“I’m not racist”: Common claim after racial slurs

Associated Press ^ | May 23, 2013 4:17 PM EDT | Jesse Washington

[Olog-hai]

It’s almost a cliché. First, someone talking about blacks makes reference to fried chicken, watermelon, monkeys or dogs—or even uses the indefensible N-word. Then, along with the inevitable apology, comes the kicker: I’m not racist.

The latest denial is from golfer Sergio Garcia. Asked a joking question about having dinner with his adversary Tiger Woods, Garcia said: “We will serve fried chicken.” He later apologized for what he called a “silly remark,” then added, “but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner.” …

“I think it’s human nature that if you’re a racist, you don’t want to admit it,” says conservative radio host Mike Gallagher.

“If Tiger said, ‘Let’s serve tacos at dinner with Garcia,’ the world would go crazy,” Gallagher said. “When a bigot tells a bigoted joke and they get called out on it, the pattern is, I’ll say I’m sorry and maybe it will blow over.” …

[Jack Black]

No jokes allowed about Black people. Special rule #24.

[dljordan]

““Fried Chicken” is not “racist”. It’s recognizing a cultural preference.”

Lordy, Chicken fried in lard. Oh, for my lost Southern youth and Granny’s cooking.

[Olog-hai]

Something tells me that Scots would be proud about references to Haggis, too.

[Fiji Hill]

Every culture including my own has fried chicken dinner as a work of culinary art.

Apparently, fried chicken isn't part of German culture, where roast chicken is preferred. When I was in Germany, the only place I could find fried chicken was at a restaurant called Wienerwald. The dish was tasty and fried in the American style with one exception--they fried the entire half-chicken instead of separating the pieces.

[Williams]

Yes, it could be viewed as racist in a broad sense to joke about someone black eating fried chicken.

But is it worthy of a federal case? Is it hateful? Are you really calling a person stupid or anything else serious when you joke about a food traditionally associated with them?

Oh but every day I have to read that whites are privileged, racist, etc. Christians? We know they are the worst. But let’s not make any fried chicken jokes.

I am not offended if you assume I like fried chicken or pasta if I’m Italian.

[kitchen]

I'm going to have to dispute the premise of this article. Recalling the many times I was called a jive ass honky mutha 'efer, I don't believe it was ever followed with, "But I'm not a racist."

[immadashell]

Me too. Suddenly I’m craving fried chicken tacos!

I have this maddening desire to go to ChicFilA tonight and I'm white. Does that make me racist?

[Fiji Hill]

Something tells me that Scots would be proud about references to Haggis, too.

They are. Over there, haggis is considered health food.

Address to the Haggis

[Olog-hai]

Nor the number of times I was referred to as “cracker”.

[Fiji Hill]

Chicken Blues

[Williams]

White people/ Christians/ conservatives have been so chumped by pc games from liberals. WE are the ones constantly being stereotyped in a way that justifies governmental action against US.

And then we are afraid to say FU, if I want to make a fried chicken joke to a black guy get out of my face it’s no big deal.

It’s really very hard for me to imagine how an association with fried chicken could be viewed in a negative light. There is no there there.

[Darren McCarty]

I dated a Southern Belle. I always thought fried chicken was a Southern thing along with catfish, grits, and BBQ.

[bert]

There is no racial slur

There is only marxist propagandist control of the language

[Tupelo]

In my opinion, the only way to prevent being called a racist somewhere sometime is to avoid blacks. Professionally and/are socially. This will avoid any future problems. Having to walk on eggshells around anyone is not concussive to any kind of friendship, so avoid them.

[FrankR]

Wow, another black journalist defining “racism”, imagine that! I think it’s all that’s on their minds. Do they have inferiority complexes because they’re black? It would seem so based on their rabid obsession with the subject.

There are so many things going on in this world to write about other than the well-worn “how to identify a racist” meme. I guess their editor feels compelled to print it so s/he won’t be called a racist.

These kind of proponents of denying free speech only contribute to the idea of racism.

It will never end until people stop knee-jerking to the word. So long as the accusation works into guilting whites into cow-towing to them, it will never end.

[Olog-hai]

Dunno about that 100 percent, at least worldwide. The late lead singer of Thin Lizzy, Philip Lynott, had this to say:

Being a black in Dublin was never a problem for me. The Irish never showed me any prejudice. …

Of course, things in Ireland post-European Union have certainly changed from Lynott’s childhood in the 60s.

[Psycho_Bunny]

“I’m not a liberal liar!” Common claim after admitting being a journalist.

[sayfer bullets]

“I never do this...”

another common phrase triggered by cognitive dissonance.

[x]

Just a dumb joke. It's the sort of thing you hear in "buddy cop" movies, where Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte or Denny Glover and Mel Gibson josh each other about their ethnic backgrounds.

Well, okay, Mel Gibson ...

Would it have been better or more appropriate to say: "We'll have Tiger Woods over. We'll make Pad Thai," or "We'll have Tiger Woods, over and cheat on our wives till they take clubs to our cars"?

[ZirconEncrustedTweezers]

“I have this maddening desire to go to ChicFilA tonight and I’m white. Does that make me racist?”

No, but it might mark you as a homophobe. ;)