This makes me mad as hell.....

[Grumpy John]

126308

:ranton:
When I read this newspaper article in Friday's paper it made my blood boil. How dare these American newspapers lecture us on racism. These newspaper editors seem to forget that they live in the country that tried their best to wipe out the indigenous (http://www.nemasys.com/ghostwolf/Native/genocide.shtml) population, gave us the Ku_Klux_Klan (http://www.kkk.com/), the Chicago_race_riots (http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1032.html) and beat the carp out of Rodney_King (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Los_Angeles_riots). Of course they made up for all the racist attacks by letting O.J. Simpson go free on a murder charge. Some people may accuse me of dragging up incidents from a black (pun intended) past, but this (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27365080/) newspaper article shows that racism is alive and kicking, unlike Brandon McClelland. It didn't take me more than 5 minutes to find these articles on the internet, and there are lots more stories of racism coming from America than Australia. When will the Yanks learn to stop telling the whole world how to live and clean up their own problems?

:rantoff:

Apologies to our American brothers and sisters on the forum if I have offended you, but I was really offended when I read this article.

[Groggy]

That's funny. An ad run by an American company and they use it to brand us racist. :)

[Grumpy John]

That's funny. An ad run by an American company and they use it to brand us racist. :)

I was so peed off when I read the article that the irony escaped me :doh:.

[Ad de Crom]

That's just the way how the press write, a source of annoyance.
My mother told me all the time, they are big liars, just like the press did with making a hype of the mexican flu here in Holland.
Ad

[Waldo]

When will the Yanks learn to stop telling the whole world how to live...?



Simple answer... never.

[kiwigeo]

I spent some time working in the Carribean....Trinidad to be precise. I can tell you that fried chicken is a popular dish in that part of the world. While at work out off the coast of Trini on an American drillship I also noted that fried chicken was on the rigs menu most days. The comment was made by more than one fellow expat that there must have been a KFC shop somewhere down the back of the drillship.

I wonder if the ad had featured a Windie player placating an Australian crowd with meat pies it would be treated as racist?? I very much doubt it.

[1canetoad]

I wonder if the ad had featured a Windie player placating an Australian crowd with meat pies it would be treated as racist?? I very much doubt it.Maybe you should sell that idea to Mr's Mac's or Four n Twenty

[Sebastiaan56]

I agree John, its a bit like the Indians having a go at us and one of their newspapers posting a cartoon of a Melbourne cop as a Ku Klux Klansman. From the nation that practises a caste system, effin floggers....

[munruben]

Don't let it get to you mate, We have to face the facts there will always be racism in all walks of life no matter how we try to pretend it doesn't happen. It is impossible to please all the people all the time, (didn't someone else say something like that?)
This whole thing will have come about by a minority group of fanatics who love to stir up ill feelings and will certaiinly not reflect the majority of peoples thoughts about the ad. It's not even worth responding to idiots who find ads like that offensive. The ones who find the ad offensive are the racists. They are the ones who see that people are different, black and white, surely if they were not racists, they would not even see that one guy was white and the other is black.
I'm with you John, I get pee'd off when something like this happens and the media blows it out of proportion in the interest of selling newspapers or increase ratings on tv.
Calm down John, take a deep breath and count to ten mate. Not worth getting yourself upset over.

[Grumpy John]

Good advice John. I've taken a Bex and had a good lie down and I'm all over it now. It does pi55 me off though that the yanks can't stop telling the rest of the world how to live when they've got so many problems in their own back yard.

[Sturdee]

that the yanks can't stop telling the rest of the world how to live when they've got so many problems in their own back yard.

It's not so much the yanks in general but a small politically correct group of wankers who believe that we should all live like their narrow minded concept of what the world should be. They have no concept of normality.

These wankers are found in all countries and we should not single out the yanks as such.


Peter.

[rsser]

The US has been the great imperial power of the 20C, and along with the inevitable corruptions of power is massive self-delusion.

Next big imperial power will be China. Or I should say neo-imperial since it will exercise world power through economic dominance.

Not sure which country worries me more.

[kiwigeo]

I wonder if the ad had featured a Windie player placating an Australian crowd with meat pies it would be treated as racist?? I very much doubt it.

Maybe you should sell that idea to Mr's Mac's or Four n Twenty

Don't you read the other posts before posting your own??? (read my earlier post)..might save a bit of embarassment. :)

[DJ’s Timber]

Don't you read the other posts before posting your own??? (read my earlier post)..might save a bit of embarassment. :)

Think you'll find that he was quoting you, but he didn't use the quote wrap around :;

[1canetoad]

I am sorry I didn't know how to wrap around your quote.
I was merely trying to say that you might have an idea for a pie ad

[kiwigeo]

Guess Ive got pie on my face then......didn't realise you were quoting my post.

