Re: Adam Goodes

[WesternTiger]

The dictionary of slang? Gospel, I'm sure.

Its a dictionary all the same. I have a dictionary of biology, a dictionary of ecology and evolution and a dictionary of herpetology. You saying because they are not standard dictionaries of the English language they are any less credible?

 

[WesternTiger]

I can't believe what I've copped for admitting I'd never heard of the term used that way before. I understand now how it could be construed as a racist term.

None of the dictionaries in my house describe it as such. I haven't found an online dictionary that does. I found a dictionary that says ape can mean a large, uncouth person. I found an online list of the origins of racist terms. Ape doesn't get a mention.

There is no doubt Adam Goodes assumed there was a racist connotation in what the girl said. There is plenty of doubt that she knew it could be construed as a racist comment and intended it that way.

Here is a link to the dictionary I quoted it from
http://books.google.com.au/books/about/Cassell_s_dictionary_of_slang.html?id=5GpLcC4a5fAC&redir_esc=y

 

[1eyedtiger]

Give it up Rosy. You're banging your head against a brick wall here.
In this country, denying that you're racist is a racist act in itself. The political correctness movement has successfully made mountains out of mole hills and misconstrued even the most innocent comments to the point where even the use of the term 'blackboard' in schools has been questioned. God knows how Henry Ford would have gotten by in today's world when in his day, you could have a Ford in any colour you like, as long as it's black.
What's worse is that apparently whites have to put up with being racially abused because of the past (which the vast majority had no part in) and it's racist to even bring that up. In effect, it's racist to point out that others are being racist!

 

[BustinDustin]

No it wasn't, the girl says it wasn't, most reasonable-minded say it wasn't. It's not racist to draw attention to the fact that someone is big, hairy and unattractive if that's what they are, and would continue to be regardless of race (if his bloodlines were sufficiently mixed for him to have caucasian colouring as many self-defining Aboriginals do, but he looked exactly the same would it still been racist then? When would it stop magically being racist and simply a statement of subjective fact). Suit yourself, it was rude, it was crude, but it wan't racist.

Tygrys in all due respect, the concept of anti-discrimination has gone over your head. If you think that such comments are not unlawful then I suggest you try it at work with someone who is of the same ilk as Goodsey, and we'll see how far that will get you.

 

[BustinDustin]

O'Brien is a fool, thinks he is the Dalai Lama or the next in line. Makes me laugh every time he opens his mouth with his so called worldly comments.

and you think Harry was trying to get browny points to be the next secretary general of the human rights commission. I think you're the fool.

 

[Freezer]

Its a dictionary all the same. I have a dictionary of biology, a dictionary of ecology and evolution and a dictionary of herpetology. You saying because they are not standard dictionaries of the English language they are any less credible?

A standard dictionary of slang has no credibility whatsoever.

 

[WesternTiger]

A standard dictionary of slang has no credibility whatsoever.

Credibility with regards to what? You saying unless it is in a traditional dictionary then and only then does it have a credible definition? Please!

So unless the meaning of ape or for that matter black c or jigaboo as a racial slur isn't published in the Oxford dictionary it can not be considered a racial slur?

 

[Leysy Days]

No it wasn't, the girl says it wasn't, most reasonable-minded say it wasn't.

Irrespective of whether he plays this weekend or not he is already a 'soft *smile*' and a 'pea heart' in many of our estimations.

Tygrys, do us a favour & dont speak for other people when you post. Cheers Champ.

 

[WesternTiger]

A standard dictionary of slang has no credibility whatsoever.

I suspect you wouldn't even settle for ape being list on a list of ethnic slurs?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs

 

[Freezer]

Come on Western. Lists of slang and slurs? Surely you can see they're open to individual interpretation? What difference does it make if they're written down in a book?

Standard dictionaries of grammar, physics, chemistry, etc, etc, are difinitive, worldwide accepted definitions.

This is why this whole race/racism/discrimination issue is never going to go away - ever. What's considered a slur by one, is water off a duck's back to another. There is nothing definitive about it.

And slang varies worldwide. What might be considered slang in Oz, may not be here in the UK.

 

[glantone]

..... God knows how Henry Ford would have gotten by in today's world when in his day, you could have a Ford in any colour you like, as long as it's black.

...reckon sales would be down. 6 million dead jews later would require more spin than a v8 ford mustang coyote in test….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cgtltXeXwY

 

[Rosy]

Come on Western. Lists of slang and slurs? Surely you can see they're open to individual interpretation? What difference does it make if they're written down in a book?

Standard dictionaries of grammar, physics, chemistry, etc, etc, are difinitive, worldwide accepted definitions.

