by spud_potatoes on January 3rd, 2007

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Why is it that people are so strick when white people insultia black person with a racist joke you are bad. But when a black persons insults a white person with a racist joke nobody cares?

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Answers. 22 helpful answers below.

by xxxxxxxxxx on January 3rd, 2007
i really wonder that all the time. i dont understand it. not all black people, but some will say they have the right because of the whole slavery thing... and to me thats an excuse. because the younger generations never had to go through that. and even if slavery had an effect on them... why not be the better person? i dont really know the reasons as to why its tollorable but i think thats its pretty messed up for ANYONE to get away with making fun of other races and discrimination. and the black people who poke fun at white people all the time are just as at fault as anyone else. (i know im going to get rated done on this but oh well)
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- I almost read the answer wrong. I thought you said the opposite of what you said. I believe that too.
  
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  by lightfly on January 3rd, 2007
- hehe its all good.
  
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  by xxxxxxxxxx on January 3rd, 2007
- I believe just what you said.
  
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  by Paul the know it all on January 10th, 2008
- I'm with you except for saying it's messed up for anyone to get away with making fun of other races. Everyone should be able to make fun of any and everyone at any time, look at most of the best comedians over the years they all talked about race and it's hilarious
  
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  by normlMike on August 27th, 2009
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by Arisztid on November 13th, 2007
I care.

I do not like ANY racist jokes.

I am such a stickler about this that if I have a friend who tells them, I tell the friend that I am not comfortable being exposed to racist jokes and racist epithets and to, please, not do so.

If they slip up and do it, stopping immediately, I am OK with it. If they continue to do it, I cease communications with them.

Oh, I am not white.
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- Really you don't like any racist jokes? All the best comedians have jokes about race in their acts, you really didn't find any of it funny? Telling a joke about race doesn't mean there has to be hate behind it. Funny is funny
  
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  by normlMike on August 27th, 2009
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by NeverWas on April 22nd, 2009
Racism is generally not tolerated in western society. That being said, racism is not simply the belittling of one race or another, but a negative push at a race by another from a position of power. You could call Custer a racist for hating Indians, but it is problematic to call an Indian from that period a racist for hating whites.

The fact remains that despite a great deal of progress since the 1960's black people are still overrepresented in prisons, and underrepresented in politics. I won't go through every level of class difference between the majority of white and black people; it suffices to say that true equality has not yet been reached. White people are still very much in control.

A joke against the black race, or any minority ethnic group in a country, is considered to be an extension of the power structure that is weighted against them. To ridicule a person for their race, which is already seen to be less advantaged, is seen as a form of persecution. When the situation is reversed, the joke comes off more as a form of rebellion and indignation at the power structure.

Picture a work environment. If a worker cracks a joke about the boss, it is considered funny. If the boss heard it, he might be personally insulted, but it wouldn't feel like persecution of the management class. If the boss were to come out and start making jokes about the workers, he would be considered petty and mean spirited, and the jokes would be perceived as an instrument of the upper classes persecuting the lower ones. This isn't a perfect example, but it illustrates how relationships of power greatly affect how a joke is perceived.
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- ummm, isnt Obama in the highest possible political position? and usually, when I hear a person with black skin say something racist, it isnt a joke, and humor isnt intended...in fact, its usually harm that is the targeted effect. followed up by an excuse of slavery that the said person probably has no knowledge of at all, except for what they have heard in parts of books or television....when in many cases, slaves where shipped around the world and sold by their own people.
  
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  by boogysplit on May 30th, 2009
- I didn't say that people of different races and use racist remarks differently, I said that they are perceived differently depending on power relations.
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  Please inform the black people of the country that they are now in power because there is a black President. I think they might have been a little preoccupied with the degrading conditions of urban schools, crippling poverty and drug violence to realize the social order was fixed in the last election.
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  I know that to you all black people are the same, but Africa is actually comprised of many different tribes and peoples. The Atlantic slave trade was characterized by certain tribes, supported by European powers, raiding and conquering weaker tribes and selling the prisoners as slaves. It's not "their own people" because they were all black. Their slavery focused on class differences; the racist perspective of the slave trade was a uniquely European export.
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  If you want to debate, I am willing. For diatribes, please go to Yahoo.
  
