Is the word Abo racist? (also about other racist words)

[Kazomal]

Hey, you know that song "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Mate" where the dieing Australian stockman is relating his last requests to his friends, and one of them is "Let me Abos go loose, Lew," does that refer to Aboriginals? Is this a reference to slavery, or just to his Abo farm hands? Either way, casts a whole new view on the song.

Did you not see my quote from the last page? o:

Racism in the arts—a window into the past

In 1957 Rolf Harris, then 27, wrote the song 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport' which became a number one hit in Australia. The song was originally made of seven verses and the chorus. The sixth verse went as follows [20]:

Let me Abos go loose, Lou,
Let me Abos go loose.
They're of no further use, Lou,
So let me Abos go loose.
Altogether now!

'Abo' is a derogatory term for Aboriginal people. In the context of the song the above verse becomes even more racist because almost all other verses are about animals which are to be let lose after the drover's death the song is about.

Because of the racist term used the song was banned in Singapore. In some versions 'Abo' got replaced with 'emu' [19].

I did not see that, thank you for clearing this is for me.

[Spartan Philidelphia]

If someone is offended by a word, be polite and just don't use it. It's as simple as that.

[Neo Arcad]

They can call us all sorts of terms relating to our pigmentation, one that can sometimes be heard heard certain communities of aboriginals is 'white fella' I don't think they're in much of a position to protest the shortening of aboriginal yet not the full word itself.

It should be noted that in those same communities they refer to themselves as blackfella.

I generally feel like that's sort of similar to the way "nigga" is thrown around in the black community (at least here in Baltimore) as a good-natured term, unless a white guy uses it. Then it's a horrible insult.
Talk about racist...

[Schwabenreich]

Hey, you know that song "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Mate" where the dieing Australian stockman is relating his last requests to his friends, and one of them is "Let me Abos go loose, Lew," does that refer to Aboriginals? Is this a reference to slavery, or just to his Abo farm hands? Either way, casts a whole new view on the song.

Did you not see my quote from the last page? o:

Racism in the arts—a window into the past

In 1957 Rolf Harris, then 27, wrote the song 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport' which became a number one hit in Australia. The song was originally made of seven verses and the chorus. The sixth verse went as follows [20]:

Let me Abos go loose, Lou,
Let me Abos go loose.
They're of no further use, Lou,
So let me Abos go loose.
Altogether now!

'Abo' is a derogatory term for Aboriginal people. In the context of the song the above verse becomes even more racist because almost all other verses are about animals which are to be let lose after the drover's death the song is about.

Because of the racist term used the song was banned in Singapore. In some versions 'Abo' got replaced with 'emu' [19].

I'm pretty sure it referred to farmhands being released from their position/service since he was dead and had no use for them, or something like that. Its likely that in the late 1950s the term 'abo' hadn't gained much recognition for being an offensive term (after all it takes awhile for these kind of collective interpretation to spread, though it was deleted sometime around 1960 so someone must have informed him something was wrong about it). The article on wikipedia apparently agrees

"The stockman thus emancipates his native ranch hands at his death, when they were "of no further use" to him. It is unlikely that Harris envisioned these men as captives of the stockman, but simply meant that they be ""let go" from their positions. This verse does not feature in later versions of the song, and, in a 2006 interview, Harris expressed regret about the racist nature of the original lyrics."

It should be noted that in those same communities they refer to themselves as blackfella.

I generally feel like that's sort of similar to the way "nigga" is thrown around in the black community (at least here in Baltimore) as a good-natured term, unless a white guy uses it. Then it's a horrible insult.
Talk about racist...

I'd be interested to hear how they'd feel being called blackfella by a european australian. I wouldn't be surprised if they recieved it better then black communities having a white person use the 'N-word'.

[Michael VII]

Personally, I'd prefer to be called Abo than Black fella, but I don't care what I get called because I have a sense of humour and don't get offended easily. I don't see why black fella would be better than abo anyway?

Maybe because you're not a blackfella?

Note: This is probably the only time I'll acknowledge a difference in the ability to view an issue because of race.

what does that have to do with anything? Black fella is directly aimed to be offensive as its a judgement on skin colour and automatically judges a person based on race. Abo just says that they're Aboriginal and has no direct negative connotation.

