Not while racism exists
Posted on Wed, 03/10/2010 - 13:11 in World View
(The Guardian): Standing at a hotel bar in Freetown, Sierra Leone, a few years ago with an unreconstructed Afrikaner and a white Briton whose racial politics I trusted even less, I was approached by a local, black hustler who put his arm around my shoulder, smiled and asked: "How's my nigger?"
I turned swiftly, pointed my finger in his face and said: "Don't you ever ever, call me that again." He walked away looking both baffled and upset and leaving me feeling both conflicted and annoyed.
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"Me only have one ambition,
"Me only have one ambition, y'know. I only have one thing I really like to see happen. I like to see mankind live together - black, white, Chinese, everyone - that's all." – Bob Marley
The "N" word IS derogatory
The "N" word IS derogatory and racist no matter who uses it. It is not a jest and it isn't acceptable...lay it to rest.
we should lay that awful word
we should lay that awful word to rest..ppl say it thinking that it's ok cuz i'm coloured (therefore i'm taking it back) or whatever but the more ppl say it the more they empower it and allow it to be said without thinking about the way it was first used. It started as a negative word and many still see it as such and find it offensive therefore there's no need for it. You think ppl are interested in "taking back" the word cracker in reference to ones "race"...don't think so. that would be pretty moronic if you ask me...look at most derogatory names given to various cultural groups or nationalities and see if any of them are using it amongst themselves. that's like slapping yourself in the face...unfathomable and pointless
XXXX XXXX! I just stumbled on
XXXX XXXX! I just stumbled on this site. The fact that in 2010 there is any argument about this is astonishing.
honestly, as far as we think
honestly, as far as we think we've moved away from racism we really haven't at all...ppl made a huge deal about Obama as 1st black president and how it was such a big step for America and to a certain degree I might agree yet one really has to wonder how far we've come because all anyone could talk about was his race...First Black President! whoo hoo! after a while I got sick of hearing it. Get over it already. Yes this is a great step forward for America. Instead of looking at the ability of a man as an individual we look at his ability as a black man. Maybe I'm just ranting but I think just making a big deal about a man success as a "black man" is showing a degree of racism.
Good post. However, I think
Good post.
However, I think the "big deal" was not really of a Black man becoming the U.S. Puppet - sorry...President - but more so of America actually allowing it to happen.
This world has a centuries long list of great Black leaders anyway - just not in America I guess. Well perhaps MLK, Malcolm X, Farrahkan, Marcus Garvey (yes, I know he was originally from Jamaica.)
Lol!
Come to think of it - America has its long list of "Black Presidents" as well!
:o)
Stopo the hate my people and
Stopo the hate my people and learn to appreciate one another...life is too short..instead unite and listen to the words of Bob.
Until the philosophy which hold one race superior and another inferior
Is finally
And permanently
Discredited
And abandoned -
Everywhere is war -
Me say war.
That until there no longer
First class and second class citizens of any nation
Until the colour of a mans skin
Is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes -
Me say war.
Bob Marley
Fair enough. However, what
Fair enough.
However, what about the other elephants in the room...
- Organized religion
- Corrupt political agendas
- Party system politics
- Gross maladministration of wealth
- Globalization
- Greed
... and the list goes on.
Never before has there been so much infighting within the citizens of common nations. One can safely assume that they are all of the same "race".
(Sorry - i'm just playing the devil's advocate - couldn't resist. Good post. I am a big Marley fan myself. However, I believe "Babylon System" is a timeless selection and never before has it been as relevant as it is today! Listen closely to the lyrics.)
This is a song with lyrics
This is a song with lyrics that had a profound effect on me from the first time I heard it. It should be the world anthem... but these words actually stem from a speech by Emperor Haile Selassie, they were not written by Bob himself.
First question you ask about
First question you ask about a baby ... does it have "good" hair or "bad" hair... I had good hair... but most of it fell out. I wish I had any kind of hair now. The figment of the pigment exists the world over!!
Only the ignorant, arrogant,
Only the ignorant, arrogant, out of touch or ill educated would use the "N" word on a radio show. XXXX
Keep up your good work Ezzard
Keep up your good work Ezzard and dont let these haters discourage you from standing up for Caymanians.
Racism has destroyed too many
Racism has destroyed too many countries....it is clear from DNA historical records that NO ONE is from a pure race....I know a lot of people will feel betrayed by their own minds with that fact but that is the fact.