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  by NeverWas on May 30th, 2009
- your high scoring 3 dollar words have no effect on me....I see your "woe is the black man" card you are trying to play here. if you think that people of black color deal with more hardships than any other race, then you are delusional...there is no debate, I feel sorry for no one....and I see people as individuals sir, not as giant racial single minded swarms...you know nothing of my thoughts.
  
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  by boogysplit on May 30th, 2009
- So you don't have any more trouble with the way I speak:
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  Perceived: the way things seem to a bloke
  Inform: tell/email 'em/text 'em
  Preoccupied: doing something else
  Degrading: going from bad to worse (think network TV)
  Comprised: made up of ("Yo! dis here soup be comprised of mirepoix, butter, chicken stock and a sachet of herbes de provence!")
  Characterized: to be a characteristic of something
  Characteristic: what it's like
  Perspective: the direction ya look from
  Uniquely: something that's only from this one thing
  Export: selling stuff to other countries
  Diatribes: long speeches about things you don't know about
  
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  by NeverWas on May 30th, 2009
- I'm not playing cards, I am debating on a question and answer website.
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  Did I say that black people deal with more hardships than any other? No. I was referring to specific real world situations that are intolerable which affect black people a great deal, and as a trend, certainly much more than white people.
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  I am sorry you cannot be sorry. Please forgive my suggestion that you see all black people as the same. I misjudged your willingness to post about a subject you knew nothing about, and your vague generalizations about the nature of how black people use racial jokes, as evidence that you were not ignorant, but simply prejudicial. I stand corrected.
  
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  by NeverWas on May 30th, 2009
- lol....are you an escaped patient? you need someone to call the authorities for help? you deny one thing and show hipocracy instantly...I dont care what color you are, you are resposible for how your life turns out, not your color...racism, effects everyone equally....not more on one race than another...thats is where your card is. there is no generalizations when I speak of people as whole....if you think I dont know about racism as much as the next person, then you are arrogant, and naive.
  
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  by boogysplit on May 30th, 2009
- Hilarious. "Racism effects everyone equally." You obviously don't know anything about racism because you can't understand that it's not about off-color remarks or prejudice, but about belief that the differences in the races creates a hierarchy of human beings, ordering peoples from top to bottom by their race. Therefore, those who have power in social structures, when looking at the world from a racist perspective, will structure the society to place their race above another.
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  By your thinking, the racism of blacks toward white people in the South between the 1880's and the 1960's effected white people equally as white racism affected blacks. You really need some perspective. To talk about race and admit that it exists and that the deep wounds of institutionalized racism are still affecting the world today isn't "playing a card". It's fact.
  
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  by NeverWas on June 1st, 2009
- ohhh I see, you think racism originated and only prospered in the south.....ignorance at its finest.
  
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  by boogysplit on June 4th, 2009
- That was my example, showing how racism is keenly related to issues of power and social structure, and showing how you are absolutely wrong in your assertion that racism affects all races equally. You could rebut, and try to defend your position, or at least try to see the wisdom in mine but point out some logical errors, but instead you choose to blatantly misread my posts and try to create a straw man out of me. Great debating skills, sir.
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  At any rate, if you read what I posted earlier, I stated that I believed racism was originally a European export.
  
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  by NeverWas on June 4th, 2009
- ok...so tell the 6 million jews in their acid baths that they are not as affected by racism as the Black skinned race....im sick of your ignorance...I have plenty of other examples I have recieved myself to a harmful level...and I am not Black! direct your holier than thou banter elsewhere. Ive also seen white kids attacked because they were white in a black school, what about the indonesians, afgans, mexican? all races are effected by racism....period!
  
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  by boogysplit on June 4th, 2009
- Did I say black people were the most affected in all of history by racism? No. I refuted your claim of this earlier (Once again, I urge you to read the posts). What I am claiming is that depending on the social situation and power structure, racism disproportionately affects the so-called "lesser race". While it may be true that a white kid could be attacked at a school that is predominantly black, this is happening because the child is of a race that is not powerful in that area. The white child may hold equal dislike for black people as those who attacked him do for white people, but one is clearly going to be more affected by the racism than the other. Do you still continue to claim that racism affects all races equally? Certainly it has the potential to, but you are forgetting who holds power in the world.
  
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  by NeverWas on June 4th, 2009
- lol....ok, I see what your doing here...so tell me....who is the lesser race? and who do YOU consider to be in the power of the world here? yes, I do claim racism affects all races equally, why?...because all races of people are still people...and the reasons and aftermath are all negative..doesnt matter who you are or what race you are. just because people of a certain color runs political heights more than others, does not make them immune or less affected by racism itself.
  
