When is the line crossed from being ones opinion to a raciest remark?

Question

I would like a better understanding of what other cultures and my own (white American) think as to when lines are being crossed from ones opinion to hatred and or a raciest remark? Have we become to politically correct and have we created more of a barrier with political correctness? Do you think we have stopped laughing at one another like we use to on the old TV shows from the 1970’s and 1980’s? For example, I watched an old episode of the Jefferson’s not to long ago and laughed my head off but they would not have said today on TV what they did in that old show because of today’s political correctness. It is funny for us to laugh at our differences as long as no one is being attacked but have we become so sterile we lost the ability to laugh with each other any more? I know that is a lot of questions but I was trying to get at this from all different angles.

Please do not turn this into a hate session and provide us with your well thought out and or educated answers. Thank you for any input.

Edit update: I really do want to hear from all cultures on this question. If you are angry I want to know why, just please no attacking. I had a college professor that once said you can find out a group of college students education by placing them in a room clossing the door and going back the next day. Once inside the room all those with BA would be in one spot while the ones with a MA would be in another spot and the Dr.'s would be in another spot. My point? Maybe I should not have said I was white. Thank you

Answer 1

If only life were a sitcom. It is not. Opinion crosses the line to racism when racial slurs are used. One fellow began visiting Yahoo just yesterday, all of his questions were racist. I couldn't resist answering a couple of them with what he expected. I know he is an idiot, but I was having a PMS moment so I roasted him twice. The second time, my calm kicked in and I tried to educate him a bit. Racism is still the fabric of American society. I experience it EVERY day of my life. It gets a little old sometimes and I lash out. I'm human. I am not racist myself. I try to practice Christian values, but sometimes I lose the battle against the flesh and I fight fire with fire. Basically, when people broaden their horizons they understand that the range of human emotions applies to everyone. Like I said, we'd all be happy if real life was like a 30 minute sitcom, but it is not.

Answer 2

This is a very good point and I do not think it has been properly addressed and should be. For instance how is a person to know when it is OK to use the word ******. It is an ugly word steming from an original degrading practice yet some use it and it is OK. Stereo types usually have a reason and it seems to me like if a black fits that then other blacks can call them the N word. If whitey does it he is racist, seems wrong. We need to have some guide lines. People used to call Mex. Beaners and that is not nice. It had a meaning that they would work for beans and that was then what they ate. A person ought to be able to say that Mexican people are willing to work for low wages and that ruins everyone elses standard of living but if they do then they are being racist. I think those being criticized are setting the rules on this subject and while they should have input the problem needs to be discussed . Using you are a racist to stop discussion that needs to take place will in the end just increase hatred. One group of people work hard for generations to get a fair shake and then another group comes in many of whom are doing so illegally and ruins it for everybody but the greedy, and if people discuss it then they are racist, i do not think so. When other cultural groups arrived in monitered numbers they were slowly absorbed with little over all affect btu if we object to an envasion we are racists. Think about it if it is not discussed and handled fairly then real racist stuff is gonna happen. We need some guidlines and they need to be widely taught and in a hurry, so perhaps over the news stations or something. I do not want to see my friends start killing invaders but these red necks are not happy. I think red necks is an equal opportunity term.

Answer 3

I think that television has changed with the times. In the glory days of radio, Amos and Andy was considered a very humorous, and to some, an accurate portrayal of ethnic characters--these characters could not fare very well in the 70's or the 80's just as the Jefferson's, in it's original format, would not be received very well today. We still laugh at each others differences--it's just that the content today reflects perhaps a more 'careful' America...or maybe we have just about seen the last of "good TV"?

Answer 4

i think thre jefferson show is a perfect example. There were a lot of examples being made to racism that went around and it was able to be turned into comedy. Its when the slurs come in it gets hurtful, to me at least. I dont even think its politically correctness more like socially advanced now. I loved watching BET comicview cuz it gives the differences between the races in a humorous way. But some people cant take it. I think as long as it dont involve hurting somone feelings like slurs, or bashing people then its fine

Answer 5

I have to agree with you. The ability to laugh at ourselves is vital.

I believe the line is crossed when the other person's feelings are hurt. Anybody can make fun of me for the way I act, not the
person I am, E.G. call ing me a liar.

To attack a person directly is wrong. Although some people just DON'T have a sense of humor at all.

Answer 6

I've always found it easier to talk about race with people I genuinely respect and care about. I'm white but have many chinese friends among others....and we can make racist remarks and slurs toward each other..because everyone knows that we care about each other and nobody means it. I think a little compassion and a lot of the truth go a long way in interracial dealings.

Answer 7

the old comedy shows were belly bustin' funny! the jefferson's were great with their writing! they don't make shows like that anymore for fear of offended the viewing public. some people do take it a step too far with the political correctness stuff. but you do have comedians like chris rock and dave chapelle who are bringing back comedy with a richard pryor flare. some may get offended with their style of comedy and delivery. i think as long as it is not done in a hateful or malicious way, it can be acceptable. it is a very thin line. very thin.

Answer 8

I somewhat agree with you about the political correctness thing. You can't talk about anything involving another race because suddenly you're racist. I do think people take everything too seriously now adays, race does make a difference, but as long as we're not seperating one from another and sulking in past differences, I don't see why we can't move on with it.

Answer 9

It is only ok to be racist towards whites... in fact it is encouraged by the liberals. But if you say the slightest negative against another race then it is racist. For example: If a black man murders your family in front of you and you call the police and say "a black man just murdered my family!" You are now a racist! However, it is ok for a black person to crack jokes, slurs, threats about whites all day long.

Welcome to political corectness 101

Answer 10

I believe that opinions become raciest when:

1) you state that ALL members of the group are a certain way

2) When you have a negative opinion based on no or little personal experience with anyone in that group