Support NeoGAF

[Blasty]

I was speaking to someone and they used "nerdy white boy" to describe a pedestrian.

I called them out for being racist and this lead to a discussion on racism and what it is. She said that white people are the only people that can be racist because they're, "the only race that thinks their better than other races." After that, she said you can't argue because she's going by the definition.

It sounds like a variation of the position of power argument to me.

Do any of you have similar opinions, or know anyone that does?

Edit: I want to clarify that I do not think that racism is exclusive to whites.

Edit: I also want to clarify that I'm black, so I really don't think that this is the first time I've met another black person.

 

[Pickman]

This person is the dumb.

Anyone can dislike a person for any reason. If that reason happens to be race, then it's racist.

 

[bidguy]

so you spoke to an idiot?

 

[SquiddyCracker]

Racism knows no race.

 

[BlazingDarkness]

She sounds like an idiot.

Also, GAF has lots of racism threads these days.

 

[Mix Master]

plenty of racist folks in Raleigh, Coming from a black guy the majority of racist people i know are black. always talking about the "white man" and "honkeys" and all that other shit.

 

[AlteredForms]

They can be. But since they've been targeted the most with racial slurs, cut them some slack.

 

[MacNille]

Everyone can be a racist. It doesn't matter if you are black, white, brown or whatever, you can be a racist asshole.

 

[commedieu]

OP, black people are no different than other people.

People can be racist.

 

[Angelus Errare]

This thread will be fun.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Why is every black person a spokesperson for black people in general

I don't listen to white hobos talking about whatever the fuck and then go and ask other white people "so why do you guys believe [hobo ramblings]?"

 

[Dark Stalkers]

of course they can be racist, but i don't see how calling someone a nerdy white boy is racist

 

[vas_a_morir]

Funny enough, I don't think 'nerdy white boy' is all that racially offensive. Seems more like a description to me.

What I'm saying is... it didn't bother me personally, and I can't imagine it making any other white person feel like they are under attack vicariously.

 

[The Adder]

The sociological term requiring a social power structure in addition to prejudice? No.

The word people use to define racially based prejudices? Yes.

Is her reasoning applicable to that first one? No.

 

[commedieu]

Why is every black person a spokesperson for black people in general

I don't listen to white hobos talking about whatever the fuck and then go and ask other white people "so why do you guys believe [hobo ramblings]?"

Because people dont understand cultures/people they don't associate with.

 

[Skilletor]

1. That's a stupid statement.
2. Why is "nerdy white boy" a racist comment?

 

[Angelus Errare]

Why is every black person a spokesperson for black people in general

I don't listen to white hobos talking about whatever the fuck and then go and ask other white people "so why do you guys believe [hobo ramblings]?"

The question we've been asking for the last 54 years.

 

[CrazyDude]

of course they can be racist, but i don't see how calling someone a nerdy white boy is racist

So thuggish black boy wouldn't be racist?

 

[SwiftDeath]

Yeah no. Anyone of any race can be racist

 

[Windam]

Anyone can be racist.

 

[heliosRAzi]

Why is every black person a spokesperson for black people in general

Heavy is our burden; to be all black people at once. We are Legion.

So thuggish black boy wouldn't be racist?

Be honest, they'd just say thug and let your imagination soar

 

[PhoenixDark]

The argument is that as an oppressed minority, black people cannot be racist - their views on race are reactionary to a dominant power structure (white people/western media). Blacks therefore don't have the "power" to be racist.

I find the argument to be ridiculous. Anyone who believes one race is inferior to another and/or discriminates against it on racial grounds is racist. The idea that black people are "powerless" and therefore can't be racist is asinine to me, and dare I say....reverse racist. My dad owns his own business - is he not racist if he refuses to hire whites based on their color, or because he dislikes white people? Would I be not racist if I refused to promote people at my job?

(I'm black)

 

[FStop7]

Robert Mugabe disagrees.

 

[Deleted member 47027]

Why is every black person a spokesperson for black people in general

I don't listen to white hobos talking about whatever the fuck and then go and ask other white people "so why do you guys believe [hobo ramblings]?"

Seriously folks

 

[The Adder]

So thuggish black boy wouldn't be racist?

How is that equivalent. "Nerdy" is not coded speak for white person.

I am a nerdy black man. If someone called me such it wouldn't ne racist.

