Why is there such a double standard when it comes to the use of ethnic slurs against particular peoples?

Question

I'm sure most everyone is quite aware of Michael Richards' (Kramer from "Seinfeld") racist rant from a few weeks ago.

What bothers me almost as much as the rant itself is the realization that if his rant were aimed at any other ethnic group using any other ethnic slurs, it wouldn't even make the back page news, nevermind front page news.

So, my question about the double standard is this... why is it not ok to call a black person a n*****, but it IS ok to call a Korean "****", a Chinese "chink", or a Japanese "nip"? Why is it not ok to call a black person a n*****, but it IS ok to call a Canadian "frostback", an Irish "mick" or an Italian "wop"?

It's a pretty horrible double standard when a black person can call another person a hateful name and it goes unpunished (or even worse, unnoticed), yet when they themselves are called a hateful name, it's cause for public apologies, lawsuits and severe punishments.

Shouldn't all ethnic slurs be treated with the same severity?

To San Diego Chargers 21 - I take it you're a LaDainian Tomlinson fan... :)

Anyway, I'm actually Korean (naturalized citizen), and back in elementary school there was a black kid who constantly (every day at recess) called me "****". I finally got pissed at him and called him "n*****" back. I got in trouble, but he got nothing. While what I called him wasn't right, he certainly wasn't right to call me what he did either.

I understand the whole slavery thing, but a hateful name is a hateful name, it doesn't matter the circumstances or the history. No one should be allowed to call anyone else a hateful name without some sort of consequences. That's why I say it's a double standard that black people can call other people ethnic names without getting in any trouble, but everyone else DOES get in trouble if they call a black person an ethnic name.

To john n - an ethnic slur is an ethnic slur... it doesn't matter who it's aimed at or why it's said. How is that apples and oranges? I know that n***** has a derogatory meaning. But you know what? So does calling a Korean a ****, or an Italian a wop, or any of them.

Anyone who uses ANY racial terms is just as insensitive. And you know what, I'm not insensitive to the n-word. I hate hearing it, especially from black people themselves, because I think today's young black people don't fully understand the meaning behind it. They just get upset if someone that's not black uses it.

You said I "better have my running shoes on" if I called you a certain name as a Canadian (I won't speculate as to what that is, I probably don't even know it). So, apparently there's a name that charges you up pretty good there. So how does that give you the right to call someone else an ethnic name when there's an ethnic name you don't want to be called yourself?

Answer 1

First of all - - African Americans were NOT the only ones enslaved here -- there was slavery of MANY races of individuals in the building of America (after all my own Grandparents were Indentured for their Passage to America -- and it took them many years to purchase their way OUT of that slavery too) ...

That aside -- there is NO EXCUSE for any Double Standard when it comes to Ethnic Slurs -- and I did grow up with the Ethnic Slurs against my own Polish Heritage (how many Dumb Polack Jokes can you hear and be subjected to before it causes you to start tearing into another verbally for the prejudice being spouted off).

And, I can assure you that there is STILL the 'jokes' out there about my own ancestry -- in fact, I went into a church (and I was a Long-Term Single Parent), and helped my son build his little Pinewood Race Car (I even carved it like the Batmobile for him!) -- and the first words out of a Prejudiced Male's Mouth when he saw a child's car fall off the track (in front of his own children no less! ... and no ... it was some other child's car) was to make a "joke" of the Dumb Polack Car -- NOT realizing that I am Polish and sitting right there -- and kept making the stupid remarks (and the rest were just laughing at them -- FINALLY I just said "That RIPS it" and went into a LECTURE on TOLERANCE and LOVE for ALL Races and National Origins ... and boy, you could see and feel the animosity to this situation.

Needless to say -- I've never set foot in that church again.

Answer 2

If a bully is running around your school, that one girl is not the only one that is being persecuted!! Tell the teachers, or wait until they come after YOU, to do something!! As for the general population, people are Always running off at the mouth, about things that they don't understand! Whether they know what they are talking about or not! Which happens a lot on THIS site, especially about Mormons! Man judgmental, know it alls, know nothings, are so amusing! And the less they know?, the more they run their mouths! Methodists, Protestants, Baptists, and basically any Fundy church will speak out against the LDS, IN their churches, by their pastors,ministers, and reverends! And they call themselves>>> christians????? They sure are all inspiring!! The LDS don't do that! They simply say that they have the true gospel!! But, they don't go into other churches to preach that!

Answer 3

I don't think calling a Chinese a "chink", an Italian a "wop", etc is acceptable.
I am Canadian and would laugh at you if you called me a frostback, but you'd better have running shoes on if you call me a ******. You are mixing apples and oranges,and by doing so are highlighting the fact that you are at best insensitive to the derogatory meaning of the N word.

Answer 4

Yes, and the worst part is how black comedians can say n***** all they want to, and they can make fun of whites or any other race, but a white comedian can be chastised for doing the same. I don't agree with what Richards did (although I do believe he was provoked by blacks who felt they could get away with interupting his performance), but it has certainly brought this particular race issue to the forefront, which I think has been needed for a long time.

Answer 5

there isn't a single African-American in this country that has ever been a slave. get over it. plus if you were smart enough to read then you would know that Chinese people were basically slaves for the railroad back in the day. and the Irish weren't treated too well in this country either. but you don't hear about them complaining about it still do you? no because they aren't looking for a free hand-out. ill call anybody i want what i want to. i don't really care if its politically correct or not. and if you don't like it you can kiss my a@@.

Answer 6

Definately-you are 100% spot on, there is too much reverse racism going on without any justification or punishment. It should be a 2 way street.

Answer 7

yes, but there are more blacks in america then "chinks", "gooks", etc. America used to be mostly black and white. Blacks were treated horribly in this country and called "*******" at the same time. This is why it is like pouring salt into a healing wound.

Answer 8

I take it your an american...well simply put african americans were the only ones enslaved here...and kept down so long unlike the other races u mentioned

Answer 9

It could just be a troll giving you a hard time