I think the crux of the problem is that Australians have a more refined sense of humour than the average American and one other thing I've noticed is that Americans don't know how to laugh at themselves. Making a joke about America in the presence of Americans can land you in a whole heap of trouble. An American making jokes about Australians amongst a bunch of Australians has little to fear...apart from eventually having his joke backfire badly on him/her.

[DJ’s Timber]

I am sorry I didn't know how to wrap around your quote.
I was merely trying to say that you might have an idea for a pie ad

Fixed :2tsup:

To Quote, you can either use the http://cdn.woodworkforums.com/images/button2/quote.gif in the post to post a reply with that post wrapped in Quote tags or copy and paste text and highlight then click on http://cdn.woodworkforums.com/images/editor/quote.gifin the reply box to wrap quote tags around Highlighted text.

[RETIRED]

Beat me to it DJ.

[Grumpy John]

It's not so much the yanks in general but a small politically correct group of wankers who believe that we should all live like their narrow minded concept of what the world should be. They have no concept of normality.

These wankers are found in all countries and we should not single out the yanks as such.


Peter.

I was commenting more on the political and economic influence successive American Governments have exerted on 3rd world and developed countries. In spite of what they may think, as the song goes "they're not the boss of me".

[1canetoad]

To Quote, you can either use the http://cdn.woodworkforums.com/images/button2/quote.gif in the post to post a reply with that post wrapped in Quote tags or copy and paste text and highlight then click on http://cdn.woodworkforums.com/images/editor/quote.gifin the reply box to wrap quote tags around Highlighted text.

Thanks Guys

Sorry about the confusion Kiwi

Ben

[Woodwould]

How dare these American newspapers lecture us on racism. These newspaper editors seem to forget that they live in the country that tried their best to wipe out the indigenous population...

I'm not siding with the US, but just want to highlight Australia's continuing appalling indigenous race relations. Australians seem largely blind to it, but it is a very concerning topic elsewhere in the world. Perception of race relations varies greatly depending on your vantage point.

[kiwigeo]

I'm not siding with the US, but just want to highlight Australia's continuing appalling indigenous race relations. Australians seem largely blind to it, but it is a very concerning topic elsewhere in the world. Perception of race relations varies greatly depending on your vantage point.

I'm not disputing that Australia's race relations are perfect but thats not the topic under discussion. American blacks took exception to a KFC ad that implied that West Indians like fried chicken. The fact is that fried chicken IS popular in the Carribean.....see my earlier post re experiences in Trinidad.

I'm sure alot of Americans have checked out and laughed their heads off at the famous "Beached As" cartoons which take the p*ss out of Kiwis and in particular Kiwi Maoris. We haven't seen front page press articles in the Kiwi papers branding the Australian authors of the cartoon as racists. Every Kiwi I know (including a significant number of Maori friends) finds the cartoon funny.

[Woodwould]

I'm not disputing that Australia's race relations are perfect... That's just as well because I didn't say they were perfect - I said they were imperfect!



..thats not the topic under discussion. Well actually it is. I responded directly to a hypocrytical comment made by GJ querying America's hypocrytical condemnation of our racism. To say both countries are equally racist would be fairer.

[Ian Smith]

I think the crux of the problem is that Australians have a more refined sense of humour than the average American and one other thing I've noticed is that Americans don't know how to laugh at themselves. Making a joke about America in the presence of Americans can land you in a whole heap of trouble. An American making jokes about Australians amongst a bunch of Australians has little to fear...apart from eventually having his joke backfire badly on him/her.

Yep - have to agree - I'm reminded of a joke about a Yank who, due to work commitments, had to spend some time in England.

His work colleagues suggested that while he was there he should collect some examples of typical Britsh humour.

Unfortunately, due to work pressures, he had forgotten all about this and it wasn't until his send off in London that he suddenly remembered his mission.

It was well into the night, and one of the "Horsey" set, well lubricated with prime port, was in full swing and thought it would OK to try out his latest gag. So our Yank paid very close attention.

It seems that there was a very attractive young lady walking in the park and there were three gentleman coming towards her. One chap was walking along the footpath, one chap was on a bicycle, and the third chappy was riding a horse. The question was - Which one knew her?
There was general silence around the room a couple of banal guesses but no one really knew so the Horsey bloke trimphantly announces:
"The horse man knew her!"
Everybody laughed raucously and thought it a splendid joke.

The Yank filed this away in his memory banks and, on his return home, when asked about British humour, this is what he said:
There was this great lookin' gal see, takin' a walk in the park and there's these three guys, one guy was walkin' on the sidewalk, one guy was ridin' a pushbike, and the third guy was on a horse. Which guy knew the gal?

