"I am not racist but..." It kind of says so much without even saying anything.
I can remember that line being used on me a number of times as I was growing up.
I found it strange why someone would need to use this line before saying anything.
advertisement
Most of the time I would have to reply with a favourite line of my own.
'But I never said you were' or 'But you just painted 'Paki's Out' in pigs blood on my wall.'
While I understand that there is a need for this line to be used in specific circumstances, I think it is time these five words were banned once and for all.
They should be banned because they have no meaning anymore.
Back in the time when we didn't jump on anyone's back as soon he uttered the 'M' word, the line meant something.
People who used it usually ended by stating 'But I think you should all go back to your own country.'
The key was how the first part of the sentence would contradict the second part of the sentence.
At least back then there was a point to argue.
In 2008 I think the line is being used just for the sake of it.
I recently heard this line being used simply to explain how someone got booked by an Asian parking attendant.
Hey, a parking attendant is a parking attendant, and it doesn't matter what colour they are, they all get on our nerves.
But then I thought long and hard about why someone who is obviously not racist would still feel the need to say the line to get a point across?
What is it about this line that means it still fills the heads of many a supposed educated person, and has to be said before anything remotely to do with one person being annoyed about someone else?
I figure that the 'I'm not racist' line ends up being used because we have become so accustomed to offending people.
The very idea that someone is going to be offended scares the hell out of everyone.
So the 'I'm not racist' line somehow softens the blow.
If this is the case why not simply replace the line with another such as 'I may be racist, I may not, but what I am about to say may or may not offend you...either way I would just like to apologise in advance if I do end up saying something that may or may not make you feel rather uncomfortable...regardless, there is something I really have to get off my chest...'
Posted by: Nostradamous, Blackburn on 2:32pm Fri 15 Feb 08
The term "Im not racist" i think you will find is used more by the indegenous people of this town/land meaning white people,they use thia word because in the main they are decent people who do not want to be labelled with tis term"Racist"it is unfortunate however that when you discuss points of view with other creeds or religions and they discussion goes down a road that is not what the other person or persons want to hear,the racist card is immediatly thrown at that person and that brings an end to the discussion,it is not only white people who are racist a point which i am sure you agree with BUT it is allways labelled at white people and i would ask you why? another new get out of a discussion quick phrase which is being used more and more now, even more than racist is Islamaphobia if the discussion is not going in the right direction lets throw that one at the participant,albiet end of discussion,as a white person myself i have nothing to throw to kill a conversation so i cotinue to agree or disagree, it does make good reading and i would like to add that i am not racist..<laugh>
The term "Im not racist" i think you will find is used more by the indegenous people of this town/land meaning white people,they use thia word because in the main they are decent people who do not want to be labelled with tis term"Racist"it is unfortunate however that when you discuss points of view with other creeds or religions and they discussion goes down a road that is not what the other person or persons want to hear,the racist card is immediatly thrown at that person and that brings an end to the discussion,it is not only white people who are racist a point which i am sure you agree with BUT it is allways labelled at white people and i would ask you why? another new get out of a discussion quick phrase which is being used more and more now, even more than racist is Islamaphobia if the discussion is not going in the right direction lets throw that one at the participant,albiet end of discussion,as a white person myself i have nothing to throw to kill a conversation so i cotinue to agree or disagree, it does make good reading and i would like to add that i am not racist..<laugh>
Posted by: Hardworker, blackburn on 7:49am Sat 16 Feb 08
I agree useing the words "i am not a racist" prior to starting a conversation with someone who is very much likely to accuse you of being racist,is a form of defemce against the other person calling you racist during a debate.
I agree useing the words "i am not a racist" prior to starting a conversation with someone who is very much likely to accuse you of being racist,is a form of defemce against the other person calling you racist during a debate.
Other things to say prior to doing exactly what you say you aren't going to include:
"I'm not being funny, but I don't want a brew because I don't think you wash up properly"
and:
"No offence, but are you aware of how incredibly ugly you are?"
Other things to say prior to doing exactly what you say you aren't going to include:
"I'm not being funny, but I don't want a brew because I don't think you wash up properly"
and:
"No offence, but are you aware of how incredibly ugly you are?"
Posted by: nostradamous, Blackburn on 12:01pm Mon 18 Feb 08
Parly are you sure you are getting the point of all this?the things you suggest to say are ridiculous and if you said those words to an asain or other ethnic person you would be locked up mate,has no one ever accused you of being racist when the only thing you are trying to do is to put over your side of a discussion and because you are not prepared to bend to there point of view you are termed racist,which if we were having the same discussion with a white person we would agree to disagree,i do agree with Suab that there should be no need to use these words and in the main i wouldnt, but i would make it clear that my views are not meant to be hurtfull if i was complaing about something that was say regarding Whalley Range i feel i would need to choose my words carefully,not so if i was complaing about something up higher croft,it is a simple but true fact of life these days..
