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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this casual racism? Along the lines of ching chong jokes?

614 replies

Cimcardishan · 24/12/2015 22:12

I'm BBC (British born Chinese) and feel that it seems more permissible to be casually racist about Chinese than other racial groups. A few years ago there used to be a Chinese tea advert with a kung fu monk and really bad accent which just felt wrong to me. I don't think that kind of advert would have been made about jerk chicken or naan bread for example.

Someone just posted on my FB jokes with Chinese accent, one liners, eg.Tie my shoe Tai Mai Shu

OK, thats pretty rubbish but it was a long list of them. It wasn't to me personally.

I found it old fashioned and un PC. I feel if someone posted this with Jamaican or Indian accents it would be disapproved of.

Am I being oversensitive?

OP posts:
Egosumquisum · 27/12/2015 16:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WMittens · 27/12/2015 16:40

TaliZorah

The OP asked for opinions,

Opinions are generally only welcome if it's what the recipient wants to hear, it seems.

WMittens · 27/12/2015 16:41

Egosumquisum

The word "tranny". I used to get called that. People still use it. They probably don't know how offensive that can be

I agree. It's 'gearbox', you Yank idiots!

Egosumquisum · 27/12/2015 16:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TaliZorah · 27/12/2015 16:42

Ego

I see your point about that, if someone is using a term in casual conversation without realising its derogatory (retard etc) then yes pull them up on it.

However if someone is making a joke based on accents like the OP said I wouldn't have thought that was harmful, as it's not perpetuating unpleasant ideas about someone (like tranny does for example) and it's clearly a joke so not something that people really think.

I mean, I laugh at jokes about all sorts of things; doesn't mean I find the subject matter funny if the scenario were to occur.

Live and let live

ilovesooty · 27/12/2015 16:45

Thankfully I don't have friends who think casual racism is amusing Tali

It means that I don't have to worry about bringing my company into disrepute via the people I associate with. If you're on Facebook and have friends who think casual racism is amusing I think it might be a good idea to reconsider your position. I'm surprised this hasn't been covered during your studies

TaliZorah · 27/12/2015 16:48

sooty

Are you really that obtuse? Why does it bother you that I don't find friends mocking my heritage offensive?

My son in mixed race. I would go baserk if he were racially insulted. However I would hope he would also have a sense of humour.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 27/12/2015 16:49

Tali I do hope you aren't a teacher. Ego and sooty have explained it so won't repeat it but if you do hear a whooshing sound that's the point missing you entirely.

WMittens · 27/12/2015 16:50

Egosumquisum

Can you explain that?

It's an American abbreviation for transmission on a car or truck, what we in the UK would generally call a gearbox (although transmission could refer to the entire drivetrain from clutch through gearbox, differential and driveshafts).

TaliZorah · 27/12/2015 16:51

Yes, I'm a terrible person because I laugh when my friends make jokes about my parents countries. However do I sleep at night.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 27/12/2015 16:52

However if someone is making a joke based on accents like the OP said I wouldn't have thought that was harmful, as it's not perpetuating unpleasant ideas about someone (like tranny does for example) and it's clearly a joke so not something that people really think.

Really? You don't think "comedy" accents mimicking supposed racial stereotypes are a problem?

Egosumquisum · 27/12/2015 16:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ilovesooty · 27/12/2015 16:54

Lass I believe she's doing a teaching degree. I think she said she was halfway through it so I'd have expected this stuff to have been covered by now.

Egosumquisum · 27/12/2015 16:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TaliZorah · 27/12/2015 17:00

Ego

Where is the line between "affection for that culture" and "cultural superiority" ?

I think that entirely depends on the context of what was said, surely.

And about Irish jokes, I get those less often but I've had both harmless jokes usually regarding being drunk, and actual racism (someone referred to me as IRA scum). They really aren't the same, at least in my opinion. The first one I found funny the second one wasn't funny at all.

Obviously privelige does come into this and that's why I said it's important to know your audience and not say those things where someone may be offended. However sooty is saying its wrong for me to privately laugh with friends at our own heritages Hmm

WMittens · 27/12/2015 17:01

Egosumquisum
And you felt the need to add that comment in response to me talking about "tranny" as an insult

Not the need, just the inclination.

Egosumquisum · 27/12/2015 17:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 27/12/2015 17:06

I'm not easily offended, particularly when humour is the intent

That's the line peddled by racist, homophobic, sexist , disabilst "comedians" like Roy Brown, Jim Davidson and that awful modern variant Frankie something (Scottish bloke with a beard)

It's the "ooh I'm too daring and outrageous for you narrow -minded feminists , queers, trannies etc, so you'd best stay away and let me get on with it" line.

ilovesooty · 27/12/2015 17:06

I always think it must be pretty exhausting to promote values in the workplace and behave differently in private.
Have you really done no equality and diversity training or anything about social media policy?

ghostyslovesheep · 27/12/2015 17:07

Oh dear lord - it's a simple concept

1 - just because YOU don't find something offensive doesn't mean other people don't
2- they are wrong in finding it offensive
3- you need to respect other peoples feelings
4 - you can't just say 'well I'm not offended to fuck you' - that's daft

hope that helps

ghostyslovesheep · 27/12/2015 17:07

NOT wrong!!!!

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 27/12/2015 17:09

And about Irish jokes, I get those less often but I've had both harmless jokes usually regarding being drunk,

You really don't see what the problem is in applying a negative racial stereotype to an entire country?

TaliZorah · 27/12/2015 17:11

Lass Frankie Boyle? Don't personally find him offensive, some jokes do cross the line but different strokes for different folks.

Sooty it's not promoting different values. It's just knowing what's appropriate in different places. Like how the word cunt is acceptable in certain places but you wouldn't use it at work

Yes I have. However I personally don't find "racist" jokes when done with the intent of humour offensive. That's the question that was asked. If you do, fine, tell the OP that you do.

Different people find different things amusing/offensive. That's why knowing your audience is important.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 27/12/2015 17:11

I always think it must be pretty exhausting to promote values in the workplace and behave differently in private

Exactly. And even if you think the workplace values are bollocks it will be far easier to avoid a workplace slippage, and possible sacking, to apply them privately as well. Self- preservation if nothing else.

TaliZorah · 27/12/2015 17:12

lass a joke isn't applying the stereotype to a country in a serious context. I doubt the person who referred to Irish people being "permanently drunk"genuinely believes were all pissed 24/7.