Silence all round so, finally he says:
"Well the answer's horse s**t, and I don't get it neither"

I reckon that says it all

I just think we don't have the "sacred cows" that other cultures seems to cling to or use as reason to be offended. How many times have we gone to press moaning about another Nation taking the p**s

Remember the episode of Muhammad Ali and Bert Newton - "I like the boy" - Completely harmless in the context it was delivered and yet it really wound Ali up, but it has to work both ways. Why does it seem we have to conform to the way others think?

Don't we have the right to be Aussies in Australia and Kiwis in New Zealand - you ought to see the look of horror when they find out the Kiwis call their footbal team the "All Blacks" !! --too too precious I reckon.

Ian

[kiwigeo]

Don't we have the right to be Aussies in Australia and Kiwis in New Zealand - you ought to see the look of horror when they find out the Kiwis call their footbal team the "All Blacks" !! --too too precious I reckon.

Ian

I believe the AB's were initially called the "All Backs".

[Grumpy John]

Well actually it is. I responded directly to a hypocrytical comment made by GJ querying America's hypocrytical condemnation of our racism. To say both countries are equally racist would be fairer.<!-- google_ad_section_end -->


I don't recall saying Australia had a perfect record regarding the indigenous population


I'm not disputing that Australia's race relations are perfect but thats not the topic under discussion. American blacks took exception to a KFC ad that implied that West Indians like fried chicken. The fact is that fried chicken IS popular in the Carribean.....see my earlier post re experiences in Trinidad.

I'm sure alot of Americans have checked out and laughed their heads off at the famous "Beached As" cartoons which take the p*ss out of Kiwis and in particular Kiwi Maoris. We haven't seen front page press articles in the Kiwi papers branding the Australian authors of the cartoon as racists. Every Kiwi I know (including a significant number of Maori friends) finds the cartoon funny.

It was probably more likely a small group of do-gooders that seem to find offence at everything and have no grasp at all on reality.

[Ian Smith]

I believe the AB's were initially called the "All Backs".

I'm no rabid rugby fan, but this from the official All Blacks web site commenting on the origins of the name:

"Tradition has maintained that its origins were due to the English media applying that label to the men of 1905-05. But Palenski clearly proves the usage was prevalent in New Zealand before that tour, most notably in the Evening Post when a Sydney correspondent was previewing the tour by the British team of 1904.

There were references to the All Blacks in relation to Wellington as early as 1889, so the British connection has been well and truly scotched."

So I suspect that the "All Backs" story is a bit of mamby pamby PC rubbish

Ian

[kiwigeo]

The story behind the use of the name "All Backs" is an interesting one.

Here's a more detailed account of the whole story:

ALL BLACKS - The Name? (http://www.rugbymuseum.co.nz/asp/container_pages/normal_menu/rmArticle.asp?IDID=138)

Interestingly when I attended primary school back in the early 60's in a small town in New Zealand's Wairarapa region I got told the All Back story by Sam Meads (brother of AB Colin "Pine Tree" Meads) and later on got the same story from Grant Batty (one time AB) who lived across the road.

The story may be indeed be a myth but I don't know how you can interpret it as "mamby pamby PC rubbish"....it was around long before PC was invented.

[jimbur]

What do you think the response will be when they find out that in test matches even the black players are expected to wear whites.:D
Jim

[Ian Smith]

The story may be indeed be a myth but I don't know how you can interpret it as "mamby pamby PC rubbish"....it was around long before PC was invented.

Kiwi - wasn't having a shot at you so sorry if it came across that way. I have no real interest either way but if it was the All Backs why was that? Did that bloke go into any details - just regurgitating what the AB site said on the subject.

Ian

[kiwigeo]

No offence taken......its only a game and Im not a die hard fan of it either.

According to the myth a British Journalist was of the opinion that the ABs played so well even their forwards played like backs. When the article went to press "All Backs" became "All Blacks" due to a typo. Nobody has been able to find the article in question which suggests its a myth.

[ST John]

I don't believe the Americans can point the finger at us, or even us at them. Unfortunately every society has its fair share of racists. Go to Japan they'll call you a 'White Demon' or go to Ghana and see all the angry faces staring at you. Racism sucks but everyone pigeon-holes someone sometime or another in their lives.

[ubeaut]

I've been in the US Since Dec 6th and still here. All I can honestly say is the bulk of them are basically clueless when it comes to anything outside the US and in some instances outside their state.

In a recent quiz show on the idiot box the host asked a lady and her friend something about Ayres Rock and Australia. Missed the whole question because I wasn't really all that interested in the show so wasn't paying much attention till I heard the reply (not verbatum but pretty close as I recall) "Australia? Is that a country, I don't think so, I think I've heard of it.... No it's not a country, I think it's somewhere in Texas, I'm sure I heard of it somewhere. Wait it's a town in Germany or Russia isn't it. Her friend then intervened with "No I thnik it's a country somewhere because they made a film about it. Yes it's a country."