[Spartan Philidelphia]

Maybe because you're not a blackfella?

Note: This is probably the only time I'll acknowledge a difference in the ability to view an issue because of race.

what does that have to do with anything? Black fella is directly aimed to be offensive as its a judgement on skin colour and automatically judges a person based on race. Abo just says that they're Aboriginal and has no direct negative connotation.

I don't see the negative connotation either, but if my friends rather I'd not use it, I won't, because I'm not an asshole. These things are pretty subjective.

[Lackadaisical2]

Maybe because you're not a blackfella?

Note: This is probably the only time I'll acknowledge a difference in the ability to view an issue because of race.

what does that have to do with anything? Black fella is directly aimed to be offensive as its a judgement on skin colour and automatically judges a person based on race. Abo just says that they're Aboriginal and has no direct negative connotation.

Eh, I don't really see how either word, lacking context, is making any sort of judgement of a person.

[Schwabenreich]

Maybe because you're not a blackfella?

Note: This is probably the only time I'll acknowledge a difference in the ability to view an issue because of race.

what does that have to do with anything? Black fella is directly aimed to be offensive as its a judgement on skin colour and automatically judges a person based on race. Abo just says that they're Aboriginal and has no direct negative connotation.

And negro is just a latinesque term for black right? A term far more accepted in english. While I do agree that whitefella/blackfella isn't entirely PC, which is what I was hinting on when I brought it up, I do think you're trying to sweep negative cannotations under the rug. They can be pretty powerful when they gain popular acceptance. Negro was fine until the civil rights movement swept through USA then many started taking offense to it (though I realize within african american cultures the related word 'nigga's' usage can be quite prominent when amongst themselves). Much in the same way, abo has been used in enough negative ways for them to no longer want to be referred to as such. Linguistic origin be damned.

[Saint Jade IV]

Maybe because you're not a blackfella?

Note: This is probably the only time I'll acknowledge a difference in the ability to view an issue because of race.

what does that have to do with anything? Black fella is directly aimed to be offensive as its a judgement on skin colour and automatically judges a person based on race. Abo just says that they're Aboriginal and has no direct negative connotation.

Blackfella and whitefella are part of Aboriginal English (a dialect of Australian English). They tend to be neutral terms, and are used by both races. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackfella

On the other hand, the word Abo, is offensive, and has been used as a derogatory term, much in the way spic, or injun (I think) have been used to describe their respective communities. As has been noted by other posters, it's not quite as offensive as nigger perhaps, but the quality of offensiveness is not a black and white issue (pun not intended).

[JuNii]

I've always held the belief that it's not the word, but the context, how the word is used. but if someone make it known to me that a word I used they find offensive, I would apologize and strive to not use the word in their presence.

[Costa Fiero]

Pakistani has four syllables. Paki has two.

Japanese has three syllables. Jap or Nip has one.

Just because something is an abbreviation doesn't mean it's not offensive.

Yeah, Michael has a point. I use Jap all the time when referring to grey imports when I'm talking about cars. "Jap imports" isn't exactly racist now is it?. As he said, the word itself can't be offensive but the way it is used is.

Athough everyone has their own opinion on what they consider to be racist. Personally, I don't like being referred to as a Pakeha.

[Saint Jade IV]

Pakistani has four syllables. Paki has two.

Japanese has three syllables. Jap or Nip has one.

Just because something is an abbreviation doesn't mean it's not offensive.

Yeah, Michael has a point. I use Jap all the time when referring to grey imports when I'm talking about cars. "Jap imports" isn't exactly racist now is it?. As he said, the word itself can't be offensive but the way it is used is.

Athough everyone has their own opinion on what they consider to be racist. Personally, I don't like being referred to as a Pakeha.

And indigenous Australians don't like being referred to as Abos.

[Costa Fiero]

And indigenous Australians don't like being referred to as Abos.

That's their perogative. I assume that the Aborigines have numerous words for the "white man".

[Al-Harakut al-Islami]

Aborigine. Aborigine takes 5 syllables to say, Abo takes two. Its just the shortening of the word. Like Michael is called Mike almost always.

