Is calling someone a "Mars Bar" racisct

[McRobbo]

My 12 year old son has been charged with racial abuse for calling an asian boy a "Mars Bar" during a football match, which he denies, but is this racist?

[McRobbo]

Thanks for all your differing views, my son is still adament he said nothing, the question was is the term rascist anyway and i think it depends on which side of the street you come from, different opions good reasons, Thanks

[natalie_1982]

Gromit? What do you mean by that??!

That was a tad harsh wasn't it? Bitch? I didn't say anything to you personally did I? I don't get it.

[Ice.Maiden]

Heavens! Is this still continuing?
No of COURSE I don't condone racism, and I'm glad tjhat some of you can see the difference i was trying to convey - between people getting uptight over a bit of banter - or even a few chouice words - and those who go out to deliberately harm race relations or to cause trouble.
I've also studied these things enough to know what's acceptable and what's not, but it DOES work both ways. This debate could twist and turn for ever more, but at the end of the day, more's the pity people just don't respect their fellow man, whatever they look like or where they come from.

[natalie_1982]

It's my fault ice, I think it is / was finished but I came to check if they were more answers and saw that response to me from Gromit.

Sorry! X

[Ice.Maiden]

It's nobody's fault really natalie. We've all made comments as we thought fit - but I'm afraid grommit's wasn't - x

[China Doll]

Climbs out on to a limb

Gromit is making a point. Forcefully but still a good one. And I entirely agree with him. Even if his methods are less than gentlmanly in this instance.

[jno]

Gromit may have been inviting natalie to consider how she'd like to be called an insulting name. She didn't appear to. So perhaps others feel the same way about being insulted?

[Ice.Maiden]

Yes, I see your points - and even gromit's as well, but this is just what I was saying - people should learn to respect the feelings of others, particularly when they don't know that person. A joke's a joke, but then there's the serious stuff. x

[daffy654]

I never mind being called a bit*h,I work hard at being one............only in a nice way that doesn't offend anyone who doesn't deserve it though :-) lol

[Ice.Maiden]

Well you've lightened the mood daffy! x

[daffy654]

I think racism is a subject that people will always disagree on,especially in this day and age of politically correct madness.Now lets all shake hands and be friends.lol

[China Doll]

Well clearly the lad who was calling someone else a mars bar wasn't exactly thinking about the feelings of others either but then if he was joking it's ok.

Gromit's language was harsh but it was a point very well made.

[Gromit]

sorry natalie 1982, I didn't mean to be absusive, but I was indeed illustrating that if it is you that is being abused, it isn't as easy to ignore it or brush it away as you said.

Please accept my apology.

[natalie_1982]

LOL - Sorry, I missed that point completely. See what you're getting at now though :-)

Although, in my defence, I did say that I didn't say it was right to have to brush comments off like that, but that the majority of people will shrug comments off rather than get the person charged with it!

Yours, big ears (well they stick out a fair bit anyway) x

[adamhornsby]

i say, if they dont like the racism, they shouldnt be here

its fine by me

[Quinlad]

Ice, sorry to harp on...

I'm still not sure you get my point though.

You're trying to make a distinction between harmless banter and harmful racist behaviour - as if there's no link between the two.

I'm saying that banter and choice words lead to an increase in race-related trouble and harm, because it promotes discrimination and the perception that some races are worth less than others. (And yes, it does work both ways)

Do you acknowledge that? Can you see how one might lead to the other?

[jackthehat]

First point - McRobbo is adamant that her/his son didn't shout out anything at all to this lad. So there is a certain injustice in him being charged in any case.
Secondly - In how many parts of the country is 'Mars Bar' used as a derogatory term ? I understand that 'coconut/bounty bar' are used specifically to abuse and the inference of being black on the outside and white on the inside is obvious. But 'Mars Bar'? Brown on the outside and brown on the inside ?.........Can't see the comparison, I'm afraid.

Are we not getting to the point where almost anything shouted out in anger or frustration can be ascribed a meaning by the shoutee, or other witnesses, not originally intended by by the shouter ?

[Myriad2112]

Better a mars bar than a muff muncher

[jackthehat]

So racism is a no-no but making homophobic statements is ok, Myriad ?.............hmm. Interesting thought processes you have.