To think that 'black man's time' is a derogatory term?

[ptangyangkipperbang]

I was listening to the radio yesterday and someone from JLS was being interviewed. There was a comment about him being late for something and the DJ said, "what are you on - black man's time?"
I was really shocked (as was teenage DS) and I emailed the programme controller.
I've received a reply saying he agrees if I'd tuned in half way through the programme I might have taken it out of context but "In no way was the term derogatory and the interview was very cheerful, positive and upbeat".

Am I guilty of being too PC?

[BadgersBottom]

Yes you are

[TheLightPassenger]

I've never heard that expression before, but yanbu.

[LauriesFairyonthetreeeatsCake]

No, I think that sounds incredibly racist to me and seems to tap into that racist stereotype of 'lazy' black people.

[BadgersBottom]

I'd never heard it before until the concept was explained to me by a Ghanaian colleague who later become a very close friend.

[IslaValargeone]

I would probably be inclined to think of it as a harmless colloquialism like Cornish time, everything being 'dreckley'
Quite prepared to be told otherwise however, but I don't tend to jump to the conclusion that everything is racist or derogatory.

[BadgersBottom]

It's got frig all to do with 'lazy' Laurie

[Purple2012]

I've never heard the expression, but agree that now a days people should not use expressions like that.

[ArthurandGeorge]

What is it supposed to mean?

[ptangyangkipperbang]

Isla - I too rarely jump to the conclusion that something's racist or derogatory but this term just seemed 'wrong' but I do stand to be corrected, which is why I posted.

[InNeedOfBrandy]

Tbh it is a very common joke between black people. I wouldn't of found it offensive in fact whenever I'm late to drop dd off at her dads I get "kmt your not supposed to be on black peoples time" said in a joke way.

[Rumplestiltskine]

I would assume the DJ was black himself, as I've only ever heard black people use that phrase.

[roundtable]

Yanbu - when are people going to stop attributing qualities to 'black people' as though they are a race?

[JaquelineHyde]

It is a term I have heard used in black company as an in joke.

However, it is a ridiculous thing to say in an interview on the radio as large section s of the audience are not going to be in on the in joke and will quite easily take it the wrong way.

[mamij]

Not sure. Our Australian and Brazilian friends are always late and we tease them that being chilled out and laid back is in their blood! Although we all know not all of them are!

[InNeedOfBrandy]

Please don't ever turn into 1xtra OP I would hate for the banter to have to be curbed because of people like you.

[IslaValargeone]

I wasn't having a go patangyang
I may well be guilty of being too laid back regarding that kind of expression?

[missymoomoomee]

If the person he said it to wasn't offended I think its a bit much to get offended on his behalf. If you tuned in half way through how do you know it wasn't a joke about a previous comment?

[FellatioNelson]

What does the phrase actually mean, can someone explain please. I have never heard it before.

[TheCountessOlenska]

I've heard my friends say "Indian time" between each other (they are of Indian descent) - I take it to mean that punctuality is not seen in the same way as in English culture, like they are more relaxed about what time to turn up etc?? I too would assume the DJ was black and it was an "in" joke

[InNeedOfBrandy]

It means late and in their own time fellatio by a hour at least