[Closed] Casual racists

It was, but makes an interesting point I think.

I took it as a troll comment, I stand by that.

Anyway I thought it was about calling a meal something not a person, most people seem to be confused and think it's about calling Chinese people.

I am really quite annoyed at not being able to post Father Ted and the "I am Chinese" or "I hear you're a racist now" sketches

When we'd been dating for a few months in my third year of uni I didn't restrain myself at a drum n base night

Good times.

Dance like nobody's watching!

Oh I give up....

Sticks and stones, eh, what a bunch. Get out and travel the world a bit guys.

It entirely depends on where you travel and who you are with. I've got a fair bit of experience of South Africa. I have seen and heard white south africans after a few beers have loosened their tongues using language that harks back to a bad era. In the majority of cases where I've seen white south africans casually dismiss 'blacks' or 'coloureds' (mostly just lazily) the response from the wronged pary seems to be more sad realisation that prejudices endure longer than good intentions.

In other places in the world you might get a knife in the guts.

And yes, a lot of the most racist attitudes I've come across are Indian hindus when talking about ****stani muslims - just because it goes on elsewhere doesn't make it alright, though.

Prejudice and ignorance are two sides of the same coin. They both show an unwillingness to think and if you're really stupid and easily led they can be made to seem admirable qualities.

I took it as a troll comment

That ok, I'm not offended by your misunderstanding.

I am really quite annoyed at not being able to post Father Ted and the "I am Chinese" or "I hear you're a racist now" sketches

Or the Monty Python skit, "I like Chinese". Let alone "Never be rude to an Arab".

😉

classic stw thread this one...

Classic the Chinese on Craggy Island 8)

It's the 1970's racist language such as Chinky and **** that I also will not tolerate.
If youve ever been a school kid on the recieving end you'll understand.
Anyone who thinks its post PC to use such language or in any way sets them out as a free thinker, is a ****t.
In the Black Country (ooh the irony) I have heard white adult males say how they miss the old days, which involved a regular Friday night drink, followed by a spot of '**** Bashing'.
Using this language evokes a time when this behaviour was rife, and it was generally said with utter hatred.
For the 'I'm not a racist but...' crowd, you are just morons. But the next time a 'mate' down the pub starts, make sure you voice your opinion, unless you are also feeble minded, mouth breathing, squirrel eating, sh1t kicker.

pwned this thread

Only read a bit of this, but I don't really go in for the whole classifying certain words as racist. There really has to be context involved before the racist value of a particular word or sentence can be judged.

My work colleague used to call me North Korean or Mongol (I am/was not offended) then I politely requested him to refer to me as Dear Leader then for him to ask me for forgiveness. 😆 Somehow he stopped after a while ... hhhhmmm ... not sure why.

I sense another thread about to be banned.

Rscott - Member
Anyway we came to the conclusion that there are certain words that are unexceptionable, but the main thing that makes it racist is the[b] context [/b]used in. And this is a fine line, that [b]differs from race to race[/b] and area to area.

Rscott - the best post of the thread IMO

I have worked in Japan where the difference in my skin colour and race was a topic of daily comment. Ditto, I was openly referred to with an adjective that bore this out and was discriminated against on this basis. Was it offensive? Personally no I don't think so. I chose to live there, I was different (odd to many outside the main urban centres), it was my responsibility to fit in not vice versa. But I accept that is not an opinion shared by all.*

I have worked in Africa, where it is a relief that the adjectives black, white, coloured etc can, and are, used without fear or prejudice. A little uncomfortable (initially) for those of us schooled in the linguisitic bastardisation that characterises attempts to avoid offence in US and UK.

I have also worked in India where the use of Pak/**** is also widespread - indeed a regular headline on newspapers in the region. As Jkomo notes, **** in the UK context is almost exclusively used in an unpleasant and unacceptable context.

[b]Context, context, context.[/b].....(plus racism exists in all societies - not an excuse, merely an observation)

Context forms the basis of anti-racism legislation in this country which is its strength (appropriateness) and its weakness (difficulty to define or interpret at times) IMO

* edit: that should not be interpreted as meaning that I condone racism/discrimination in any way or that it "has" to be accepted.