Its not a word that defines racism, its the person who uses it. In my opinion at least.

Pakistani. Pakistani takes Pakistani takes 4 syllables to say, "Paki" takes two. It's just the shortening of the word. Like Michael is called Mike almost always.

Yeaaah, Abo is racist mate.

EDIT: Gah beaten. :v

I don't mind being called Paki.
...unless I should?

[Arkotania]

I personally don't believe in "racist" words just as i don't understand most "profanity". I tend to look at the denotation of nearly every word(not all) which means any time someone attempts to degrade me with racist remarks or profanity,i stare at them dumbfounded trying to figure out how it works. Then i smile at the stupidity of the person making the comments.(I believe in verbal degradation through witty remarks with a hint of "polite" vulgarity,not outright vulgar and obscene words/actions)

So, basically i don't believe any word is racist but simply another way to saying something. I think calling an american a "yank" or "yankee" is better than calling them "dim-witted uncivilized apes" or "Inbred barbarians who eat like swine"(JUST AN EXAMPLE.I NEITHER BELIEVE THESE EXAMPLES NOR DO I SUPPORT THEM. I'm just showing how these might phrases may illicit a stronger response,in my opinion, then a simply word that has a connotation of similar effect but a denotation without the strong punch.)

[GrandonVII]

The word Abo is racist, if you are using it to describe or talk about an Aboriginal(indigenous Australian).
I disagree that it's not as offensive as "nigger".
Nigger outside of America doesn't really carry the same weight because that's a term used and associated with the slavery of African Americans.
It's just as bad as calling them "coon".

[Costa Fiero]

I don't mind being called Paki.
...unless I should?

If you're fine with it, then don't try to make it an issue.

[Tsaraine]

"Abo" is pretty much the Australian version of "Nigger". It's pretty damn racist, you dirty chuwero meatsacks.

[Katganistan]

It should be noted that in those same communities they refer to themselves as blackfella.

It amazes me that there are several of us Aussies in this discussion who have pointed this out, yet some people don't seem to have picked up on it.

Yeah... and the Yank had the sense to go look it up.

[Katganistan]

Maybe because you're not a blackfella?

Note: This is probably the only time I'll acknowledge a difference in the ability to view an issue because of race.

what does that have to do with anything? Black fella is directly aimed to be offensive as its a judgement on skin colour and automatically judges a person based on race. Abo just says that they're Aboriginal and has no direct negative connotation.

Jesus, it's their OWN NAME for themselves.

[Forster Keys]

"Abo" is pretty much the Australian version of "Nigger". It's pretty damn racist, you dirty chuwero meatsacks.

There are other more serious slurs for Aborigines in my experience.

[Saint Jade IV]

"Abo" is pretty much the Australian version of "Nigger". It's pretty damn racist, you dirty chuwero meatsacks.

There are other more serious slurs for Aborigines in my experience.

I've named a few in this thread.

Indigenous people will find "boong" and "coon" far FAR more offensive than Abo. Also "Jinn" is a rather nasty word for an indigenous female.

[Frayham]

I personally think Abo is just as racist as Pom, Kiwi, Aussie

the term aussie is most definitely not racist. never was, never will be.

[Dusk_Kittens]

And other words like POM and WOG are sometimes offensive depending on the way they are used

I think you mean "Pomme" (the French called the English this, short for "Pomme de Terre," which is literally "apple of the earth," a French name for "potato") and "WAG" (an acronym for "Worthy African Gentleman").

[Kalaspia-Shimarata]

And other words like POM and WOG are sometimes offensive depending on the way they are used

I think you mean "Pomme" (the French called the English this, short for "Pomme de Terre," which is literally "apple of the earth," a French name for "potato") and "WAG" (an acronym for "Worthy African Gentleman").

No. POME is Prisoner of Mother England. POME is the demonym of POM, which comes from POME. A person is a POM. Here is an example:
This man is a POM
Those people are POMS or POMES
This is a POME fridge

And no I did NOT mean WAG, I meant WOG (I think that's worthy oriental gentleman or something, anyway). WOGs are not from Africa, we are from Eastern Europe (maybe all of Europe, I don't know, but definatly the East) and the Middle East. WOG's demonym is WOGGY. Okay?