Re: Was Greece the birthplace of humanity?
Reply #31 –
Its really simple LP.
The litmus test, on any argument to do with racism, is how this would make someone feel about the comment if it was the first time they had heard it?
Mine is straight to anger, but over the years I have been conditioned to accept this and find that the next generation should not be put through as much. Not because I should, or because its right, but due to it being common place.
Thats not a reason for this stuff to continue. It was once common for people to own slaves. It was also once common for men to beat their wives. Likewise, sometimes things that are uncommon should become more common. I.e. Women getting equal treatment.
Calling someone a spastic or a retard is out.
Calling someone a spear chucker is out.
Using a racial group as the butt of a joke to insinuate that "we are better than you" based purely on ethnic group is out even if that is a "harmless joke".
Perhaps I am a little more sensitive to this because a lot of people from my ethnic background at my demographic have started raising families of their own, and my wife and I are starting that discussion/attempt ourselves, and Ive decided that "the standard I walk past is the standard Im willing to accept" and this means a world, where my little ones wont be made fun of because they are Greek/Portuguese Australians(when we are fortunate to have our own).
GIC only meant it to be some light hearted fun, but after I called him out on it, you chimed in with your own comment, and I only see further comments as an attempt to backpedal somewhat.
If you dont like the term racism, how does casual bigotry sound instead?? Label changed, same outcome.
Understand and accept all that. People however do have different tolerance levels to it. Me for example? Water off a ducks back. I consider myself Australian as I was born here. My heritage is Italian of which am very proud of but I have never said "I am Italian". In fact, whenever I am (or was) asked "Are you Italian", ever since I was kid I answered "No, I'm Australian, born here but my parents are Italian". That's not in any way because I am ashamed of my heritage, on the contrary, I am very proud of it as I am also proud to be Australian. I have experienced what is termed "racism" all my life but I just dont give a fark. Am I thick skinned? Does it not worry me because I think of myself as an "Aussie" as opposed to a "Wog"? No idea. It just doesn't get to me at all. But I do understand that jokes like the one I made are now considered offensive and are a no go. Do I agree with it? No not really. Do I accept it? Of course I do.