Is someone of ****stani and Chinese parentage a Pinky to a racist then ?

Edric 64 - Member
Is someone of ****stani and Chinese parentage a Pinky to a racist then ?

I struggle with long sentences, but a good mate is Chinese, and runs a takeaway in Glasgow. He likes to play with it - he calls it a Chinky just to see the reaction on people's faces. He once offered someone money for their "tasty-looking dog". He puts on a fake "flied lice" accent.

He says it's much more fun than getting angry at the casual racism. It probably makes people think, too.

It probably makes people think, too

It makes me think your mate is a bit of a donut for messing with people.*

*donuts were invented by the Chinese, right?

I have worked in Japan where the difference in my skin colour and race was a topic of daily comment. Ditto, I was openly referred to with an adjective that bore this out and was discriminated against on this basis. Was it offensive? Personally no I don't think so. I chose to live there, I was different (odd to many outside the main urban centres), it was my responsibility to fit in not vice versa. But I accept that is not an opinion shared by all.*

Japan's profound racism is an issue for the rest of the world considering what it has led to in the past.

It makes me think your mates a bit of a donut for messing with people.*

Interesting point Bwaarp. Racism, imperialism, nationalism...are they the same, intertwined, different....? Is Japan much different to others?

it was my responsibility to fit in not vice versa

No it wasn't. You just couldn't be arsed challenging prejudice.

I understand context is important...but more to comedy than racism.

@bwaarp

Stephen K Amos is not the answer to anything.

Especially humour based.

Interesting point Bwaarp. Racism, imperialism, nationalism...are they the same, intertwined, different....? Is Japan much different to others?

I do believe there can be difference, the Philippines for example is a hell of a lot more laid back when it comes to ethnicity than Japan.

If you can't mess with people's heads occasionally, what's the point of life?

DD, that's your interpretation! Given that I have to work in different countries, I would prefer to call it placing sensitivities of local contexts, cultures, norms etc above personal ones. Same as wearing appropriate clothing, not drinking etc.

DD, that's your interpretation! Given that I have to work in different countries, I would prefer to call it placing sensitivities of local contexts, cultures, norms etc above personal ones. Same as wearing appropriate clothing, not drinking etc.

That's why I wouldn't want to work in the middle east or Japan. I'm intolerant of their intolerance - those societies are utterly opposed to my own ideals. I can't stand egotistical arrogant cultures, I'm glad Britain and Germany started to an extent losing our national arrogance after the second world war ended.

Each to their own then Bwaarp? I also believe there is/can be a difference re my Japan ? BTW.

I struggle with long sentences too.
casual racism? whats that?
surely a racist by definition is malicious, calculating, intent on hurting with words or deed.

thoughtless people who say words without considering their impact cannot be called racist.

I would prefer to call it placing sensitivities of local contexts, cultures, norms etc above personal ones. Same as wearing appropriate clothing, not drinking etc.

For example i worked in a community abroad with many foreigners[me included]. One group thought it ok to beat their women[ no ownership implied]. One group obbjected. I did not put their norms above right and wrong.
I know nothing of japan so cannot comment but would not put up with racism because i was abroad.

Interesting that a woman picked up on the 'casual sexism' in my post, it took longer than I expected.

@ McHamish, I just assumed your "owner" comment was heavily sprinkled with ground irony.

+1

It was, but makes an interesting point I think.

That most of us got the irony?

Protection of the wider community? As a white teacher I didn't get any protection from the wider community, nor did my white female head of department.

So when you left the school you were still subjected to racist abuse in the street or at home, excluded from local facilities, targeted hate campaigns etc? No? Or does it serve your purpose to selectively quote to make a point as I actually wrote

but you had the protection of the wider community [u]outside that closed environment.[/u]

ie. where you returned to being one of the stronger majority.