We have had more negative discourse on this subject after we started getting American TV and people from countries where "Pigmentograpy" is practiced than in all of our 500 years before.
So what about a little pigment or lack there of?? Caymanians had dealt with much of this on the Turtle ships...now the Insecure have brought it with them.
Be happy with who you are and Caymanians forget about this post and the American TV...love yourself and everyone else.
We are not interested, thank you.
I remember having a meeting
I remember having a meeting with a mature well respected Caymanian gentleman (or so i thought) he was watching the news about the riots in Paris and made a comment about those "n*******" ruining a country". I honestly don't think that I have ever been more offended, I was so angry that I was almost reduced to tears. It doesn't matter that I have pale skin. What does matter is that the word has been used in a deliberately derogatory manner for a long period in history (and not such distant history really).
I sturggle to comprehend the adoption of it by the very people who were persecuted by its use. The appalling abuse that it was partnered with and the toxic manner in which it was used, means that it should forever be a "bad word" and should never be acceptable for ANYONE to use, because it still hurts.
I will never judge anyone by their skin colour - nor will I allow that kind of behaviour in my house - I have ejected a friend and ended a friendship for persisting in making belittling jokes based on skin colour in my home.
The N word is NEVER acceptable - and frankly every parent of any skin colour should stamp down on the use of the word by their kids - who have no idea how much hurt and suffering was attached to that word - even as recently as their great grandparents. It needs to be stamped out - for good.
@ Sarah: Although it is clear
@ Sarah:
Although it is clear to see that you are an individual of far greater class than that pitiful excuse of a human being ...
You could have just as easily countered with the following:
"Look at all of those white "honkeys" ruining the economy of the entire world!"
Funny how people only see what they want to huh?
Unfortunately I was working
Unfortunately I was working in a sales role and representing the company so felt I could not have responded how I would have like to have done - but, believe me - my boss heard all about it when I got back.
And besides - I don't think I can bring myself to speak like that about anyone even if it is to prove a point - besides being against my priciples, it would only bring me to his level, which was a low that I am not willing to reach. That said, if I had felt free to speak , I certainly would have told him what I think of people who do! (But yes I totally agree that everyone has the capacity to wreck or help our society regardless of skin colour or status!)
The world according to
The world according to Ezzard:
1) If the medical director uses the phrase "sexy-time", it is so morally reprehensible that he must resign immediately.
2) It is perfectly acceptable and culturally appropriate to "act like a nigger" in the Emergency room.
The phrase “stupid is as stupid does” comes to mind.
You want the truth? Here is
You want the truth? Here is how you get it. Ask any year 3 or year 4 caymanian student what colour they are and see what response you get; the great majority will say white.
How you know dat? Wha you
How you know dat? Wha you boderin de children wid yo foolishniss bout wha colour deh is? Leewe deh chilrin loone
It's only natural to ask that
It's only natural to ask that question when you hear one black child trying to insult another by calling him/her BLACK.
r u in need ov re-me-dial
r u in need ov re-me-dial english??
Actually i have an O-Level in
Actually i have an O-Level in the Queens English I just choose to use the "Local" dialect sometimes. You should try it.
My post was more about why an adult would ask a child such a question? It would seem to be more useful for the adult to ask the parent, after-all where do children usualy get their character traits and values? Unfortunately many adults find it much easier to find fault in others (including the younger generation) than ask the more useful questions of self.
Niiice speak the way you want
Niiice speak the way you want to speak! This is a forum for anyone who has anything to say regarding Cayman issues. So why all this criticism about ppl writing in cayman dialect? So are these insults going to start happening face to face. Boy I'd like to see someone tell a Trini or Jamaican to "talk probably"...this is part of the culture. every country has some kind of dialect...we're talking about racism here and there are ppl poking fun at the cayman dialect. Talk about discrimination...grow up ppl
nobody would tell a trini or
nobody would tell a trini or jamaican to talk "probably" - properly maybe, probably, never.
i'm sure that's what the
i'm sure that's what the above post meant to convey but yes they may but it's ignorant to tell ppl in their own country to speak...that's the point..stick to it pls
When I first arrived in
When I first arrived in Cayman, a Jamaican at Public Beach told me how some/many Caymanians look down their noses at Jamaicans and their darker skin colour. When I asked him if Caymanians are not black, he laughed; he said that they are, but warned me never to call them that. Something about offending them.
