Was called a cracker a long time ago. I replied "Ritz or Saltine?". They did not know how to respond and walked away.

I have been called a lot of things, and never got twisted up over any of it. Just shows the ignorance of the person. Never understood why such a fuss, they are just words and only you can give them any power over you.

I was introduced to racism when I was at my Dad's house in the city. I was probably 10. My brothers and my step-brothers and I walked to the corner store for a soda and there were some black kids hanging around outside. It was too long ago but I think my step-brothers knew them. Anyway, long story short, they start kidding us and called us honkies. We had to ask them what a honkie was. Their face when dead-pan and then they all started laughing because we didn't know.

Jump ahead to a few months ago and my son was telling me how the black players on the opposing 8th grade football team were calling him and some of his teammates crackers -trying to elicit a response. I told them, next time someone says that to you respond with "That's Mr. Saltine to you!". I told him they won't know how to respond to that and you'll take whatever perceived power they thought they had over you, away from them.

Words are just that. People might want you to assign meaning to them, but you don't have to assign their meaning to them.

Since I am the oppressor, I can afford to let them go.

And, seriously, I am the whitest of white bread. I am the uber-WASP. I am not sure I have ever been the target of a racial slur.

Not really a problem I expect to face. The most likely person (or vague sorry approximation) that would bag on me for being white is some commie filth wokie that is also white. If some non white gives me shit about my color I only care if I sense they are angling to get violent.

Is "motherfucker" a racial slur?

I got called peckerwood cracker by kids where I taught daily.

It only ever amused me.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Stick and stone can hurt my bones, but words? Pffftt....

There was a thread on Reddit that asked “what is the biggest lie you’ve been told?”

The sticks and stones motto was the one I saw the most. Our schools and colleges are turning out disgusting weaklings, in both body and mind, in my not so humble opinion.

Also in the 1970s, I was once called a "jive turkey," but that wasn't used insultingly, nor is it particularly "racial."

Like many of my fellow members, I have been called about every name in the book when I piloted a squad car or walked a beat.

Add on to the fact that I am from Appalachian stock, and my family grew up in Southern Ohio, WV and KY: The comments/names were far and wide..

quote:

Originally posted by SevenPlusOne:
Is "motherfucker" a racial slur?

Not in the ghetto.

Call me anything other than late for dinner.

I grew up in the 50's-60's and was raised by deeply Alabama southern parents. The household language was far to graphic for here, but my vocabulary was quite tainted by the time I joined the military followed the corporate world.

EEO was just taking root, maybe because of my deep southern drawl I was 'spoken to' by my supervisor in private and told about new 'rules'. I don't ever recall having used inappropriate language in the military or corporate work place but I worked hard to toning down my southern accent which allowed me to do well in corporate life.

After retirement, my accent slowly returned. I was/am proud of my heritage, being called cracker or redneck was a badge of honor. It never bothered me and I always treated others with the upmost respect regardless of how I was treated.

Because we travel around the country with our art shows I'm frequently questioned when we are 'up north' with 'where are you from, Georgia?' Of course I smile tell them Florida, which is true. However living in NC has exposed me to some colorful country boys with different outlooks, oh well to each his own.......

Redneck and hillbilly are compliments!

No offense at all. But then again, I haven't been called a slur of any sorts by anyone in a very long time. I can't really remember the last time anyone called me anything. And I've been all over the US and the world. People generally treat me kindly, but I'm also generally polite wherever I go.

Tony.

I have been insulted all my life for both race and appearance. I have also been called names so much, I just ignore them. I could care less.

quote:

Originally posted by recoatlift:
1/2 Sicilian, 1/2 Irish, & a
Catholic, you bet I’ve been called every slur involving my ancestry & religion. I don’t care, I love my history, I’m American made and proud of it!

USA #1

Same here.

Been called a Goombah, Grease Ball, Wop, Diego, Spaghetti Bender( not in a long time),Guinea, Ginzo, Greaser, cujiene and a few others, mostly it’s by other guys who would be called the same thing. When it is used I shrug it off, ignorance or impotence.

"Offended"? Yes. Offended enough to respond in kind or worse? No. Lots of things in life are offense. Dealing with them properly is something more people need to be able to handle.

I am half Puerto Rican and have never once been insulted or felt oppressed by the jokes thrown at me. Not once.

quote:

Originally posted by dave7378:
I am half Puerto Rican and have never once been insulted or felt oppressed by the jokes thrown at me. Not once.

I have a friend whom I have known since 1982. He is my best friend. He is half Puerto Rican. He pronounces it Pudderican. lol