My grandfather is the only white person on his street in Bradford, however according to the 2001 census Bradford is
74.9% White
20.5% Asian or Asian British
1.6% Black or Black British
1.9% Mixed Race
1.1% Chinese and other

So locally he is in a minority, but only locally.

Teamhurtmore, would the term used to describe you in Japan be Gaijin, by any chance? As it happens, I have a t-shirt with a rising sun on the front, and 'Baka Gaijin'* in Kanji written across it. I personally find it amusing to see Japanese tourists expressions whenever they see me wearing it, especially the cute girls. 😀
*'Stupid Foreigner', for those who don't know.

Count Zero - I though 'Gajin' was Foreign Devil?
It used to be implied as a very racist term but has kind of lost its meaning due to most westerners using it as a term of reference for themselves, I guess very similar to Gweilo here in HK or the N word in the States.

Interesting that Japan has come up, I travel out here quite a bit for work (currently in our Japanese office now), and have always said the place makes the UK look tolerant when it comes to racism.

Everyone always picks up on language as racist, but I think actions are more so and it is actions that set the Japanese seperate from the rest.

It can be difficult as a westerner out here but in the 10 years I have been coming things are improving, but it really depends how sensitive you are as to how much it annoys you.

There are a few terms that are used which are derogatory that I tend to ignore, and probably a few I don't know, no point in getting upset or worked up about it.

The tendancy to ignore anyone who isn't Japanese can grate occasionally, but generally only happens away from the tourist areas, only ever been refused service in one shop, at times people go out their way to help as they like to use the english language they have learned. Although they don't like letting westerners into their 'adult' night clubs as my colleagues found out a few years ago when they tried to drag me along to one in Tokyo one night after being on the beer most of the evening. LOL
Actually, on this trip the very noticeable difference between how the Japanese and Westerners are treated started in the Business lounge at Heathrow (a Japanese Airline). I arrived and was basically waved into the lounge, the Japanese travellers arrived and the Japanese girls working in the lounge were running after them, showing them to seats, getting them drinks etc etc.

I always just found it amusing that on a train even if the only seat available was the one next to me they would actively avoid sitting next to me, this doesn't happen so much now.

But if you are sensitive then you will struggle out here, you don't get invited to important meetings, they keep stuff from you and outright lie at times, they laugh at the crap they drop onto us as they can't be bothered as it's not for Japan etc. Just had an email on my project from one of the guys here, who speaks almost perfect english, and the email is fully in Japanese! Out comes google translate.

Most of the guys I work with are great, but you do come across the occasional one who still thinks Japan are the master race and everyone else is inferior and will quite literally ignore you or will give you some irrelevant menial tesk to complete, this is few and far between thankfully as I don't take kindly to that sort of thing so tend to tell them to get stuffed which goes down great, not. I once basically sat on a Managers desk until he acknowledged my presence and answered my question (I had been warned he was a ****).

To take teamhurtmores point about fitting in, I'm 6'4 so not that easy, but I tend to stick to the same rules as everyone else in Japan does, don't deliberatley go out to antagonise or annoy, unlike a US colleague who seemed to want to do all the don't do stuff you get told about, chopsticks in the rice bowl etc, just to wind up the locals, and make Hiroshima comments, I told him he was an arse and didn't socialise with him every again. However, I won't do something I don't agree with just to fit in, If there is something they do that is okay for Japan but doesn't meet the European way and it's a European product I'll do it our way, it almost got me banned from one of out facilities but I will explain why. Mostly it's accepted, although I'm sure they call me stuff in Japanese behind my back, I don't understand it so don't really care.

I struggle with long sentences. indeed.

[i]murdered to death[/i]
Only midly amusing as its getting so old now.

[i][b]I'd not worry about it either, but it'd be a good pointer as to whether he or she is the type of person [u]with whom I'd associate.[/u][/b][/i]
^^^ This.

If you and your peers use that type of language, then fine, get on with it.