appreciate what you're trying
appreciate what you're trying to say here yet what the hell is black anyway? what the hell is white? In regards to either being colours guess what..black is the absence of colour and white is all colours. when we try to apply colours to pigmentation I think we get it all wrong...ppl use race to empower themselves or discriminate against others. I can understand if ppl want to say they are african decent or european or whatever but I honestly think all this race crap is unnecessary. Caymanians are all mixed up so who gives a crap about black or white..the world isn't black or white ppl
wow, real deep. i guess when
wow, real deep. i guess when some uppity caymanian who has the same skin colour as a jamaican looks down his nose at said jamaican because of his skin colour, you'll be there to explain it all...
love the sarcasm but i don't
love the sarcasm but i don't apologize for wanting to see ppl beyond their skin colour...I'm a Caymanian Jamaican and proud but despite that i'd have something to say if I see something like this happening..in fact I have but that's besides the point...the point is to open our eyes
this black girl that i worked
this black girl that i worked with once told me that she used to run a lot when she was younger. i asked her if she still goes out for runs. she said no. i asked her if it's because she was busy. she said no. so i asked her how come she no longer runs. she said it's because she gets "too dark" if she's out in the sun for too long. i asked her if it matters. she said of course it does. she then told me how SOME "black" girls look for white guys to marry because it's considered a "step up". those who argue that colour is a thing of the past are either blind, deaf, or dumb. lizzard knew exactly what he was implying with the use of his "N" word... it certainly wasn't complimentary. and if the "N" has been adopted by the caymanian culture and language, it hasn't been adopted for its positive connotations. how exactly does a "N" act anyway lizzard???
To Anonymous Sun.10:22 Your
To Anonymous Sun.10:22 Your post is supposedly against disrespecting people ,but it is really about you disrespecting Ezzard by calling him lizzard.It would serve you right to wake up and find a lizzard talking to you.One of the big ,green ones.
Neither does it sound
Neither does it sound complimentary to call someone lizzard!...
racism does NOT exist in the
racism does NOT exist in the cayman islands. you know how primary students (as young as year 3) insult each other at times? you BLACK. they don't know what they're saying, but they're very good at repeating what they hear and see. so let's not kid ourselves that racism does not exist.
What has yet to be identified
What has yet to be identified is the local skin color racism among born Caymanians. The darker the skin tone the lower one stands in the local social order. Marry one of a dark skin tone and lose standing in the local social order.
People of color in Cayman do not think of themselves as black and will be offended to be considered black.
This sets people from Cayman apart from people from Jamaica.
But if you get a Caymanian to be honest with you they will share this. So to pretend skin color means nothing among Caymanians is mendacity at its finest.
Further below a writer
Further below a writer explains the innocent use of the "N" word, how it's used in jest by people of color/mixed race who live in Cayman. I fully agree with the sentiment but I'm curious if it's ok for a white guy like myself, living in Cayman, to use the "N" word in the same context. I suspect it's not.
hey my friend what's up?you
hey my friend what's up?you really want to find out if it's ok for a white person to use the "N" word in Cayman as in the same context as a previous poster,..........well this is what you must do,ask for directions to one of the following areas( visit between the hours of 3-8PM).....1)Rock hole,2)Swamp, 3)Dog city, 4)Harlem, 5)Scranton, 6)Central, 7)Old Sound Road,8)Bodden Road,9)School House Road or 10)Windsor Park,after arriving stand in the middle of the road and with all your might shout the "N" word from the bottom of your belly right up thru your throat,after doing that just stand still and a few seconds later your answer will be revealed.
There are many "white"
There are many "white" Caymanians who use it freely without it being an issue.
I have a real problem with
I have a real problem with people's explanation of the use of the N-word. Somehow, some people seem to think there is no racial element to their use of the word. How can that be?
"Nigger" means "black person". By using it to describe someone's behaviour as loud, ignorant, etc, then they are stereotyping black people as showing that type of behaviour. That MUST be racist. How can it be anything else? The fact that the user of the word is too ignorant to fully understand what they are saying doesn't excuse their behaviour.
Would it be acceptable if an expat said that they use the word "Caymanian" to describe lazy, indolent, ignorant, workshy people, but they don't mean it in a racist way, it is just part of their culture to describe them that way? Of course it wouldn't. Stop defending the indefensible.
Although, no one has tried to defend the use of "Jewed"...
"Nigger" does NOT mean "black
"Nigger" does NOT mean "black person". If it did then it would not have been derogatory to say nigger. The point, which you have missed altogether, is that meaning of this slang term depends upon intent and context. There is no comparison with the use of "Caymanian" which is simply our sub-nationality.
