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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get really pissed off that a lot of people seem to think it's acceptable to be racist towards Chinese people?

195 replies

xiaozhu · 25/03/2015 17:29

'They all look the same'

'Sum ting wong?'

'I'll have a number 28 please'

'Oh but they eat dogs and cats and small children, and are therefore scum'

Just a few of the comments I've seen on 'news' articles published by a certain 'newspaper'. I mean, I know Daily Mail readers are not known for their intelligence and tolerance, but AIBU to think that similar comments about other races would not be tolerated, or would at least be regarded as much more serious? Not just referring to the DM morons, it seems to be 'OK' to make ignorant sweeping statements about the Chinese in supposedly more educated circles, too.

The same probably applies to other east Asian races too, but I notice it more with the Chinese.

OP posts:
seriouslypeedoff · 26/03/2015 07:25

I am really shocked by the experiences of some people on here and that some people think 'chinky' is ok. Ds best friend is Chinese. I have known his mum since before the kids were born. She has never mentioned anything, nor has anything happened when I am with her. Maybe its just that she doesn't like to make a big deal out of it. It is a big deal, obviously, but maybe it isn't something she feels comfortable talking about. I would be horrified if my ds told me someone had said something racist to his friend. The same as I would if it was any race. I honestly had no idea it was this bad. This makes me quite sad.

Chippednailvarnish · 26/03/2015 07:26

What Alice said ^

seriouslypeedoff · 26/03/2015 07:30

That said, I am Irish. In the last week its been assumed that I would struggle with a low carb diet 'because you like potatoes alot, don't you' and was emailed a fancy dress leprechaun outfit as a suggestion for a bridesmaid dress for a wedding back home. 2 weeks ago someone nicked name me 'bomber' because my family are from Derry, NI. Can't decide if it makes me angry or sad. It seems there are alot of people who think its ok to make fun of certain groups. I just feel bad I didn't realise how bad it was for the Chinese community.

Plarail123 · 26/03/2015 07:34

Racism is awful, I live in Asia and I get ridiculed, fat shamed (yes, really), told I don't know how to parent etc. regularly. In public. Not to mention how those with darker skin than mine are treated here, doesn't matter if you are Thai, Philipino, Indian, Pakistani etc. you are considered to be sub human, literally. And don't even go there if you are dual heritage. Just saying.

ThreeMoreDaysTillFriday · 26/03/2015 07:58

Christ I can't believe what I'm reading. Chinky is ok because it refers to food?! Confused Um no it's definitely not. However you care to dress it up it is racist.

My first experience of witnessing racial abuse was when I was on a bus with my boyfriend who was Chinese Canadian and his brother.

His brother got very angry and almost physical with the pathetic idiots who were hurling the racial slurs and my boyfriend was extremely upset about. I personally would have gladly kicked them in the knackers. I was so angry.

Anyone who feels the need to defend the use of the word chinky is at best a bit stupid and worst a racist. Plain and simple!

ThreeMoreDaysTillFriday · 26/03/2015 08:00

Just to clarify he's still Chinese Canadian but hasn't been my boyfriend since I was 16 Grin he didn't suddenly change his nationality!

popalot · 26/03/2015 08:20

Totally wrong and also a complete misconception of Chinese culture. But, the DM is a slightly xenophobic paper that basically likes white midddle class men only. Look at what they say about women, banging on at how we should look and what we should do at work. And immigration.

ByTheWishingWell · 26/03/2015 08:20

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Koalafications · 26/03/2015 08:45

Captain thanks for that link, I think it's a perfect example of accepted casual racism. That man was so sweet to them even in the face of such foul behaviour. It makes me really angry and sad at the same time.

Christinayangstwistedsister · 26/03/2015 08:56

Who the hell in this day and age thinks chinky is okay???

Its derogatory, racist and any language used in that manner perpetuates stereotypes and oppression

I have worked in social care training for years and we do lost of anti discriminatory practice training...it is one of the words we need to include as part of our discussion

JohnFarleysRuskin · 26/03/2015 09:00

My God, that link is outrageous! I can't believe this is now. It was like being back in the 1970's all over again. Horrible.

