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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this is a wee bit racist?

106 replies

DaysAreWhereWeLive · 12/05/2015 16:02

I've just been on Twitter to see that Chuka Ummuna is trending because he has thrown his hat into the ring for the Labour leadership contest.

The first two tweets called him 'the next Barrack Obama' (presumably because he's black) and 'the Fresh Prince'. (er, same)

Is it all just a bit cringy and wrong? Essentially they were pointing out nothing about his politics, his experience or his chances at leadership. Just the fact that he is black. Anybody else think the same?

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 12/05/2015 16:09

Fresh Prince is a bit odd but the Barack Obama comparison is perfectly valid as he would be the first black leader of a main political party with the potential to be the UKs first black PM

BarbarianMum · 12/05/2015 16:10

If he were elected it would be the first time a UK party leader was black (I think) so I could forgive the comparison with Barak Obama. Fresh Prince???

BarbarianMum · 12/05/2015 16:11

Barack...

WhetherOrNot · 12/05/2015 16:11

Nope, not racist.

badtime · 12/05/2015 16:12

Prince as in leader and fresh as in new?

(Nah, it's definitely racist)

jossiesGiants1 · 12/05/2015 16:13

give it a rest.. do some people just look for a recist element in everything

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 12/05/2015 16:13

Fresh Prince is racist imo - that the only other black role model he can be compared to is Will Smith in a tv programme 20 odd years ago.

Barack Obama - well, he would be the first black party leader in the UK and if he won and election he'd be the first black PM in the UK so I can understand those comparisons.

jossiesGiants1 · 12/05/2015 16:13

Racist*

addstudentdinners2 · 12/05/2015 16:16

Erm, it is pretty racist as the only people they seem to be able to compare him to are both black...

Mixed race here (Like both Obama and Chuka I believe), and it's annoying as fuck when this happens.

Original poster
DaysAreWhereWeLive · 12/05/2015 16:17

Yes, you're right about the Obama comparison.

But, the Fresh Prince. Just seems like they picked a character from a 20 year old sitcom for one reason only.

And thanks Jossie, but I don't think I will give it a rest, what with this being a free public forum and all...

OP posts:
Theycallmemellowjello · 12/05/2015 16:17

Barack Obama - not racist (there has never been a BME leader of a major political party and it's not racist to mention that this would make Umunna a trailblazer in the same way that Obama was. It obviously would be racist for commentators to go on and on about this angle to the exclusion of all his policies though.)
Fresh Prince - racist.

SolomanDaisy · 12/05/2015 16:18

Fresh prince does sound racist, unless it is something he has said in a speech. The comparison with Obama is valid though.

jellybeans · 12/05/2015 16:21

He has done school events with Will Smith and sang The Fresh Prince, could they have been referring to that? Some people on facebook have been outwardly racist saying 'erm no because you are black' and 'Britain isn't ready for a black PM' etc and also 'not with that foreign name'. Ugh! now that is bang out of order. For what it is worth I think he would be good!

addstudentdinners2 · 12/05/2015 16:24

I think the sad truth is that his name would be an issue in this country. I have a non-English name and the grief I get for it is unbelievable. It's basically said how it is spelt (ie, like Chuka's is) and yet people say it wrong (after being told how to say it), spell it wrong and go 'ooooh, that's a mouthful' (it isn't).

It shouldn't be like that, it's disgraceful that it is, but I do think it would be an issue.

Tequilashotsfor1 · 12/05/2015 16:29

The fresh prince one yes

NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 12/05/2015 16:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HoneyDragon · 12/05/2015 16:33

Americans didn't call Hilary Clinton the next Margaret Thatcher. They referred to her as the possible first female President.

NKfell · 12/05/2015 16:36

The Fresh Prince comment sounds dodgy if you don't know but it must be from when he went to that school in Brixton and danced to it?

The Barack one, that's 'alright' since it's to become a potential leader of a predominately white country like Obama...but, it is a shame and that's why it's not great but, it's alright.

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 12/05/2015 16:41

Didn't know he'd done that song!

I just wish some gambling exec would pay him £20K not to run for the leadership....

Original poster
DaysAreWhereWeLive · 12/05/2015 16:43

Yeah I knew he has done that but it still seemed such an easy angle, with both comparisons side by side right in front of me. Perhaps not, though.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 12/05/2015 16:44

Americans didn't call Hilary Clinton the next Margaret Thatcher.

Maybe because Thatcher was over 30 years ago and is dead. Obama still is the U.S. president.

OrangeVase · 12/05/2015 16:48

Not racist.

jellybeans · 12/05/2015 16:54

Why shouldn't he go for it? I think he would be good.

MonstrousRatbag · 12/05/2015 17:01

Fresh Prince because of the sticky-out ears like Will Smith's, perhaps?

And it is reductive, stereotyping and irritating. But then so is Chuka Umunna.