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AIBU?

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Original poster

Another - huh is this racist???

142 replies

Evelight · 13/04/2017 13:30

Said by 60 yr old white male school staff to 14 yr old white upper mc boy:

"Take your hoodie down, it's against the dress code - you'll grow up to become a rapper".

???!!!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
NashvilleQueen · 13/04/2017 14:50

Not remotely racist.

cardibach · 13/04/2017 14:52

quencher what the fuck does this mean: corrupt young white children to behave black ?
I would have thought anyone who a)believed there was such a thing as 'behaving black' and b) felt it was a corrupt thing to be wouldn't be using coded racism at all! They'd be out on a march clearly displaying overt racism.

cardibach · 13/04/2017 14:53

Regarding the OP, I'd say it was possible classist - suggesting that being a rapper was not something to aspire to. Also clearly wrong...

squishysquirmy · 13/04/2017 15:02

Nah, not racist.
Not unless you're leaving out a whole load of other context.
Or unless a McBoy is some kind of anti Scottish slur.

GinAndTunic · 13/04/2017 15:03

Not racist.

CoolCarrie · 13/04/2017 15:05

It it the fact that he is wearing a hoodie against the uniform code, or the fact that he had got the hood up? Either way it's the kind of comment I am sure I've heard in a tv sitcom

quencher · 13/04/2017 15:16

The word above is not meant to be beloved, "believed" or Cameron ffs not Cameroon. Or the others that need correcting. I don't have the concentration to spell right now.

what the fuck does this mean: corrupt young white children to behave black* ?
I would have thought anyone who a)believed there was such a thing as 'behaving black' and b) felt it was a corrupt thing to be wouldn't be using coded racism at all! They'd be out on a march clearly displaying overt racism.* It might have been a throw way comment but it does have meaning. Wether it was done intentionally or not. Probably they saw the funny side of it too.
Why would they be openly racist when it could easily lead them into trouble?

Urban legend, urban myth, Urban outfitters, urban sprawl, urban decay. Not code for black. No racism here. So, is the word black. Blackhole, blackberries, blackbird, blackmail, blackouts, I could continue. Your point is?

Scabetty · 13/04/2017 15:31

My point is you are talking out of your hole.

Livelovebehappy · 13/04/2017 15:38

Not racist at all. And anyone who remotely thinks it is, is clearly looking for issues that don't exist.

quencher · 13/04/2017 15:40

My point is you are talking out of your hole. I agree! Which one? I might want to shut it.

Mulberry72 · 13/04/2017 15:46

Not racist at all!

RitzyMcFee · 13/04/2017 15:49

In the TV programme 'Black-ish', the Dad is head of the 'Urban department' of an advertising agency. Making adverts that appeal to the black market.

LottieDoubtie · 13/04/2017 15:49

It could easily have happened in the school I work in. I work with a teacher who has almost certainly used that line on pupils. He's not a racist.

LadyPW · 13/04/2017 16:13

I agree about the word urban being used to describe all things black
Well actually it comes from the Latin word Urbs which means city. No trace of blackness there. And it's seen as the opposite of rural - so no black element there either. As Scabetty says, it's used for a whole range of situations involving towns and cities (back to the Latin again). So if some of you are seeing racist undertones maybe you're the ones with racist attitudes because the rest of us just see it as being the same as its always been....
And I wear a hoodie - it's cosy. I don't rap but I sometimes listen to Eminem - the WHITE rapper......
Why do people have to look for racism where there isn't any?

GinIsIn · 13/04/2017 16:17

In the TV programme 'Black-ish', the Dad is head of the 'Urban department' of an advertising agency. Making adverts that appeal to the black market.

Right. My friend is Head of Urban Development. They design roundabouts.... Hmm

Original poster
Evelight · 13/04/2017 16:39

"Why do people have to look for racism where there isn't any?"

I don't know- why do they? Must be just bored or got nowt to do or summat.

FWIW, I don't think it was racist- and I don't know which of my words the racist police upthread was twisting to accuse me of "you're the racist one! you think it's racist!" (So what if I do? Are you going to revoke my member of human society card now?). I was interested in the discussion as reported to me by my DD(14), who witnessed the exchange- apparently it had sparked off a bit of discussion among the kids themselves about whether Mr. X was racist or simply lame and clueless.

OTOH, to keep saying M&M! as a way to say rapping is NOT closely associated with being black is simply being disingenuous.

The other thing is that honestly, I feel that unless someone is actually an openly card-carrying member of the Ku Klux Klan, people go to extraordinary lengths to call "no racism!- when at least the issue is up for discussion- as proven both here and in the classroom.

It's not black and white- I don't think Mr. X is an open racist, KKK member, and I'm sure if asked he would genuinely believe in racial equality but OTOH, I do think his remark comes from a long, deeply embedded line of racist assumptions about music, and class - for that matter.

OP posts:
Scabetty · 13/04/2017 16:45

Evelight, go have a discussion with him and see what he says. Of course teenagers are going to shout foul whenever they can; doesn't make them right and you as an adult need to see all sides. What he said, in isolation, is not racist. However, if there is back history to these comments then perhaps he is. I am very aware that racism exists but your example was lame imho.

kathkim · 13/04/2017 16:50

It's not black and white

Grin
PigletWasPoohsFriend · 13/04/2017 16:51

Not racist at all. And anyone who remotely thinks it is, is clearly looking for issues that don't exist.

This

I do think his remark comes from a long, deeply embedded line of racist assumptions about music, and class - for that matter.

Wow you know all that from one comment.

ComedyBoobs · 13/04/2017 16:53

WTF are you on about, op?
I'm black, don't rap, don't wear a hoodie
The only people I know who wear hoodies are white teenagers.
How can what was said be considered racist? Unless it is YOU who assumes rappers+ hoodies = black person.

Original poster
Evelight · 13/04/2017 16:54

"Wow you know all that from one comment".

Absolutely. All our social interactions are infused with cultural beliefs and values. For example, that comment showed a close association between wearing a hoodie, and becoming a rapper. Where do you think this association came from, if not a broader cultural context about music, clothes, and yes, race and class? Why didn't he say "if you wear a hoodie, you'll become an opera singer?"

OP posts:
Original poster
Evelight · 13/04/2017 16:55

Even though there probably are individual opera singers who wear hoodies!!!

OP posts:
KidLorneRoll · 13/04/2017 17:00

Not even remotely racist.

In fact, I'd suggest the fact that the OP thinks it's racist because all rappers are black is a bit, well, racist.

Scabetty · 13/04/2017 17:03

But rapper does not equal black. Clothes and music are closely linked but not skin colour.

ComedyBoobs · 13/04/2017 17:03

You said the comments were directed towards someone who is uppermiddle class. don't know any teenagers who describe people in terms of class.