Racist?

I really don't understand why people think it is ok if you are of that ethnic group but not ok when you are not. Either it is wrong or it is not. I really don't care when you make ethnic jokes, blond jokes, red neck jokes etc... I take them for what they are ....just jokes....sometiimes funny, sometimes not.

There is a big difference between being a racist and telling jokes, even if the joke is not funny. People tell domestic violence jokes, but that does not make them wife beaters, they joke about a priest and a rabbi, but that does not make them anti-religion. Take is for what it is, a tasteless joke.

I'd say more ignorant than racist. However 100% annoying. Say something if it bothers you. I've heard 1,000 italian impersenations, questions about being in the mafia and jokes, when it bothers me I say "hey I'm Italian". I usually get an apology.

I looked up the word "racist" since this is your specific question. Here's what I found: "Belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race". Your post refers to regional accents, in which case I would say it's not racist because race is different from region. So, is it racist? No. Is it in poor taste? Yes. Should the co-worker comedian be embarrassed for acting like a child? Definitely.

And by the way, if the offense is in the joke itself, it shouldn't matter the race of the joke-teller.

By the way, I'm mixed race.

I think it COMPLETELY depends on the person AND the use.

"Lock o'they Eyeraische" - irish
"Bloody Hell." - brit
"Wazzup wazzup." philly
'Meat-a-balls." italian
"Whasah goh'shoo so down low, cher?" cajun
"Wail Pahhhhrdnerrr." bad John Wayne (aka how most people imitate english
"Zis eez ze deesh of ze day, and certain e moi, you vill loave eet." french
"Bruthas and ah sistahs! Lemmme HEAR ya RAISE your voices!" southern black baptist
"Honto?!?!" japanese
"Ooooooh my back! You know in MY day kids showed some proper RESPECT to their elders and didn't LET them win games as if they were all senileified and incompetant!" my great aunt to a T.
"Eeef I were a reeech mahn, deedle deedle deedle deeeee." fiddler on the roof

These are all phrases that have been heard in my house this past WEEK, from . (I'm trying to survive raising Robin Williams, apparently. My son is dead on mimic.)

Mimicry can be designed to hurt, comfort, entertain, bring J., cause pain, educate or learn... it is not in and of itself racist. It can certainly be used that way, but it's not cut and dried.

Of course, I have an uncommon background... since I spent most of my life as a minority (white chick in asia). But I typically judge via the PERSON, and not, say, just the mimicry.

CERTAIN things are dead on racisit, sexist, homophobic, etc... but I wouldn't categorize mimicry as one of them, even though it can be used that way.

Personally, I don't like it either, but I'm a pretty sensitive person. We live in such a diverse country. There are opportunities all the time for people to get offended and to offend someone without even knowing it. But saying "ching , chong, chang" is pretty offensive. Also, it is common to go to a comedy club or watch it on TV and see the comedian poking fun at ethnicities while the whole audience of all diversities are laughing, but in a personal or work setting it is not appropriate.

First of all - if it is happening at work and you are not comfortable with it, you really need to say something to your co-worker. I just learned that in a harrassment class at work. This person can get in trouble if this in fact is bothering you.
Second, I am not a person who is easily offended by things. I tell jokes all the time about differenet ethnicities or talk in different accents, but I don't think it makes me a racist. I have plenty of friends of different races (and also in my family) and I have no problem with it. But, I think this is a topic that everyone has their own opinion on.
In the end, what matters is what is making you uncomfortable. So if it continues, just let your co-worker know it bothers you. If he doesn't stop, that's when you take it to HR or management.

Well my mom came over here as a war bride from Japan after World War 2 and you can bet I heard all kinds of things while growing up and still do at times. I think most people are just not thinking and say stuff that is offensive not just racial remarks. Sometimes I've called people about it in the open and ask them to please refrain from such remarks when I am around out of respect for me. Never had someone say no to me but kind of tried to defend their behavior. I let them say whatever they have to say and then repeat the request for them to not say those things around me. It's one thing to have a stranger in a "one time" incident say something but for you to have to be where you are ( at work) and unable to just walk away from the offense is a different story and should be dealt with. If your request falls on deaf ears or the problem gets worse a talk with someone in authority should be contacted. This is classified as harassment on the job and is a serious offense.
I'm half Japanese, I have two adopted sons. One that is half Hispanic and the other half African American and my husband is so white he is pink! lol
We hear remarks alot since it's easy to find one of those races to mock. We've learned that it's the sad truth that some people just don't "get it" and feel that it's not always my job to tell them so. Stupid is as stupid does.
But in a situation as yours at work I think different.
Best Regards,
C.

I don't see the big deal, if they are clearly just doing it to be funny (or dumb) and not meaning it to be demeaning. I think we have become WAY over sensitized.

Just curious why you think it would be ok if you are of the ethnic group making the joke, but if you aren't then why is it wrong? Do you think it's ok to tell a blonde joke if you have dark hair, or can only blondes tell blonde jokes?

