Called Asian fan a 'coconut'.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....sian-fan-coconut.html

I wonder if Mr Piara Powar, will be arrested, and if found guilty of using this extremely derogatory term, then I wonder what his sentence will be?

[mightyWBA]

You're being a right lemon sp ;-)

[sp1814]

pa___ul

I've changed me mind. I think you *could* interpret being a coconut as someone not being true to themselves - pretending to be something they...

...no - s*d it. You ARE right.

Oh, and MightyWBA - you're a cauliflower.

[Zeuhl]

<<sp, I disagree slightly, I think it is racist towards white people, it implies that holding 'white person' beliefs is a bad thing. >>

sorry guys I disagree

It doesn't imply holding 'white person' beliefs is a bad thing.
It fact it implies that it is correct for a white person to do so.

What it implies is that it is bad for a 'black person' to hold 'white person' beliefs

ie that it is bad for people to hold views not consistent with their own racial identity.

I'm not sure I accept those assumptions about 'racial identity' anyway but it is not about white person views being wrong per se
.

[pa___ul3]

I get what you mean zeuhl, it's a tricky one, but the fact that it's specifically against white people, I think that tips it just over my side of the argument.
I definitely agree with the whole racial identity thing. I see no problem in aknowledging your heritage but we have to avoid a 'them and us'.

[Gromit]

sp1814, Zeuhl

You're a right Pear.

[Zeuhl]

We need an Ugli Fruit.

Where's the OP?

[Gromit]

Zeuhl

I feel like a right Gooseberry when you start flirting with AOG.

[Zeuhl]

Leave off.

It was only a date.

I didn't know he was after me plums.

[Zhukov]

Can we liken old git to Sauerkraut..titter at the contradiction..mind,they were Socialists?..or Fascists...or is that being too European,or racist..? ;-)

[Zeuhl]

wikipaedia

<<sauerkraut "sour cabbage"

It has a long shelf-life and a distinctive sour flavor>>

Yep. Works for me.

[Gromit]

For some reason this jumped into my mind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgVlRvl2DI0

[rov1100]

With so many people taking offence it will soon be a crime to call your self 'white' for fear of upsetting anyone who is not.

[Zhukov]

nah mate..you"ll be alright!..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4rC3gP2hXk

[DTCwordfan]

I had no idea that coconut was offensive like this....I lived in the Far East long enough......the Chinese had enough racist remarks for whites in their language, e.g. Gweilo, Gweipor, partly determined by the inflection in how it used. And what they had to say for black folk, well.....

How things change. WOG, for example, used to have a positive connotation, being an acronym for "Western Oriental Gentleman".....

[rov1100]

Yes DT. Calling someone a BRIT was almost a term of endearment but trying to call a Pakistani with the same shortened method is insulting.

[sp1814]

pa___ul3/zeuhl

I think I've got it - the term coconut is not only insulting to the Asian (in this case) but *also* derogatory to white people.

To explain - the insulter is explicitly saying to the insultee "You aren't being true to your own heritage".

He is also *implicitly* saying "white culture/traditions/outlook are inherently inferior".

That inferior bit is implied by the fact that if the insulter viewed white culture as being superior, the term 'coconut' would be a compliment.

Took time, but I think I've nailed it.

[ludwig]

sp - I agree.

It's similar to that whole debate, 'is calling someone a black b&***** racist, or is it just an insult about their parent's marital status with a factual description of their ethnicity attached'. Well, yes - it is racist. It becomes racist as soon as you introduce race into it. Same with the coconut thing.

[Ankou]

what about if someone called wayne rooney a white cabbage .... and if he got embarrassed ... a red cabbage ....?

[anotheoldgit]

All this association with race and fruit etc.

I wonder how many 'Jocks' 'Scots' or ''Scotsman' have been called 'Haggis', is this 'racist' also?