Is it offensive to use terms like "Coconut", "Oreo", and "Twinkies"?

Question

Are these considered racial slurs or merely humor?



coconut - Mexican who cannot speak spanish
oreo - a black person in touch with white people
twinkies - Asians with no Asian accent

footnote!!! I do not use these terms! But I heard them in passing and laughed but then I questioned it cos i didnt feel right about laughing so thats why im asking!!

Answer 1

Definately offensive. Only okay if you are around friends and you have all accepted this treatment as friendly banter.

Answer 2

Here in NZ a Coconut is somebody from the Pacific Islands, like Samoa or Nauru. I come from Britain and I'm not offended at being called a Pom or a Brit, so why shouldn't I be allowed to call somebody a Sheeny, Kike, ****, ****** or Raghead? I don't hate anybody for ethnic reasons. Some of the funniest jokes are ethnic ones. The trouble starts when you take your ethnicity seriously. If we all started replacing our national anthems with inane advertising jingles about laxatives and toilet tissues, instead of bullshit about the sacred motherland, god and our fathers who shed their blood, and had a good laugh at nationalism and religion, instead of taking this **** seriously, then maybe war would lose its popularity.

Answer 3

If you know the person and you feel comfortable around them and vice versa, then it is okay to tease the person and call them "twinkie" if they are cool with it.
I am asian and grew up in the USA. I speak english only. Most foreigners call me a "twinkie" (white on the inside and yellow on the outside).

Well it doesn't bother me if friends or family teased me, but if a stranger just bluntly said it, then I would be a bit taken back. I think it's not about being or acting "white" it's about growing up in the USA and being accustomed to the culture here.

And to the loser poster named "M.B" below me .. twinkies do not mean "chinks with no brains". It means white on the inside yellow on the outside. sounds like to me someone didn't graduate past high school.

Answer 4

Yes, it is offensive and racist to use term like these. Most racial slurs try to pass themselves off as humor... but something ain't funny unless everyone's laughing.

Answer 5

If you are using those terms to describe different ethnic groups, then yes it is offensive in most contexts. If you are hanging out with your friends, and they are black or Asian or Mexican, and they do not mind, then that is one thing. Using those terms generally is only asking for it! I'd be careful how you use such terms.

Answer 6

I've never heard the terms used the way you describe, but based on what you present, I must assume that in a formal setting they would be considered derogatory.

Answer 7

I'd never even heard coconut or twinkie... and some people will find it offensive and some won't. Stop being so concerned with what other people "feel" and just go with what you gut tells you.

Answer 8

Any term, no matter how harmless it sounds, if used to insult others, is wrong. However, if the term is used without intend to hurt others, such as using "coconut", "oreo", or "twinkie" to refer to the food items, that use is acceptable.

Answer 9

It is NOT offensive to call a Twinkie and Twinkie. It's what Hostess named it when it was born. LOL. now you get fruit in your lunchbox. No more little debbie for you.

Answer 10

well at sometimes it is if a person actually knows what it really means it could be really offensive. If they don't, then you don't have to worry about a thing (until they find out what it means.)