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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

110 replies

ptangyangkipperbang · 17/11/2012 16:56

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?

OP posts:
BadgersBottom · 17/11/2012 16:58

Yes you are

TheLightPassenger · 17/11/2012 16:58

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

LauriesFairyonthetreeeatsCake · 17/11/2012 16:59

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

BadgersBottom · 17/11/2012 16:59

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

LindyHemming · 17/11/2012 17:00

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IslaValargeone · 17/11/2012 17:00

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 · 17/11/2012 17:00

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

Purple2012 · 17/11/2012 17:01

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

ArthurandGeorge · 17/11/2012 17:01

What is it supposed to mean?

ptangyangkipperbang · 17/11/2012 17:02

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.

OP posts:
InNeedOfBrandy · 17/11/2012 17:03

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 · 17/11/2012 17:03

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

TwitchyTail · 17/11/2012 17:03

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TwitchyTail · 17/11/2012 17:03

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roundtable · 17/11/2012 17:04

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

Kethryveris · 17/11/2012 17:04

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kethryveris · 17/11/2012 17:05

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JaquelineHyde · 17/11/2012 17:05

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 · 17/11/2012 17:06

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 · 17/11/2012 17:07

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 · 17/11/2012 17:07

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

missymoomoomee · 17/11/2012 17:07

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 · 17/11/2012 17:08

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

TheCountessOlenska · 17/11/2012 17:09

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 · 17/11/2012 17:09

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

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