Is it racist to call someone a Jungle Bunny?

[10ClarionSt]

In Barnstaple, a member of staff at the local hospital said someone looked like a jungle bunny because they had a sun tan after being on holiday. Someone else heard it and reported it. The police were called and the member of staff was taken away for questioning with regard to racism. Can you believe that? Have the police, and others, got nothing better to do than investigate a common expression? What would they say to someone in this situation when questioning them anyway?

[stokeace]

tut tut beerbelly dont you mean to many ethnic families?lol

[China Doll]

Racism is a crime these days. If it is reported to the police it should and will be treated as so.

Yes, jungle bunny I would class as offensive and ignorant. Would I call the police? No. But I've never had to put up with racial prejudice.

[stokeace]

so if a coloured gentleman called me white trash china doll would you class that as being offensive?

[China Doll]

Well if you're white and indeed trash I guess I wouldn't have a lot to say! And if a coloured woman said it that's another kettle of fish all together!

Joking aside.... Yes, that could be offensive too. Why wouldn't it be? It doesn't take away from what I said previously.

[whiffey]

Down periscope !!

[joko]

i can see the point with brit, pkai, danes, finns etc - they are just shortened versions of the name of a country...

however, just looked at my atlas and i could not find any countries called n!ggerland, or ch!nkyland, or jungle bunnyland etc etc...mmm funny that....

whatever you personally may think of a word and however much you try to dissect the individual letters and origins, the words are considered offensive to many people - no amount of pedantic 'linguistics' will change that - you cannot just demand that people consider the spelling of a word over its intent and usage

[dyli795]

In asking the question, it implies you don't know, but don't you think you should? Hazard a guess for gods sake! Also I'm not aware it's a common expression anyway.

[Marvelman]

Reading the posts on here, it is no suprise that this country is going to the dogs, white brits have less rights than immigrants, and are treated like second class citizens in their own country, it is the stupid pc brigade that are making people into racists, i would like to see some of these hand wringers if a shipload of immigrants came to live a few doors from them , and a group of gypsies over the road, after their nervous breakdown they would change their mind no problem.

[ruby27]

Every time I see a racist rant I think no I will not get involved it only encourages it, but every time I think if as a white British person I do not, it would seem like the racist views prevail.
Marvelman
In my area the Midlands out of every 1,000 on average
912 are White British
40 are Asian
22 are White non-British
10 are of mixed race
9 are Black
3 are Chinese
So I am a member of the persecuted majority? How can the majority be at risk in any way that they are not happy with. We control the voting, we control the councils, we make via our elected leaders the decisions in this country. Not happy with this, become a politician and make changes or go and live elsewhere.
And in answer to the original question, the expression is racist but if it occurred in the context described then it seems that the police would not be able to prosecute for an offence of racism. Perhaps the incident is not quite as described here?

[sp1814]

Marvelman

That drip-drip-drip sound you can hear is my heart bleeding for you.

It really is.

[sp1814]

10ClarionSt

In answer to your question as to whether it's racist to call someone a jungle bunny - well, try going up to a group of 18 year old black lads and shouting, "Excuse me jungle bunnies, could you tell me how to get to B&Q?"

Go on...please, please, please do that.

Then when you've been released frlm Accident & Emergency, perhaps you could post your findings here.

I'd be fascinated to see what you find out.

[whippetycros]

Marvleman
Oh you poor thing. I apologise on behalf of all pc brigaders. Sorry we have made your life miserable and I didn't realise that we were so powerful that we could control your mind and turn you into a racist. Mind you, it could have been worse, if I had some wool I could have made you homosexual as well.

[dyli795]

sp1814 Why oh why didn't he think of that in the first place? It would of made a more interesting post from him, and he'd get his proof positive no problem in a most unambiguous way. Jeyz !!! I don't think he's fooling anyone.

[NJOK]

I'm not sure racism is a crime actually.

Violent crime can be racially motivated, which can lead to a greater sentence. And public bodies can be penalised for racial discrimination.

And there is a crime of incitement to racial hatred, but not of holding or expressing racist views - or just being racist.

As far as I'm aware anyway?? Being racists doesn't make you a criminal, just a retard.

I can't believe how many debates on this site centre on what is and what isn't racist. It's a fairly simple concept but my god, people aren't grasping it. It's like trying to teach a dog how to drive a car.

[sp1814]

By the way, if this story is true (the hospital in Barnstaple), then it's ridiculous.

I just don't think that something like that should be reportable.

In fact, if someone at work had used a racist epithet in my presence (it's only happened once in 20 years), then I would pull them up about it face to face.

Calling in the police just seems like overkill (and in the long run, counter-productive).

[whippetycros]

Actually I disagree. I think it would be far easier to teach a dog to drive a car because on the whole dogs are quite willing to learn and learn anew. I would take my dog and start right this minute but she is a bit small and would need a car adapted. Aside from that mere technicality I believe the rest would be more straightforward and probably be more rewarding. No on second thoughts I might not experience the same range of emotions teaching my dog as posting on here. I mean where else can you find the absurd, the idiotic, the illiterate, the irrational, the erudite, the eloquent, the informed, the opinionated the ignorant, the downright offensive all in one post? Well maybe looking in the mirror!

[jno]

yes, it is racist

[Pippa68]

I haven't heard 'Jungle Bunny' used since 1981!

Are we absolutely sure the police were called? seem like overkill to me..or yet again a case of 'Chinese Whispers', when in fact the police weren't called at all.

I would like to see a link posted.

[Gromit]

Can you say 'Chinese Whispers'?