Shows compare - "Your right. it is a country, you win $175?" Idiot woman and friend go right off the face cheering whilst the compare looks directly into the camera and says. "Isn't it amazing what you can learn from the movies folks....." Then rolls his eyes.

Got to say that here in Texas the vast majority seem to be pretty much clueless about anything outside of Texas and as for a sense of humour..... None.

Get really peed off listening to Obama being touted all over the place as "The leader of the free world." What a freakin crock of sheeeit that is.

Currently the big gripe here is that the US is the only country in the world who ever help when there's an earthquake or other natural disaster. According to them NO-ONE else is ever involved or helps out.

Oh yes and then there's this one. "Australia..... No they weren't in WWII they were neutral like Swaziland. Yes I actually heard someone say that.

Don't beat yourself up over what the yanks think. I'm pretty sure a great many of them don't.

Rant off

Back in Aus in a few weeks and can't wait to have a piece of bread that doesn't taste like sugar or honey and some meat that hasn't been smoked or BBQ'd and to talk to people who actually understand English or at least will try.

Cheers - Neil :U

PS a little of this is a bit tongue in cheek but mostly it's dead true.

PPS Apologies to our yank friends on the forums who must all be nice and thoughtful etc because they found us and we rub off on people.

[rsser]

An Oz consular official over there described the US as a dragon: a large impressive head and a loooong tail.

In my visits to universities over there what was good was very good, and what was mediocre there was a lot of.

[Grumpy John]

During a trip to the States a few years ago SWMBO and I wend into a supermarket to get some milk. SWMBO is slightly lactose intolerant asked a register operator for soy milk to which the person replied "what kind of animal do you set soy milk from?" I told her it came from a bird and she said "oh, really". :doh:

[rsser]

Innergrant or wot?!

Everyone knows it's a byproduct of soy sauce.

[Honorary Bloke]

PPS Apologies to our yank friends on the forums who must all be nice and thoughtful etc because they found us and we rub off on people.

No offense taken Neil. Not all Americans are that ignorant.

By the way, when does the Vienna Boy's Choir perform again? Is it before or after the hippo races?

:D

[jimbur]

By the way, when does the Vienna Boy's Choir perform again? Is it before or after the hippo races?

:D

Nice one Bob:U
cheers,
Jim

[artme]

Any sort of racism pi55e5 me off. But I was particularly struck by an incident I witnessed a few weeks after moving to Brisbane.

We were parked at a set of lights, where there was a pedestrian crossing, waiting to turn left. There was a young woman pushing a stroller with a child in it and holding the hand of a little girl as they crossed the road. Nothing to take any notice of, just a normal daily happening until the long haired, rotten toothed yobbo in the ute behind us blasted his horn and yelled out"Run over the black bitch!" His 2 mates, both of equal intelligence and sartorial elegance to the driver thought this was hilarious.

Me? I just sat there and waited for another light change.:whistling2:

Racism is too narrow a definition for a problem that pervades all societies. lack of respect is probably a better term. How we perceive and treat others is the root cause of the problem. For many the tendency to see those who are different to us as somehow being inferior or unworthy and therefore deserving of scorn, ridicule or even hatred is the birthplace of what is often too hastily seen as racism.

[rsser]

Agree.

Wld say tho that some folk fear difference and aggression arises from this.

[jerryc]

Every country and every culture has a streak of racism in certain quarters. It is a natural, ANIMAL response to something that is different, that manifests itself in suspicion and aggression. Most of us aim a little higher than the animal.

However, GJ's objection and that of some others is that most Americans appear hypocritical and moralising.

I remember Lenny Henry, a very funny English gentleman of dark hue recounting his experience in a Greenwhich Village nightclub. He sends up negroes mercilessly. On this occasion he made a negro joke and as he says "It went down like a lead balloon" The audience was so politically correct they would'nt laugh. They considered themselves non racist but in acting this way they only showed their true colours.

While I was in London recently I was chatting with a West Indian woman. She told us how much they hated the Nigerians. She said they were arrogant and called West Indians "slaves". She grinned and said our reply is "And who sold us into slavery?"

But as I said above, it is the image the US projects abroad that upsets people

Jerry

[artme]

Agree.

Wld say tho that some folk fear difference and aggression arises from this.

True Ern. We all fear difference to some extent, in the same way most of us fear change because change means different.

Witness the the flurry of nonsense in stable countries like Australia when there is a change of government. Most of the fears are unfounded and most of the changes are easily coped with by most people.

I know this is off track but it is interesting how we can draw so much from one observation with several points of view or divergence.

[woodnut]

I'm not racist at all, I just can't stand those effing Yanks! Mongrels think they are as good as us whites!!!