Christinayangstwistedsister · 26/03/2015 09:07

john

I know, w think we have moved on so much and this appears

Notrevealingmyidentity · 26/03/2015 09:16

I didn't know chinky was racist til a few years ago. It's used a lot by the sort of people I encountered back home.

I had a Chinese American (as in fully chinese born in America) housemate who mentioned it in passing. Thank god I'd never actually used it in front of her.

She did once tell me I looked so tired my eyes looked like hers ! Didn't quite know how to take that tbh.

I also didn't know coloured was racist til around the same time. My mum still insists on using it Hmm.

Notrevealingmyidentity · 26/03/2015 09:17

Chinese - my auto correct doesn't capitalise chinese but does American ....but it does underline chinese as possibly incorrect. Anyone else's ?

Koalafications · 26/03/2015 09:23

Notrevealing mine auto-capitalises Chinese

Notrevealingmyidentity · 26/03/2015 09:25

Are you on a apple device ?

derxa · 26/03/2015 09:27

Just looked at the Dutch talent show video. Absolutely disgusting- I am genuinely shocked. There is an old Christmas tradition in Holland called
Black Pete where people black up their faces.

I don't think there is any room for even the 'mildest' of racism e.g. saying I'm going out for a 'chinky'

Micah · 26/03/2015 09:33

I've never associated "nip in the air" or 2.30 as racist? Nip in the air is common use in yorkshire where I grew up, as in "aye it's a bit nippy today" (usually when there's 3ft of snow!). the dentist thing, 2.30 sounds like tooth hurty in a broad yorks accent too, it was a common joke with no chinese or race associations, simply that 2.30 sounds like tooth hurty, geddit?

I have to jump on DH occasionally- he grew up in south london working on building sites where "site humour" and banter is very close to the bone sometimes. Although my mum is far far worse, at least DH pokes fun at the stereotypes, my mum is a northern DM reader and some of the things she comes out with, as she actually believes the stereotypes.

queensansastark · 26/03/2015 09:36

I'm Chinese, grown up in the UK....very white middle class areas and schools, than uni and professional job. I wasn't part of any Chinese community though. I always felt an outsider amongst the Chinese cliques at uni, also a bit of an outsider in general. Can't say I'll experience much overt racism though, I'd say even less than all the jokes directed at the welsh ir Scottish...more subtle , covert racism and snobbery, especially more so since becoming a parent based on my school gate experience. Maybe there has been racism but I have just been bless fully oblivious.

MamaLazarou · 26/03/2015 09:46

YANBU. I have a friend who thinks it's perfectly acceptable to refer to a Chinese takeaway as a 'Chinky'. All her other friends seem to think it's hilarious. Not OK, in my book.

Doodlekitty · 26/03/2015 09:48

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queensansastark · 26/03/2015 09:50

It seems recently acceptable to say chinky instead of a Chinese (for take always), none of my circle of friends say it....not to my face anyway...it could be a generational thing?!

MamaLazarou · 26/03/2015 09:54

I don't think ignorance is an excuse. I have informed my friend that 'Chinky' is a racial slur, we have rowed about it and she still uses it.

I was brought up in a horribly racist household - we said 'Paki shop', 'Nig-nog', etc but as soon as I was old enough to think for myself, it didn't take me long to realise that this language is not OK.

Twuntosaur · 26/03/2015 09:54

DH is Japanese and gets "chink" shouted at him on a regular basis. Angry

We live in a town that has a huge East Asian population and it still happens. The ones shouting it are college/school kids, and it really hurts him. I was shocked, I mean these are teenagers in a very mixed town ffs. It makes him feel homesick, judged, ostracized and he just comes home telling me he hates this country and wants to go home. (Then I get to put up with the resulting bad moods. Thanks, racist fuckwits! Angry )

Oh and the icing on the cake - DS1 has come home from school upset as 2 girls in his class (year 1 so 5/6 years old) have been pulling their eyes up in front of him and joking about his eye shape. Great Sad The teachers have been fantastic in dealing with it luckily, but it is horrible for him.

Doodlekitty · 26/03/2015 10:02

"MamaLazarou

I don't think ignorance is an excuse"

As i stated. ..twice. But i do think in cases like my own it can be a reason. There are many different words to describe someone from England which are acceptable and not offensive. Without being told a term is racist how arepeople supposed to know?
Different matter if the continue to use it once informed.

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