Parly are you sure you are getting the point of all this?the things you suggest to say are ridiculous and if you said those words to an asain or other ethnic person you would be locked up mate,has no one ever accused you of being racist when the only thing you are trying to do is to put over your side of a discussion and because you are not prepared to bend to there point of view you are termed racist,which if we were having the same discussion with a white person we would agree to disagree,i do agree with Suab that there should be no need to use these words and in the main i wouldnt, but i would make it clear that my views are not meant to be hurtfull if i was complaing about something that was say regarding Whalley Range i feel i would need to choose my words carefully,not so if i was complaing about something up higher croft,it is a simple but true fact of life these days..
"I'm not a blogger but......." I can certainly relate to Shuiab's remarks.
The comment "I'm not a racist but....." should be "I don't think I'm a racist but I can't see my own bigotry staring me in the face"
The worst one I heard of late (from a cabbie, no surprise, in Australia, no surprise....)
"I'm not a racist but the worst thing we did was give them blackfellas (sic) the vote"
Needless to say, the only tip given was not cash.......clowns who use this sort of rubbish (which they would not say to a non-white, I suspect) are the worst kind of cowardly bigot.
"I'm not a blogger but......." I can certainly relate to Shuiab's remarks.
The comment "I'm not a racist but....." should be "I don't think I'm a racist but I can't see my own bigotry staring me in the face"
The worst one I heard of late (from a cabbie, no surprise, in Australia, no surprise....)
"I'm not a racist but the worst thing we did was give them blackfellas (sic) the vote"
Needless to say, the only tip given was not cash.......clowns who use this sort of rubbish (which they would not say to a non-white, I suspect) are the worst kind of cowardly bigot.
Posted by: Nostradamous, BLACKBURN on 7:15pm Tue 19 Feb 08
"I'm not a blogger but......." your giving a great impersonation of one Marcus..lol
Your cabbie was blatantly racist mate,totally different discussion,and how the hell can it be a cowardly act?we all look at things differently i would not physically or mentally harm any fellow human being, but i have my own views on life excactly like you have yours,and i reserve the right to hold on to those views,thank you.
"I'm not a blogger but......." your giving a great impersonation of one Marcus..lol
Your cabbie was blatantly racist mate,totally different discussion,and how the hell can it be a cowardly act?we all look at things differently i would not physically or mentally harm any fellow human being, but i have my own views on life excactly like you have yours,and i reserve the right to hold on to those views,thank you.
Posted by: Common Sence, Darwen on 9:38pm Thu 21 Feb 08
What are the specific circumstances in which there is a need for this line? Moreover, I am puzzled by the need to publish what appears to be both a divisive and unbalanced article in the first place. Clearly, if someone makes a racist comment or action towards a person, race or culture then that is wrong. However, what should also be made clear is that accusations of racism should not be made without substance. They should not be made as nostradamous indicates in order to suppress conversation and debate. The current society we live in is very tolerant. A tolerance that spans many subjects and cultures. Let us instead of bickering amongst ourselves, celebrate what makes this nation great. This includes both our differences and similarities and in doing this then defend the freedoms and privileges we all enjoy.
What are the specific circumstances in which there is a need for this line? Moreover, I am puzzled by the need to publish what appears to be both a divisive and unbalanced article in the first place. Clearly, if someone makes a racist comment or action towards a person, race or culture then that is wrong. However, what should also be made clear is that accusations of racism should not be made without substance. They should not be made as nostradamous indicates in order to suppress conversation and debate. The current society we live in is very tolerant. A tolerance that spans many subjects and cultures. Let us instead of bickering amongst ourselves, celebrate what makes this nation great. This includes both our differences and similarities and in doing this then defend the freedoms and privileges we all enjoy.
[quote][bold]nostradamous[/bold] wrote:
Parly are you sure you are getting the point of all this?the things you suggest to say are ridiculous and if you said those words to an asain or other ethnic person you would be locked up mate,has no one ever accused you of being racist when the only thing you are trying to do is to put over your side of a discussion and because you are not prepared to bend to there point of view you are termed racist,which if we were having the same discussion with a white person we would agree to disagree,i do agree with Suab that there should be no need to use these words and in the main i wouldnt, but i would make it clear that my views are not meant to be hurtfull if i was complaing about something that was say regarding Whalley Range i feel i would need to choose my words carefully,not so if i was complaing about something up higher croft,it is a simple but true fact of life these days..
[/quote]
Oh dear. I half hope that you are only pretending to have completely missed the point of my post.
nostradamous wrote:
Parly are you sure you are getting the point of all this?the things you suggest to say are ridiculous and if you said those words to an asain or other ethnic person you would be locked up mate,has no one ever accused you of being racist when the only thing you are trying to do is to put over your side of a discussion and because you are not prepared to bend to there point of view you are termed racist,which if we were having the same discussion with a white person we would agree to disagree,i do agree with Suab that there should be no need to use these words and in the main i wouldnt, but i would make it clear that my views are not meant to be hurtfull if i was complaing about something that was say regarding Whalley Range i feel i would need to choose my words carefully,not so if i was complaing about something up higher croft,it is a simple but true fact of life these days..
Oh dear. I half hope that you are only pretending to have completely missed the point of my post.
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
Comment
