I've just managed to get myself in a silly argument (as usual)... and I need a poll to help me get out of it...
| The phrase "The Japanese are prolly the most racist people out there" is... |
Now, I don't want to say if I'm the person saying the quote (which may or may not be racist - as is to be decided by this here poll) - or the person who's claiming it's racist - because I don't want to cloud how you answer - you'll have to reserve judgement on fire bombing me (or the other person :-)) for making racist (or not) comments until there's sufficent votes on the poll... Then I'll let you know if I said it said it or was saying it wasn't racist or was or whatever...
Oh yeah, I encourage discussion!
I would say no, it is not racist. It is certainly a generalisation about a nation, but that in itself is not racist.
Firstly you could argue that 'Japanese' is not a race, it is a nationality. The Japanese are not generally perceived as being racially distinct from the Chinese and other east asians. So therefore a statement made solely about the Japanese is not isolating a single race.
Secondly, the statement as it is implies no value judgement. The definition of racism involves making a value judgement that one race is superior or inferior solely based on that race's perceived attributes. This statement does not do that, it simply makes a generalised observation.
Whether or not the Japanese are racist is irrelevant, this statement is not.
Posted by: Tom on November 25, 2006 11:25 AMIt'sone of those comments that tends to come after "I'm not racist, but..." which generally means it is but on this occasion i've gone for not racist. Close call though.
Posted by: Toph on November 27, 2006 6:38 PMSo, given the subject has become topical again thanks to Jade Goody, have there been enough votes to let us know what you are talking about?! For the record I don't think Jade (or Danielle Lloyd for that matter) are racist, just naive and thick as two short planks.
Posted by: Toph on January 17, 2007 10:22 PM