"Canadian" a racial slur?

[Aggie]

I wish this were a hoax...  but I think it's for real:   

http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_burman/2008/01/is_canadian_a_racist_slur.html



And if you are wondering about my signature, it's from the same article:

"In any case, I long for days gone by when an epithet was a proper acid-dripping, hate-filled, ignorant epithet. Hark back to the early days of the National Lampoon Magazine, where such creativeness as 'rat-f***ing Canuck bastards half-crazed on their crude lichen brandy' was representative of the effort people put into proper hate-mongering."

[Pachyderm]

Calling someone a Canadian, as an insult rather than an indicator of nationality, doesn't strike me as actually being insulting. For sure, Canada has it's share of idiots, ass holes and generally unpleasant people, same as anywhere else. But the general perception of Canada, certainly in Europe, is as positive as anywhere I can think of.

And "rat-f***ing Canuck bastards half-crazed on their crude lichen brandy" is an excellent signature.

[Aphos]

Well, the Bible says I can own slaves as long as they aren't American.  So I can have Canadian slaves.  Any volunteers?

[anthrobabe]

very interesting.
as I live in the southern USA I am privy to every single nasty epitath used to describe black people in the universe-- yes that is sterotypical southern racist and true not all southerners are racist but if one is going to hear a racial slur they will hear it here first(IMHO)-- to date I've not heard Canadian used in that manner. Is this a hoax- maybe-maybe not.
Of course Canada and Canadian are the butt of jokes-- sorry but South Park comes to mind- but that's not really a racial slur thing- just stupidity by two kids on some really wild drugs who made it big with their brand of humor. (some of it is hillarious).
I've worked in resturants in the south- alot and have never heard Canadian used for anytype of typing style- derog or otherwise.

Very interesting thinking going on now in me little old brain.

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

If the slur takes off it is quite likely another one will:

Should I use the word 'American' from now on as code for every racist, white, right-wing nut-job I encounter?

Certainly not all Americans (at least not as many as it would appear from watching/reading the news) are racist right-wing nutz (heck, I am going to become a citizen soon).

Worrisome.

[Opsa]

It's important not too take anyone's generalizations too seriously.

Reminds me of Flight of the Conchord's brush with racism against New Zealanders (and Austraians!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs_rXxi0zhM

[Sibling Chatty]

AH, I had wondered what 'nickname' they started using when "Martians" and 'green' went out of style in the 80's.

I'd worked for a clerical job placement firm in New Orleans, and all application files from black candidates were marked with a green M. To communicate to possibly (HA) racist clients that the candidate was black, we were to say "I think she's got a year or so of college at....Xavier, I think, let me see..." thus (because Xavier is the black Catholic university) giving the client a chance to say "Who else you got??" real fast. (We had to have our client resumes in front of us and practically memorized. No WAY would we be stumbling over qualifications.) I hated that job.

[goat starer]

its only a racial sur if you call them Cakis

[Aggie]

That's Canuckistani to you....

[beagle]

I don't think you need worry on at least three grounds:

First, everyone like Canadians. Even the French, who hardly like anybody.

Second, I've been insulted by experts my whole life, and the word "Canadian" is one of the very few never to put in an appearance.

Third, it has far too many syllables to establish playground credibility. By the time you've finished saying "How could you miss that goal you Canadian",  playtime will be over and you'll be well into double-history.

[Aggie]

Heh, I wasn't worried about the usage casting a negative image on Canadians...  just boggled that it could be used as a 'code word' for thinly-veiled racism.

[beagle]

I'm more worried that you seem to have adopted e.raser's avatar. Is there something you haven't told us, personality-wise?

[Aggie]

Nah, it's E.Raser Day on Feb. 29th*. 

Just paying homage.




_{*if you haven't noticed anything yet, then I suppose it's more to do with your observation skills than my personality.}

[Sibling Chatty]

E.Raser Day SHOULD be a world-wide celebration day. Every year.

The celebration of communication as a skill to be achieved, not as a Dark Art to deceive people...THAT is the meaning of E.Raser Day!!

[Opsa]

I'm going to go now and add it to our Monastic calendar!