Brian Whittaker's Tache Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I'm having an ongoing argument with the new woman (in a lighthearted manner) I used an old phrase I've used for years when she was asking me to do some stuff, the phrase in question was "paint me black and call me Benson ffs" Older Kickbackers will remember this But my new woman's younger and has accused me of being a bit racist!! Am I a racist? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe.gausden Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 NO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmiyaRomanova Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 "Paint me white and call me Garnett." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickmaroon Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Racist? Nah, don't think so. That video brought back some memories though. TV was really quite shi'ite back then .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikki 74 Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I use that phrase as well and I,m not racist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosanostra Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 It is a wee bit dodgy. The sort of thing you could get away with when hanging out with your mates but probably best avoided at work and with people you don't know too well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brow Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Its like something my granny would say! And she's not really racist...much. You're not racist, just old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiberius Stinkfinger Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Definitely not racist. More Butlerist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regal Kingston Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 It could be pretty offensive but I don't think your racist. It could be viewed as has slavery connetations and suggests you need to be black before you will do any large amounts of labour. Would you say it if your workmate was black? The Benson bit is quite funny as we used to call each other Benson at school. "pass that rubber" "there you go (passing of rubber)" "Cheers BENSON!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor.Arturo Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Not racist. Just like asking for a fair deal and you say "play the white man" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siphiwe Tshabalala Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 For some reason i find this thread very amusing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosanostra Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Not racist. Just like asking for a fair deal and you say "play the white man" Em....but that is very obviously racist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor.Arturo Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Em....but that is very obviously racist. Ok, bad example Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosanostra Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Ok, bad example Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig R Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Not racist. Just like asking for a fair deal and you say "play the white man" How surprising that a BNP voter would not consider this racist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrambo Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I'm having an ongoing argument with the new woman (in a lighthearted manner) I used an old phrase I've used for years when she was asking me to do some stuff, the phrase in question was "paint me black and call me Benson ffs" Racist post, IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brow Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 How surprising that a BNP voter would not consider this racist. I took it as tongue in cheek..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Say What Again Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Would you say it to, or in front of, a black man BWT? That may help you decide. I appreciate the context/manner you said it in, but I think it's pretty close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason_1991 Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Not Racist Funny Thou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldar Hadzimehmedovic Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 The "paint me black" bit edges it over the line of acceptability. "call me Benson" would have been the same joke, but not racist - Benson simply being a famous butler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Spackler Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Em....but that is very obviously racist. No it's not. I had to explain this to somebody recently. I used to use the phrase but now don't bother as people can misinterpret it. Frankly this is wrong but I can't be bothered with the hassle. None of the below are absolute proof of the meaning of the phrase but they explain exactly the context I have used it in and others (who I wouldn't consider to be racist) have used it in too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play_the_white_man http://www.allwords.com/word-play+the+white+man.html http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/play_the_white_man http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/cgi-bin/res.pl?keyword=Play+The+White+Man&offset=0 I probably wouldn't use BWT's phrase either for the same reason although if you think about it that phrase is effectively using race for comedy effect. You could understand somebody considering it racist but whether they should necessarily take offence I'm not sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosanostra Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 No it's not. I had to explain this to somebody recently. I used to use the phrase but now don't bother as people can misinterpret it. Frankly this is wrong but I can't be bothered with the hassle. None of the below are absolute proof of the meaning of the phrase but they explain exactly the context I have used it in and others (who I wouldn't consider to be racist) have used it in too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play_the_white_man http://www.allwords.com/word-play+the+white+man.html http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/play_the_white_man http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/cgi-bin/res.pl?keyword=Play+The+White+Man&offset=0 I probably wouldn't use BWT's phrase either for the same reason although if you think about it that phrase is effectively using race for comedy effect. You could understand somebody considering it racist but whether they should necessarily take offence I'm not sure. I know what the expression means Carl, that's not the issue. You can use the expression in the nicest possible context but that doesn't stop it from being a racist expression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Spackler Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I know what the expression means Carl, that's not the issue. You can use the expression in the nicest possible context but that doesn't stop it from being a racist expression. It's plainly not a racist expression. White is to mean virtuous and fair and has nothing to do with skin colour or race. The expression is not in any way, shape or form racist. If people chose to take it literally then that's their own problem. Like I say I don't use it because people misinterpret it's original meaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosanostra Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 It's plainly not a racist expression. White is to mean virtuous and fair and has nothing to do with skin colour or race. The expression is not in any way, shape or form racist. If people chose to take it literally then that's their own problem. Like I say I don't use it because people misinterpret it's original meaning. So would you describe something virutous or fair as white at any other time? That explanation just doesn't wash and it doesn't really make sense. It's pretty clear you're not using it in a racist manner or with any intention to be racist but it's pretty clear that asking someone to "play the white man" is a racist term. Just googling it, phrase finder suggests that it intends to "represent the honour and chivalry shown by the European colonists when they goverened their old 19th century empires, and showed their subjects how 'proper'people behaved. Not a very acceptable idea these days!" Here's an interview with a black footballer who played for Wolves in the 1980s and what effect being told to "play the white man" had on him. http://www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/cucr/pdf/king.pdf Here's a book