Sisters Suing Southwest Over 'Racist Rhyme'

Fox ^

[Sir Gawain]

KANSAS CITY, Kan.

[rustbucket]

If this continues, Arnold Schwarzenegger will have to change his name.

[The Lake City Gar]

Tell me why your use of the word "Redneck" is just ducky while in the same paragraph you condemn those who use bigoted words.

Because it describes a specific group of mostly white people who are racist and/or ignorant and/or still wear a mullet.

[SarahW]

Yes, we ate nigger-toes(brazil nuts). But we caught TIGER's by the toe when counting out for games.

[DannyTN]

"They hollered, I guess we have to let them go. " No, "If he hollars make him pay, $50 every day"

[Denver Ditdat]

I'm guessing you are sixty or older.

I recognized that Brazil nut reference, and I'm 41. I heard it from my grandparents, though, and they'd be in their 90s if they were still alive. You could very well be right.

[DannyTN]

When I grew up in Louisiana we ate nigger-toes(brazil nuts), nigger-tits(Chocolate covered creme drops) and yes we used the racial version of the rhyme.

However, I did at least have the decency to be embarrassed one day when in a store and I asked my brother "How much are those nigger tits" only to turn around and see a big black woman in line behind me. I don't think I ever used that term again. Well until this post.

[Under the Radar]

She didn't say either the "n" word or "tiger." She said, "Eenie, meenie, minie, moe; pick a seat, we gotta go."

[farmguy]

Growing up in another time, we used the phrase that is now considered objectionable. My kids, on the other hand, grew up only knowing the tiger rhyme.

My complaint with all this is that we have made real progress towards eliminating racism. This type of complaint is racially devisive and could have great unintended consequences. (Not that it makes these race baiters any difference.)

[WashingtonCollegeofLaw]

In the law theres something called the reasonable person standard used to find out how a reasonable person would act in a certain situtation. I think that a similar standard should be held to plaintiffs. If your suit is simply insane, it gets thrown out. Period.
Also in the law is something called forseeability used to determine proximate cause in tort claims. The long and short of it is that if you reasonably cannot foresee something, you are not necessarily going to be held liable, otherwise you could have a domino effect forever. In this case, i wouldnt expect a 22 yr old flight attendend to reasonably expect this type of reaction from what she said. I think we should just ban all public speaking and public actions as to avoid any chance of potentially offending someone.

[freedumb2003]

The Lake City Gar signed up 2003-02-09.

Interloper. Clearly a lurker who has been watching and thinks he/she/it "knows" the standards.

[SarahW]

I actually didn't know what the "nigger" in "nigger toes" meant till I was seven or eight. I thought it was some kind of cat, I think.

I was so shocked when I found out it was supposed to be a kind of person. I ate brazil nuts after that.

[freedumb2003]

I'd hate to be a chink in the armor.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Yes, make this rhyme a crime. If you say the rhyme, you'll do the time.

[The Lake City Gar]

Good thing Southwest didn't serve Brazil nuts.

1) LOL!!! LOL!!! LOL!!!

2) Here's a bit of an...Interesting...commentary...

I read this comment of yours earlier. I noticed it but didn't get it and went on about my ignorant way...

I then listened to the radio and they were discussing this exact topic. Someone told a story of their black grandmaw refering to Bazil nuts as "Nigger Toes" and not even noticing it (As I am sure is the case with many older people of all colors)....I thought to myself and said...."Yeah, that's what we called 'em".

Why do I think this is interesting? Because I came back to this thread and saw your comment and almost puked myself to death laughing so hard. (Well done...VERY well done!!). The point being...I grew-up only knowing them as "Nigger Toes" (My brother and sister and I often discuss with amazement what was "Normal" for us...And MANY of our friends and family while growing-up). I had forgotten the real name was "Brazil nuts".

I could almost see someone getting in trouble for offering Brazil nuts to the wrong person. Afterall, did you think "Eany, meany, miney, mo" could get someone in trouble yesterday???

[DannyTN]

"This type of complaint is racially devisive "

Your right. These sisters just managed to bring the racist version of the rhyme to the nation's conciousness and no doubt just taught it to thousands of young who would have never known it.

[Sacajaweau]

Your version is probably what my kids ages 35,37,39 learned.

The one from the 50's was different. It was a memorable ditty for a certain purpose and nothing more!!!!

[WashingtonCollegeofLaw]

Intentional infliction of emotional distress

[Under the Radar]

Are you kidding? Southwest should have seen something like this coming? Because your father happens to be a racist?

Yes, racists exist. And, as much as this may come as a shock, they will exist even after the race-hustling poverty pimps wring dry every business in sight.

Southwest was not in the wrong here. It is the infernal court that even stooped to hear this case that should bear our opprobrium.

[ladylib]

Poor Niger Innis. About a year ago, some TV reporter pronounced his name wrong. Profuse apologies all around, as it should be. No one likes to have his name pronounced incorrectly on national TV.

It's getting out of hand though. The "niggardly" thing in the 4th grade classroom was too much; but then, in this day and age, perhaps the teacher was remiss. She should have known her audience, and the audience's parents.

It has come down to basic self-preservation in the classroom. Teachers really can't teach anymore. Maybe that's why many of them are throwing in the towel.

[John123]

Actually, I want the lawyer for the sisters to pay all court expenses after the case gets thrown out.