For the rest of you whom object to that stuff. Are you for real ?.
You're complaining cos the world ain't the way YOU want it to be ?.
If the world can be a beautiful place for its diversity in some many things and so many ways.
Then it stands that there will always be those parts of it that you might not like as much. But this only illuminates the good stuff, surely ?.
No light without dark, etc, etc.

So, OP. Your [i]friend[/i] appears to be the type of person you'd rather not associate with..... So, don't try and change them. That would make you just another type of monster. Instead just jog-on and find other people to hang about with.

Threads such as this are utterly useless. Can't you lot find a better use for this place ?.

Threads such as this are utterly useless. Can't you lot find a better use for this place ?.

Which begs the obvious question...

[i]Which begs the obvious question...[/i]

[i]Jamie - Member
@bwaarp

Stephen K Amos is not the answer to anything.

Especially humour based.[/i]

Hhhmmm. Like your contribution was, err, really ACE !.
While you're here, give Phil a nudge will you. Get him to pop in on this one now and post something like [i]Ooohh, deary me[/i].

As you know, I'm not one to miss out on a laugh and special guys are so funny.
😆

Some interesting points by andermt, which to me suggests the old "when in Rome" quote. What annoys me a tad I'd when the laws of the country don't seem to apply to other cultures, whereas on some countries I'd be expected to obey their laws as soon as I crossed the border.

There have been plenty of Brits incarcerated or facing death penalties for drug offenses in the Middle East for example. In my view, you come to this/a country and accept our/their laws. If you want to be british behave in the interest out our nation at all times, take the test and welcome. . I appreciate this is a different issue but I don't understand why Britain is now trying to be all things to all men.

I guess this is post EU generic humanitarianism at work. Thing is, it doesn't - Afghanistan being the prime example of a failing attempt at westernisation of a deep rooted culture.

Chinky is a white term from a bygone era. So is Coon. Why is the former still acceptable? Because it sounds cute to some?

solo, not my friend.

it's almost as if some are offended, because i am offended.

Solo, re your previous post.

We have an easy, simple way of causing people less distress than they would otherwise encounter.
Just by moderating our language and showing others the respect we'd like to receive ourselves, we can make our world a slightly better place for all of us.
Why wouldn't you want to encourage that?

deadlydarcy - Member
You just couldn't be arsed challenging prejudice.

Junkyard - Member
depends on whether what they are doing is right wrong or just a convention really.

Which brings is back full circle to the concept of bias and perception. Of course, if we as a society are morally perfect and an example to all in tackling prejudice and endorsing what is right or wrong, then we should set about changing and educating the world to our high standards 😕 Wasn't that the excuse we used to send missionaries around the world????

Hhhmmm. Like your contribution was, err, really ACE !.

Ad hominem time already? 😳 😐 🙁 😛 😡 😀 ...etc etc

Chris Rock:

[img] [/img]

"I'm black, and man - I HATE ****s!!"

So that makes it ok to repeat/hold up as a poster-child for name calling to other races?

i experience racism on a near daily basis and have for years.

context, intent, and the beliefs held by the person saying the perceived racist things are all key i think. as one of 3 white people working for a company that is 99% differing populations from around the world (mainly africa, poland and various eastern countries) its interesting watching the racism directed at each other. the polish can be really nasty about the africans!

my boss is from zimbabwe and some of the stuff he comes out with about his employees makes me cringe. the way he treats his fellow african co-workers is completely different to the way he treats me... i get it easy compared to them!

many of my african co-workers, mainly the ones who have spent a lot of time in this country or were born here call me 'my ****' in the same way they do their friends.

then i get the racism from my patients directed towards staff because i'm white they assume i must agree with them 🙁

despite all the racism thrown back and forth, i've never heard any of them refer to a Chinese takeaway as a 'chinky' apart from one patient who has admitted to me he supports the BNP.

all that is very anecdotal i know, but whilst people are writing about their experiences i figured i'd contribute something other than 'oh deary me'.

hora - Member

So that makes it ok to repeat/hold up as a poster-child for name calling to other races?

Erm, dunno, does it?

deadlydarcy - Member
@ McHamish, I just assumed your "owner" comment was heavily sprinkled with ground irony.

