, or something. [/Quote] Well, and take his wallet. [/QUOTE] But what if he were to open the door wearing a monkey mask? My opinion of the passage is that it is a joke. A very, very bad racially based joke. Can’t it be both racist and a joke? Or does it have to be one or the other? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/65 "2007-01-02T20:54:06Z")
[QUOTE=Maus Magill] But what if he were to open the door wearing a monkey mask? My opinion of the passage is that it is a joke. A very, very bad racially based joke. Can’t it be both racist and a joke? Or does it have to be one or the other? [/QUOTE] Well, of course it’s a joke. Otherwise, it would be BATSHIT CRAZY. It’s one of those “so bad it’s peeing-in-your-pants hilarious” kind of jokes. Though, I imagine that when the book was published, it wasn’t quite as funny. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/66 "2007-01-02T20:57:14Z")
[QUOTE=Maus Magill] …My opinion of the passage is that it is a joke. A very, very bad racially based joke. Can’t it be both racist and a joke? Or does it have to be one or the other? [/QUOTE] Could it just be bad writing? An editorial error? Swamp gas? ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/67 "2007-01-02T21:02:02Z")
[QUOTE=Maus Magill] But what if he were to open the door wearing a monkey mask? [/QUOTE] Unchallenged racism definitely trumps a monkey mask. His only chance of passing as a Brother would be to also wear a balaclava over the mask, and then a ski mask over that. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/68 "2007-01-02T21:05:03Z")
[QUOTE=wring] whooooosh. [/QUOTE] I believe you’re hearing your own ears popping. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/69 "2007-01-02T21:08:06Z")
[QUOTE=monstro] Well, of course it’s a joke. Otherwise, it would be BATSHIT CRAZY. It’s one of those “so bad it’s peeing-in-your-pants hilarious” kind of jokes. Though, I imagine that when the book was published, it wasn’t quite as funny. [/QUOTE] What, are you saying the collective effect of these words has mellowed over the years? Or ripened considerably? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/70 "2007-01-02T21:10:24Z")
[QUOTE=Giraffe] Unchallenged racism definitely trumps a monkey mask. His only chance of passing as a Brother would be to also wear a balaclava over the mask, and then a ski mask over that. [/QUOTE] So it only works if his head is the size of a zeppelin? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/71 "2007-01-02T21:30:46Z")
[QUOTE=Ensign Edison] The “problem” is that the idea that even incredibly OBVIOUS examples of racism have to be minutely examined in case the white person involved can be exonerated is one that stems entirely from racism itself. [/QUOTE] I don’t think you’re way off, but I always thought it was a sympathy thing. Some people hear a guy say something as dumb as this - ‘black people are conspiratorial monkey-looking criminals’ - and think “There’s no way he means that. I know I’d never say it. How could anyone?” And that happens even when the truth is obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/72 "2007-01-02T22:04:56Z")
As god is my witness, I thought a “balaclava” was a Greek pastry. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/73 "2007-01-02T22:08:41Z")
[QUOTE=Duke of Rat] As god is my witness, I thought a “balaclava” was a Greek pastry. [/QUOTE] Baklava. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/74 "2007-01-02T22:17:03Z")
Gesundheit. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/75 "2007-01-02T22:50:45Z")
[QUOTE=Ensign Edison] and who thinks “that cognitive habit stems from culturally ingrained racist constructs” means “you personally are an evil awful horrible racist who secretly wants to lynch black people”. [/quote] Could you give me an example or two of a cognitive habit that stems from a culturally ingrained racist construct. You’ve used too many 50 cent words and I’m not sure what you mean. Seriously. > [@](#): > > You believe that there are people who wish to unfairly attack you for being racist, ::shrug:: there **are** such people. The race card **does** get played. Specious accusations **do** get made. It’s certainly happened to me on several occasions. > [@](#): > > and therefore you think you have to be “fair” to the point of making up obviously ridiculous scenarios to excuse it away. Generally speaking, I try not to be offensible, and I try not to put in offense where none was intended. I’d rather believe the best in people and err on the side of ignoring an offense or two. Everybody gets a couple of free passes as far as I’m concerned. > [@](#): > > You feel like black people want you to feel guilty for things that aren’t your fault, so you look for possible reasons to reject even the most blatant examples of the reality of racism. See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil. (sorry) Well, there are some people who play for guilt, and not all racists are white. That being said, I’m finding the passage pretty hard to excuse, but if somebody can come up with a credible explanation for putting on a monkey mask to look like a “brother” so you don’t lose your wallet that proves it racially innocuous, than I’m all ears, though not holding my breath. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/76 "2007-01-02T22:56:38Z")
> [@](#): > > “Jeez, man, hey take a look, willya?” breathes the voice. There’s a sharp intake of breath. Another voice whispers, “Yo, one of us! A Brother!” [QUOTE=you with the face] Why does the first black guy sound like he’s straight out of Leave It to Beaver? No self-respecting negro would ever say “willya” like that. [/QUOTE] No, they sound like the Generic Black Muggers from a 70’s Era Spiderman comic. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/77 "2007-01-02T22:59:09Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Ensign Edison > You’re doing it because you’re afraid that if you let claims of racism go by without triple-checking them, black people will start showing up at your house to make you personally feel bad about slavery, or something. [QUOTE=Bryan Ekers] Well, and take his wallet. [/QUOTE] And make him wear a monkey mask. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/78 "2007-01-02T23:05:18Z")
[QUOTE=Scylla] if somebody can come up with a credible explanation for putting on a monkey mask to look like a “brother” so you don’t lose your wallet that proves it racially innocuous, than I’m all ears, though not holding my breath. [/QUOTE] Brothers in da 'hood are from a nearby Franciscan monastery. And “monkey mask” is obviously street for monastic garb. Simple 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/79 "2007-01-02T23:09:05Z")
[QUOTE=Scylla] That being said, I’m finding the passage pretty hard to excuse, but if somebody can come up with a credible explanation for putting on a monkey mask to look like a “brother” so you don’t lose your wallet that proves it racially innocuous, than I’m all ears, though not holding my breath. [/QUOTE] Duh. You can’t breathe at all if you’re all ears. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2007, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417/80 "2007-01-02T23:12:23Z")
I suppose those Franciscan monks would be Capuchins, then? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sleep-with-a-monkey-mask-to-fool-the-negroes/386417.md?page=5)