Is Taff racist to a welsh person if paki is racist to a pakistani?

Question

so, if the race is white (poms, taffs, jocks,) it isn't racist, but if the race isn't white then it is?

just re-read that last comment - and wanted to say that I am interested in this - not trying to be a arsehole about it...

Answer 1

No because welsh people are generally white. Its seemingly impossible to be racist to a white person!

Answer 2

Taff is an English attempt at the Welsh pet form of David. It's not the words we use that are racist, but the sense in which we use it. If you know a Welshman reasonably well and he knows that you respect him, he's unlikely to be offended if you call him Taff. If you complain about all these Taffs coming over here and stealing all our jobs and women, you're being racist.

Answer 3

It's like a lot of things 'it is not what you say, but the way you say it.' Pakistahn is a mainly muslim independant country to the northwest of India therefore confusing some Indian people with Pakistanis could be understandable, if a little ignorant. However using it in a derogative way, as to say 'why shouldn't I be ignorant, as these people are beneath me.' Then that is racist. Same sort of idea with Taff some Welsh people refer to each other as 'taff' and therefore isn't offensive in the least. However when used as a deliberate sign of ignorance, then it is!

Answer 4

I see the point you are making and I agree with you on the whole. However, relating to Big Brother, I believe Shilpa is from India so calling her a 'paki' (if thats what was actually said) is going to be offensive, I imagine, and just highlights the level of ignorance in whoever used it.

I would like to add also that I can't say I have watched much of Big Brother but I have read about it and although the behaviour is disgusting, it is so because it is bullying. I personally didn't get the racism slant that some people are trying to put on it.

I watched a program recently on BBC1, can't remember the name, but it was a UK quiz and there was blatant racism against the English on that show but did anyone complain about that? I very much doubt it.
Sorry for the rant!!

Answer 5

It's the intention behind the words that matters. Very often that intention is cruel or discriminatory. Do you really think that the Australians call us poms in a spirit of love and good friendship? I don't think so!
Maybe it's not meant to be cruel with you, but since it may well be misunderstood, why use these words at all?
As I've said before on here, why not look for the similarities between peoples? Why look for the differences?
If something may cause hurt - even if it's only 'may' - why do it?
We're all people!

Oh dear! I've just had another rant. Sorry!

Answer 6

Yes of course it is.

'Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief' to quote the old ditty.

But of course the Welsh are also white and people are taking a long time to accept that racism has nothing to do with colour.

Its a derisory term specific to a person's nationality. It is therefore racist.

Answer 7

I'm Welsh and it doesn't bother me.

I do have issues with the traditional view that only non-white people are seen as victims of racism. This is not true - no matter who you are or where you are from, if another person uses your nationality and heritage to deride or ridicule you then you are a victim of racism.

Answer 8

I live in north wales and im surrounded by taffs.

Answer 9

im from wales and im not offended by taff. i have no idea why "paki" is offensive because no one else is offended by slang. its probably just for publicity.

Answer 10

isn't it just terrible someone called me white once and I'd spent all summer trying to get a sun tan i was devastated perhaps i should have taken them to court for racism against white people ?