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  by boogysplit on June 4th, 2009
- Racism still has the same outcome no matter what...what is that outcome? violence, hatred, and fear. you are comparing Americas power to the worlds power...sure, there are many people in America, and it is responsible for many things, but that does not mean white people run the world. what you are trying to do here, is say one race is affected more than any other by racism, and the white people are the ones doing it....correct?
  
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  by boogysplit on June 4th, 2009
- so that puts you in a new bracket of racism in itself, and probably the worst kind....you are the opportunist, victim type racist that turns out to be the culprit...a wolf in sheeps clothing....there was a German back in the 40s' who did the same thing....people listened too.
  
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  by boogysplit on June 4th, 2009
- and you didnt have to say black people are more affected....but that is what you meant, right? and there is no way white people are as affected by racism, because they seem to be in power of THE WORRRRRRLLLLLD MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! right?
  
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  by boogysplit on June 4th, 2009
- I thought you might be thrown off by my "lesser race" statement. That's why I made emphasis to show this phrase was from a perspective of power within a racism situation, not some statement about a hierarchy of races.
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  Who do I consider to be the power in the world? The rich of course.
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  I think you mean the 30's with your comparison of me to Hitler. Under Godwin's law, you lose.
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  Your idea that racism affects everyone is vague, simplistic and idealized. Of course we can claim as you do that the long term hostilities, fears, and hatreds engendered by racism have the ability to affect all races, the reality is that they don't. If any repercussion comes to one ethnic group for committing genocide on other, it comes slowly, and not in equal measure.
  
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  by NeverWas on June 5th, 2009
- Sure it's nice to say, "we're all people and the hatred affects everyone" in a sort of cloud of sadness that harms the world, but you're forgetting the real innocents, hacked to death with machetes, enslaved, put to death by the state, lynched, gassed, and every other form of ethnic cleansing that has gone on through history.
  
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  by NeverWas on June 5th, 2009
- You seem to be under a delusion that I think white people control the world and systematically try to keep black people down. I'm concerned with the nature and origin of racism, and why it exists when race is an illusion. I'm really amazed that you continue to pursue this idea that I am promoting black victimization, when I continue to deny it. Apparently, as far as you're concerned, when anyone talks about how black people have it bad in proportion to whites, they must be pushing a victim mentality. I'm pointing out real social inequalities, not blaming them on anyone. You are the one who is racializing this debate, accusing me of blaming white people for the current state of black America, when all I want to debate is the nature and character of racism, in all it's forms.
  
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  by NeverWas on June 5th, 2009
- I have not stated "one race is more affected by racism than any other." I am positing that the nature of racism is that in it's specific interactions, those races not in a position of power within a particular social structure, will be much more affected by the racism.
  
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  by NeverWas on June 5th, 2009
- when I say racism has the same affect on all races I wasnt talking statistics and numbers, what im saying is its going to hurt any race just as much as it does the other....for example:
  
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  by boogysplit on June 5th, 2009
- if something racial was said to a white woman, like the question began...and she took offense, and another to a black woman, and she took offense...does one bleed more than the other? no...it has an equal affect on all races
  
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  by boogysplit on June 5th, 2009
- I dont consider it any less harmfull on one person from the other at all. Im not sure either on why you insist that you, above any other random person, would know any more about racism than anyone else.
  
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  by boogysplit on June 5th, 2009
- I dont care if you study it or whatever, you dont need a masters to understand what racism is. you say "I have not stated "one race is more affected by racism than any other." but you also say "Hilarious. "Racism effects everyone equally." You obviously don't know anything about racism". this post was based on remarks, not the rich, which I cant really understand how you connect that with race to begin with. so are you saying racism is a problem because people that are rich run things and make it that way?
  
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  by boogysplit on June 5th, 2009
- sorry about the multiple post btw...computer doesnt like AB comment sections for some reason.
  
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  by boogysplit on June 5th, 2009
- So now someone has to be in a position of power to be racist? That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard in my life. Literally. If someone hates an entire race, then they are racist. Simple as that. They don't hav to be from another race or be in a position of power.
  
