Quote: SmokeyTA "No, it isnt the problem. The problem is people for no good reason whatsoever putting their right and for some unknown reason necessity to use archaic language ahead of offending other people. Why on earth people are so wedded to these phrases I have no idea.
People saying all blacks look the same is a common racist trope. A saying which derives from painting people black and saying they look the same has obvious and clear racist undertones. Especially when using a word like 'tar' (tar baby is sometimes used as a racist insult, tarring and feathering was the punishment of choice by the KKK for black people who had the temerity to vote in the US) in it.
Now you can use that saying without any racist intent. You can realistically say whatever you want and claim no racist intent. That is your right.
Other people might be offended by what you say. They may think you are a racist jackass. That is their right.
You can blame them for that, you can call them oversensitive, say they are playing the race card. That is your right.
They may still think you are a racist jackass. Again, that is their right.
If you dont want people thinking you are a racist jackass, put a bit of thought and effort in to the words and language you use. If you offend someone and didnt intend to, apologise and move on. Its not difficult and its not an imposition on you that you shouldnt use some words and phrases because others might be offended by it. You arent the victim here because people might judge you for using these words and phrases.
If you dont want to be thought of as a bigot, dont use words or phrases that could be construed as bigoted. If you do so unwittingly, apologise. If you do use words that can be construed as bigoted, dont want to apologise for it and blame the people being offended for it rather than yourself for using them. Then you make it very hard to differentiate between yourself and a bigot.'"
Mate, given my previous girlfriend was black, I think there's only one jackass here and that's the one throwing spurious accusations around.
I'll answer your post but please moderate your language. I put plenty thought into the words I use (I'm a musician and writer by trade) and if something is racist then I wouldn't use it. However something being racist is NOT the same as someone mistakenly thinking it is. The phrase in question is not, and never has been, a racist slur. The examples you use regarding tarring and feathering have nothing to do with the phrase. It is a nautical saying based on the practice of 'tarring the decks' of ships. I'm sorry if you wish to doctor every phrase to fit your agenda but I'm afraid, in this case, you're wrong. If you don't wish to use it because you mistakenly believe it to be racist then that is your prerogative. However there is no obligation for anyone else to make the same mistake. I understand that you believe everyone should speak and act as you do. This is not the case. It is called freedom of speech and is the cornerstone of democracy and civil rights.
Now on to your apparent indignation regarding causing offence. I recently spent some time browsing the Leeds board and there was one particular thread that caught my eye. In it there was constant reference to Shaun Wane as 'The Ape' and similar, even going as far as to post pictures of a gorilla in a suit alongside pictures of Shaun. I know you are a regular poster on that board and I believe you even posted on that thread. Could you please point me to your angry response to this blatantly offensive thread because I must have missed it. Indeed, let me ask you a question; had Shaun been black would you have been equally apathetic? Would you have found it equally acceptable to post a picture of a gorilla in a suit alongside the picture of a black player or coach? Do you not think Shaun, his friends, family and children deserve the same freedoms from offensive posts as everyone else? For the record,
I find your kind of selective and hypocritical indignation offensive. I'll assume an apology is forthcoming...