McHamish - Member
It was, but makes an interesting point I think.

That racist and sexist comments are OK if they're funny?

That racist and sexist comments are OK if they're funny?

Depends on context.

Ironic and funny don't always go hand in hand.

Imperialism relies on racism to justify its ideology, the legacy of this continues in post imperialism.

Are we still talking about this? Blimey.

If you're not sure what I meant, perhaps you ought to sit quietly and contemplate what I could be referring to...perhaps put the lights off and listen to some 'mood music'.

Or read my post where I explained what I meant.

Either way's good.

For the rest of you whom object to that stuff. Are you for real ?.
You're complaining cos the world ain't the way YOU want it to be ?.

Of course, if we as a society are morally perfect and an example to all in tackling prejudice and endorsing what is right or wrong, then we should set about changing and educating the world to our high standards Wasn't that the excuse we used to send missionaries around the world????

"I'm black, and man - I HATE ****s!!"

Its interesting though we would lall laugh if he said something or perhaps Jimmy Carr or Frankie Boyle

However if Jim davidson said it them we would get a diferent reaction

As mentioned previously it is the intent the words convey not necessarily the actual words that matter
Ie Someoen could be racist without using racist language[ nick Griffin when he thinks he is being filmed for example] or you could use racist language without being racist [ though you would likely be inconsiderate, insensitive or ignorant]

Racism perpetuates as we don't correct others around us.

Being 'white' I've had people (usually casual strangers) mention in conversation about blacks etc. Once I stopped the fella and said 'at what point did I come across as though I have a racist attitude'? (that was on a testdrive in a Merc at a Merc main dealer).

Ex-colleague was telling me his Dad employed a lad in his garage on work experience and his nickname was ****-Pete. Poor young 16yr old lad. Hes going to grow up thinking white adult men are ****ing ****s. I didn't laugh and said it wasn't fair/out of order.

Unless you stop someone who finds it funny it'll just perputuate.

So back to the original word. If someone says 'lets have a chinky'- they are usually mono-browed, anglo-saxon of low-education trying to belittle someone.

I have two women that work for me (as in I'm their manager, nothing sinister!), one from Zimbabwe and the other from Ghana. They despise each other based purely on race and the comments that they chunter between each other are shocking. I've had to speak to them both about their behaviour in the office.

Incidentally, the girl from Zimbabwe asked me what my mum would think if I introduced her to my mum, I replied that my mum doesn't have any issues with me dating a black girl. She was massively offended as apparently she prefers to be called 'coloured' which I thought was classed as racist. Live and learn as they say...

I thought you were Jewish?

OOPS! double post

you are aware of basic universal human rights or is that just some more arrogance?

Whilst I basically agree with you the concept of universal human rights is a western construction.

You're complaining cos the world ain't the way YOU want it to be ?.

Isn't this kind of the point of democracy?

basic universal human rights

People have mentioned 'free speech' when discussing the right to use terms that others may deem racist.

As far as I'm aware free speech is only permitted as long as it doesn't contravine human rights.

As mentioned previously it is the intent the words convey not necessarily the actual words that matter
Ie Someoen could be racist without using racist language[ nick Griffin when he thinks he is being filmed for example] or you could use racist language without being racist [ though you would likely be inconsiderate, insensitive or ignorant]

My wife would still be upset if someone used the term chinky in her presence even if they didn't mean it in a derogatory way. Up until last night she had never heard the term before (in reference to Chinese take-aways), which might suggest that most people know not to use it in the company of Chinese people.

There you go.

Where do people stand on what some would call "casual racism" in banter between lifelong friends of differing races? Right, wrong, evil, ok?

Reason I ask is because we were talking about it the other week in the pub. I grew up in Luton and a few of us had a little catch up recently - we've known each other for 31 of our 35 years - I'm of mixed Irish/english/Romany gypsy blood, one of the guys is of Jamaican parentage, one of Kashmiri parentage, one of Italian parentage. As you'd expect, in the years we have known each other, we've experienced lots and had highs and lows, so nothing is taboo in conversation. Anyways, we are at a point in our collective relationship where we all rib each other endlessly about anything & everything. One of the lads jokingly said "can you imagine if someone overheard our banter" and it started me thinking. Would anyone have the right to be offended, or (as one of the others said) "they have no right to be offended as they shouldn't have been eavesdropping"?

