Overreaction by the Wizard

First off, I'm a fan of the Wiz.
2nd, Its his forum, He has the right to lock up any discussion.
I participated and made a comment in the thread. If it was deemed as semi-racist, I appologise. It was not meant to convey that. I simply have an interest in racial discussions and participate because I am bi-racial. I am proud to be bi-racial. I think being bi-racial is a wonderful thing due to the fact That I am able to fully enjoy 2 different cultures. I am exactly bi-racial, not part. My mother is of one race, my father is of another race. I am half and half and proud.
I would like to see the discussion unlocked.
Peace
A supporter of UNCF - A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

I didn't think there was any malice either. I never got the whole these people can say this but these people can't. I fully believe if we are to get anywhere in this country in race relations we have to follow MLKs advice and judge people by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. I think MLK would be abhorred by the selective indignation of the "N" word today. If we truly are all equal it would be an everybody or nobody proposition.

Quote: terapined

First off, I'm a fan of the Wiz.
2nd, Its his forum, He has the right to lock up any discussion.
I participated and made a comment in the thread. If it was deemed as semi-racist, I appologise. It was not meant to convey that. I simply have an interest in racial discussions and participate because I am bi-racial. I am proud to be bi-racial. I think being bi-racial is a wonderful thing due to the fact That I am able to fully enjoy 2 different cultures. I am exactly bi-racial, not part. My mother is of one race, my father is of another race. I am half and half and proud.
I would like to see the discussion unlocked.
Peace
A supporter of UNCF - A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

As one who is not up on these things I found your post informative and saw nothing wrong with it. Since you've expressed an interest in racial discussions what's your take on the word gweilo?

I didn't go all Jesus on the thread, but certainly wouldn't feel good about it if I was black. Knew the second it was seen, it would be taken down for good reason. I actually do look like Jesus right now with a beard and long hair and do get judged just for my looks and get a portion of the feeling of what it's like. I can't even walk at night without a 50% chance of being harassed by the police in my own neighborhood with them hoping to win the warrant lottery when they get to snoop into people for free.

Quote: 1BB

As one who is not up on these things I found your post informative and saw nothing wrong with it. Since you've expressed an interest in racial discussions what's your take on the word gweilo?

Thats interesting that you brought the word "gweilo". All cultures have derogatory names for outsiders and the Chinese are no different. Speaking of the orient and being bi-racial. I feel very fortunate to be living in this country, a mixture of cultures and races where being bi-racial is not a handicap. I've been to the orient. The discrimanation against bi-racials is appalling. In the far east, 99 per cent are of one race in all the countrys so discrimination is common against bi-racials. Children of US serviceman left in Viet Nam are known as "the dust of life" . sad.

People are judged by the color of their chips. A man with one green chip has only half the character of a man with two green chips. Sorry for such an extreme example but that is about it. The pile of chips in front of you establishes your character in the casino.

As to certain loaded words, their use has significance but not the intensity involved or the circumstances, just their mere use.

Everyone is supposed to walk around parroting that racism is bad, multi-culturalism is good. The F-word is bad, particularly its gratuitous use in mixed company, although that F word seems to be a major motivator in all aspects of life, including casino activities.

Jumping to a conclusion that associating with rap artists is bad but those who jump to such a conclusion real fast tend to be those who survive shooting incidents.

Actually, I agree with wizard's decision. Hot topic issues such as race have their own lives, and they can turn very ugly.

I missed the thread in question, but have been able to find a dead link to it. The name of the thread within the link, as well as the conversation here, gives me a good clue what we're talking about.

Here's a situation / question.

This past Monday might, I was dealing for my poker league.

This particular place is a real dive bar. A long narrow room with a 14 seat bar and high-top tables for 12 people up front. A DJ booth, dance floor and some tables to seat 24 in back. We use the back area to play poker. Kitchen off to the side. They make a kick-ass meatball hero. I once asked the owner where he gets the meatballs, they're that good. His dad makes them at home! Did I mention that this place is a dive?

The occasional f-bomb is tolerated. When ever someone gets a little too loose with their language, I tell them to cool it: "This is a family place." Often, at the same time the juke box is often playing some rather hard-core rap where it seems like every other word is either the F word or the N word. My "Family place" comment gets a laugh, but the message is understood and the person will cool it.

Of course, this is the same place where I once heard a really angry rap song where the chorus was, "Die muthafucka, die muthafucka, die muthafucka, die!"


Am I painting a picture here?


So on Monday night, there were only 9 players for the third game, my other dealer had gone home, and I was alone in the back room of the bar with the players. A mix of 3 blacks, 4 white and 2 hispanic. And me, white.

One of the black guys showed up late, in time for the third game. During the game, he was talking across the table to his buddy, and using the N word just about every sentence.

I was uncomfortable with it, because I didn't know how to call him out or get him to stop without causing an incident or embarrassing him by calling him out. I would have preferred to pull him aside to tell him, but I couldn't because I was dealing.

But in the days since, I wonder if even doing that is the right thing to do or not.

I'll probably see him today for an afternoon game, and probably WILL have the chance to talk to him alone about it. If not today, then Monday for sure.


But should I mention it? And if I do, any advice on how to proceed?

Tough one, DJ. I had an answer but erased it because it wasn't really what I wanted to say, and I couldn't figure out the right words. Let us know what you do and how it works, please.

My advice, white boy, is keep your mouth shut. He's got the right to say upfront what too many people say behind his back. Used to hustle pool when I was the only white face in the bar. Yeah, talk about young and stupid !

Seriously, this advice may be ignored only if you have ever been stopped by the police for a DWB !

Consider politely saying it isn't acceptable language at the table. If he gives the excuse he is black retort that it is making people uncomfortable. That is a polite and professional way to handle it.

Nah, relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Definitely my sort of bar. Great memories !