Originally Posted by Katipan (Post 6536225)

I can see plenty of people finding offense with you referring to your ummmmmmmm subcontractor, laborer, whateverthehellhewas as "the help"...

Normally used by uppity rich white people to refer to their domestic staff.

Originally Posted by Phobia (Post 6536432)

Heh - well, I'm not anything close to that person - I meant it literally as the guys who were helping me.

So, basically he felt like I was calling him a servant.... I guess that would explain his reaction then.

That was pretty ignorant of me.

Originally Posted by Phobia (Post 6536432)

Heh - well, I'm not anything close to that person - I meant it literally as the guys who were helping me.

So, basically he felt like I was calling him a servant.... I guess that would explain his reaction then.

That was pretty ignorant of me.

Originally Posted by MikeMaslowski (Post 6536439)

I find it hard to believe that you just thought that at this exact moment. Am I missing something?

Maybe the video was right about you white people.

Originally Posted by MikeMaslowski (Post 6536439)

I find it hard to believe that you just thought that at this exact moment. Am I missing something?

Maybe the video was right about you white people.

Originally Posted by Donger (Post 6536445)

Doesn't that actually prove that you aren't prone to having racist thoughts? It didn't even cross your mind at the time that what you said could be construed as being taken that way.

Originally Posted by Phobia (Post 6536464)

I don't know. I used to be fairly racist with my thoughts - I've admitted that much... Bad experiences with some very urban youth colored my perspective.... errr - you know what I mean.

But I've been enlightened since. I really don't give it much thought any longer unless I see a particularly rugged looking urban kid. I really, really don't get the whole dread-lock thing either. But I don't understand when white people do it too so maybe that doesn't necessarily count.

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts (Post 6536296)

No, sir. I was a little loud mouthed in my previous post but I disagree vehemently. You CHOOSE to put yourself in that situation every week. ICH chooses to walk into that convenience store, or that barber shop. Black folk don't have a choice.

I've been obese since I was born. I never knew any better, and no one taught me any better. You don't think fat people are put down and made to feel lesser to the extent that they feel worthless? You think those feelings of worthlessness can't lead to one being unable to overcome their own circumstances? That's exactly what racism does to black people.

You won't hear me say that I have some level of understanding. I don't. My obesity is still a choice.

Originally Posted by Donger (Post 6536469)

Have you ever used that expression (the help) to describe one of your non-minority employees?

Originally Posted by MikeMaslowski (Post 6536478)

Have you ever beat a dead horse?

Originally Posted by Donger (Post 6536485)

I've never been in such proximity to a dead horse that would be prerequisite for striking it.

Originally Posted by Donger (Post 6536469)

Have you ever used that expression (the help) to describe one of your non-minority employees?

Originally Posted by Phobia (Post 6536502)

Prior to that event - likely, though I can't be certain because it never occurred to me that it would be construed negatively. I know I've been referred to as "the help" by an old guy whose house I was rebuilding in Leawood. I remember it as being slightly strange but I wasn't offended by it. I do acknowledge that I'm an exception to most rules because I just don't care about words too much. I continue to use "fabulous" despite the gay connotation and I'm sure there are other examples. I don't like political correctness but I do find N-bombs to be incredibly inappropriate and I do confront anybody who uses the slur whether they're black or white.

Originally Posted by MikeMaslowski (Post 6536508)

There you go keeping the black man down again... It's their word afterall, right?