on the subject of institutional racism in football called "play the white man". http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a732638684~db=all~jumptype=rss Carl, you're being awfully naive if you think that term has nothing to do with skin colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Spackler Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 So would you describe something virutous or fair as white at any other time? That explanation just doesn't wash and it doesn't really make sense. It's pretty clear you're not using it in a racist manner or with any intention to be racist but it's pretty clear that asking someone to "play the white man" is a racist term. Just googling it, phrase finder suggests that it intends to "represent the honour and chivalry shown by the European colonists when they goverened their old 19th century empires, and showed their subjects how 'proper'people behaved. Not a very acceptable idea these days!" Here's an interview with a black footballer who played for Wolves in the 1980s and what effect being told to "play the white man" had on him. http://www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/cucr/pdf/king.pdf Here's a book on the subject of institutional racism in football called "play the white man". http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a732638684~db=all~jumptype=rss Carl, you're being awfully naive if you think that term has nothing to do with skin colour. I'm sorry, I disagree entirely. The colour white is clearly symbolic of peace and virtue and almost always has been in civilised society. You would have to trace the origins of the phrase to find the correct answer. All I can say is that I have used the phrase in the past entirely without mischievous intent and in exactly the context I describe. Another person's interpretation does not make me racist and I have never thought of the phrase as racist. I do no believe I am naive. On the contrary I think people who automatically take that to be a racist phrase are blinkered themselves. If somebody can trace the origins of the phrase with some authority I may change my view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Probably safer with "clap me in irons and call me Spartacus", although this in itself may wound the sensitivities of any Thracians in earshot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest S.U.S.S. Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Probably safer with "clap me in irons and call me Spartacus", although this in itself may wound the sensitivities of any Thracians in earshot. So its ok if the person being abused is white? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 (edited) I think its racist, but looks like i'm about the only one. mod edit Edited May 28, 2009 by JKBMod 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxx77 Posted January 24, 2022 Share Posted January 24, 2022 Haha me and my gf just going on about this as I said it to her shes a tad younger though so don't take it offensively... I just laugh 😆 total snowflakes these days I tell ya 🙄🤔🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locky Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Best first post in the history of Kickback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Findlay Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Well call me Jeeves and paint me white. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ri Alban Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) Acting like a Catholic or do it the Proddie way. Let the dug see the rabbit. Is that anti gypsy? Edited January 28, 2022 by ri Alban Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hmfc1965 Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 On 28/05/2009 at 12:42, Jonkel Hoon said: I think its racist, but looks like i'm about the only one. mod edit You're not. As another poster has said adding "paint me black " makes it racist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hmfc1965 Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 On 27/05/2009 at 17:46, Carl Spackler said: No it's not. I had to explain this to somebody recently. I used to use the phrase but now don't bother as people can misinterpret it. Frankly this is wrong but I can't be bothered with the hassle. None of the below are absolute proof of the meaning of the phrase but they explain exactly the context I have used it in and others (who I wouldn't consider to be racist) have used it in too. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play_the_white_man http://www.allwords.com/word-play+the+white+man.html http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/play_the_white_man http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/cgi-bin/res.pl?keyword=Play+The+White+Man&offset=0 I probably wouldn't use BWT's phrase either for the same reason although if you think about it that phrase is effectively using race for comedy effect. You could understand somebody considering it racist but whether they should necessarily take offence I'm not sure. Two of these links don't work. One refers to racist connotations and the other describes it as offensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyNic Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Nah, you canny say that in this day and age. It's dodgy and that's enough for it to be avoided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyJudyJudy Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 If you have to ask if something is racist it probably is. It is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpie Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Most definitely racist, but in the case of the originator of the post may be unintentional. The use of the word black especially if addressed towards the human race in these hyper sensitive days is very risky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Gin Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Definitely racist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Burgundy Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 I wouldn't say it but that's not because I think it's being used as a racist statement but because some others may find it racist. And the easiest and best way to shut down a conversation these days is to call someone racist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ainsley Harriott Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 100 , percent racist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown user Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 I usually find a heavily accented Igor style "Yeeth Maathter" does the trick, ideally putting on a hump at the same time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rupert Pupkin Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boof Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 (edited) I don't know if you personally are a racist, BWT, but that, to me, is an inappropriate phrase. I wouldn't use it. Edited January 28, 2022 by Boof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulysses Posted January 28, 2022 Share Posted January 28, 2022 What sort of thundering honky bollox resurrects a 12-year old thread? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Boy Named Crow Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 3 hours ago, Ulysses said: What sort of thundering honky bollox resurrects a 12-year old thread? Some crazy cracker has been rummaging about in the kickback archives! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Der Kaiser Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 You could try other colours Paint me yellow and call me....no...wait maybe not yellow. Paint me red and call m....no..no....same problem. ...... Got it Paint me green and tell me to **** right off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ked Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 6 hours ago, A Boy Named Crow said: Some crazy cracker has been rummaging about in the kickback archives! Had a wee rummage on Google about the word cracker. Was used to describe unruly Scots/irish immigrants in the early days of America. Its unclear the origins of the racial way black people use it. I've never been called it. Has anyone else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry Haggis Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 There’s thread bumps and there’s thread bumps. This is a thread bump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jb102 Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 I want to know if she stuck around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Cockade Posted January 29, 2022 Share Posted January 29, 2022 "Play the white man" is about as racist a phrase that there is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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