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Help[Opinions] Re: African-American section
in reply to a message by Kitandkat
So let's say an American of European descent, for some reason, is given the name Guillaume. People are surprised when they meet him because few American boys have French names. Some people ask him, "Why do you have a French name?"
Does that mean people are being put into boxes or that a French boy having a French name is just a stereotype or that there shouldn't be a French name category on BtN?
Does that mean people are being put into boxes or that a French boy having a French name is just a stereotype or that there shouldn't be a French name category on BtN?
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*sigh* How does this have anything to do with what I said?
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You objected to being asked why you have a "white girl" name. You seem to think that being asked that is denigrating to your race, culture, and name. But it's not more so than an American being asked why he has a French name is denigrating to either French or American culture. It's just not what people expect.
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"It's not just what people expect."
People expecting or not expecting is not an excuse. Why I have my name is none of their business.
People expecting or not expecting is not an excuse. Why I have my name is none of their business.
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I didn't say it was an excuse or any of their business. "Why do you have this name?" can be considered rude under any circumstances. I was only pointing out that the reason behind the question is more innocent than you think, even if it's rude to ask the question.
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Bottom line, they should mind their business. I honestly don't know why you think you should defend them when you didn't know what they were thinking at the time. Did you know if it was "innocent" or not? No, because you weren't there.
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And did you ask them why they said what they did, and did they answer, "Because I'm a racist and I like to put people in boxes and make stereotypes out of them"? If not, then you are assuming.
The context in which you brought it up made it clear that you thought it was denigrating to you to be asked that question, and my point was simply that it is not necessarily so.
The context in which you brought it up made it clear that you thought it was denigrating to you to be asked that question, and my point was simply that it is not necessarily so.
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THAT.DOES.NOT.EXCUSE.WHAT.THEY.SAID. Is that clear enough for you? Case closed.
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THAT. IS. NOT. THE. POINT. Is that clear to you? The point is what motivated you to bring it up.
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Motivated me. Lol. Are you a psychologist or something?
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Oh I forgot. Only those with Ph.Ds are familiar with the word "motivate".
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That's not the point, genius. The point is that you are trying to read my mind. I'm sure this is news to you: you are not a mind reader. You are not a white knight either.
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I don't need to be a mind reader. You said yourself why you brought it up. Because you think that when people ask the question, they are thinking in stereotypes and putting people in boxes. I don't agree that that is necessarily the case.
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