I'm allowed to make fun of my husband's crazy eyebrow, but noone else is! It's the same mentality. Just like Chris Rock can make fun of black people all day long and they'll love it, but if another comedian does it, he's a racist.... or if an obese comedian makes fun of fat people, it's okay, but not if a skinny comedian does it.

I do believe there should be sensitivity on all people's parts.... but I think people should also be able to laugh about their cultural differences as well (if it's in a lighthearted and meant in a non-offensive way). It's also important to be respectful of race, whether it's yours or someone else's. It really sends mixed signals if an Asian can tell Asian jokes, but their Hispanic friend can't.

As for your co-worker, I would just walk away. A self-imposed comedian can't entertain when he has no audience.

I'm also white, but my sibling is an adopted Asian.

I am half Irish & half Italian, my husband is African-American, and our kids are obviously mixed so I feel like I can probably try to see it from a couple of different points of view. I would tell you that I do agree with you that this co-worker of yours, while maybe not truly a racist, is at the very least ignorant of the fact that it's the year 2011 & you just can't say whatever you want whenever you want because it's socially unacceptable. At the other end of the spectrum though I can tell you that over the last 13 years I've been with my husband I've gotten more laid-back about morons because, let's face it, we're surrounded by them & you will never be able to educate them all. My job is to be the best person I can be & to teach my kids to be the best, most tolerant people they can be as well & let the rest roll off my back like a duck.

I don't think it's right for anyone to make fun of anyone, race aside. I find it in pooor taste when an Asian makes fun of an Asian just as much as if a White person makes fun of an Asian person.
In the end I could care less what color your skin is, what your nationality is, or any other factor of your being-making fun of someone is wrong.
I would find it very annoying to have to deal with a person like your co-worker. This person needs to learn some manners and sensitivity towards humanity.

I think it depends on how its meant. We've all imitated someone at some point. We've all, or had someone take on an English accent and said 'By George I think he's got it!' Anyone who has watched a Bruce Lee film with the voiceover not matching the lips has mimicked it at some point.

There is a caucasian guy here that is in his mid-50s, and when speaking with some coworkers who are African American, will pipe in with lingo from 'the hood' - like 'what's up homey'. Which some laugh at, and I think is just wierd. Its not like he's ever been from there, anywhere close, and he's not 20 something.
If he were younger, I don't think it would bother me as much.

If it is something that is really bothering, I would ask him to explain why he does it. From a cultural differences point of view. We used to have a coworker that was from China and while we didn't make fun of her, there were some American phrases and such that she just didn't understand until she asked.

M.

I think because it is so common, that people who do it may not be racist, just ignorant in thinking they are funny. I also think, however, that if it's offensive, it's offensive no matter who is saying it, even if they are a member of that ethnic group.

If it's not racist is annoying as hell at the very least; I'm Hispanic and I make fun of my own kind (and never in a negative light) but would never try to imitate, Asian, Indian, White or any other people's ethnicity, accent or background. I just don't find it funny at all.
There are some jokes that are funny because they actually make fun of the stereotypes, those I don't find offensive, since the very heart of the joke is to play on the ignorance of people who stereotype but to make fun of someones accent it's not acceptable to me.
Just don't laugh or even smile politely when this jerk starts with his "jokes" just walk away, he will get the hint.
Good luck!

It's certainly not politically correct or in the bounds of good taste. Many people don't realize that, unless they're saying something terribly bad like the "n" word, that they are being racist or at least rude when they do this stuff. I do think the lines are blurred in many cases, and it can be confusing for people. I am white, but it would make me very uncomfortable for someone I was with (or in general if in public) to start talking in a Chinese or Indian accent, pulling up their eyes to look Asian, mimicing an Indian accent -that type of thing. If I worked in your office with you and he was doing that, it would make me uncomfortable. Even if we were all white and it was something he did on a regular basis, I would find it discomforting.

I'm white and I would find it offensive as well. I think what you've described is the behavior of a bigot and a racist. Sorry you've gotta work with a dunderhead.

The definition of a racist: The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.

If saying "ching, chong, chang" is not a racist type of behavior, I don't know what is!

Not all people that try (TRY) to joke are racists. Yes, some are but we are all different and it is so hard to avoid those differences. Every ethnicity has quirks. As a kid the white Irish were joked about....that would be me. Superstitions with the leprechauns and St Patrick....We as Americans need to toughen up and not take everything so personally. We also should feel free to tell someone to stop if we feel uncomfortable. To the point of SHUTUP.... but there are rules in the workplace that forbid us to be honest with each other and be tattle tales to our bosses.

My Dad's best friend was Black, African-American in the politically correct term. He's 92. My youngest daughter's best friend is Scotch-Korean. (We giggle at the Starburst commercial...so does his family) My other daughter's best friend is Black...not African-American but Jamaican. My kids and their friends joke and carry on all the time and none seem to see color or ethnicity.

This was honest. People are people. Some are sensitive, some are not. Some people do think they're better than others. That's not racism, that's pride....which is described as the greatest of sins. None of us are better than anyone else.

Regards,

M.

I dont mind white jokes, in factr i think they are often funny. But thats just me.

You are not over-reacting. Your co-worker is a racist and since this makes you uncomfortable, s/he is harassing you.