Thoughts? I know where I stand on it.

The people who call Chinese takeaways Chinky's. Would you use that term infront of a Chinese person?

Doubt it. Stop trolling and/or grow up.

I give it 5 minutes, Woppit.

Anyone who lets a colleague/friend etc make a racist comment either needs to man up or find new friends.

There are certain exceptions to this, where I find you have to give a bit of leeway Hora.

My best mate would be considered rascist by a lot of people. For example he constantly refers to 'rag-heads'. But then he is just back from the Afghan (again). And as he's referring to the people who've been enthusiastically trying to kill him, I tend to let it slide

She was massively offended as apparently she prefers to be called 'coloured' which I thought was classed as racist.

I got pulled up a little while ago for using the word "coloured" as it's apparently racist. Made me vexed because I used it specifically to try and avoid using any potentially derogatory language.

Then I got to thinking, you know, whilst I don't agree that country contractions are inherently racist (compare ****, Brit, Scot, Pole, Iti, etc), I'm happy to avoid using them as I understand that some people find them offensive (rightly or not). However, when we're getting into the realms of "black / brown / white / coloured" now being offensive, I really don't think the the problem here lies with the speaker. What next, differently pigmented? We're running out of words.

Fundamentally, we're heading towards a situation where words are becoming viewed as 'racist' purely because they're used to describe a demographic and [i]racists speak the same language we do.[/i] So we start saying (for example) "coloured" to attempt to safely refer to someone non-caucasian, then the racists start using the same word, hey presto it's suddenly a 'racist' term and we've to find something else. It's a race condition we can't win unless we force racists to start speaking Esperanto or something.

Lunacy.

My best mate would be considered rascist by a lot of people. For example he constantly refers to 'rag-heads'. But then he is just back from the Afghan (again). And as he's referring to the people who've been enthusiastically trying to kill him, I tend to let it slide

Raghead is a derogatory (and generalising) term. Its not racist per-se. Its an insult just as being referred to as an 'Infidel' is (which is more common than you think)...

My wife would still be upset if someone used the term chinky in her presence even if they didn't mean it in a derogatory way. Up until last night she had never heard the term before

Sorry, why would she be upset about a term she's never heard before? Am I missing something?

Junkyard - Member
Challenging racism and other wrongs is some sort of Imperilaism and until we are perfect we should do nothing - christ did you take a hyperbole pill this morning? Its a huge leap you have made there and there may be some middle ground between doing nothing and Imperialsitically impossing our standards on the world due to arrogance- you are aware of basic universal human rights or is that just some more arrogance?

I guess we couldn't agree twice in 24 hours then JY!! 😉 {although we are probably more than 50% on the same wave length!)

No, I didn't take a hyperbole pill. I was merely responding to DD's direct and your more subtle criticism. The one area of consistency throughout this thread seems to be t[b]he notion that racism is "context specific."[/b] My point is that our, for the sake of argument "British", context may well be very different from others. I have tested this idea with the John Terry case and different countries view each of the three words (FBC) with different degrees of distaste for example. What "is" arrogant is the idea that we have the monopoly on defining universal human rights including what is and isn't racist. The logical extension of this idea was the concept of imposing Christianity around the world via missionaries. And I can guess your views on that! To return to the original point of the thread - IMO the use of the words Chinky and **** is, in the UK context, unacceptable and worthy of nothing other than contempt. However, seeing the same word (Pak/****) as a headline in the Times of India is something entirely different.

Sorry, why would she be upset about a term she's never heard before? Am I missing something?

She's heard and been called that term before, she just hasn't heard anyone use it to refer to a Chinese take away. But due to the meaning she associates it, she would be upset.

