# usedtobe, you fucking racist! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 17, 2016, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795 "2016-10-17T00:32:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/21 "2016-10-17T03:34:14Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Neither. I’d walk away and have nothing more to say to him. You would not reach any conclusion about him? You would just not think anything about such an event? ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/22 "2016-10-17T04:10:38Z")
It’s pretty obvious to me he was speaking as if quoting someone else, he just didn’t use quotations or an emoticon. But people here have a really difficult time reading anything as other than exactly literal. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/23 "2016-10-17T04:35:58Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > It’s pretty obvious to me he was speaking as if quoting someone else, he just didn’t use quotations or an emoticon. > > But people here have a really difficult time reading anything as other than exactly literal. It has nothing to do with people “here.” It has to do with the fact that when communicating in writing, you have to do something to indicate to your reader that you’re not speaking literally, if your statement otherwise looks like a literal statement. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/24 "2016-10-17T04:40:46Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > It has nothing to do with people “here.” It has to do with the fact that when communicating in writing, you have to do something to indicate to your reader that you’re not speaking literally, if your statement otherwise looks like a literal statement. Agreed, especially if one’s deliberately using a word known to have great impact; this is a word used to hurt people and if one won’t recognize and acknowledge its power w/ a modifier or explanation then one has no business using it. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/25 "2016-10-17T04:41:49Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > You would not reach any conclusion about him? You would just not think anything about such an event? I’d reach the conclusion that he was ignorant, and I don’t have time for ignorant people. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/26 "2016-10-17T05:05:11Z")
The Smartest People on the Internet really need a course on the use-mention distinction. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/27 "2016-10-17T05:13:05Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > The Smartest People on the Internet really need a course on the use-mention distinction. What about this conversation leads you to believe that? Every single comment on this thread acknowledges that very distinction. ---
**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:** [October 17, 2016, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/28 "2016-10-17T05:39:34Z")
The unasked question everyone on both sides seems to be skipping over: is there even a fucking _need_ to quote that particular wording even when _satirizing_ racists? My answer would be no, there is not. My deeper thought is that there is a subset of posters who delight in saying Nigger or even Ni\*\*er when they can get away with it, not because they’re secretly racist, but because they have the mentality of 10 yo boys. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/29 "2016-10-17T05:40:10Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > It has nothing to do with people “here.” It has to do with the fact that when communicating in writing, you have to do something to indicate to your reader that you’re not speaking literally, if your statement otherwise looks like a literal statement. Can one be guilty of this rather it be through absent mindedness or sheer naivity and still not be a racist? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/30 "2016-10-17T05:42:40Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Can one be guilty of this rather it be through absent mindedness or sheer naivity and still not be a racist? It’s only accidental if his cat accidentally typed it out while walking on the keyboard. And I find that highly unlikely. ---
**Author:** ![Memnon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Memnon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Memnon)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/31 "2016-10-17T06:02:25Z")
If he was being racist, why did he say ‘ni\*\*er’ and not ‘nigger’? ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/32 "2016-10-17T06:15:27Z")
Cats do that. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/33 "2016-10-17T06:17:11Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Can one be guilty of this rather it be through absent mindedness or sheer naivity and still not be a racist? Of course. But are you asking a genuine question or are you asking a rhetorically? There’s nothing in your post that indicates the latter. Either way, if it’s a mistake, then it’s Usedtobe’s mistake and Usedtobe’s obligation to clear up the misunderstanding. On the other hand, for reasons outside this thread, I am starting to suspect that Cochrane might also have some learning to do about written communication. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/34 "2016-10-17T06:50:10Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Of course. But are you asking a genuine question or are you asking a rhetorically? There’s nothing in your post that indicates the latter. > > Either way, if it’s a mistake, then it’s Usedtobe’s mistake and Usedtobe’s obligation to clear up the misunderstanding. > > On the other hand, for reasons outside this thread, I am starting to suspect that Cochrane might also have some learning to do about written communication. In which way? Care to elaborate? It’s the Pit, I won’t be offended. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/35 "2016-10-17T06:56:39Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Of course. But are you asking a genuine question or are you asking a rhetorically? There’s nothing in your post that indicates the latter. > > Either way, if it’s a mistake, then it’s Usedtobe’s mistake and Usedtobe’s obligation to clear up the misunderstanding. > > . I agree with what you’re saying. Personally, I’m not ready to conclude **usedtobe** a racist. Not yet anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/36 "2016-10-17T07:01:12Z")
From context I’m way more inclined to think he was assuming the voice of “illiterate Wh_te Tra_h Appalachian coal miners” although that isn’t exactly much of an endorsement of his social sensitivity either. In the best of interpretations it’s still a crass generalization about them if nothing else. Actually in the very best possible interpretation he was assuming the voice of Appalachian coal miners _who think like that_, but even so the entire post is crass and bound to offend on some level. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/37 "2016-10-17T12:04:47Z")
To anyone saying ‘I recognize the username’ or ‘you’re taking this out of context’ or ‘he just forgot to use quotes’. The question was simply “Do you use cash or credit cards when you spend money” That many racial slurs were not needed to say “If it’s less than $100 I use cash, otherwise I use my debit card, for utilities it’s directly taken out of my checking account”…see. ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/38 "2016-10-17T12:24:44Z")
Yeah but he is zonked out on Oxycontin, so there’s that. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/39 "2016-10-17T12:57:52Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > Yeah but he is zonked out on Oxycontin, so there’s that. I’ve posted zonked out on plenty of times (on more things then most people) including oxy when I had stones not that long ago. I assure you, it didn’t even cross my mind to use any of that language. (PS, keep in mind, I’ve been member, including the AOL days, since college/HS, when you read that statement) ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795/40 "2016-10-17T14:35:50Z")
I read it as him ascribing such language/thoughts to Appalachians, coalminers or illiterate white trash, with those groups being pretty much the same to him. It is beyond stupid to use a word like that in a thread about payment methods. It is ignorant and bigoted to paint appalachians as illiterate white oxi-using racist ex-coalminers. And by now we all know this word has serious impact, even if used satirically, ironically or whatever way the writer tries to distance himself from the word while actually using the word. That all said, I don’t think he expressed personally holding this view on the current White House. But it is a mega-stupid post. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usedtobe-you-fucking-racist/768795.md?page=3)