First, tell this person that this makes you uncomfortable & you'd appreciate it, if s/he stopped.

If this continues, tell your supervisor. (If this is your supervisor, go one up to report).

If the behavior continues after telling your supervisor, take it up the chain.

I am totally serious. If this person wants to be a racist on their OWN time, it's a free country. Doing it at work infringes upon your rights as a worker. No way in hell would I tolerate anyone doing this to or around the people who work for me.

GOOD LUCK!

(p.s. Unless you say "ching chong" first, the whole "ching chong" thing makes me think this person is intentionally being racist around you. This person would have to live in a cave not to know this isn't okay.)

I remember being around a guy that was always impersonating other people like that, in a kind of rude way. He would make fun of my Japanese roommate sometimes, but also made fun of a variety of people. Some people would laugh and gather round, but I ignored him and did my own thing. To me it was obvious that he was insecure that he was prematurely bald and short (maybe 22 years old, 5 foot 4 and balding), so that's why I figured he thought it was okay to do that, I guess. What would a classy, nice person do in a situation like that?

Raise your eyebrows a little (with the why are you embarrassing yourself? look on your face) and then change the subject, in my opinion.

Playing the racism card or tattling to supervisor only makes you look bad, too, in my opinion, and oversensitive.

I-G-N-O-R-A-N-T.
Totally inappropriate and impolite and rude and STUPID.
That's my (honest) thought.
And, FWIW, there are no non-minorities in Los Angeles.
Think about the population here.
The majority is -- hah! -- minority!!

I think it is wrong not racist but wrong.now having said that minorities I have discovered since I moved to texas think the word redneck is racist. but to a white it is not uless they are not a redneck then its an insult. in this case the person you are refering to is a dumb idiot. but from a diffrent perspective look at it like this why can a black call another black a n***** but if any other race does it it is fighting words. I think it is even disrepectful to call another black that name even if you are the same race. but would you feel the same if your were a white australian and another white imitates your accent? I think they have really cool accents and I do imitate them occasionally out of boredom but no insult intended. I think even if your race did it to your own race its wrong so no I dont see it as racist just stupidity.

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I think it is wrong not racist but wrong.now having said that minorities I have discovered since I moved to texas think the word redneck is racist. but to a white it is not uless they are not a redneck then its an insult. in this case the person you are refering to is a dumb idiot. but from a diffrent perspective look at it like this why can a black call another black a n***** but if any other race does it it is fighting words. I think it is even disrepectful to call another black that name even if you are the same race. but would you feel the same if your were a white australian and another white imitates your accent? I think they have really cool accents and I do imitate them occasionally out of boredom but no insult intended. I think even if your race did it to your own race its wrong so no I dont see it as racist just stupidity.

I agree with other moms that you should address your co-worker first and if her/his behavior doesn't change you should take the issue to HR.

Secondly, it is racist. Racism can be both intentional/active and unintentional/passive and your co-worker's comments fall in the latter category. Ones intent to be funny does not somehow make a comment or action less racist. Also, because racism is both individual and institutional, these types of comments contribute to an ideology that belittling/mocking people of color is okay, which subsequently makes racist behavior acceptable. By the way, dumb blonde jokes (and other similar categories) are in no way comparable to racist jokes. I don't recall any group of people ever having been lynched, subjected to internment or otherwise persecuted simply because they had blonde hair. And no telling domestic violence jokes does not make you a wife beater, it makes you sexist.

People say and do idiotic things regardless of their views on race, etc. I would look to more if he is doing it mean spirited or just thinking he is funny. Its amazing the stupid things people will say or do to try to impress others and get attention. We have this click of girls at work who will make fun of this guy. They think that he talks to much at meetings and asks stupid questions so make fun of him to his face. I dont like it and have told them so. Of course this doesnt make me anyones friend. Rather the opposite. They say I overreact because I dont want to listen to their stupid jokes. I'm white and the click is white and the guy they are making fun of are white. So I just think your co worker is probably not racist just stupid and ignorant and a little full of himself. If it was me I'd probably tell him to stop already not everyone is enjoying his stupid jokes.

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People say and do idiotic things regardless of their views on race, etc. I would look to more if he is doing it mean spirited or just thinking he is funny. Its amazing the stupid things people will say or do to try to impress others and get attention. We have this click of girls at work who will make fun of this guy. They think that he talks to much at meetings and asks stupid questions so make fun of him to his face. I dont like it and have told them so. Of course this doesnt make me anyones friend. Rather the opposite. They say I overreact because I dont want to listen to their stupid jokes. I'm white and the click is white and the guy they are making fun of are white. So I just think your co worker is probably not racist just stupid and ignorant and a little full of himself. If it was me I'd probably tell him to stop already not everyone is enjoying his stupid jokes.

I agree with one of the mom's below. Since he is a coworker, he needs to know that this isn't acceptable. If he continues, then your next step would be to report him to HR.

I think if you do things like that you'd better be certain of your audience. Doing it at work is pretty tacky. Doing it in some context with a close friend who knows you're not really racist is another thing.