# tomndebb, please explain why I was noted for saying Jew-bros. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 31, 2015, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248 "2015-10-31T08:26:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/181 "2015-11-01T20:54:26Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > _“The Wandering Jew is a figure in Christian mythology who is doomed to wander the Earth until the Second Coming, for rebuffing or striking Christ during his trip to Calvary to be crucified. The first recorded variation of the Wandering Jew archetype appeared in the writings of Roger of Wendover, a monk of St. Albans. In this version, he converted to Christianity and has since lived a godly life. However, the legend served to re-enforce the idea that Jews are a people cursed by God. It has been claimed that the prevalence of the Wandering Jew myth, and the accompanying belief that it proved that Jews were wicked, was a direct cause of antisemitic violence during the Middle Ages. The Wandering Jew was also adopted as a symbol by German antisemites in the nineteenth century. Tragically, this led to the Wandering Jew being used as propaganda in the Nazi Party.”_ > > [AID | Antisemitism Internet Database - AID | Antisemitism Internet Database](http://antisemitism.org.il/article/82166/top-10-antisemitic-legends-and-stereotypes) > > I like Tradescantias (botanical name for the genus of plants sometimes called Wandering Jews). Some of my best plant friends are Tradescantias. The long-standing popular name carries too much offensive freight and should be dropped. I like tradescantia, too, and will cheerfully use it. I was not taught the myth with that slant in Catholic school, no general condemnation of Jews, no conversion to Christianity. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/182 "2015-11-01T20:59:04Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Khoisan aren’t Black. She had about as much connection to the name as you have to the Emperor of Japan. Who the hell are you to say who is black? The Khoisan are as African as any other peoples. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/183 "2015-11-01T21:06:39Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Who the hell are you to say who is black? The Khoisan are as African as any other peoples. There are black folks who aren’t Africans, and Africans who aren’t black folks. I thought that the Khoisan were considered black, though, but since “black” is purely a cultural signifier, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are not considered black in some (or even all) parts of Africa. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/184 "2015-11-01T21:12:15Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > There are black folks who aren’t Africans, and Africans who aren’t black folks. I thought that the Khoisan were considered black, though, but since “black” is purely a cultural signifier, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are not considered black in some (or even all) parts of Africa. Im not sure what this word stew means but the Khoisan were in what is now known as SA long before any Bantu speakers. The above distinction is the very essence of racism. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/185 "2015-11-01T21:13:51Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Im not sure what this word stew means but the Khoisan were in what is now known as SA long before any Bantu speakers. The above distinction is the very essence of racism. ?? Which part? There are tons of different ethnic groups in Africa – far more than any other continent in terms of genetic diversity. Is it really that surprising to you that some of them would be considered black, and others would not be? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/186 "2015-11-01T21:18:15Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Who the hell are you to say who is black? The Khoisan are as African as any other peoples. It’s just plain ignorant to think African = Black. Khoisan are not Black any more than Finns or Koreans are. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/187 "2015-11-01T21:21:25Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Im not sure what this word stew means but the Khoisan were in what is now known as SA long before any Bantu speakers. How does that make them Black? > [@](#): > > The above distinction is the very essence of racism. No, it is not. Pointing out that a certain historic pejorative applies to a particular ethnicity, one that did not have any part in the transatlantic slave trade and hence didn’t give rise to any African-American descendants, and hence African-Americans have no claim on that heritage, is not racist. It’s pedantic, but it’s not racist. ---
**Author:** ![IDtenT\_Error](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@IDtenT\_Error](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IDtenT_Error)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/188 "2015-11-01T21:24:47Z")
So, please tell me, **MrDibble** , how you would have found it if I had called you something about “Roo-bro”? Doesn’t mean nothing, does it? I can say the word ‘Rooinek’ and it isn’t going to piss you off at all? I can call you a ‘Rooinek shill’ and no one can take offense at that, now can they? Your country isn’t the only one in the world. You know about as much of mine, as I just displayed of yours. [Lighten up, Francis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OnpkDWbeJs). ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/189 "2015-11-01T21:26:12Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Khoisan aren’t Black. She had about as much connection to the name as you have to the Emperor of Japan. > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > There are black folks who aren’t Africans, and Africans who aren’t black folks. I thought that the Khoisan were considered black, though, but since “black” is purely a cultural signifier, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are not considered black in some (or even all) parts of Africa. > [@MrDibble](#): > > It’s just plain ignorant to think African = Black. Khoisan are not Black any more than Finns or Koreans are. “Race” is a social construct. The divisions in the US are different than the divisions in South Africa. In the US, Khoisan would be considered “black”. They are from Africa, not from the mediterranean basin, and are typically as dark in color as most “Black” Americans. That all means “Black”. It’s not an accident that the current term in vogue for the Americans who are also called “Black” is “African American”. And hey, I went to college with the Empress of Japan, so I suppose I have something in common with her. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/190 "2015-11-01T21:28:08Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > It’s just plain ignorant to think African = Black. Khoisan are not Black any more than Finns or Koreans are. Black has no anthropological or genetic meaning. Fijians and Australian aboriginals are often considered black as far as the cultural meaning of the term goes. Khoisan, while not very dark skinned, would have been considered black by Europeans. Are pygmies black? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/191 "2015-11-01T21:32:11Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > “Race” is a social construct. The divisions in the US are different than the divisions in South Africa. In the US, Khoisan would be considered “black”. They are from Africa, not from the mediterranean basin, and are typically as dark in color as most “Black” Americans. That all means “Black”. Means nothing with regard to a _South African_ pejorative, does it? > [@Colibri](#): > > Black has no anthropological or genetic meaning. Agreed. > [@](#): > > Khoisan, while not very dark skinned, would have been considered black by Europeans. Not in Southern Africa, they weren’t. And we have the Apartheid-era race classification schemes to prove it - they were classified as Coloured, not African. > [@](#): > > Are pygmies black? Not IMO. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/192 "2015-11-01T21:42:10Z")