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  by Parrot_head91 on February 25th, 2010
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by olan black on June 20th, 2009
I think it is all a matter of prospective, most "white jokes" told by black comedians tend to speak about there behavior. the way they walk or talk, or generalizations about the culture (such as the spoiled children that want everything) the only issues with jokes about race are actually from people that are not comedians, I have heard white comedians make fun of blacks, and found it funny (when they try to use the urban speak, or slang)but I have heard degrading generalizations by non comedians and that is normally the problem (some senator or something saying, well you know they all just want to have babies and get on welfare) then they claim it as a "joke". fact is, if you are black or white, no generalization really fits you, so i take it all in stride.
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by everyone loves me...right on November 12th, 2007
i dont agree with any racial slur or joke. but being that us (african americans) are constently reminded that we were brought hear against our will and that the judicial system and constitution where not designed for us(african americans). you may not agree with that last staement but think when the constitution was made in 1787 and think about what was going on with blacks in that time period. it was just in the 1960's when it was possible for blacks to vote with no restrictions and they still had the schools seperated. even though blacks could vote it still was hard with the posiblity of being linched(hanging a person from a tree)and many other tactics where put in use to stop blacks from voting.some choose to take it out any way they can. some may not want to admit that racism still exist heavily in the us but it does but no one would know that unless they were in our shoes. i on the other hand choose to take each person for who they are not because of what nationality they are. even though i dont like the word race because we are all one race just differennt nationality's. that word was created to divide people from differnet backgounds form each other. we all bleed we all our fragile and can die.
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by three cousins from the 313 on June 12th, 2009
My question is why do people believe white people don't make jokes about black people and try to pretend racial joke is a one way street. Last time I check a white guy owns Family guy and American dad black jokes. During that comedian amateur nationwide jokes I heard black jokes. Every now and again you'll hear em on late night TV. Robot Chicken got them, Steve Colbert lis goes on I get sick of people trying to create double standards. Far as im concern everybody is equally getting dumped on
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by POLICE...IN HOT PURSUIT on April 22nd, 2009
I have also noticed in black sitcoms, whites are portrayed as duffish, bumbling idiots. Reverse discrimination at its best...
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- I haven't noticed that (but i'll check it out). At all. Some show, The Game (I think), showed the wife(white) of a football player (black)as being calm/peaceful. On 1 on 1 the white people were shown as being like everyone else. On The Steve Harvey Show, sure, the white guy was dumb...but so was his Black bestfriend. The Jeffersons had "goofy" white people, but I believe they were smarter than him and delt with his antics (as did everyone else). & If it was true, it's not reverse discrimination, it's discrimination. Nothing reverse about it.
  
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  by thewallfly on June 6th, 2009
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by Klock68 on November 7th, 2007
Blacks have sufferd more Being takin from our own continent nad being force into slavery for 600 years fighting for equal rights then going through segregation. What have whites suffered besides holocaust
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- Now, bearing in mind that I am not White, if you look into any culture's past, you are going to find atrocities. Right off the top of my head I can name the Highland Clearances for the Scots. The potato famine for the Irish.
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  If I put some thought into it I am certain that atrocities could be found for each white nationality.
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  I am Rromani... "Gypsy". My ancestors were slaves in the 1800's. However, we do not make a big deal out of it. Oh, we also were slaughtered in the Holocaust.
  
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  by Arisztid on November 13th, 2007
- isnt it true that warring tribal africans,took prisoners from the villages they attacked and so in essesnce,SOLD their own people to the slave traders?
  
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  by allikatzpop on November 15th, 2007
- good answer
  
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  by wookieblu on November 26th, 2007
- We are ALL slaves now. We work for the illusion called money under the whip if interest.
  
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  by Anonymous T. Jackson on April 23rd, 2009
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by thewallfly on April 24th, 2009
To be hoenst, I've never seen that. Maybe a few times but I think that ultimately, it has to do with your enviornment and what the people in that specific enviornment find acceptable (posisbly due to the history and race relaitons in that area).

I have a good number of black and white friends. I've noticed that my white friends can make "racist" jokes about black people and most of the time no one else will say anything (excluding myself). Out of my black firends, whenever they say racist things about whites you can usually bet that one person will tell them to stop or give a postive comment about that race (if not then, later on that day). It all depends on the individual.

I've heard equally hateful things come from both groups. So, to be honest I haven't noticed the double standard.

