Wow, that was racist

[stinkypete]

i don't think anyone's excusing/accepting the behaviour. i don't think anyone here is denying that it's wrong.

it's more like they're forgiving this chick for being a complete moron, cuz it's not her fault that she's a complete moron.

i've found that stupid people bother me a lot less when i remind myself that it's not their fault they're stupid and there isn't anything they can do about it.

[Dids]

The other point is this and then I'm off soapbox.

We're less than 50 years removed from a time when very real, very painful very evil racism and discrimination was pervasive in this country. Frankly, I think it's a little soon to be laughing off these little coy moments of offensiveness as if we don't still face these types of issues. If posts and discussion like this serve to keep people aware, that's a fantastic thing.

[Russ M.]

CARTWRIGHT!

[Nick B.]

Dids, do you ever happen to think that maybe your opinion is the wrong one?

[Big Poppa Smurf]

[ QUOTE ]
The other point is this and then I'm off soapbox.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think you're ever off the soapbox.

[gumpzilla]

This could probably be its own thread, but this thread seems like a good place to drop this poll to see what discussion does or does not ensue.

[KotOD]

[ QUOTE ]

Of course it's ridiculous to be overly sensitive about crap like this, for the simple reason of self-preservation. Not getting pissed about every perceived slight = happier existence.

[/ QUOTE ]

You are wise in the old ways of existence. Are you Asian?

[amplify]

gump,

think Bosnia.

[KotOD]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure there's anything more stupid than making fun of people because of their race...

[/ QUOTE ]

except going on fatmonkeytilt every time the word "race" is mentioned.

[TimM]

[ QUOTE ]
Would racism be important if race didn't correlate with socioeconomic status?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the case of antisemitism makes the answer obvious.

As for the OP, I think this girl's actions were more insensitive and immature than racist. She was trying to get a laugh out of her friends by doing something outrageous, and didn't care how you would feel about it. Of course it's always possible she holds truly racist beliefs as well, but we don't know.