What "is" arrogant is the idea that we have the monopoly on defining universal human rights including what is and isn't racist

Well given our travails with the european courts and prisoners voting I , for one, will not be arguing that we alone can define these things.
Not sure anyone has argued one country can have they?

FWIW I am no fan of article 17 but I bet you are 😉

However a broad church of political and international members probably can find things that [ nearly all] agree are universal.
I am not sure that having international rights means we must inevitable [ logically] impose it with force, invasion and conquest though. We could try just persuade them with our arguments - unless they have oil, dont like us, we can definetly win and they are not mates with Russia or China.

Everything is context with language and also intent.]As noted above th eterm black was deemd to be offensive but no offense was meant

flange - Member
.....she prefers to be called 'coloured' which I thought was classed as racist. Live and learn as they say...

And my west indian wife, get's very offended at being called "coloured", she's "black" dont you know, and don't forget it...

Like I said a few pages ago and someone said this morning, educate yourself about who and what is deemed offensive and react politely. Different people and contexts could lead to different things being acceptable although of course there are overriding commonalities/generisms.

Coloured refers to a hue/colouring in- a really weird term IMO.

Good JY, then we are back in agreement.

BTW, which Article 17 - the Univeral HR one ie, property rights? Three years ago, I shared a platform in Africa with Hernando de Soto, and found his ideas interesting re the role of property rights and emerging market development. So your [i]assumption[/i] in this case, may well be correct!! 😉

The people who call Chinese takeaways Chinky's. Would you use that term infront of a Chinese person?

Doubt it. Stop trolling and/or grow up.

If someone says 'lets have a chinky'- they are usually mono-browed, anglo-saxon of low-education trying to belittle someone.

grum - Member
"What a complicated world we live in." - V8ninety
It's not really that difficult is it?

We've had people, deliberately trying to avoid offending people, actually causing massive offence by using the term black and/or coloured.

I've led someone to believe that I've got an issue with the 'oppression of the white man' just because I was trying to say racism has more to do with the ignorance than the skin colour of the racist individual.

But it's not complicated, no.

I use the terms "fat", "obese", "overweight" and occasionally "lard-ass", "blimp" etc to describe people but out of politeness I wouldn't do so in their presence. Do I need to grow up?

You need to realise that someone fat can diet and that someone chinese can do nothing about this fact
You can form judgements on folk based on things they "choose" to do if you wish but, in general, if you wont say it to their face its probably better to not say it behind their back.

Re low education

They probably think that , on average, the IQ of racists is lower than the IQ of non racists
Interestingly recent reseacrh links racism, conservatism and prejudice to low IQ

The research finds that children with low intelligence are more likely to hold prejudiced attitudes as adults. These findings point to a vicious cycle, according to lead researcher Gordon Hodson, a psychologist at Brock University in Ontario. Low-intelligence adults tend to gravitate toward socially conservative ideologies, the study found. Those ideologies, in turn, stress hierarchy and resistance to change, attitudes that can contribute to prejudice, Hodson wrote in an email to LiveScience..... there is reason to believe that strict right-wing ideology might appeal to those who have trouble grasping the complexity of the world.

"Socially conservative ideologies tend to offer structure and order," Hodson said, explaining why these beliefs might draw those with low intelligence. "Unfortunately, many of these features can also contribute to prejudice."

to be clear it also said this

There are multiple examples of very bright conservatives and not-so-bright liberals, and many examples of very principled conservatives and very intolerant liberals," Hodson said.

Nosek gave another example to illustrate the dangers of taking the findings too literally.

"We can say definitively men are taller than women on average," he said. "But you can't say if you take a random man and you take a random woman that the man is going to be taller. There's plenty of overlap."

Maccy's?

It shows that you have no empathy on a basic level at the least. Just because its routine for you to call it a chinky because others past the word onto you doesn't mean you should perpetuate this further.

If you'd only use this term in your immediate social/family circle then it shows you have a 'us and them' attitude to a different race/nationality.

Rather than froth at the gills over crass naivety I'm also out.