Michelle's $540 Sneakers

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='BG45' post='1854944' date='May 1 2009, 11:31 PM']When you say Obama, do you mean the President or the First Lady? Either way, the term monkey is used as a racial slur against African Americans, so it's a bit different than calling former President George W. Bush a monkey. Yes, politicians deserve equal name calling, but not in a sense that can be construed by racial terms.[/quote]
Sorry, no.
Whatever connotations that you might have of a term have no bearing on the words I choose to use. If I had used the N-word, "sambo", "tar-baby", or something equally as ugly that is used only in the sense of being a slur, that would merit offense. Insinuating that she looks like an animal does not mean that I think she[i] is[/i] an animal.

Edited May 2, 2009 by USAirwaysIHS

[HisChildForever]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' post='1855062' date='May 2 2009, 12:14 AM']Whatever connotations that you might have of a term have no bearing on the words I choose to use.[/quote]

Whatever connotations [i]Phil[/i] might have? Calling an African American a "monkey" is a VERY well-known racial slur.

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1855080' date='May 2 2009, 12:19 AM']Whatever connotations [i]Phil[/i] might have? Calling an African American a "monkey" is a VERY well-known racial slur.[/quote]
I never [i]called [/i]her a monkey. I changed her name, to reflect the fact that in my eyes, she looks like a monkey. There is a difference.

[BG45]

Hmm...I apologize for offending you to the point of such vitriol. I merely saw an insult that seemingly utilized one of the most common racial slurs for African Americans applied to the First Lady; I did not realize you were merely insulting her because you felt the need to.

Anyhow, back to the OP. Did the taxpayers pick up the tab, or did the Obama's own money?

Edited May 2, 2009 by BG45

[Hassan]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' post='1855053' date='May 2 2009, 12:10 AM']I'm nothing short of insulted that you think I was somehow insinuating that just because she's black, she is a monkey.
I happen to think she looks like a monkey. Nothing to do with the fact she's black - she's got a massive jaw and bizarre teeth. Was it less than charitable? Probably. But there's nothing stereotypical about that. Does Bill Cosby look like a monkey? Oprah? Dinah Washington? Not in my opinion, anyway. It may not have been nice, but please don't wildly extrapolate that it was racist.
And like Notardillacid said, how many times was George Bush called a monkey? It was alright for him, but not Michelle Obama, because it's all of a sudden racist? Please. [/quote]

I'm going to try and get through this withoutout cursing, saying anything that would get me banned, and keeping in mind that your someone I generally like.

How about the next time a thought comes to your head which very, very, very closely resembles a stupid, ignorant, racist slur, how about you do everyone a favor and keep it to yourself?

Just a general warning. I can't speak for others or black famlies, but my little cousin is black, and if I ever heard anyone say he looked like a monkey I'd knock their *flippin* teeth out regardless of the inane rationalization that got them there. I don't say as some stupid internet threat and I don't think your a bad person, but just as a warning in case you ever care to share your brilliant observations in public, you may want to be more tactful because some people, for whatever reason, might get upset about someone comparing a black person to a monkey (who can imagain why).

Edited May 2, 2009 by Hassan

[MissyP89]

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1855080' date='May 2 2009, 12:19 AM']Whatever connotations [i]Phil[/i] might have? Calling an African American a "monkey" is a VERY well-known racial slur.[/quote]

This is true. Calling someone an idiot and saying they look like an idiot are both rude and offensive, no matter how synonymous they may or may not be.

[HisChildForever]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' post='1855104' date='May 2 2009, 12:26 AM']I never [i]called [/i]her a monkey. I changed her name, to reflect the fact that in my eyes, she looks like a monkey. There is a difference.[/quote]

You should have known better. "Monkey" - whether you are CALLING her one or insinuating she LOOKS like one - is a crude racial slur against African Americans. She happens to be an African American. Ergo the impression that you were making a racial slur.

Besides, is it even NECESSARY to make fun of her physical appearance?

[Hassan]

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1855118' date='May 2 2009, 12:32 AM']You should have known better. "Monkey" - whether you are CALLING her one or insinuating she LOOKS like one - is a crude racial slur against African Americans. She happens to be an African American. Ergo the impression that you were making a racial slur.

Besides, is it even NECESSARY to make fun of her physical appearance?[/quote]


Exactly.

[Hassan]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' post='1855104' date='May 2 2009, 12:26 AM']I never [i]called [/i]her a monkey. I changed her name, to reflect the fact that in my eyes, she looks like a monkey. There is a difference.[/quote]


There are times.

Whan an individual says something stupid, offensive, and ignorant.

What that happens it's really best to just shut your mouth and back off. You've taken another rout. You've apparently decided to just keep digging to see just how ignorant and offensive you can be. I admire your origionality but suggust you cut your losses.

