OMG: 1000 posts here I come...

Originally Posted by Katipan

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.

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.

[MikeMaslowski]

Originally Posted by Phobia

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.

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.

[Katipan]

<3 Phil

Originally Posted by MikeMaslowski

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.

I only know rich white uppity people do it because I watch Real Housewives of Orange County and read smutty historical romances.

Originally Posted by MikeMaslowski

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.

No, of course I've since considered the possibility and I am more careful about the descriptors used for the people who take money from me in exchange for their time and effort. Heh. I usually just say workers but I should probably start calling them engineers or something to make them all feel much better about it.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Phobia

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.

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 Donger

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.

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.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Phobia

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.

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

[MikeMaslowski]

Originally Posted by Donger

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

Have you ever beat a dead horse?

[Donger]

Originally Posted by MikeMaslowski

Have you ever beat a dead horse?

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

[MikeMaslowski]

Originally Posted by Donger

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

Fair enough. Is it because I'm white?

Originally Posted by Donger

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

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.

[MikeMaslowski]

Originally Posted by Phobia

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.

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

Originally Posted by MikeMaslowski

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

Well, black folks are pretty shocked when I'm ballsy enough to say something about it. It's not something that frequently occurs but it has happened.

[wutamess]

Originally Posted by MikeMaslowski

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

Phil... You have asked people to stop using it in my presence... That I can speak for.

Mike: It's NOT our word dumbass. Or are you kidding again?