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Original poster

to tell son NOT to post memes of black people

241 replies

mazxim · 17/08/2024 13:34

Please help me . Huge row with 11 year old.

His friend posted a meme of a black person with "bombastic side eye".

He wants to repost it to some silly comment.

I said it is wrong and not the right thing to do even if the person "bombastic side eye" posted it himself on tin tok.

Please give me your thoughts.

OP posts:
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Danglers · 17/08/2024 15:52

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ButWhatAboutTheBees · 17/08/2024 15:52

I can understand that continually using "Sassy black woman" gifs in a presentation comes across as offensive. It's mocking a stereotype continually and lacks diversity

But just using a gif of a black person doing something which isn't a stereotype or "part of the black culture" but could have been a white person, Asian person, dog, cat or monkey then still no one can say how it's racist.

InkyPinkyPonky24 · 17/08/2024 15:52

Zow · 17/08/2024 15:49

THIS one is one of my faves to show 'ha ha very funny - NOT!' kind of sarcasm!

😂 I love this one

powershowerforanhour · 17/08/2024 15:51

The most famous side eye of all is probably "Disaster Girl" (the young girl with the burning building in the background).

Zow · 17/08/2024 15:49

THIS one is one of my faves to show 'ha ha very funny - NOT!' kind of sarcasm!

Kanye West Laughing GIF
PinkyFlamingo · 17/08/2024 15:48

And still nooone has explained why they think this meme is racist.

Zow · 17/08/2024 15:48

MSLRT · 17/08/2024 15:47

And white people?

Show quote history

Yeah @Overtheatlantic Should we take all the gifs/memes down that feature white people too? Confused

23Shadows · 17/08/2024 15:47

I sometimes end up baffled by threads like this. Like many others, I don't understand why using that meme would necessarily be racist (context depending, obvs). Attempts to clarify why its racist are met with silence or "educate yourself". So I leave the thread none the wiser.

MSLRT · 17/08/2024 15:47

Overtheatlantic · 17/08/2024 13:37

It’s racist. Black people don’t exist for the amusement of others.

And white people?

Danglers · 17/08/2024 15:46

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Hadjab · 17/08/2024 15:46

soupfiend · 17/08/2024 13:45

Jesus, dont tell cats there are memes about them, they'll have us!!!

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They are plotting our demise as I type…

SpicyMoth · 17/08/2024 15:45

I'm sorry but I think it's more racist to avoid using a meme simply because a black person is in it to be completely honest...

I don't really get your logic OP - I'm confused.
PoC are allowed to make memes, be funny, etc too without being "There for our amusement" whatever that means...?

Pick your battles, a side eye meme is very obviously not inherently racist nor intended as such.
Is this .gif also racist, or? o.o

Question Mark What GIF by MOODMAN
Haffiana · 17/08/2024 15:45

Overtheatlantic · 17/08/2024 13:37

It’s racist. Black people don’t exist for the amusement of others.

CANCEL all black comedians NOW!

The Offense Tourist has decreed it...

Zow · 17/08/2024 15:44

YABVU @mazxim and a bit dramatic.

THIS is one of my fave gifs. First one that comes up for me when I search for 'annoyed woman.'

Go Away Do Not Want GIF
TwigletsAndRadishes · 17/08/2024 15:42

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 17/08/2024 15:37

I'm assuming you son isn't white, though you haven't clarified

So would you allow him to post, say, this gif?

"White people" Gifs are almost always taking the piss. White people dancing for example.

So would he be allowed to post that?

Genuine question

Yes white people are always portrayed as uncool, uptight, stiff and starchy, terrible dancers with no rhythm, not sexy. A bit of a joke in general, really.

ComealongMartha · 17/08/2024 15:38

Honestly you Brits are literally violently racist

Of course we are @GreyTS ! None of us brits are black either!

@mazxim I think that this issue (of yours) proves that your ds isn’t ready for social media.

TwigletsAndRadishes · 17/08/2024 15:38

Overtheatlantic · 17/08/2024 13:37

It’s racist. Black people don’t exist for the amusement of others.

I've never heard of 'Bombastic side eye' or seen any memes that feature it.

I've just googled it and I can see what it means, but not how it's racist. In fact the first link to feature in the returns showed a white person giving the side eye, but there are loads of examples of black, white and Asian people doing it.

I can't find any reference to it being a racist trope, or any suggestion that it fits some sort of racial stereotype. Can you explain please?

Danglers · 17/08/2024 15:38

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ButWhatAboutTheBees · 17/08/2024 15:37

I'm assuming you son isn't white, though you haven't clarified

So would you allow him to post, say, this gif?

"White people" Gifs are almost always taking the piss. White people dancing for example.

So would he be allowed to post that?

Genuine question

White Man Dancing GIF
InkyPinkyPonky24 · 17/08/2024 15:35

The meaning of racism seems to have been completely lost if there are people who think this meme is racist.

Bromptotoo · 17/08/2024 15:33

Flossietheflosser · 17/08/2024 15:04

I’ve noticed that memes that are used to convey emotion disproportionally involve laughing at exaggerated displays of black people. I sat in a business update at work where the speaker used meme after meme of ‘sassy black women stereotypes’ to convey humour in his presentation. I’ m black and found it racist. I was the only black person in the room.

Edited

That has all the characteristics of cultural appropriation and should absolutely be called for it.

I think the side eye thing is universal across races.

Danglers · 17/08/2024 15:29

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zmq3Zm96uijcs2c · 17/08/2024 15:28

Assuming your son is not black, it sounds like he would be engaging in “digital blackface” and I certainly wouldn’t be comfortable with that.

StaunchMomma · 17/08/2024 15:27

There are a few bombastic side eye memes, some with white people.

I think you're over reacting, in honesty. These memes are not based on race.

thebestinterest · 17/08/2024 15:26

OP, sounds like you need a sit down talk with him. Do some homework on digital black face so that you are better prepared for that conversation. Here’s a good starting point: https://gomixte.com/blog/culturally-responsible-gifing/

Unlearning Digital Blackface with Culturally-Responsible GIFing

GIFs are just one way that we communicate in today’s digital age. However, it has led to the concept of digital blackface.

https://gomixte.com/blog/culturally-responsible-gifing

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