Edited May 2, 2009 by Hassan

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1855118' date='May 1 2009, 11:32 PM']You should have known better. "Monkey" - whether you are CALLING her one or insinuating she LOOKS like one - is a crude racial slur against African Americans. She happens to be an African American. Ergo the impression that you were making a racial slur.[/quote]
Again, while monkey may have been used in the past by some to describe the black race as a whole, that does not mean it means that in every circumstance. It's not a slur to say someone is ugly.
[quote]Besides, is it even NECESSARY to make fun of her physical appearance?[/quote]
No, it's not. I pointed that out. I'm, frankly though, a bit surprised my words have been taken in such a bizarre and distorted way.[quote name='Hassan' post='1855114' date='May 1 2009, 11:30 PM']How about the next time a thought comes to your head which very, very, very closely resembles a stupid, ignorant, racist slur, how about you do everyone a favor and keep it to yourself?[/quote]
Or, I'll continue to say what I'm thinking, perhaps using a bit more prudence so as to be more charitable next time. I think I'll take door B.
[quote]Just a general warning. I can't speak for others or black famlies, but my little cousin is black, and if I ever heard anyone say he looked like a monkey I'd knock their *flippin* teeth out regardless of the inane rationalization that got them there. I don't say as some stupid internet threat and I don't think your a bad person, but just as a warning in case you ever care to share your brilliant observations in public, you may want to be more tactful because some people, for whatever reason, might get upset about someone comparing a black person to a monkey (who can imagain why).[/quote]
Since we're going to venture into the realm of anecdotal situations, I'll go on and tell this bit.
It was only this week that, for some reason, someone had brought in masks of both Obamas and Bush (they were doing some sort of skit in Spanish class or something - it's not relevant to the story). For some reason, they had them out in pre-cal. One of my best friends - a black girl, by the way - remarked how much Michelle looked like a monkey in the photograph that was on the mask. We all, including several other white [b]and [/b]black students, assented to this opinion and laughed as she proceeded to mock Michelle by making high-pitched, primate like noises. No one was offended there.
Not to mention the fact that's it's a bit different to openly mock someone to his face than to ridicule him behind his back (not that it makes it right, but there's a certain thing called couth, if not just common sense).

[HisChildForever]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' post='1855142' date='May 2 2009, 12:45 AM']Again, while monkey may have been used in the past by some to describe the black race as a whole, that does not mean it means that in every circumstance. It's not a slur to say someone is ugly.[/quote]

The term is STILL used in the PRESENT.

[quote]No, it's not. I pointed that out. I'm, frankly though, a bit surprised my words have been taken in such a bizarre and distorted way.[/quote]

Oh man, you are totally right. Silly, silly me.

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1855159' date='May 2 2009, 12:52 AM']The term is STILL used in the PRESENT.

Oh man, you are totally right. Silly, silly me.[/quote]
Is there something for me to respond to here?

[HisChildForever]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' post='1855161' date='May 2 2009, 12:53 AM']Is there something for me to respond to here?[/quote]

You really have no right to get so defensive. First, you blatantly insult the First Lady of our country - you who are a CATHOLIC on a CATHOLIC forum. Not only do you insult her, but the insult you used (whether intending to or not) is a racial slur. You then seem SURPRISED when a handful of members express their disgust. Of course you attempt to brush the insult aside as if it is no big deal. I forgot to mention how YOU were "insulted" when Phil immediately pointed out the slur. Clearly you can insult whoever whenever, but heaven forbid someone insult you.

[Hassan]

[quote name='USAirwaysIHS' post='1855142' date='May 1 2009, 11:45 PM']One of my best friends - a black girl, by the way - remarked how much Michelle looked like a monkey in the photograph that was on the mask. We all, including several other white [b]and [/b]black students, assented to this opinion and laughed as she proceeded to mock Michelle by making high-pitched, primate like noises. No one was offended there.
Not to mention the fact that's it's a bit different to openly mock someone to his face than to ridicule him behind his back (not that it makes it right, but there's a certain thing called couth, if not just common sense).[/quote]

wow. Because if one black person does it, then it must be ok.

Cris Rock makes thousands laugh as he uses the n-word and all sorts of racist language. So I tell you what. Next time your hanging out with some black people you don't know, why don't you go into a loud, shrill explination about the difference between "black people and n******".

After all, a black comedian does and and everyone laughs, so it prolly won't be offensive when you do it.

Or how about next time I hear a Jewish friend make a joke involving an anti semetic stearotype I take that as permission to make whatever stupid, inane anti semetic observation I can think of?

[Hassan]

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1855166' date='May 1 2009, 11:57 PM']. I forgot to mention how YOU were "insulted" when Phil immediately pointed out the slur. Clearly you can insult whoever whenever, but heaven forbid someone insult you.[/quote]


The sad thing is I read that before Phil and asked him about it, but didn;t really follow up. I assumed I was being paranoid, I assumed that I must be reading that into it as there was no was someone would actually say something that stupid and offensive on a Catholic forum. I think Phil wanted to assume that as well.