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Originally posted by tubularbills i really don't think so. if it had been white people or asians, they wouldn't have been referred to monkeys. the term monkey really makes it sound more derrogatory than i think you're leading yourself to believe, imo.

I think you're applying pre-conceived notions of what you believe to be derogatory to one race, to all future situations with that race.

Yes, people have used the term "monkey" to describe black people in the past as a way to be offensive.

The use of monkey in this case is not meant to be a slanderous attack on a culture, but more of a comparison in similar behaviours.

If they were walking around bobbing their heads like chickens, people would naturally suggest they look like chickens. We compare their unusual behaviour for a human to the behaviours of a creature that that type of behaviour is normal.

Seriously though, does or doesn't their behaviour mimic that of monkeys?

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Originally posted by Theresa I think you're applying pre-conceived notions of what you believe to be derogatory to one race, to all future situations with that race. Yes, people have used the term "monkey" to describe black people in the past as a way to be offensive. The use of monkey in this case is not meant to be a slanderous attack on a culture, but more of a comparison in similar behaviours. If they were walking around bobbing their heads like chickens, people would naturally suggest they look like chickens. We compare their unusual behaviour for a human to the behaviours of a creature that that type of behaviour is normal. Seriously though, does or doesn't their behaviour mimic that of monkeys?

i didn't see it as "monkeying around" as the expression goes. as i've never seen monkeys do wheelbarrow racing.

but you even mention that the term monkey was used to describe the black race in the past....and because of that, it's still around.

to me, it seemed more like you all were using it in the derogatory sense, rather than the literal sense.

literally.

And I'm sure the AIDS jokes had nothing to do with the fact that AIDS prevalence among blacks is higher than it is among whites either.

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Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov And I'm sure the AIDS jokes had nothing to do with the fact that AIDS prevalence among blacks is higher than it is among whites either.

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Originally posted by tubularbills i didn't see it as "monkeying around" as the expression goes. as i've never seen monkeys do wheelbarrow racing. but you even mention that the term monkey was used to describe the black race in the past....and because of that, it's still around. to me, it seemed more like you all were using it in the derogatory sense, rather than the literal sense. literally.

LOL.

You have seen monkeys hanging off of bars and running around and humping each other doggy style, or is it only me who likes those type of ...

Uh never mind.

Anyway, I am sure some people meant it in a derogatory way, and that sucks, but for the most part, I am giving the benefit of the doubt and saying that people are comparing simply because they are acting like monkeys.

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Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov And I'm sure the AIDS jokes had nothing to do with the fact that AIDS prevalence among blacks is higher than it is among whites either.

Ermmm, I really didn't catch that to be honest with you.