I am mixed and was hanging out with 3 white kids. We were giving each other nicknames. The white kids got nicknames based off of characteristics about themselves like being fat. And my "friend" aknowledged that he was targeting me with a race indicated nickname of oreo, because I am biracial meaning black and white. For example one of the other kids was nicknamed "Prego" short for pregnant, and the others frankenstein. Should I be concerned?
2007-03-27 09:55:10 · 17 answers · asked by raymanfranks 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Not unless they try to split you open and lick you insides out.
2007-03-27 10:47:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
WOW, what a great question! Too many variables unsaid in your question to answer fully. Age of the participants, are you all longtime friends? I'm as white as white can be. Born in Scotland, and grew up in Toronto with many races as friends. We all used racially based nicknames at times, but no offence was taken because we knew what was in each others hearts. The Best Man @ my wedding was 'Tony the Wop'. It's not what people say that matters in cases like this, it's how they feel. If they are comfortable enough with you to use a nickname like that without fear of how you will take it, I would suggest that they are good friends. Having said that, if it makes you uncomfortable, I'm sure you can find a way to let them know that you're not too cool with it. Apologies will be offered, and a Big Man, will accept them, and move on.
2007-03-27 17:07:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, race is a characteristic, but not one you could change if it appeared problematic. One can be called fat because it's assumed that in some way that person chose to be fat - or even be called ugly as there's a remote possibility they could fix their face - or at least stand back a ways.
But race is not chosen, nor changeable, and not realistically a cause of some other unpleasant attribute. So it's the height of unfairness to use it as an essentially derogatory reference.
And that's the essence of racism - the unfairness to whole populations because of characteristics that are labeled as inferior simply because they are different.
Your friends may not think they are racist, but to the extent they are ignorant about the nature of any alleged differences, they are racist - as all racism is essentially based on ignorance.
2007-03-27 17:11:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
My friends gave me the nickname "squaw", because I'm Cherokee. It wasn't offensive to me then, because I was a kid, and I didn't know the name was derogatory. So, I was squaw, and another girl was brillo, because she was black and had kinky hair, and one kid was bozo because he had bright orange hair. The buck-toothed kid was beaver.
Kids don't discriminate. You get the nickname for whatever feature is most recognizable and distinguished from everyone else. How do you think names came about in the first place? Kids are just doing what comes naturally. If you were really dark-skinned, and they called you "midnight", would you be offended? It's just a distinguishable physical characteristic, that's all.
2007-03-27 17:43:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should be aware that your "friends" will always take your race into account no matter what they may say. Just the fact that you can ignore their race when coming up with a nickname for them but they can't do the same is proof enough.
To most white people who have black friends, they can't be friends, it's always "my BLACK friend".
2007-03-27 17:05:24 · answer #5 · answered by mac man 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think this is rather racist. I'm sure they're intelligent enough to come up with a better nickname for you. You should be concerned because oreo could lead to being called something worse.
2007-03-27 17:01:17 · answer #6 · answered by Disciple 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only if you want it to be. My kids are bi-racial, and I think they are the true great people of the earth, as you must be also. Physically, you belong to both races. Psychologically you are on your own and can be a bridge to understanding! God bless you and lighten up on ya friends. If your friends were black, they would also give you a nickname that could be presumed racist if you took it that way. If they LIKE you and you like them, be a friend and there it is!
2007-03-27 17:09:42 · answer #7 · answered by Kelly K 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the context of what you described... it doesn't necessarily indicate racism. I would say it would be more a question of "are you comfortable with the nickname". If not, then just tell your friends that you aren't comfortable with it... and see what else they can come up with. Just be prepared for something worse... LOL. Nicknames can be awful.
If they are friends, then they will be cool with it.
2007-03-27 17:01:55 · answer #8 · answered by ga_morton 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
nay id say it was just a name based on characteristics you are mixed and you are black and white. Depending how the word is used it can be racist but in this case it was not.
2007-03-27 17:35:56 · answer #9 · answered by Screamotional hardcore kid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Develop a thicker skin. Don't expect too much from "kids". If you're too sensitive you'll end up with no friends or they'll just say it behind your back. Maturity will come with time, and you'll also be better able to see who your real friends are.
2007-03-27 17:02:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no. I think that they were all targeting the things about themselves...don't be too sensitive. They are your friends. Think of it this way: If a group of black friends had called you oreo, would you have been offended?
2007-03-27 17:00:00 · answer #11 · answered by country_girl 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