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?

[Corygal]

I have heard it used with pride - ie from party guests who wouldn't be try-hard enough to come to a christening for the lunch, but would make an entrance at 5pm explaining they were on Caribbean time.

In that context, it was meant to be a joke reproach to anyone shamefully scuttling in for the canapes at 12:30 and not showing proper party spirit.

[stopcallingmefrank]

I don't think it is derogatory. I come from another culture where punctuality is not valued in the same way it is in English culture. That's all it refers to. It's a shorthand way of describing that cultural difference. You might say you are on BMT instead of GMT.

[shellyf]

Never heard the phrase before.

[TantrumsAndBalloons]

My DH and his family use that expression all the time.

Mind you, they do run to a different time scale than most people.

I'll be there in a minute could mean up to an hour.

Christmas dinner last year, they were supposed to be at ours by 4. They arrived at 7pm. We had planned dinner for 8pm for that very reason.
You have to tell them a time 2 hours before they actually get there.

I think it was a bit over the top to cplain to the radio station.

And please steer clear of 1xtra and choice fm if things like that offend you.

[AlmostAHipster]

The only time I've ever heard anything similar was when a black colleague of mine said he'd be late handing in a report as he as on CPT - 'coloured people's time'.

I think it's easy for a white person to feel uncomfortable with the phrase but I personally wouldn't get twisty knickered about it in the context the OP has outlined.

[MmeLindor]

I don't know. Going by the fact that a few black people (or those with black friends who've used this expression) have said it is a common expression, I'd say it is ok.

My FIL is German and we talk of Siegfried Time, meaning punctual to the point of being 10 mins early for everything.

[MmeLindor]

I don't however find it was silly or unreasonable for the OP to complain to the radio station - she didn't know the term was used regularly.

Next time ask on MN first, OP

[Iggly]

If this was on the today show on radio 4 then YANBU

But I bet it wasn't.

[abbierhodes]

I'm English from an Irish family. When we have family visiting from Ireland we have 'Irish time'. It's not so much about being late- more about running to a later timetable iyswim. So you'd arrive too the pub at about 10pm, but stay till the early hours. Or meet for lunch at 2.30, eating about 3. They just don't seem too keep the same hours as us! Obviously, this may just be my family, not all Irish people.


I don't think it's offensive OP, but do you know what...if you heard it as a derogatory term, aimed at a whole race of people, then you're absolutely right to question it. The 'PC gorn mad' brigade should leave you alone. You only asked a question.

[HanSolo]

i have only heard it as Nigerian Time and Indian Time (from Nigerian, and Indian friends) though whilst Indian time is only 1 hour behind, Nigerian seems to be anything from 2 to 6 hours behind!!!

I run to Siegfried time myself [clicks heels]

[oohlaalaa]

I've only ever heard black people use the BMT time phrase. As I've never heard it said by a white person it's never seemed offensive.

[InNeedOfBrandy]

MrsD to be fair the OP did ask if she was being to PC and brought PC up in the first place.

[HolyBrrrrrrBatman]

I think this is why there is a lot of 'accidental' racism.

This really sounds like it should be offensive. If i heard it I would also think it was racist. I'm happy to be told I'm wrong by people who know more about it than I do. I don't think I need to be told I'm 'one of those people', prof offended etc. There are other phrases that sound fairly harmless, but then when someone uses it because they don't know that it's offensive they are jumped on as a small minded, racist and hounded off mumsnet.

Can't win really.

[Aboutlastnight]

Mumsnet is so contradictory about stuff like this.

I think that phrase is racist. I am shocked it was used on the radio - it implies that black people are always late or lazy.

Yet people say it's not racist...I'm confused.

[Aboutlastnight]

As a white woman, could I use this term on mumsnet?

[InNeedOfBrandy]

I suppose it all depends on the context it's used and the tones of voices.

A look can be racist in the right setting, Iv'e had enough dumb white girl having black babies comments and looks from white and black people to know that. A joke between people I don't see as racist any more people saying it about irish time or french time or old peoples time yadayada. We all know there are people that love to be offended I'll save my offense about racism to terrible comments published in the daily mail like only stupid fat white women go out with lazy work shy uneducated black men.

[giveitago]

Never heard this before. Have indian background and don't remember anyone say this. Ever.

Mrsdever - someone spat into a pram????? WTF - that's the most disgusting thing I've ever heard in my life. Horrible. Sick making. What's going on in someone's head that thinks it's OK to take out their weirdo hatred against the world on a baby in a pram . I thought I'd heard it all but this is really something else. I can't say OMG enough.

[drjohnsonscat]

I'm amazed at this. I've never heard the phrase but of course it's not on. If a black person uses it about themselves within a culture then that's different but obviously if I (white) used it it would be offensive. So it matters that it was broadcast - the context was missing. Let's put it this way: if I used it at work about a black employee's timekeeping it would be a certain (and fair) discrimination case.

Very odd to question the OP's reaction I think. It would shock me to hear it in a broadcast context whereas if I heard a group of black friends talking among themselves it wouldn't.

[drjohnsonscat]

Agree MN is contradictory. There was a massive bun fight about 'having a paddy' meaning having a meltdown which was almost universally viewed as racist although it probably comes from the welsh word for tantrum iirc.

[AlmostAHipster]

I didn't accuse the OP of getting her knickers in a twist. I just said that I wouldn't in the same circumstances.

Sorry if I've used a childish phrase - I was trying to be nice but obviously I was patronising the OP by not using big words that she might not understand

Uh huh.