Shanghaiist: Yet another Darlie fake

Cammy

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:57:11 +0800

addendum: Constantly re-defining language or inventing new terms such as "chalkboard" instead of "blackboard" is a waste of time.

Cammy

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:54:59 +0800

If we stopped using every word just because it could also be used negatively then we'd run out of things to say pretty fast. Constantly re-defining language or inventing new terms such as "chalkboard" instead of "blackboard" There is without doubt a lot of racism in China particularly towards black people, but arguing over the semantics of words is missing the point. And I do not find laowai offensive at all.

yu888

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:09:56 +0800

ANY term can be used with intent as a derogatory term. But 黑人，白人 (black person, white person) refers to people of a race with no commentary other than that of perceived colour and how it differs from Chinese. Any additional inferences and implications would have to depend on context. How it is used surely can include racist intent as any term that depicts race can but soley on its own, the term does not have negative meaning unless you infer it to be.

Andy Best

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 14:09:08 +0800

Love how in the quote he explains that "in Chinese" hei-ren doesn't have any negative meaning. If you tune into STV's coverage of international sports - especially European club football - you can hear all kinds of creative examples on why it's negative and offensive. And really, it's time for a whole bunch of China 'hands' to wake up. Just because a bunch of people from China tell us that in Chinese calling people fat, spotty, black-man, laowai or stupid to their faces is not offensive ... doesn't mean it's true.