 

[Blasty]

1. That's a stupid statement.
2. Why is "nerdy white boy" a racist comment?

If you knew this person you'd know it was meant as a sort of race joke.

Then again, I'm black so I can't say for sure that people would find it offensive. I would never say it myself though, so...

 

[Windam]

How is that equivalent. "Nerdy" is not coded speak for white person.

I am a nerdy black man. If someone called me such it wouldn't ne racist.

Nerdy black man!

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

That thread title.

OP talks to a black person. You won't believe what happens next!

 

[CrazyDude]

How is that equivalent. "Nerdy" is not coded speak for white person.

I am a nerdy black man. If someone called me such it wouldn't ne racist.

I think I unintentionally realized your point. /n/v

 

[Black-Wind]

I was speaking to someone and they used "nerdy white boy" to describe a pedestrian.

I called them out for being racist

I'm gonna say you're both to the South of "Smart".
That's not a racist thing to call someone ... and white people aren't the only racist people.

 

[Hypemaster]

Anyone can be a racist. Surely you know that.

 

[vas_a_morir]

The sociological term requiring a social power structure in addition to prejudice? No.

Yes, this can happen, too. There are many successful, powerful black people who have the administrative power to discriminate if they so choose in America. Outside of the US, you will find some nations where racism is perpetrated at a government level by black people toward other ethnic groups.

 

[studyguy]

Ignorance doesn't care about your skin color.

 

[Sol..]

So thuggish black boy wouldn't be racist?

You could have chosen a more equivalent example.

 

[MorisUkunRasik]

So thuggish black boy wouldn't be racist?

ha, you're serious!

 

[Brakke]

Racists are people who believe that race exists.

 

[NH Apache]

Whose better?

In all seriousness, racism is not restricted to a certain race.

 

[Silky]

Why is every black person a spokesperson for black people in general

I don't listen to white hobos talking about whatever the fuck and then go and ask other white people "so why do you guys believe [hobo ramblings]?"

Thank you.

 

[Vermillion]

The argument is that as an oppressed minority, black people cannot be racist - their views on race are reactionary to a dominant power structure (white people/western media). Blacks therefore don't have the "power" to be racist.

I find the argument to be ridiculous. Anyone who believes one race is inferior to another and/or discriminates against it on racial grounds is racist. The idea that black people are "powerless" and therefore can't be racist is asinine to me, and dare I say....reverse racist. My dad owns his own business - is he not racist if he refuses to hire whites based on their color, or because he dislikes white people? Would I be not racist if I refused to promote people at my job?

(I'm black)

If you had just gotten through this without using the term "reverse-racist."

 

[TwEE-N-Toast]

A lot of people on gaf think that way. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the disparity in "power". It's fucked up watching some people who think that way apply that logic to other things too. It's a tumblr thing.

 

[Chezzymann]

My sociology teacher said this too and I was kind of confused.

 

[Kraftwerk]

Racists are people who believe that race exists.

Elaborate please?

My sociology teacher said this too and I was kind of confused.

wow

 

[studyguy]

My sociology teacher said this too and I was kind of confused.

Good lord.

 

[Platy]

Black people CAN be racist.

I have no idea how "white nerd boy" can be a racist statement.

I mean ...

 

[Randolph Freelander]

As a nerdy white boy, I am not the least bit offended by your friend's statement.

 

[Order]

Racists are people who believe that race exists.

No, nothing about this is true lol

 

[PhoenixDark]

The question we've been asking for the last 54 years.

Well given the way we give each other secret black man nods and handshakes, is it surprising some people believe we're all in the same strictly managed organization?

 

[commedieu]

If you knew this person you'd know it was meant as a sort of race joke.

Then again, I'm black so I can't say for sure that people would find it offensive. I would never say it myself though, so...

You're black.. and you had to post this thread for clarification of something abundantly ignorant? Anyone with a basic understanding of humans would know that the op is nonsense.

What kind of black are you? Surely you're aware that you're your own person...and that you have a unique personality...

Right?

 

[jerry1594]

Why is every black person a spokesperson for black people in general

I don't listen to white hobos talking about whatever the fuck and then go and ask other white people "so why do you guys believe [hobo ramblings]?"

He didn't ask if all black people are racist

 

[entremet]

This is one of Cornell West's talking points.