Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

African American

Panich52

(5,829 posts)

33. It's not that it's intentional, and that's the point

Reply to cyclonefence (Reply #4)

Mon Aug 20, 2018, 10:55 PM

Aug 2018

We whites who don't normally have much contact with blacks, or any other (supposed) minority, may not realize an insult is taken. That's the sub rosa outcome of racism—inhibiting relations by turning what one might think of as a compliment into an insult.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

43 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Is this really an insult? [View all] Panich52 Aug 2018 OP

That's become a thing since some bridled when Obama was described as articulate. FiveGoodMen Aug 2018 #1

Every compliment is NOT an insult. Stop making shit up and try and listen for once. bettyellen Aug 2018 #7

it began with Colin Powell being referred to as "articulate" JHan Aug 2018 #16

And this from Biden radical noodle Aug 2018 #17

yeah that was unfortunate to say the least JHan Aug 2018 #19

Biden means well radical noodle Aug 2018 #20

You seem a wee bit hysterical. LanternWaste Aug 2018 #23

No, it didn't become a thing over 8 years ago Kind of Blue Aug 2018 #39

Then because sarcasm exists, EVERY compliment is a potential insult FiveGoodMen Aug 2018 #42

You, my friend (sarcastically speaking). Kind of Blue Aug 2018 #43

(white person speaking) i've certainly heard white people use the term "articulate" unblock Aug 2018 #2

Still compliment to me Panich52 Aug 2018 #9

It's certainly a compliment if (and only if) we remove the implied 'compare and contrast' qualifier. LanternWaste Aug 2018 #24

So what? My dad was reared in a former British colony Kind of Blue Aug 2018 #40

This happy feet Aug 2018 #10

'white people don't compliment other white people for being "articulate"' FiveGoodMen Aug 2018 #11

ok, i was speaking in general terms, so to clarify... unblock Aug 2018 #12

White people who claim black people are "articulate" fleur-de-lisa Aug 2018 #3

I think your explanation is obvious LanternWaste Aug 2018 #25

Racism destroys legitimate interactions Panich52 Aug 2018 #32

Yes. Describing a black person as "articulate" is insulting. cyclonefence Aug 2018 #4

I agree. Laffy Kat Aug 2018 #6

It's not that it's intentional, and that's the point Panich52 Aug 2018 #33

I get your point cyclonefence Aug 2018 #35

Too choose that particular adjective is insulting and racist The Polack MSgt Aug 2018 #5

To pick that word now, especially, in reference to AA is obvious. Eliot Rosewater Aug 2018 #26

I asked it here because if one wants a serious, truthful answer Panich52 Aug 2018 #34

+1000 Thank You. Kind of Blue Aug 2018 #41

"I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a braddy Aug 2018 #8

You're doing a disservice to Biden. rogue emissary Aug 2018 #13

Any "disservice" is in your own mind. braddy Aug 2018 #14

Yeah that's how writing works. rogue emissary Aug 2018 #15

When did we start talking radical noodle Aug 2018 #18

I was making a bad joke. rogue emissary Aug 2018 #21

Gotcha! radical noodle Aug 2018 #22

Yes, it's an insult MaryMagdaline Aug 2018 #27

I deliberately describe white people (I am white) as "well spoken" now just to annoy RWers MaryMagdaline Aug 2018 #28

They call this the soft bigotry of low expectations. nt. Corvo Bianco Aug 2018 #29

it could be either KT2000 Aug 2018 #30

I'm thinking about how I would react if a black person told me Croney Aug 2018 #31

I love this - JustAnotherGen Aug 2018 #37

Default Setting JustAnotherGen Aug 2018 #36

Yeah, it's up there with non compliments such as in my experience... Kind of Blue Aug 2018 #38