Why is it not rascist to call a British person a 'Brit' but if you call a Pakistani a 'Paki' it is

Question

I mean come on it's only a shortend down name for the country of origin.a bit like a nickname,so why is it construed as being rascist?

Answer 1

Obviously, like everything else it is a Brit calling a Paki that's racist but the Paki calling the Brit isn't.
Similar case of coloured (got to be careful, can't call them Black anymore) guy and white guy going for an interview. If the coloured guy doesn't get it he has grounds to contest because racism could be involved, the white guy, well....................... can't do a thing.

Answer 2

Its like calling an Australian an Aussie. I doubt any of them would get offended by that.

Some would say the perception of "Paki" being offensive is because of the way the National Front and their ilk used it in the 70s and 80s - you know "Pakis Out" and all that. But then again people have used the word "Brit" in similarly offensive terms and British people don't get all upset about it.

Gay people have reclaimed the word "Queer" and Black people have (in America at least) reclaimed the "N" word (I guess I'm not allowed to write it in full!) so perhaps its time for Pakistanis to reclaim "Paki".

I dunno I mean when you look at it, it is just a shortened down version of the name Pakistani.

When you're watching the Test Cricket its easier to say "How are the Pakis doing?" in the same way you'd say "How are the Aussies doing?" or "How are the Windies (West Indies) doing?"?

But you'd be crucified for saying the first while noone would bat an eyelid if you said the other two!!!

Answer 3

It is construed as being racist because it is a derogatory term for an Asian. Asians come from India, So it is politically correct to say that the person is either Asian or Indian. India is part of the continent of Asia.

Pakistani is also a language it could be construed as a criticism of there language depending on context.

Brits are British, but in todays day and age, we are Europeans as we are part of the continent of Europe. For some reason or other it is not politically correct to acknowledge Britain as our country, it is ok to speak of the United Kingdom as we are presumably united under the one flag as Irish, Welsh, Scottish or English.

In days of yore the latter four would be classified as languages. Note of interest ... we all presumably speak in English and write in English but we don't say we are English. Do you think this is because it refers to a very small part of the British isles? The middle bit? ? ?

Who are the English then?

Answer 4

The word Paki is often used in a derogatory way, even applied to Asians who don't come from Pakistan. I don't see why it can't be used as an abbreviation for Pakistani in a non offensive context. I know some Pakistani people who use it. When a word such as this picks up offensive connotations we shouldn't try to ban it's use but we should condemn those people who use it in an offensive way.

Answer 5

Because Paki has been used as an insulting term in the past. Normally combined with a swear word to insult someone with a different colour skin.

Answer 6

It's very difficult to define but I think it's a question of intent, the implicaton of an insult; no one is attempting to insult you by calling you a Brit. In much the same way a black hip-hop artist uses the word n****r almost as a term of endearment, but it becomes immediately offensive and insulting from the lips of another race.

Answer 7

It's the connotations of the word and how it has previously been used. Paki has never been used as a descriptive term but a negative one.

Answer 8

I hate to contradict others but I was recently on political correctness course and was informed that "Brit" is offensive and should not be used. I actually prefer to be known as English as I have no desire to be associated with the scots.

Answer 9

Lots of politically correct stuff like this going on but its all one way. Take for instance the Black Police Federation, nothing wrong with that, but a White Police Federation is deemed racist.
Its all madness really.

Answer 10

I personally think this wholw ´political correctness´ thing has got out of hand. If you wanted to insult someone (whoever they are) you can do so without using words blacklisted under the political correctness banner. I reckon everyone ought to just lighten up & learn to relax & enjoy life!