My wife went to a meeting of baseball parents, who are mostly strangers, when this older guy was suggesting that we sell something we get cheap since we can "jew them down." I don't believe he said it with malice but come on, how is it possible that people don't get how inappropriate that kind of speak is? I curious if anyone's heard of similar ignorance and what was your reaction?
2007-01-12 16:55:39 · 10 answers · asked by Big Brother 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Well..you already said it. It's ignorance at it's worst. I probably would have looked at the guy and said in a certain voice " Excuse me!?"
2007-01-13 02:25:19 · answer #1 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm African American and was brought up with that phrase. My parents used to say it.
In all honesty, I never knew it was derogatory until just a few years ago myself and I'm 30. I didn't know that prejudice people had that money stereotype about Jews :(
I certainly don't use that phrase because I now know what it means and consider it inappropriate.
As always, gentle correction and education are key. Unfortunately, there are uninformed people out there who use the phrase just because they've heard it, but don't even know the ugly implications behind it.
2007-01-13 03:35:41 · answer #2 · answered by mycountryfamily 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sigh because of ignorance...he was older...when he was growing up it was socially acceptable to call certain groups certain names and you know which ones they are. 20 years from now those words might not be heard but "towel head or rag head" might because of the prejudices of these times against Islamic people...there will always be some group other people hate and will have degrading nicknames for them. The only thing we can do is become tolerant of others and teach our children the same tolerance. My father is very prejudiced against many groups...and has said names like that in front of my children....my reaction is always quite terse....do not use those words in front of your grand children! and i explain to my children that name calling of what ever kind is not acceptable behavior for anyone. All we can really hope for is the world to change....and we can start in our own back yards.
2007-01-13 01:14:01 · answer #3 · answered by t 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that if your not raised racist you may not know that Jew them down is considered bad taste. You might just believe its a saying and have not put that much thought into it! I didn't realize until a few years ago that Jew them down mean that people at one time thought Jews were cheap until a friend of mine shared it with me. Not everything that is said is meant to be racist..
2007-01-13 01:02:42 · answer #4 · answered by m 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are ignorant people everywhere. I hope someone told this man that he made an offensive comment. Ignoring a bigot is just as bad as agreeing with him.
2007-01-13 01:05:41 · answer #5 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Key word...Older guy.
He was raised in a totally different generation than we were.
Most likely, in his day, blacks were "N's", chinamen were "C's" and the like.
IMO, let it roll off your back...it's not acceptance, it's tolerance.
You just gotta learn to choose your battles, unfortunately.
2007-01-13 01:01:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think that is a stupid and pointless thing to say.I think it is flat out disrespectful.
2007-01-13 01:04:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is offensive.
2007-01-13 04:05:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, that does offend , as does the term "Indian giver"----like WHAT???!?
2007-01-13 02:56:47 · answer #9 · answered by * 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cracks me up.
2007-01-13 00:59:17 · answer #10 · answered by INDRAG? 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