"It's all White here" slogan angers West Indies

[Jono]

Yeah, found it quite surprising that a cricket board representing a collection of countries whose population and team is predominantly black would take offence to a slogan of 'It's All White Here'.


I mean, it's not like black people have centuries and centuries of stigma from mistreatment from white people...

Too right.

People have to realise that certain words and phrases can still offend individuals who have had a history of being discriminated against. Even if it seems innocent enough, a little perspective never hurt anyone.

Is it that much of a burden to not have such a provocative phrase being used? I mean really? Or are we going to here "Its PC gone too far" like those idiots do on talkback radio.

And to those saying "what a world we live in"... its a ****load better than the world where blacks couldn't sit in the front of a bus, or vote in an election.

 

[NZTailender]

Yeah, way to victimize yourself over something that is so obviously not race related.

What the ****? The actual reason of the slogan, in reference to cricketers wearing white shirts for long format games, is not racist.

However, the actual wording 'It's All White Down Here' can be construed as being racist. And this is not one of those simple 'oh PC gone too far madness' situation - if the slogan actually mentioned cricket that'd probably be the case - because the slogan is not only worded terribly, it's not exactly clear what the **** they're talking about.

You see the slogan on it's own or hear it being said without anything cricket-like accompanying it, it doesn't make a lot of sense. And considering the West Indies Cricket Board was offended by it shows you that it's an offensive slogan, even if it wasn't meant to be.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Well, I can see how it can look bad all on its own. I just assumed there was something cricket related seen along with these signs.

I still feel it's stupid. Racism will never go away if people over-react like this.

 

[NZTailender]

Well, I can see how it can look bad all on its own. I just assumed there was something cricket related seen along with these signs.

I still feel it's stupid. Racism will never go away if people over-react like this.

The fact that it's found to be offensive - not people might find this offensive, but people HAVE found this to be offensive.

And being aware of what offends other people should be taking that into account rather than ignoring their opinion will help racism 'go away'.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

The fact that it's found to be offensive - not people might find this offensive, but people HAVE found this to be offensive.

And being aware of what offends other people should be taking that into account rather than ignoring their opinion will help racism 'go away'.

Yeah, I get that. But it's a two way thing. People also need to stop getting offended so easily, and particularly when there is obviously no intent to offend.

 

[Rant0r]

it is a pretty ordinary slogan, but it's about as racist as being called a monkey, which by the way i formerly regularly used to call my bogan mates, not anymore

 

[nightprowler10]

No way is it as bad as being called a monkey.

 

[four_or_six]

I presume there was context, ie obviously reference to cricket, along with the slogan. In which case I don't think it's anything sinister. It's not as if the NZ team are 100% 'white' anyway. But obviously if people object the sensible thing is just to change it.

Not sure how it was such a major story on cricinfo though, making the front page. Seems a bit OTT.

 

[NZTailender]

Am thinking some are missing the the point here.

It wasn't intended to be offensive, no. It was a slogan brought up to promote cricket, in reference to the white clothes. It wasn't a statement saying anything racist or that black people aren't welcome here, or anything.

But does this mean people shouldn't get offended by it?

See the use of the word '****' or 'Jap' for further reading.

Edit: Irony of one of the words actually being filtered. Think of the word Pakistan minus stan.

 

[four_or_six]

Am thinking some are missing the the point here.

It wasn't intended to be offensive, no. It was a slogan brought up to promote cricket, in reference to the white clothes. It wasn't a statement saying anything racist or that black people aren't welcome here, or anything.

But does this mean people shouldn't get offended by it?

See the use of the word '****' or 'Jap' for further reading.

Edit: Irony of one of the words actually being filtered. Think of the word Pakistan minus stan.

Agreed, there's definintely nothing wrong with people feeling it's offensive.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Agreed, there's definintely nothing wrong with people feeling it's offensive.

There is nothing wrong with it, but by some stage people are going to have to stop getting offended by such things.

 

[four_or_six]

There is nothing wrong with it, but by some stage people are going to have to stop getting offended by such things.

Agree with that also.

On a side-note, I would like to see the ICC have an anti-racism code like FIFA with top-level backing from players and administrators in the same way, and lots of initiatives which are designed to educate fans/professionals/club players at all levels.

 

[NZTailender]

There is nothing wrong with it, but by some stage people are going to have to stop getting offended by such things.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

The day has to come, thats all I'm saying.
No need to bash you head against a wall.

 

[NZTailender]

The day has to come, thats all I'm saying.
No need to bash you head against a wall.

Yeah, look, not going to fly with me for the time being. Perhaps attitudes need to relax in relation to things, but telling people not to get offended by such things? Pretty stupid thing to say.

"You and your people have suffered through slavery/apartheid/segregation/mistreatment/ethnic cleansing, but now now that's stopped you shouldn't get offended by such things, okay?"

 

[archie mac]

I remeber when the WI defeated England in 1984 they called it a 'Black Wash', That was OK, but this is not? Difference please?

 

[Jono]

Did the board offically call it a black wash? Or did a random West Indian fan holding up a sign (I remember seeing footage of that) just invent the term?

That's the difference here surely.

 

[NZTailender]

I remeber when the WI defeated England in 1984 they called it a 'Black Wash', That was OK, but this is not? Difference please?

Because that was really more of a compliment than an insult?

Does no one else think that "It's all white here" conjures up an image of anyone other than white people being not welcome?

 

[NZTailender]

Did the board offically call it a black wash? Or did a random West Indian fan holding up a sign (I remember seeing footage of that) just invent the term?

That's the difference here surely.

Yeah, this.

 

[archie mac]

Did the board offically call it a black wash? Or did a random West Indian fan holding up a sign (I remember seeing footage of that) just invent the term?

That's the difference here surely.

It was talked about in the media, it was a bit of catch phrase, and then on the day they won the 5th Test, a supporter ran onto the field with the banner, but that was not the first time it was ever heard of. It was mentioned in a lot of books after the series by WI players as well