Is this a racist thing to say - (...not by me.....)

[WhatThePuck]

“Generally Mixed race children are the most adorable”

@ElementalHalfLife
Nothing whatsoever wrong with me. Stop being so histrionic. Anyone with half a grain of knowledge knows exoticism is admired.

"generally" its blinking patronising & yes it is racist but - I think though that understanding attitudes & trying to change how people recognise that something is tactless is a slow social process & needs a calm measured reaction to help people learn that it feels offensive - my kids are kids not a label - I refused to fill in those forms on their behalf when they were young which asked what ethnic/racial group they were as I always believed that was my kids decision not mine

Maybe you should consider acquiring at least another half grain then picklepost so you can educate yourself out of the 1950s.

Here, I'll make it easy for you just type, 'why exotic isn't a compliment' into your preferred search engine.

You're welcome.

@ElementalHalfLife
You sound so angry and bitter, quite disturbed in fact.

It's sad.

I'm very comfortable with my beautiful children being admired. I feel sad for the likes of you digging frantically for offence where clearly there is none. What a misery your life must be.

picklepost look up othering or fetishisation. What you are saying is disturbing, not what elemental says.

@Candyflip
Look up professionally offended
#pnlyoumsnet

I think perhaps it’s more ignorant than racist? But just because it is intended as a compliment doesn’t mean it’s not othering and very wrong.

I once had a colleague who pronounced, upon watching another colleague tear up the dance floor, “wow. It must be because she’s black. All black people are brilliant dancers.” And she simply could not see what was so wrong with her statement, however hard I tried to explain. She kept insisting that it was fine because it was a positive comment .

Nope, not at all “professionally offended” I am a huge proponent of free speech, but not racism (among other things) what you are saying is racist, but keep on defending that.

My dc are half Indian, half European and people have said it about them.

It feels a bit patronising and definitely seems to imply that being just one or the other would mean being less attractive, but maybe they are just interested. It is interesting I think, though I suppose only noteworthy in places which are generally mono-cultural.

Bothers me because my children are mixed and they get compliments that their non-mixed fully black cousins (who are also cute) do not. Seems like it’s a subtle comment that adding white to African/Asian/etc is an improvement.

I live in Asia and a lot of people here think mixed white/Chinese is cuter because the children tend to have rounder eyes. I’m conscious of that and so I never say someone’s baby is cute BECAUSE they’re mixed.

picklepost you sound so bitter and angry, quite disturbed

Nope, none of the above. Just someone with a vested interest in not inadvertently hurting people in my life when with a little actual listening and a bit of willingness to learn I can avoid it.

Just a stab in the dark - you didn't google did you? That's what sad and ,as Candyflip said, a bit disturbing here, if, as you say, you have mixed race children.

picklepost

The choice of words may not be terrific but essentially it is praise for the exotic which I can appreciate

If you actually do have mixed raced children then I feel 😦😞for them

And if and when they start mixing with other non whites as I assume you live in a mainly white area and children go to mainly white schools

They will have a huge shock due to your inability to meet their cultural needs this is huge statement but if you think the above is fine then your failing

Ahhh it’s a grey area I often hear people say it. It’s true in most cases they usually have beautiful hair. I also think it is meant in a harmless way and people should not say it as it could be seen as though other races are less attractive without meaning it in that way.

I think it’s just a stupid thing to say. Not sure about racist but sometimes stupid is enough!

Did not read the rest of the thread....It would be considered very,very racist here

I think it is, yes, because it's picking someone out purely by their race, and therefore segregating them from the population as a whole.

Yeah, you couldn't say the opposite of this could you. In any case, should we really be labelling some children as 'more beautiful' than others (unless it's your own DC of course!)? Doesn't really seem healthy.

Generally = means a generalisation

I usually find the best way is to apply the phrase to another group and see if it sounds offensive.

Tbh, it wouldn't sound great to say "white children are the most adorable".

This is actually a *zombie" thread, not sure why it was revived by a rather inane comment.

I thought it looked familiar.

ZOMBIE damn it.

It sounds like stereotyping. I'm sure I saw a BBC documentary on genetics tho that said mixed race children, that is any racial mix at all, get the 'best' (I have no idea what that means, I'm not a scientist, health wise maybe? ) genes of both races combined.

I probably wouldn’t say it but I do think it if I am honest. I think people who look unusual are often beautiful and striking and many people with mixed race heritage fall into this category. My partner is a mix from three continents and our DD has got features from him that I would have liked to have myself. I definitely don’t think I am racist and I don’t consider non-mixed race people less attractive. But I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I have encountered stunning people of mixed race background and appreciated the way they look.

ZOMBIE THREAD!!

It isn’t racist but it is ignorant, as it perpetuates the myth of race as a biological fact. It presupposes a world neatly divided into the mythical categories of “White” “Black” and “Asian”.