This is racism, right?

[.Shane.]

Whether this is racist depends on both intent and reaction.

The intent could be to poke a little fun at a coworker. Or it could be to make him feel uncomfortable.

lol, I don't think you've ever seen a lawnjockey.

 

[salty mud]

I don't see it as a racist remark. I see it like this. Imagine a statue of a white dude came in with a big nose and goofy teeth. Then they put 'Bozo Erectus' on it. I think of it like that, but instead of noses and teeth, different skin colour. Not racism.

What was his response to this BTW?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

lol, I don't think you've ever seen a lawnjockey.

Yes I have, but I think it is possible to derive humor from the racist symbols of the past if both parties are cool with it.

 

[shadow2k]

Bozo, do you check out guy's butts as well, or just women? Do you check out your mom's butt? Your sister's? Any of your relatives? What are you checking it for, anyway?

Maybe next time, you should let the women know you're doing it, let her know exactly what you're checking it for, and see how well that goes over. Let her know exactly how sexy (or not) you think her ass is. I'm sure she'd love to hear all about it.

Why would she want you to not look at it? Because she's there to do her work and make a living, not to have some guy sizing up her body parts in a sexual manner.

Am I pulling your leg? Nah, just trying to make a point.

If the woman feels it's sexual harassment, then it's an issue. If the guy feels it's racist, then it's an issue. Why don't you ask him if he feels it was racist while checking out his butt...let him know what you're doing. See what happens.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

lol, I don't think you've ever seen a lawnjockey.

It wasnt exactly a lawnjockey, but close enough, it was like somebodys idea of an African lawnjockey. The guy is African, thats what makes even more in poor taste, if thats possible.

I don't see it as a racist remark. I see it like this. Imagine a statue of a white dude came in with a big nose and goofy teeth. Then they put 'Bozo Erectus' on it. I think of it like that, but instead of noses and teeth, different skin colour. Not racism.

That doesnt quite do it. How about this: theres one Chinese guy working there. The white guys take a figurine of one of the Chinese 'Coolies' who built our railroads in the 19th century, and put his name on it. You dont think that would be racism?

What was his response to this BTW?

I have no idea.

 

[shadow2k]

Comparing the use of a lawnjockey to offhand comments made at break is preposterous. Lawnjockey's are widely known to deragotory caricatures of blacks. My grandfather had one in his back yard and he'd cover it up whenever any non-white people were over. He knew what it meant and purposefully had it there.

Now, the individuals involved may not be racists all themselves, but the action is racist and insulting.

Racism and sexual harassment will both get you fired.

All I'm doing is pointing out that the offensiveness of any action is going to be determined by the one being offended. Bozo seems to be quite concerned about the black guy...not so much for the women. If people want to get touchy feely about every little thing, then they need to keep it consistent across the board.

No distinction between races...no distinction between sexes. Why should it be any different?

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Bozo, do you check out guy's butts as well, or just women? Do you check out your mom's butt? Your sister's? Any of your relatives? What are you checking it for, anyway?

Safety first! Those things are liable to go off at any moment. Ever see that Hindenburg footage?

Maybe next time, you should let the women know you're doing it, let her know exactly what you're checking it for, and see how well that goes over. Let her know exactly how sexy (or not) you think her ass is. I'm sure she'd love to hear all about it.

I might consider it if I was tripping.

Why would she want you to not look at it? Because she's there to do her work and make a living, not to have some guy sizing up her body parts in a sexual manner.

People look at each others bodies. This is news?

 

[.Shane.]

Racism and sexual harassment will both get you fired.

So will stealing staplers or being late too often. IIRC, the question was not, should this get your fired, but "is this racist". That said, it is.

 

[marioh]

Racism and sexual harassment will both get you fired.

All I'm doing is pointing out that the offensiveness of any action is going to be determined by the one being offended. Bozo seems to be quite concerned about the black guy...not so much for the women. If people want to get touchy feely about every little thing, then they need to keep it consistent across the board.

No distinction between races...no distinction between sexes. Why should it be any different?

