Flash wrote:
So, if I approached Kris Akabusi and said "How's it going, Uncle Tom?" or "How's tricks, choc ice?" he wouldn't see it as a racist remark nor be offended? Just the same as if I were to approach a gay man and say "How's my favourite butt pirate doing today?" - you know, because it's just slang.

The term "Choc Ice" most definitely has racist connotations. I guess for a black guy to use it against another black guy it's just slang, but for a white guy it would more than likely be deemed racist.
I wonder if you actually know what the expression "Uncle Tom" means? It might be offensive to some - but is certainly not racist - how can it be when it's a word invented by blacks to be used about other blacks? A pejorative used to a gay person attacking him for his sexuality bears no relation at all to a pejorative used to a black person attacking him for being a collaborator in his own subjugation.

Would Kris Akabussi find the term racist? I've no idea - but it would most likely depend on the motives of the accuser. Can Rio Ferdinand (a half caste Brit) be considered to be using a "racist" term against Ashley Cole (also a half-caste Brit)? Unlikely.

All these things depend on context, something many find incredibly difficult to absorb...


Last Edited By: A Man of Constant Sorrow Jul 15 12 2:01 PM. Edited 1 times.