Kid criticised for trying to look like his hero

[ZedLeg]

youngsyr said:

Or, you are blind to the intent behind an act and immediately cry "racist!".

I even gave you the hint that he was Oscar nominated for it, so had been given approval by a community that is exceptional sensitive to the issue.

No, you said was Robert Downey Jr racist in Tropic Thunder? which I took to mean was his character racist.

If you had asked if I thought Edward Norton was racist in American History X I would've also said yes. It doesn't mean I think Edward Norton is a kerb stomping skinhead.

[saaby93]

This article too
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37152186

[InductionRoar]

bstb3 said:

But it's back to the context again - anyone in full view of the facts wouldn't regard the intention as racist at all, from either the child or parent.

Problem came once it went on social media where people can see it without bothering to get the context first, then the 'outrage' starts. I think it was stated above the big problem here isn't really the colour, it's more the lack of smarts about posting it onto social media in the current climate we live in where there is always someone just itching to take offense. That's where the damage was caused imo.

Unfortunately social media is a haven for brain dead underachievers who want to be seen as Mother Theresa from the comfort of their own dribble-drenched keyboard.

The boy's actions are not racist and anybody who thinks otherwise doesn't understand the term.

[youngsyr]

ZedLeg said:

youngsyr said:

Or, you are blind to the intent behind an act and immediately cry "racist!".

I even gave you the hint that he was Oscar nominated for it, so had been given approval by a community that is exceptional sensitive to the issue.

No, you said was Robert Downey Jr racist in Tropic Thunder? which I took to mean was his character racist.

If you had asked if I thought Edward Norton was racist in American History X I would've also said yes. It doesn't mean I think Edward Norton is a kerb stomping skinhead.

Which is exactly my point - you can't draw a distinction between an actor and his character, just as many people cannot draw the distinction between blacking up out of idiolisation or out of racism; they label both the same.

[Centurion07]

ZedLeg said:

Seriously, you guys are defending blacking up?

It's pretty misguided of the mother to think it's acceptable.

It's YOU that has the issue.

This is NOT "blacking up". THIS is a kid trying to look like his idol as best he can.

Racism is in the eye of the beholder.

[Hoofy]

youngsyr said:

That's stretching the comparison way too far, IMO. I'd see your point if he'd been made up as a minstrel, but he hadn't - he'd just darkened his skin and put a wig on to look more like his idol.

Do you think that Robert Downey Jr was being racist in Tropic Thunder?



Might be worth pointing out that he was nominated for an Oscar for his performance.

Great example.

"What do YOU mean, "you people"???"

[dondadda]

Just wonder how many of the people saying its alright are ethnic minorities.

Wonder how many Jews would have been happy with Harry wearing a Nazi uniform.

Afterall the holocaust happened many many years ago and it was 'just a costume to a fun party'

[ZedLeg]

youngsyr said:

ZedLeg said:

youngsyr said:

Or, you are blind to the intent behind an act and immediately cry "racist!".

I even gave you the hint that he was Oscar nominated for it, so had been given approval by a community that is exceptional sensitive to the issue.

No, you said was Robert Downey Jr racist in Tropic Thunder? which I took to mean was his character racist.

If you had asked if I thought Edward Norton was racist in American History X I would've also said yes. It doesn't mean I think Edward Norton is a kerb stomping skinhead.

Which is exactly my point - you can't draw a distinction between an actor and his character, just as many people cannot draw the distinction between blacking up out of idiolisation or out of racism; they label both the same.

I'm not really following you. I put a pretty clear distinction between character and actor in my post. If you'd asked if I thought RDJ was racist, I would've said no.

Ultimately it looks like we'll all just have to agree to disagree.

IT seems LIKE it's ME that HAS the PROBLEM anyway.

[Centurion07]

dondadda said:

Just wonder how many of the people saying its alright are ethnic minorities.

Wonder how many Jews would have been happy with Harry wearing a Nazi uniform.

Afterall the holocaust happened many many years ago and it was 'just a costume to a fun party'

If you can't see the difference yourself then I doubt you'd be able to understand the explanation.

Edited by Centurion07 on Friday 26th August 13:40

[InductionRoar]

dondadda said:

Just wonder how many of the people saying its alright are ethnic minorities.

Wonder how many Jews would have been happy with Harry wearing a Nazi uniform.

Afterall the holocaust happened many many years ago and it was 'just a costume to a fun party'

That is a frankly ridiculous comparison.

[TeamD]

dondadda said:

Just wonder how many of the people saying its alright are ethnic minorities.

Wonder how many Jews would have been happy with Harry wearing a Nazi uniform.

Afterall the holocaust happened many many years ago and it was 'just a costume to a fun party'

It doesn't matter who is saying it is alright. We've already established that the lad wasn't in "blackface". And I am certain that any person of Jewish persuasion wouldn't class the two examples as being in anyway equivalent
You're comparing apples with oranges and getting a tomato.

[Hoofy]

dondadda said:

Just wonder how many of the people saying its alright are ethnic minorities.

I posted the two oriental examples because I'm Chinese. I have no problems with David Carradine pretending that he's half Chinese in Kung Fu.

[Wobbegong]

Is this racist?

[FraserLFA]

Based solely on the examples provided by the Daily Mail, the black dude isn't fussed and the white mums are offended. Huh?

[TeamD]

Hoofy said:

I posted the two oriental examples because I'm Chinese. I have no problems with David Carradine pretending that he's half Chinese in Kung Fu.

Compared to China I think we're all minorities

No offence intended at all

[dondadda]

Someone said Michael Jackson bleaching his skin is racist. It is as racist as all those people tanning their skin to be a bit brown.

Why werent all the kids wearing a Yorke or Cole replica Manchester United shirt arriving in blackface to show their love for these players?

Blackface is unacceptable no matter the intentions. Same way it will be unacceptable for a white teenager to say 'my ni**a' as an endearment to his best mate who happens to be black.

Do blackface in private or call your best mate 'my ni**a' in private but do not post in on social media abd expect pats on the back.

[youngsyr]

Wobbegong said:

Is this racist?

What's your opinion?

[InductionRoar]

dondadda said:

Someone said Michael Jackson bleaching his skin is racist.

Who said that?

[TeamD]

dondadda said:

Blackface is unacceptable no matter the intentions.

As already stated "blackface" was not used. That is a stylised parody of a certain ethnic grouping. The kid was wearing make-up, get over it

[s3fella]

dondadda said:

Just wonder how many of the people saying its alright are ethnic minorities.

Wonder how many Jews would have been happy with Harry wearing a Nazi uniform.

Afterall the holocaust happened many many years ago and it was 'just a costume to a fun party'

Are you mental?
The correct analogy would be if Prince Harry got dressed up as a Jew. Or since he did get dressed up as a Nazi, how would a Nazi feel?

They are the correct analogies in respect of this case, ie non black person dressing up as a black person.

Oh, and it is in no way racist, he is not mocking the character, he is emulating him as his hero. The guy should be made up by it.

The same way I never took offence at Michael Jackson trying to look white.

Stop being so fking precious and grow some.