Also, it has to do with the joke, how it ocmes across, and how insenstive it is. watch comedians and see how it's done. Some are funny when making race jokes, others are just, well...not and it comes off as racist.
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by DJ_Kremlin on November 15th, 2007
It's all about double standards!
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by Brian I on November 7th, 2007
It's all to do with history and it really is about time we all put the past behind us and dealt with NOW.
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by boogysplit on May 30th, 2009
your high scoring 3 dollar words have no effect on me....I see your "woe is the black man" card you are trying to play here. if you think that people of black color deal with more hardships than any other race, then you are delusional...there is no debate, I feel sorry for no one....and I see people as individuals sir, not as giant racial single minded swarms...you know nothing of my thoughts. damn it...I meant that for the guy below...comment, not answer...sorry.
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- It's okay. We have all done that at one time or another :)
  
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  by Phillis - Zacks little sister on May 30th, 2009
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by odel on November 26th, 2007
Because the people and the nobody in your question empathize so strongly with blacks or are black.
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by wookieblu on November 26th, 2007
racist jokes are bad no matter who says them. as far as the slavery thing goes its in the past let it be. everyone can come up with a reason to be mad at someone else for something that happen in the past, but with out a history in your past your nobody. im part native american and i think what was done the the natives of this country was wrong, but im not reminding everyone of it everyday. but it makes me who i am i just gald to say im a real american. so stop with the bad jokes towards others and you will get respect from others.
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by Klock68 on November 26th, 2007
Some were sacrficed too!! why do you have to get so pissed at me for? I know they gave up their own people but you also have to realize some were kidnapped too!!
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by Klock68 on November 15th, 2007
Only in few West African villages but they usually just took africans who were in a forest away from their village or raid the villages at night for slaves
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- who told you that lie. africans were taken from all the villages along the coast and they were bought from other africans by english,french,dutch,spain and the new americas. i suggest you read a little more before commenting on what you dont know. i know they dont teach the real history of africans and the results of slavery in the school systems but i believe its every persons responsibilityto read up on everyones culture especially if your going to speak on events that took place. all i have to say is enlighten yourself. even if we disregard your comment becuase location of the pick up of slaves has no baring. africans were still in slaved.
  
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  by everyone loves me...right on November 26th, 2007
- If we(african americans)look back at every other nationalities attrocities i bet ther childrens children etc.. still have a piece if not all of there cultural and there language some sort of heritage what do i have besides a background of enslavement prosecution. theres no tradition to fall back on. and this is not an explaination for peoples moronic ways im just feedin gon your answer.
  
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  by everyone loves me...right on November 26th, 2007
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by Brahmanyan on November 7th, 2007
Very difficult to believe that could happen. Even if so, The main reasons may be that the past experience and insecurity in the minds of coloured people.
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by normlMike on August 27th, 2009
I don't understand why anyone would be against racial jokes, every race has some for the other races and their own. Everyone nowadays is trying to get rid of all the differences between everyone instead of embracing them. IF IT'S FUNNY IT'S FUNNY, people need to stop being so uptight and just laugh. I laugh my ass off at jokes on every ethnicity, culture, religion and region and lot of of the times even harder at ones directed at my race, culture, country, etc
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by countryboy2009 on September 19th, 2009
because of all the cry babying come on its just a joke. I've been called honky, cracker, and redneck and laugh about. I am one of the biggest redneck and i take pride in it. It's just overly sensitive people
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by Occams Electric Razor on November 18th, 2009
I guess it's just sensless backlash. How many movies have come out in the last 20 years with black comedians dressing up like and imitating white people? Lots, and it's apparently ok. Maybe it was just backlash from all of the blackface films made prior to equal rights for blacks which were ok back then to do.

Either way I think it all comes down to people getting bent out of shape about race. I think we all need to step back and have a laugh at ourselves and our cultures and then we can all laugh at each other.
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by Nate on July 16th, 2010
Recently it seems like if you're black you instantly have some form of respect. ya know? idk its weird
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by blockyou on November 18th, 2009
Don't play the victim. Maybe in your small circle thats true, but don't make huge generalzations. I am a sophomore in high school and I know enough, not to make race jokes. They are not told in my school, church, or house. But I assume from the question that you tell black "jokes".
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Question

Why is it that people are so strick when white people insultia black person with a racist joke you are bad. But when a black persons insults a white person with a racist joke nobody cares?

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