Do you beleive in this person's opinion?

Question

I have recently had someone I know tell me that she doesn't like "white" people because she doesn't think they think about what they say before they say it. In her words "They don't know what to say out of their mouths. They feel they can put anyone down, judge anyone and I am tired of it." I never felt like this but I can see where she is coming from based on a couple of co-workers.
*Example 1:
Craig (caucasian) (speaking to our filipino supervisor)" Master Cheif, why is your shirt out on top of your car out in the rain....That must be filipino laundry"
*Example 2:
Amy (caucasion) speaking to our Mexican supervisor: "Sk1 what did you cook for Thanksgiving? Did you make tamales and beans or did you have a normal thanksgiving?"
*Example 3:
Craig (again): "Lately the blacks have been coming to my neighborhood to trick-or-treat. I kind of get scared. I pretty much just give them what they need and say please don't mug me!"

I thought some were funny. What is your opinion?

What are your opinions on what this person thinks? Also opinions on what was said in the examples. I know everyone has their opinions on other people. There is no hiding that but is there a need to voice some of those opinions in public?

Yes my friend I think does have some racist views. I do try to speak to her about it sometimes especially because I am a product of a bi-racial marriage and I kindof see it from both sides. You all (so far) have some decent answers! Thanks

About Craig and Amy getting fired....we're Navy. We're on contracts. Navy can't get fired on the spot like that but some of this can get taken up (because it's not tolerated in the military) and they could get in trouble for it. Might not be "separated" from the Navy...that's all up to the Captain's decision.

Answer 1

I go through some of these kind of situations sometimes too. I am a italian and I have a mixed family and i was raised around blacks all my life so I practically talk the slang and everything else. White people have a problem wit the way i talk and it really makes me mad cuz they dont kno me for real. I went through alot and i jus came to a conclusion that no matter what people will always have something ignorant to say. Personally about the white people putting others down, I think thats anybody I dont look at the race when it comes to them situations everyone has away of putting others down no matter what race they are. You shouldnt just not like white people because of it, not every white person does that.

Answer 2

I don't agree with her statement because it is a generalization. It would be the equivalent of me saying that all blacks are gangsters. Granted, there are many white people who are idiots, but not all of them are. I know that I personally find it irritating that there are people who will take one look at me, see I'm white, and all of a sudden assume that I am a supremist or that I must be a bigot because I am white, yet I am somehow still the one who is racist.

Truthfully, I thought all your examples were funny and I think we all just need to grow up and get a sense of humor and stop making it such an issue. I don't get all bent out of shape when a black person calls me a "cracker" and it is simply a joke. (and I know what that term really means, btw). There's a huge difference between making a joke about someone's race and just being flat out derogatory. One is simply a joke, but the other is rooted in disrespect and hate. The real problem is that people no longer distinguish between the two and they're too sensitive.

EDIT: Honestly, I don't think it really matters if you came from a mixed marriage or not. America is the only nation that makes a big deal out of it. In Australia, when a black man marries a white woman, it's just called a marriage, not a mixed marriage.

Answer 3

Well in the first exzample it depends on how it was said. Did the boss find it funny. That seems more of a joke but depending on how much they kid around someone could take offense to that. If craig knows his boss well and they cut up then I would see that acceptable but you have to really know the person and what they would find offensive.

Ex 2 Well I think she could have left out normal however I do not think she meant it in a bad way. Sounds like she was just trying to start up a conversation but I would have just said what did you make for thanksgiving. I would have not said normal because im white and I had tamales for thanksgiving one year, prime rib another and other non traditional things but turkey is normal and is what has been cooked for many years. Also depends on how well she knows him. To take offense to that would be stupid. Turkey is the norm or ham.

ex 3) what was he thinking when he said that. Im white but if i was black i would be pissed if i went trick or treating and someone said that **** to me. Thats just plain rude. Apparently hes not scared of blacks or he would not say something like that.

It all depends on the situation. But by your friend saying that about white shes no better then then ones that have made the comments. People from all races say stuff without thinking. I have said things that I wanted to kick my self in the behind for after the fact, like what the heck was I thinking when I said that.

You just need to take stuff light hearted as most people do not know at the moment that what they said could be determined as being rude.

Answer 4

Is it just white people are insensitive or just don't know any better or have a thicker skin? I don't know what to think. I have heard some people say things they shouldn't. I have a family member that thinks it's a good thing that she doesn't think before she speaks. I feel like I'm always shaking my head at what she says or asking, "Did you really just ask that question? when it's a really stupid question that she should know the answer to or it's the wrong question. Think Dumb Blonde. (stereotypical)

Up until recently, the only blondes I knew were really smart women. I thought the dumb blonde jokes were funny because they were so out there. Until.... I started meeting some and then they aren't so funny.

I think we could probably all use a lesson in humility and sensitivity to others.

Edit: It's a good idea not to generalize about races or sex. If you do it then you should do it carefully. I try not to. I try to just look at people like individuals. I can see how it may be helpful to generalize but it's better to just ask, rather than make any assumptions or judgments.

Answer 5

It's a racial comment as all of them are.
Any racial opinions are touchy.
I do not agree with her opinion, not because I'm white but because it's not true. We all pick on everyone to some degree but not all "whites" do as your colleague says.
I for one think the people you are speaking about sound rather shallow. All be it may be funny but it is still shallow.
We must really also consider the CONTEXT in which the words are used. If its a joke then its a joke, fire one back. If we did not hear the whole conversation then we should not comment on it.
But, by using the word "white" we have all been lumped into this category and saying we don't think before we speak, she is doing the same thing she hates. Also, if it is not directed to her then she should really not worry about it.
It's just another racial comment. And it makes her just as racial and inconsiderate as the other people you mentioned. As soon as race or color is mentioned it turns into a racial thing. If it is not meant to be racial then the race should not be mentioned.
If she's not racist then she should say. "I hate people who don't think before they speak and I hate people who keep other people down". Leave the race and color out of it.

But rememberALL of us humans do it.

Answer 6

It is possible that they were just teasing, and that the person they were speaking to knew they were just teasing, so it's all good. None of these statements are as bad as what Carlos Mencia says every day, as a joke, and nobody's freaking out. The last statement about black trick or treaters is poking as much fun as the guy who said it, for being afraid of black people, as it is black people. And the laundry statement was obviously a joke. The second statement could have been sincere curiousity, but she should have said "traditional" and not "normal".

Answer 7

I feel very sorry for your friend if she thinks all "white" people are the same. We're NOT. She's not right to base her opinion of a whole group of people on the actions of a couple of idiots. Not everybody thinks, OR talks like that. I don't put people down, and I judge no one because it's not my job to judge. I know we all (humans) have a lot of differences, but we also have a lot of similarities and it doesn't matter what color our skin is. We are all members of ONE race, the only race that even needs to be recognized anymore, and that's the Human Race.

Answer 8

There are people of all races that don't stop and think before the speak. But for your friend to dislike "white" people for what a few do and say is wrong. It's kind of like "the pot calling the kettle black" Sorry if I offended anyone I didn't intend to.

Answer 9

I think that it is wrong to judge people by their skin color. I understand where she is comming from but not a people are like that. I think that Craig and Amy should get fired for talking to their supervisors like that.

Answer 10

well, thats racism, But ofcourse no one takes it seriously when its towards a white person... And if it was against someone that wasnt white or the person was from another country they wouldnt find it funny..

lol, I dont think you were wrong for laughing. But if it was towards some that was black or foreign no one would laugh which shows people do not take racism as seriously as they make out.

I was watching chris rock hes so funny as he was saying stuff about white people which made me laugh even though im white.