Is the Name for this forum racist?

[Captain_Scarlet]

Only a racist would think the forum name is racist.

I disagree a racist wouldnt consider anything racist
next snickers will be considered a racist slur
political correctness out of control

[jay_a2j]

Only a racist would think the forum name is racist.

I disagree a racist wouldnt consider anything racist
next snickers will be considered a racist slur
political correctness out of control

No, bringing attention to a racial slur, a non-racist wouldn't even think of it. I can roll my eyes too.

[john9blue]

Jay is dead on.

[got tonkaed]

Since its more fun to take the other side...

I dont think you have to be a racist at all to question the forum's name. One of the sociological concepts that was discussed in a class i had back a few years ago was the concept of white privilige. Essentially the argument was when you are apart of the main group (primarily in terms of influence -not necessarily numerically) there are essentially certain colored lenses with which you view the world. Now, one could certainly claim that all groups of any subsetting of a society are going to establish meaning in their own way. The issue of privilige seems to be claimed on the grounds that the group with the preferred position, is less likely to encounter actions, statements, and situations that other groups do and thus do not have to involve them in their creation of meaning.

An activity that can be somewhat instructive is simply taking a look at any advertisement. In looking at its message, try to decide what the advertiser believes to be true about the intended audience. Certainly with the amount of effort and resources put into market research, we can assume what we see is not by accident. Rather it is specifically designed under a certain set of preconditions to appeal to certain understandings of value.

Take the forum title for instance. Monkey business is certainly a phrase that people are going to have some understanding of and probably a specific one. A simple wikipedia search shows 11 different references, any of which could be understood by an individual. The wikitionary gives a few different definitions, all of can be encompassed by "wasting time". The reason it was chose as a forum name is therefore pretty easy to discern, as the off topics board has always been labeled as a place to "waste time" between turns and the main board so to speak.

The third definition is more interesting however

-(idiomatic) An activity that may be considered illegal, questionable, or a vice, but not felonious.

Now, I know the term monkey has racist connotations. When I think of the term, I think of an animal, not connected to a human, but I know thats not always how it has historically (or in some cases even presently) been understood. I am not an amateur historian, but I have a sneaking suspicion that if we looked up the origins of that third definition, we find it to be mixed with racist connotations.

Thereinlies the issue. As I dont have those connotations I am "priviliged" with not having to think about it or think about racism when I read it. Granted if i do think about it, I can see where people might think it to be racist. The point is, you assuredly dont have to be a racist to bring up the question, simply you have to have the connotations, either from your own experience or through shared historical experience of others to be able to raise the question.

[SFX!]

According to the racial policeman on site, the great and mighty Owenshooter, gorillaz is a racist term, so me thinks monkey could be as well. QED Monkey business must be a race specific action, so not an inclusive enough title for a forum. Eagerly awaiting comments, and smack downs from the PC heroes on site.

Flaming a banned user, nice one troll.

Didn't know he was banned, and how is a truthful statement a flame? You calling me a troll Now that might be considered a flame

bogan. funny how things come full circle huh? and if calling someone a troll is flaming, then you of all people have been flaming for a long time my friend....

[SFX!]

LAST POST MADE BY RON! SITTING SFX'S ACCOUNT, AND FORGOT I WAS LOGGED AS HIM.

[Snorri1234]

Owen acting out over perceived racism??? CALL THE NEWS!

[Premier2k]

I cannot believe this is in even in discussion.....do you have nothing better to do? This original post is nothing more than an attempt to incite an argument. I'm sure that if Owen or anybody else had a problem with this (and I doubt even Owen would go this far) then he/she is quite capable of contacting the Admins. You are achieving nothing but causing disharmony in the forums.

[got tonkaed]

I cannot believe this is in even in discussion.....do you have nothing better to do? This original post is nothing more than an attempt to incite an argument. I'm sure that if Owen or anybody else had a problem with this (and I doubt even Owen would go this far) then he/she is quite capable of contacting the Admins. You are achieving nothing but causing disharmony in the forums.

What is the basis for assuming this is causing disharmony in the forums? Even if you are simply referring to the off topics board itself, there has been very little to justify saying the thread is only for those with "nothing better to do". Clearly if people choose to post in a thread they find it worthwhile of their time, just as you did when you made the post i have quoted above.

Furthermore, if you are a regular reader of a variety of threads on this board, you are well aware of the fact that people often take sides in opposition to one another. In essence, the boards success (in terms of threads that relate to a variety of issues) is contingent on people being able to disagree with each other, spuring new posting. If anything, the disagreement is what keeps the board going, or in harmony as it were.

[jonesthecurl]

My kids love watermelon.
If I saw a selection of foods (and one of my kids was called Tyrone) I might say "Tyrone would love that watermelon". I'm not sure what the point of that was either.

And your american... So jones back to the question is monkey business a racist term?

No I'm not.
back to the question... if it is, it certainly wouldn't have occurred to me that it was.
"Monkey Business" to me would mean something naughty but not evil. When I was a kid, and misbehaving, my mum would say "enough of that monkey business now!". I can't read anything racist into that, try as I might.
When I was sat on the balcony of my lodge while on safari, you had to be careful not to leave anything(especially chocolate or tobacco) where the monkeys could dash up, steal it, and dash off again. That sort of behaviour I guess is what gave us the term "monkey business". I.e. monkeys misbehaving.
Nope, still can't see any racism.

[Kotaro]

Oh look, a 2nd thread trolling owenshooter.

Funny how these are never around when he's around, because that would, you know, actually give him a chance to make sense of others idiocy, and we can't have that.

[Kotaro]

Oh please, don't let me stop you, continue trolling him, please! I find it funny when the mods let things slide against people they don't like.

Nothing else? No one else wants to taunt owenshooter while he can't post? You're all done with it?

I mean, hell, what kind of crazy guy is he! Calling someone out when they used Gorilla, a time-worn (yet still great) racial slur! How dare he be offender when people do that? God, what a loser!

Have a nice day now, ya'll.

[laddida]

Oh please, don't let me stop you, continue trolling him, please! I find it funny when the mods let things slide against people they don't like.

Nothing else? No one else wants to taunt owenshooter while he can't post? You're all done with it?

I mean, hell, what kind of crazy guy is he! Calling someone out when they used Gorilla, a time-worn (yet still great) racial slur! How dare he be offender when people do that? God, what a loser!

Have a nice day now, ya'll.

is your mind as warped as his?? Did you even look at the context that gorillas was use? exact quote 2009-10-29 00:35:51 - Scott-Land: c'mon you gorillas-- finish 'em off.

2 things it was a plural term and he said finish' em off was he talking directly at owen calling him a multiple gorilla then tell him to finish off his own clan mates? I highly doubt any of that he was talking to us as clan mates other term for monkies but in a exadrated form of monkie. I still cant believe theres more than one owen out there.

[jefjef]

I have only 2 thoughts in re of this thread.

bogus needs to grow up some more. Stop the baiting m8. This is only a "I hate owen" thread.

SFX! has a HOT avi!

[AndyDufresne]

Right, lets keep baiting out of the forum----even in the Off Topics forum.


--Andy