NationStates Jolt Archive

I was wondering about this post, from New Mitanni:

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13342534&postcount=12

I know it's referring to a politician, but it still seems wrong to me.

I was wondering about this post, from New Mitanni:

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13342534&postcount=12

I know it's referring to a politician, but it still seems wrong to me.

Being racist isn't against the rules.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13343470&postcount=57

I agree that politicians are generally fair game in discussions on General. Also, as I'm not American, I don't expect to be aware of nuances that are obvious to locals.

What this does seem to me to be is a gratuitous reference to race that will draw flame responses. That qualifies it as flamebait, and that's why I've told New Mitanni to cut it out.

I expect this issue will continue to come up as the American election campaign becomes more intense. I also understand that calling another poster a racist can, in the right context, be a flame in itself.

Like all the mods, I'll be trying to keep it civil while not stifling debate. I am definitely not saying that a reference to a candidate's race is automatically racist.

EDIT: Being racist isn't against the rules.

True. Thanks for pointing that out.

... Disagreements are expected, as long as they are done in a civil manner. Max Barry has made it clear that he welcomes all opinions in civil debate, even those that are highly unpopular or minority-held.

My deepest apologies to New Mitanni. I've read further on this, and it's not a racist remark, it's a sociological observation that makes a debating point. I'll post to that effect in the thread and edit my previous post there. I'm sorry, New Mitanni.

Just to add a further point, the name "Magic Negro" (at least applied to Barack) originated last spring in an LA Times column by a supporter of his.

Didn't Limbaugh also have a song called "Obama the magic negro" on one of his broadcasts? I thought that's where it came from.

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_Negro.