This is why this whole race/racism/discrimination issue is never going to go away - ever. What's considered a slur by one, is water off a duck's back to another. There is nothing definitive about it.

And slang varies worldwide. What might be considered slang in Oz, may not be here in the UK.

Yep.

 

[skybeau]

Triple J's Hack Program, from Friday

Above is a discussion featuring Dan Sultan, an indigenous musician, talking about the week's events. It made some interesting listening on the drive home from work.

In terms of this thread, I think I echo Leysy's position and his post about some concerning comments being made by some on here.

 

[Rosy]

That doesn't mean it isn't a racist comment. I can call an aboriginal a black (insert word of choice) without meaning it as racist but its still a racial slur.

Insert (magic). Racist slur?

I'll repeat this question for everyone. Is "black magic" a racist term?

 

[kiwitiger]

Come on Western. Lists of slang and slurs? Surely you can see they're open to individual interpretation? What difference does it make if they're written down in a book?

Standard dictionaries of grammar, physics, chemistry, etc, etc, are difinitive, worldwide accepted definitions.

This is why this whole race/racism/discrimination issue is never going to go away - ever. What's considered a slur by one, is water off a duck's back to another. There is nothing definitive about it.

And slang varies worldwide. What might be considered slang in Oz, may not be here in the UK.

I agree with that, it can vary from country to country , ive travelled a bit and while I think there is racism everywhere ,

I think NZ is probably a little bit unique with the relationship between maori and pakeha ( white)

It is nothing in NZ for a conversation to go like this between a couple of mates,

How are you ya black bastard ,

Yeah good honky , what ya up to , waana catch up for a beer bro ,

That would be tongue in cheek humor in NZ between a couple of mates ,

There was a case years ago when an English captain heard an AllBlack captain ( Sean Fitzpatrick) called a team mate ( Olo Brown) a black bastard on the field,

And he made a song and dance about it to the media, racist AB captain were the headlines in the English press,

Sean( who is part maori anyway but fairly light skinned ) and OLo were good mates, but try and explain to the rest of the world our unique relationship and our NZ humor , it cant be done .

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

Insert (magic). Racist slur?

I'll repeat this question for everyone. Is "black magic" a racist term?

30 years ago when it was used to describe players like Rioli and the Krakouers, it was simply an expression of admiration for the skills of Aboriginal players, who had been rare in the VFL to that point. It's fallen into disuse since Aboriginal players became relatively common, and we've realised that not all of them possess the "magic". I'd say the term is out of place today, in football at least, and you'd run the risk of being taken to task by the strictest of the moral police.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Calling someone an ape is as racist as it gets, even I knew this even at a very young age.
Just because it's not on the internet doesn't mean it's not the case.
I've spoken to a few people about this and it's fairly obvious.

Yep and the justifications for it's use by that girl are non-amusing to say the least. I can't even be bothered debating it.

 

[tigertim]

30 years ago when it was used to describe players like Rioli and the Krakouers, it was simply an expression of admiration for the skills of Aboriginal players, who had been rare in the VFL to that point. It's fallen into disuse since Aboriginal players became relatively common, and we've realised that not all of them possess the "magic". I'd say the term is out of place today, in football at least, and you'd run the risk of being taken to task by the strictest of the moral police

I think that's grossly unfair to the likes of JON! >

 

[Azza]

I agree with that, it can vary from country to country , ive travelled a bit and while I think there is racism everywhere ,

I think NZ is probably a little bit unique with the relationship between maori and pakeha ( white)

Not as unique as all that KT. I used to be mates with an expat Cook Islander and a white South African. There was always plenty of 'racial abuse' flying around. The SA bloke often called the Cook Islander kaffir, and cop it back just as much.

 

[WesternTiger]

Come on Western. Lists of slang and slurs? Surely you can see they're open to individual interpretation? What difference does it make if they're written down in a book?

Standard dictionaries of grammar, physics, chemistry, etc, etc, are difinitive, worldwide accepted definitions.

This is why this whole race/racism/discrimination issue is never going to go away - ever. What's considered a slur by one, is water off a duck's back to another. There is nothing definitive about it.

And slang varies worldwide. What might be considered slang in Oz, may not be here in the UK.

Of course it is. My intent on posting the "definition" re. ape as a racial slur was because a number of people posted that they didn't know it was a racial slur (find that hard to believe) or were adamant it wasn't a racial slur. Fact is it it is a racial slur when directed to a black person. Doesn't matter whether the 13 year old knew that or not. Goodes found it offensive and so would I if I was black.