Colored folks, this is a joke people, not being racist (Page 3/17)
Steve Normington NOV 19, 11:57 AM
 
quote
Originally posted by Toddster:

What is the shortest book ever written. The great big book of Italian War Heros.

I thought the shortest book ever written was the history of the Swiss navy.

BTW, do you know about Italian tires and getting a "Hello Statue" installed?

DotTC NOV 19, 12:03 PM
 
quote
Originally posted by Steve Normington:

I thought the shortest book ever written was the history of the Swiss navy.

BTW, do you know about Italian tires and getting a "Hello Statue" installed?

I figured it was a French War Hero book

Wudman NOV 19, 12:09 PM
 
quote
Originally posted by fierobear:

I grew up here in Northern California, surrounded by people of every conceivable color, race, religion and philosophy.

I spent 20 years in Northern California, in particular, Sacramento. Spent a lot of time in the Bay Area as well, enjoy Mendocino and hope someday to retire somewhere on a road between Santa Rose and the coast.

Having said that, there is a different attitude in general in California, though it seems to have tightened up a bit since the early 80's. I have worked in the Central and San Joaquin valley, bilingual, (Hablo y escribo bastante Espanol) and have often interfaced within the State's diverse cultural and ethnic communities.
I will agree that for the most part "tensions" in the Golden State, are just as much an issue when compared to any other place I have lived or worked. The difference in my experience, is that at least in California, the ethnic tensions seem to pop off in extremes, whereas in the south, there is little expectation of change many. It seems out west that folks are actually more uptight because of societal expectations? Here, there seem to be no such limits and a "live and let live" attitude prevails (as long as you don't want to date my daughter). Those with issues seem more inclined to share them. I DJ a lot of events and invariably I get asked if I feel comfortable, especially the further south the event is.

In regards to the comment on MLK, the day when we are judged soley by our character and not our actions is the day when stupid ethnic references are only found in history books.

[This message has been edited by Wudman (edited 11-19-2003).]

Toddster NOV 19, 12:12 PM
 
quote
Originally posted by Steve Normington:

I thought the shortest book ever written was the history of the Swiss navy.

Actually it's The Gallery of Japanese BasketBall Players.

ChopTop NOV 19, 12:14 PM
I thought white people were the butt of the joke and the author, whatever their race, seems to be poking fun at ignorance, not necessarily race. The format was immaterial to me.
It's not surprising this joke is eliciting confusion. When we live in a world, where we see one a group refer to themselves using derogatory terms, and then turn around and chastised a different group for using the exact same term, it's no wonder people are confused.
How can you criticize one group, when (insert your own group here) is engaging in the same type of behavior, or is that OK?
Toddster NOV 19, 12:15 PM
 
quote
Originally posted by Wudman:


In regards to the comment on MLK, the day when we are judged soley by our character and not our actions is the day when stupid ethnic references are only found in history books.

Now hold on. I did not say people should NOT be judged by there actions. People should not be judged by who they are; race, color, faith, size, sex, etc.

We should definitely judge people by their actions. After all, your behavior is directly related to your character.

Just clarifying

Wudman NOV 19, 12:16 PM
 
quote
Originally posted by frontal lobe:

I doubt Cabrini Green would be a good test. I hope you would realize: that group of people is hardly representative of black people in the U.S. Unless things have changed, I would suspect there is a HIGH degree of racism as a whole in that group.

[This message has been edited by frontal lobe (edited 11-19-2003).]

I would gather that whoever wrote that joke is not representative of the majority of Blacks either. My point about telling the joke anywhere near that area of Chicago was to offer at test of what is really funny. Would the one who took exception and reacted in some other stereotypical way just not be getting it?
There have been so many really funny people that didn't have to cut on themselves or others. This was supposedly a reflection of a Black guy in Texas with a "great sense of humor and creativity". Now that was funny...

fierobear NOV 19, 12:25 PM
Debating this issue is probably not a good idea. Wudman is black, and was offended. That is his perception, and he's entitled to it, whether we agree with him or not.
Steve Normington NOV 19, 12:27 PM
 
quote
Originally posted by ChopTop:

It's not surprising this joke is eliciting confusion. When we live in a world, where we see one a group refer to themselves using derogatory terms, and then turn around and chastised a different group for using the exact same term, it's no wonder people are confused.

Like when the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People holds an African-American festival during Black History month to raise money for the United Negro College Fund?

ditch NOV 19, 12:28 PM
 
quote
Originally posted by Wudman:


By the way, I noticed that it is okay for a Black to act a fool in front of certain groups, but when I express my opinion on how it isn't funny, I am a moron, etc, etc.

Just in case I haven't been clear, from my point of view, the joke is stupid and even offensive.


cry me a river

[This message has been edited by ditch (edited 11-19-2003).]