DarthMonk wrote:Deadskins wrote:riggofan wrote:I understand I wouldn't normally walk up to a person and say, "Hello, White Man." But if somebody said, prove to me that "White Man" is not an offensive slur, by walking up to the next caucasian on the street and saying "Hello, White Man" then I could do it.
Probably so, but I doubt you would say the same thing if you substituted Black for White in that scenario. Does that make Black an offensive slur?
From the sidelines I would say no ... That does not make black an offensive slur. On the other hand riggofan's original post along this line of reasoning suggested more the converse ... that were there no negative reaction that would prove the word in question is not an offensive slur.
I wouldn't walk up to a Norweigan and say "Hello Viking" either. Obviously how it was said would make a big difference, but the reason I would not say it is not that I would think a negative reaction is likely but that a negative reaction is possible. The left in this country has created a stick up their butt, PC culture that makes everyone afraid to say anything that could offend anyone. That is not the same as the belief that the word is offensive, it's recognition that some will take it that way no matter how it's said and our current culture of intolerance prevents us from going there. Think of all the things that would not offend most women that you wouldn't say until you know a woman. Or a gay or a black or any other group. PC intolerance rules.
