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

[Ceannairceach]

I don't like it when I am called an Indian, Instead of a Native... But I don't see anything wrong with "Abo", Seems like an abbreviation.

Indian, too, is an abbreviation of sorts, for "American Indian" or "Native American Indian".

[Saint Jade IV]

My only personal experience with the term 'Abo' is from 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport', so I'm not really sure I know enough to say one way or the other.

My only personal experience with the term 'Abo' is from 'Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport', so I'm not really sure I know enough to say one way or the other.

They say Abo in that?

http://www.lyricstime.com/rolf-harris-tie-me-kangaroo-down-sport-lyrics.html

I feel like my childhood has been violated

Rolf Harris - racist propagandist.

[Tubbsalot]

I would contest that, I have often seen it used it simply as an abbreviation for the Aboriginal race in general discussion.

Which is why I said 99%, rather than 100%.

[Xsyne]

Is "spic" racist?

[Forster Keys]

They say Abo in that?

The "Let me Abos go loose" line.

The fourth verse was removed circa 1960, because of its use of the word Abo, an offensive slang term for Aboriginal Australians.

Wow, I'm an Aussie I didn't even know that.

[Saint Jade IV]

I don't like it when I am called an Indian, Instead of a Native... But I don't see anything wrong with "Abo", Seems like an abbreviation.

Read the thread. Plenty of people who actually know what they are talking about have already explained why it is considered a racist term.

[Forster Keys]

Depends on whether it's being used as a racist slur.

Which, in practise, is about 99% of the time.

I would contest that, I have often seen it used it simply as an abbreviation for the Aboriginal race in general discussion.

Likewise, but often it seems to contain a good dose of contempt, "Those abos are..."

[Saint Jade IV]

The "Let me Abos go loose" line.

The fourth verse was removed circa 1960, because of its use of the word Abo, an offensive slang term for Aboriginal Australians.

Wow, I'm an Aussie I didn't even know that.

Does it make you feel as bad as I do? I used to sing that song in kindy

[Forster Keys]

Is "spic" racist?

I think so. That's why I'm asking.

[Tubbsalot]

There's nothing wrong with a bit of virulent racism in your songs. Lends it some old-timey character.

Actually, I'm surprised it was removed 'circa 1960' when the White Australia Policy continued into the late 70s.

[Forster Keys]

I don't like it when I am called an Indian, Instead of a Native... But I don't see anything wrong with "Abo", Seems like an abbreviation.

Read the thread. Plenty of people who actually know what they are talking about have already explained why it is considered a racist term.

Exactly. It's not the origin of the term, many slurs have completely innocent origins, it's the history and emotional baggage behind it all that create the affect. Ie. How it's used now rather than etymology.

[Forster Keys]

Wow, I'm an Aussie I didn't even know that.

Does it make you feel as bad as I do? I used to sing that song in kindy

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I sang the clean PC version.

Though I would be asking Mr Harris why he worded it how he did:

Let me Abos go loose, Lew
Let me Abos go loose
They're of no further use, Lew
So let me Abos go loose.

Yeah, a little sus.

[Katganistan]

http://www.creativespirits.info/aborigi ... acism.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/abo ... boriginal/
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/ ... 5865322181

I'm guessing the tourist board would not be apologizing if it were ok.

[Neo Arcad]

Well, here's the racist scale, as compared to the former standard names for African-Americans.

TOO PC- Individual Human of African Descent
GOOD- African-American
OK- Black
BAD- Negro
AWFUL- Nigger

[Conserative Morality]

Well, here's the racist scale, as compared to the former standard names for African-Americans.

TOO PC- Individual Human of African Descent
GOOD- African-American
OK- Black
BAD- Negro
AWFUL- Nigger

Black is only "Ok"?

[Conserative Morality]

Does it make you feel as bad as I do? I used to sing that song in kindy

Heh, my (American) grandfather said his entire schoolbus used to sing it. He can't remember whether or not the 'Abo' line was included.

[Dennaville]

I guess im a yank and if abo is in the same context then no i dnt find it racist. Yank has never upset me i guess i never thought of it as a slur. In fact i find it some what odd that it would b thought of as such.

[New Embossia]

I find aboriginal less racist than 'indian' or 'redskin'.

What's so racist about 'Indian'? The people of India find that name suits them.

[Neo Arcad]

Well, here's the racist scale, as compared to the former standard names for African-Americans.

TOO PC- Individual Human of African Descent
GOOD- African-American
OK- Black
BAD- Negro
AWFUL- Nigger

Black is only "Ok"?

Yeah. It's sort of a meh term, at least around here.

[Magnum Ultra]

Its not racist. Just an abbreviation.

[Saint Jade IV]

I guess im a yank and if abo is in the same context then no i dnt find it racist. Yank has never upset me i guess i never thought of it as a slur. In fact i find it some what odd that it would b thought of as such.

Well, here's the racist scale, as compared to the former standard names for African-Americans.

TOO PC- Individual Human of African Descent
GOOD- African-American
OK- Black
BAD- Negro
AWFUL- Nigger

On this scale, Abo would be equivalent to Negro in terms of how it's generally used.

[Cromarty]

As with every-bloody-thing, it's the friggin' intent that matters.

[Tergnitz]

As with every-bloody-thing, it's the friggin' intent that matters.

You know what I never hear, British racial slurs for ethnics.

Did you guys just steal the same ones used by the Yanks, cause thats what it looks like nowadays.

[Al-Harakut al-Islami]

I'm not sure.

Americans don't get offended by being called Yanks, people from England don't mind being called Brits, and Australians don't care if you call them Aussies.

However, Russians don't like being called Russkies, Germans get offended if you call them Krauts, and it's considered poor taste to call someone from England a Limey.

[Neo Arcad]

I'm not sure.

Americans don't get offended by being called Yanks, people from England don't mind being called Brits, and Australians don't care if you call them Aussies.

However, Russians don't like being called Russkies, Germans get offended if you call them Krauts, and it's considered poor taste to call someone from England a Limey.

As a Bavarian-American, I can say that kraut is indeed offensive to my relatives in Europe. However, that's because it was frequently used in anti-German propaganda during the War.