It's this type of attitude that determines my current work-place attitudes (not picking on you specifically).
I see work and everyone I know from work as completely separate from my personal life.
This means :
1)I'm only friendly to my co-workers as far as work issues go. I do not make friends with any of my co-workers outside of work, nor do I go to company events that are after-hours. Co-workers have tried to be my friend outside of work by inviting me to bbq's, weddings, etc, but I shoot them down every single time.
2)I generally avoid dating women who work at the same place. This is probably the single hardest thing for me to do. There's this really hot Malaysian woman who works for our marketing department, but, in trying to avoid business and pleasure, I've avoided giving her any signs or asking her out, despite the signals she's been sending my way. It hasn't been easy for me to resist temptation, and I'm sure she's wondering why I haven't asked her out yet.

But in this modern world of sexual harrassment, and extreme sensitivities, I feel that my policy is the best policy to survive and thrive in the workplace. Which only reinforces my hate of working.

 

[shadow2k]

It's this type of attitude that determines my current work-place attitudes (not picking on you specifically).

Not really my attitude. Just playing devil's advocate. I think people are way too touchy about these types of things. Either way, the statue thing probably isn't appropriate for the workplace. But I don't know that I'd go so far as to label it racism...or at least not just assume it's done with malicious intent, as so many here did.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

Racism happens, get over it. If youve got a real problem with it, go start some anti racism group or join one, God knows there are enough of them, dont whine about it on an interent forum.

ANd just so you know, if a white man were the only white man at his job, and they black guts put a statue of him out front with a straw hat and overalls, it would be racism too, based on your defintion.

 

[Marla_Singer]

Racism happens, get over it. If youve got a real problem with it, go start some anti racism group or join one, God knows there are enough of them, dont whine about it on an interent forum.

ANd just so you know, if a white man were the only white man at his job, and they black guts put a statue of him out front with a straw hat and overalls, it would be racism too, based on your defintion.

Indeed, that would be racism too.

I support Bozo on this one.

 

[pboily]

ANd just so you know, if a white man were the only white man at his job, and they black guts put a statue of him out front with a straw hat and overalls, it would be racism too, based on your defintion.

Yes, that would definitely be racism.

EDIT: crossposted again. Jeez, will I ever learn to read the whole thread...

 

[Mr. Do]

ANd just so you know, if a white man were the only white man at his job, and they black guts put a statue of him out front with a straw hat and overalls, it would be racism too, based on your defintion.

Of course it would be. And if you were that one white man, wouldn't you be relieved to learn that there are decent people working with you that wouldn't stand for that BS?

 

[.Shane.]

dont whine about it on an interent forum.

"hello, pot?"
"yes"
"this is kettle"
"hi kettle"
"you are black"

 

[VoodooAce]

Racism happens, get over it. If youve got a real problem with it, go start some anti racism group or join one, God knows there are enough of them, dont whine about it on an interent forum.

ANd just so you know, if a white man were the only white man at his job, and they black guts put a statue of him out front with a straw hat and overalls, it would be racism too, based on your defintion.

Yup. That would be racist and it would be wrong.

Sorry people being upset about racism cramps your style. Deal with it. Maybe you should go join some anti-anti racism group. There are enough of those around, too.

Doesn't the KKK have a forum somewhere?

 

[MobBoss]

Is is racism yes.

But very often racism can be funny.

Thus explaining how "All in the Family" was so popular for so many years. Or, the fact that I think "Blazing Saddles" is the funniest dang movie ever made.

So, if this were an isolated incident, it should be laughed off. If its a regular occurance, then someone should be offended rightly so.

 

[Azash]

But very often racism can be funny.

It is funny when you make fun of it, not when you use it. (id est mocking racists, not pretending to be racist)

 

[MobBoss]

It is funny when you make fun of it, not when you use it. (id est mocking racists, not pretending to be racist)

I disagree. There have been a large number of comics who have made a very good living off of being racist.

And being racist certainly hasnt appeared to hurt Louis Farrakhan over the years....plenty of people sure buy into what he sells on a daily basis.

 

[Azash]

I disagree. There have been a large number of comics who have made a very good living off of being racist.

And being racist certainly hasnt appeared to hurt Louis Farrakhan over the years....plenty of people sure buy into what he sells on a daily basis.

I disagree

I guess I should've worded myself better. With "funny", I meant "funny that doesn't hurt anybody's feelings". But Louis Farrakhan (who?) may be popular because his stuff appeals, not because it would be terribly entertaining.