Racism On Fibs

[dorbel]

Actually it is unlikely that anyone is being very objective here. Personally speaking, my standpoint is that racism is utterly disgusting and repugnant. However, I can't say that fibs is particularly racist. People come out with stuff from time to time, some of it satirical, some meant to hurt, some no doubt indicative of deep seated racism, but it isn't particularly important. If you don't like it, turn it off. Millions of people all over the world are thinking racist thoughts, saying racist things, worst of all taking direct racist action continuously. It's good to oppose it, but we should also keep a sense of perspective. Nihi, or anybody else for that matter, calling resh kikeboy or something like it, may be offensive to some, but resh comes it with some pretty offensive stuff himself from time to time, so I guess that he can take it. What anybody else thinks of it is not really relevant and on a scale of importance in racist matters, it gets about a 1 out of 10. I suggest that we would all do better to save our energies for things that matter.
Looking at ourselves is a good start. I am for racial harmony and anti-racist as an intellectual choice, but it doesn't mean that everything that I think, say and do is squeaky clean PC and I suspect that this is common to us all. Perhaps we should all keep our own houses in order and not spend so much time minding other people's business.

[adamosad]

Well I agree with Dirtyharry. We should treat each other respectfully...

[don]

At issue is not whether a person is a racist. but whether a person's behavior is racist.  It is not reasonable to expect a user or a SYSOP to make a judgement call about the character or intent of the author these shouts.  In cases such as the one I cited, the general consensus here is that the shouts seem racist in content.

That said, it was clearly marvin's intent when he created FIBS that racist behavior not be permitted on the server.  Indeed, it is the only written rule of FIBS.  There are unwritten rules that are enforced (somewhat haphazardly).  I believe the only stated rule should be enforced consistently.

Arguments about the availability of the gag command and the silent toggle are irrelevent or worse, discriminatory.  Gee, you don't have to listen to or be a victim of racism on FIBS, you can go to the back of the bus! In fact racial harassment is illegal in many countries, and in some the mere expression of racism is a crime.  But I don't see this as an issue of free speach, I see it as an issue of the general character of an international server, clearly stated by its author.

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don

[don]

On another thread, burper referred to http://blogophob.twoday.net/20060209/
, which says the following (poor translation from German to English courtesy of Google):

2. The second reason find however by far worse I: A pronounced racingism is to be found in the Chat.  For this an interesting contribution on the ââ,¬Å"Fibsboardââ,¬Â:

"For what it's worth, FIBS is the single most racist environment I have encountered since I left Alabama in the late 1970's. I'm sure that a lot of it has to do with the anonymity that the FIBS community enjoys, but it doesn't change the fact that it is a racist community and even the non-racists among us allow this hatred to grow and foster. It doesn't take much effort to not tolerate racism, but still bicker and banter in the dysfunctional style that we all enjoy here."

socksey replied to burper:

I haven't found that reference yet, but thx for getting me searching!  I'm really having fun reading some of the old stuff!   

Thanks to all the contributors for the memories!   

Oh, and, yes, it appears Fibs is a racsist place, but I think it's all in fun, at least that is how I choose to view it.  I really don't approve of rascism anywhere.  For instance, donz often shouts that he's black, but we all know he is an albino black really!   

I'm sure I have some black genes.  After all, the kids did call me "nigger lips" when I was in grade school!     Consequently, the "N word" was always declared off limits to my children when they were growing up even though that taunt turned in to "sexy lips" in my later school years.   

I enjoy people of all races and hope they can enjoy me the way I am. 

socksey

I think a response on this thread is appropriate (thread found thanks to webrunner).  My only comment is:  socks, you can see from the contents of the blog that many people don't think or know that racist shouts are jokes.

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don