Racism in football - The Guardian

[olaftab]

I was described as a coconut once and I found that very offensive. In some ways more offensive than being called a paki.

[E I Adio]

My ex was once called a Bounty Bar by an Uncle. She was mildly offended, but not so much that she felt the need to respond to it.

He obviously didn't like it here anyway, as he buggered off back to Barbados. But then, who wouldn't, given the opportunity.

[Percy McCarthy]

Not sure if Rio's comment is racist or not. Choc ice, Bounty, Uncle Tom and coconut are interchangeable terms questioning one's (for want of a better word) 'credibility' as a black man, inferring that while your skin is black you think, act or see things from a white perspective.

On a sinilar note, my (black) missus says she doesn't like 'wiggers', but I'm not offended because I'm not one, and I don't consider it racist because she's not referring to all white people. Like aftab, she would be deeply offended if someone called her a coconut. I called it her once as a joke when she did or said something 'white' (I think it was her not knowing something about some aspect of black culture that I was on about). She went mad but not because she thought it was racist.

Be interesting to read what others think.

[Hopadop]

Was never going to be punished in court, the burden of proof sits with the prosecution proving without any reasonable doubt that he intended to be racist.  That was always going to be close to impossible to do in this case.

I don't know. Although you're right about the burden of proof, there was plenty there to convict him. Absent an account he was certain to be convicted. And his account was utterly incredible.

He was very lucky to get away it.

[PeterWithe]

On a sinilar note, my (black) missus says she doesn't like 'wiggers',

Neither did Alf Ramsey and look where it got us.

[Lizz]

Many years ago, whilst working in the Home Counties, a colleague referred to me as a Northener. I explained that I wasn't a Northerner or a Southerner, but from the Midlands. Doubt he gave a damn about my views. Think outside of the Midlands, it's probably a fairly common perspective.

I've also worked with a Yorkshire woman who believes the South starts in Nottingham. Much as I love Nottingham, can't quite see the good citizens of Windsor, Henley on Thames et al thinking they have much in common with Nottingham.

[Hopadop]

you think, act or see things from a white perspective.

And it's an insult, rather than a positive, suggesting you're one of 'them'. Racist I reckon.

[Percy McCarthy]

Against which race?

[Hopadop]

Against which race?

Certainly white, but probably black as well - there's only one way to be black, putting the concept of a 'black perspective' ahead of any notion of being an individual.

I'm not saying it's the worst insult in the world, but I do think it involves a mindset that should be challenged.

[olaftab]

you think, act or see things from a white perspective.

And it's an insult, rather than a positive, suggesting you're one of 'them'. Racist I reckon.

When some one calls me a coconut they are completely dismissing my out look on life and my principles by simply categorising my behaviour as "white"  and by doing that they are also being deeply racist against white people.

[Hopadop]

you think, act or see things from a white perspective.

And it's an insult, rather than a positive, suggesting you're one of 'them'. Racist I reckon.

When some one calls me a coconut they are completely dismissing my out look on life and my principles by simply categorising my behaviour as "white"  and by doing that they are also being deeply racist against white people.

And despite being a unique individual, you have to be true to some stereotype, or else you're a fake. Talk about pigeonholing.

[Percy McCarthy]

Hmmm...don't see it myself. I'm certainly not offended by it.

There's a black bloke at our place who lets people call him 'my n****r', and does a Tarzan call across the factory.

 The other day there was a bit of a fire and he came up to the assembly point pointing at his skin and saying 'look, I'm burnt already'.

 The other black people hate the way he takes the piss out of himself and makes his colour into a joke for white people to laugh at.

 Some of them call him a bounty. Why should I be offended by that, or consider it racist towards me? I agree with them.

[Hopadop]

Some of them call him a bounty. Why should I be offended by that, or consider it racist towards me?

Because those laughing at him don't represent white people, anymore than he represents black.

[pauliewalnuts]

I was about to write something to contribute to the debate, then I noticed Percy's apostrophe crime in his last post, and, quite frankly, it has thrown me off kilter so much. I've gone to pieces, I feel let down.

i think I'll go to bed instead.

[Percy McCarthy]

I was about to write something to contribute to the debate, then I noticed Percy's apostrophe crime in his last post, and, quite frankly, it has thrown me off kilter so much. I've gone to pieces, I feel let down.

i think I'll go to bed instead.

Sorry paulie. I've fixed it now. Thanks to you and Hopadop for not quoting me fully and leaving it there forever.