> [@IDtenT\_Error](#): > > So, please tell me, **MrDibble** , how you would have found it if I had called you something about “Roo-bro”? I’d say “I’m not Australian”? > [@](#): > > Doesn’t mean nothing, does it? Er, not to me. Are you … are you trying to say “rooi-bro”? I mean, it still wouldn’t mean anything to me, except seem like you were somehow mistakenly trying to devise an insult for Afrikaans-speaking Native American frat boys…since “rooi” just means red. > [@](#): > > I can say the word ‘Rooinek’ and it isn’t going to piss you off at all? Not in-and-of-itself, no. I mean, it’s not a pejorative that applies to my cultural group in any way, just so you know. **ctnguy** might take offense, I think he’s English South African. I’m not. > [@](#): > > I can call you a ‘Rooinek shill’ and no one can take offense at that, now can they? I don’t know, I don’t even know what that _means_. > [@](#): > > Your country isn’t the only one in the world. You know about as much of mine, as I just displayed of yours. Err, no, that’s _clearly_ not the case. ---
**Author:** ![IDtenT\_Error](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@IDtenT\_Error](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IDtenT_Error)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/193 "2015-11-01T21:45:35Z")
So, in other words, Bloody Kaffir wouldn’t work, either? Bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![IDtenT\_Error](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@IDtenT\_Error](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IDtenT_Error)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/194 "2015-11-01T21:49:44Z")
NM I’m done. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/195 "2015-11-01T21:49:56Z")
> [@IDtenT\_Error](#): > > So, in other words, Bloody Kaffir wouldn’t work, either? Not particularly, no. I mean, I _get_ that you’re trying to find a South African insult that actually fits me, but none of those are actually correct, so it just comes across as a fail, insult-wise. Sorry. Do you need some help finding ones that _would_ apply? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/196 "2015-11-01T21:51:53Z")
> [@IDtenT\_Error](#): > > You might want to look into what the “english” call you. [Urban Dictionary: rooinek](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rooinek) Erm, who are these Afrikaans-speaking “english” you’re referring to, and how does a cite about an Afrikaans insult _for_ English White South Africans clear anything up? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/197 "2015-11-01T22:07:47Z")
> [@IDtenT\_Error](#): > > So, please tell me, **MrDibble** , how you would have found it if I had called you something about “Roo-bro”? I am not sure where you are trying to go with this. The original term I Modded as inappropriate was “Jew _noun_,” based on an insulting use of that construction in U.S. language. Do you have any reason to believe that “Roo\* _noun_” has the same insulting connotation in South Africa? Let’s not pick this thing to death by going off on odd tangents. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/198 "2015-11-01T22:09:03Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > There are black folks who aren’t Africans, and Africans who aren’t black folks. I thought that the Khoisan were considered black, though, but since “black” is purely a cultural signifier, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are not considered black in some (or even all) parts of Africa. Lots of people, that would be called “black” in the American system, are not, by their own lights or according to people where they come from. (Trevor Noah has a stand-up segment about this, if that helps.) In any case, **Nzinga** is not Khoisan, which is the only point of relevance there. ---
**Author:** ![Grotonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c2a13f/32.png) [@Grotonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grotonian)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/199 "2015-11-01T22:18:49Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Social media chatter. Really? Social media is blowing up with stories of how the party hosted jointly by two fraternities was really just the fault of the Jews? I haven’t seen any of those. Perhaps you have a link? > [@](#): > > I didn’t say just Pike at SMU was notoriously shitty. They’re notoriously shitty _everywhere_. And I got _that_ from the news articles, the last couple times they threw this same shit at other Unis. As linked in that other thread. So there are no Pike chapters, anywhere, with decent, respectful, young men of varied backgrounds? That’s good to know. Ignorance fought. > [@](#): > > Colour me surprised… You know, one reason to ignore the Pikes might be because they are all, everywhere, unalloyed douchebags. Another reason to ignore the Pikes might be because that then leaves the Jews solely responsible for the party; and a convenient target for someone who chooses to attack them alone. I know you, of course, wouldn’t do that, but some people on the Internet might. When I receive an invitation with more than one host listed, I consider all named hosts to actually be hosts. I don’t sort them by their religion. ---
**Author:** ![ctnguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@ctnguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ctnguy)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248/200 "2015-11-01T22:33:40Z")
> [@IDtenT\_Error](#): > > Doesn’t mean nothing, does it? I can say the word ‘Rooinek’ and it isn’t going to piss you off at all? I can call you a ‘Rooinek shill’ and no one can take offense at that, now can they? > [@MrDibble](#): > > Not in-and-of-itself, no. I mean, it’s not a pejorative that applies to my cultural group in any way, just so you know. **ctnguy** might take offense, I think he’s English South African. I’m not. Yes I am. I don’t find the word “rooinek” inherently offensive but of course any descriptor can be offensive with the appropriate tone and context. (And if someone said “rooi-bro” my mind would jump first to the amusingly incongruous image of a group of bros drinking rooibos tea.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tomndebb-please-explain-why-i-was-noted-for-saying-jew-bros/736248.md?page=11)