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AIBU?

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Original poster

Policing emoji colour

37 replies

BelleMarionette · 08/06/2023 14:42

Aibu to think what colour emojis someone uses doesn't matter?

My friend, who is mixed race, had his emojis default to a black skin tone. He used this (the thumbs up), but was then told off by a colleague as he wasn't 'dark enough' to use this, by a black colleague. He thought it was ok, as he wasn't being disrespectful, and his background is not white either.

I have known people who are white use black emojis too, maybe as a sign of solidarity.

Personally, I couldn't care less what colour people choose to use. Or do you think people need to match their emojis to their skin tone precisely?

OP posts:
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FussyPud · 09/06/2023 09:04

I use the yellow ones because I am 83% pollen at this moment in time. 🌼

Original poster
BelleMarionette · 09/06/2023 08:45

FixItUpChappie · 09/06/2023 01:36

I hope we come to a point in our culture where we don't have to talk about identity over even the most minor inconsequential thing ad nauseam.

This would be great.

OP posts:
Iwantmyoldnameback · 09/06/2023 07:50

I use yellow because I identify as a Simpson. All of them on different days.

FixItUpChappie · 09/06/2023 01:36

I hope we come to a point in our culture where we don't have to talk about identity over even the most minor inconsequential thing ad nauseam.

Remaker · 09/06/2023 01:35

My (very white) SIL uses black emojis but I think it’s because she’s American living in the Midwest and wants everyone to know she’s not racist. It is a bit odd to me but I wouldn’t tell her to stop.

DeeCeeCherry · 09/06/2023 01:30

I saw a Black pig flying across the sky today.

ItsBritneyBitchhhh · 08/06/2023 23:07

I have a white friend who always uses black emojis when speaking to me. But them on Facebook I’ll see her use a white emoji which means that it’s properly her default one. It makes absolutely no sense to me😂

Why are you using a black emoji and you’re white? It’s like me sending a white emoji when I’m black, doesn’t really make any sense to be. However I’m not the emoji police and don’t ever say anything because it’s not the end of the world. Just a bit strange!

Grazedpad · 08/06/2023 22:58

kingtamponthefurred · 08/06/2023 17:11

Good God, do people actually use emojis at work?

Where have you been hiding?

Setting · 08/06/2023 22:57

I’ve decided to leave mine as yellow to avoid this issue.

libraryquery · 08/06/2023 22:55

I have to say that I do find it a bit odd that several of my white friends routinely use black / Asian emojis. I thought the point of these particular emojis was to represent yourself. Or if you don't want to assign a skin tone, use the default yellow one.

Original poster
BelleMarionette · 08/06/2023 19:42

kingtamponthefurred · 08/06/2023 17:11

Good God, do people actually use emojis at work?

In a work WhatsApp group, it's pretty common nowadays.

OP posts:
GulesMeansRed · 08/06/2023 17:22

I use the yellow ones. I am not suffering from jaundice.

Beezknees · 08/06/2023 17:21

CurlewKate · 08/06/2023 17:20

Personally, I think the majority ought to be careful about using things specifically designed to promote equality. So while people certainly shouldn't use black emojis to signify themselves. Not going to go into the "mixed race person/black person" interaction because I have suspicions about it.

Spot on.

CurlewKate · 08/06/2023 17:20

Personally, I think the majority ought to be careful about using things specifically designed to promote equality. So while people certainly shouldn't use black emojis to signify themselves. Not going to go into the "mixed race person/black person" interaction because I have suspicions about it.

Theraffarian · 08/06/2023 17:11

I’m another one in the yellow camp as I have never bothered to search through for emojis that match my skin colour and just picked what came first . Some people have too much time spare if they are policing if the exact colour match is being used .

kingtamponthefurred · 08/06/2023 17:11

Good God, do people actually use emojis at work?

Ongawd · 08/06/2023 17:09

I'm glad you aren't taking this too seriously. Some people seem too keen to take offence.

You mean just as you've taken offence to what someone said to 'your friend', enough to post about your disagreement with it on mn.

Dacadactyl · 08/06/2023 16:51

My emojis are yellow. Some people have far too much time on their hands if theyre getting het up over it.

volcanoroll · 08/06/2023 16:48

I would be going to HR if that happened to me. I don't think it's on to tell someone how to identify

CurlewKate · 08/06/2023 16:45

I absolutely think white people shouldn't use them unless they are intended to represent a black person. I am very surprised that a black person would suggest another black person wasn't black enough to use them. Are you sure that's what happened?

strawberryicecream6464 · 08/06/2023 16:37

🧟‍♀️

Original poster
BelleMarionette · 08/06/2023 16:33

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 08/06/2023 15:29

I use white in winter and brown in summer.

Wish there was a red for when I forget sunscreen.

😂

I'm glad you aren't taking this too seriously. Some people seem too keen to take offence.

OP posts:
Greenflamesburn · 08/06/2023 15:49

@brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr 😹

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 08/06/2023 15:29

I use white in winter and brown in summer.

Wish there was a red for when I forget sunscreen.

Beezknees · 08/06/2023 15:20

WiddlinDiddlin · 08/06/2023 14:55

I use yellow ones, there isn't a 'pale white with a hint of blue' that represents my actual skintone.

I do not care what colour other people use in an attempt to find one that represents them. Zero shits given.

I do try not to use gifs featuring black people in derogatory ways, but it depends what im trying to express really, I may be referring to something with a specific actor/actress so would use a gif of them, regardless of skin colour.

There are white emojis 👩🏻 I'm super pale and this is the palest one

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