The Concise Oxford English
The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines nigger as black person. Various American dictionaries give the same definition. Unless you have a Caymanian English dictionary to cite, and are arguing that the Caymanian version of the word and the word used in every other English speaking country to mean black person are homonyms, or perhaps polysemes, I think we can safely assume that nigger means black person.
Ezzard Miller used the word on radio to describe a particular type of behaviour - loud, ignorant, etc. Now, given the etymology of the word nigger, he must have been relating that type of behaviour to a black person. Otherwise, why use the word at all? There are other perfectly comprehensible ways of describing his threatened behaviour that he could have used without resorting to that word. The fact that he uses that word, and that so many people here defend that particular usage, arguably shows a particular mindset - that they perceive black people as stereotypically showing those behaviours.
I entirely agree that context is important. So, for example, Roddy Doyle described the Irish as the niggers of Europe. Not offensive. Some African Americans sometimes use the word in a neutral or familiar way within their peer groups. Not offensive. A white man using it to describe aggressive, disorderly behaviour? Offensive.
You appear to have defeated
You appear to have defeated your own point by saying that "nigger" can sometimes be used inoffensively and mean different things according to the context. Did you think that Ezzard thinks he is a "white man"? You quote Roddy Doyle's use as inoffensive and yet ask why given its etymology use the word if you do not intend offence.
I have no idea what your last
I have no idea what your last sentence means.
My point, consistently made, is that it depends on context. The context in which Miller used it was not inoffensive.
Look, this is a pointless argument. I am not going to be persuaded that it wasn't offensive, and you and others are not going to persuaded that it was. Let's just agree to disagree, shall we?
"I entirely agree that
"I entirely agree that context is important. So, for example, Roddy Doyle described the Irish as the niggers of Europe. Not offensive. Some African Americans sometimes use the word in a neutral or familiar way within their peer groups. Not offensive. A white man using it to describe aggressive, disorderly behaviour? Offensive."
So just because a white man says it, it's offensive? That's racist.
As far as i'm concerned the
As far as i'm concerned the use of the "N" word at all (no matter the context) is racist...don't give a damn how much fools rationalize the use..NO ONE should refer to another person in this way...even if a "black person uses it to refer to another to me that's black on black racism lol silly as it sounds...y reinforce a word that has no positive history or present...better off saying "what's up my brother" cuz at least that suggests kinship
FYI Roddy Doyle is white...
FYI Roddy Doyle is white...
This excerpt from The
This excerpt from The Guardian by Gary Younge is a fine example of how misunderstood Caymanians are by our foreign guests. No doubt "the local, black hustler" was left feeling as conflicted and annoyed as the writer did. It is all about cultural understanding folks. Words that might be an insult to some is in fact known as words of affection to others. You are in Cayman folks ... take the time to get to know us and stop insulting us by your lack of understanding of our culture and local dialect.
Just because you are bigots,
Just because you are bigots, doesn't mean it is ok.
In certain backwaters of the states or the UK (i.e. Scotland and Wales) you will hear these racist terms frequently, it doesn't make them any more acceptable even if some of the locals believe it is local dialect.
I'm Caymanian and I neither
I'm Caymanian and I neither use the word in the "cultural" context that you describe nor condone such usage as local dialect. And I assure you that I don't lack understanding of the culture and local dialect.
I don't accept use of the "N" word in any circumstance and refuse to accept your opinion that is a part of Caymanian, and therefore my, "culture" and local dialect. You are more than welcome to use the word with your friends and family in the "affectionate" way that you describe, but I am more than welcome to be offended by anyone using this word in any context. I'm also entitled to my opinion that the historical significance of the word means it will never be okay to use it and my opinion that this attempt tot re-define it as bad behaviour, etc is even more insulting to black people.
p.s. The Guardian article had nothing to do with Cayman, so how can it be an example of foreign guests misunderstanding Caymanians? CNS seems to have chosen to post this excerpt and link here because Mr. Miller's on-air comments sparked quite a lot of debate on other threads. It seems quite appropriate to post a viewpoint that was related and which would allow the discussion to meander on over here.
Sorry - I am deeply offended
Sorry - I am deeply offended by him being described as black. The correct term (in the culture being imposed on us) is African American.
sorry 03/14/2010 - 10:00.
sorry 03/14/2010 - 10:00. African-American is a terms which applies to black people from America (The United States). No one in the story, not even the author, is American.
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