Why is monkey racist?

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Rohitpatel

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Why is monkey racist?

I dont understand why all this controversy of Symonds. Why are people saying that monkey is racist? I never knew that monkey is racist before this. They say f*** and bas**d all the time but they find monkey to be bad term?
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

I'll allow this topic for the time being but will be watching it very closely - don't make me ban anybody.

Basically, calling a coloured person a 'monkey' is deemed racist due to the fact that they are comparing that race to a monkey. In the past (and I'm sure by many still today) monkeys were seen to be a vastly inferior species to that of humans, despite the closeness in genes, dna, appearance and overall behaviour.

In effect it is reinforcing the view that coloured (Africans in particular) people are inferior to 'whites', that they are no better than monkeys and deserve to be treated as such.

Apologies for the slightly ham fisted explanation but there is a lot of history behind this, probably far too much to go into on a forum like this and branches into a lot of areas.
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

It may not be a racist term in India and perhaps, before this incident and the incident in Mumbai, we were not aware of its connotations in England and Australia. But, once Symonds made it clear that the use of that word hurt his feelings, there is no excuse to use that word.

But, with regards to Harbhajan, it's important to note now that Symonds has stated that he doesn't recall exactly what Harbhajan said and that he might have used another word in his language. So, it would be extremely unfair for any of us to call him racist, when the man to whom it was supposedly said to admits he doesn't know if it was used.
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

it dusnt matter if it dusnt look racist but the thing is symonds dusnt like it.
same with the indians in australia ************** is like a term used for a person that has litttle respect for others and stuff
but the indians think its rlly bad so u dont say it
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

if there is a word that COULD b taken to offence or a word that is FACT it WILL b taken 2 offence it SHOULD NOT! be used... esspecially by athletes who r seen as role models... any word can be seen as offensive if the body language and tone in which it is being said is hostile...
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

OK, I have to say that I am always calling people 'Monkey' but I am from a different generation.

When I call somebody a Monkey, it is because they are cheeky, in the nicest possible way. For me it is a term of endearment.

I should also say that I am one of those people who believe monkeys are, in fact, far superior to the human race :D

This is not a comment on the incident, just an insight into the use of the word.

However, we may have a cultural difference here and we must be really careful that we do not reflect our own prejudices on others.
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

It all comes down to context at the end of the day. However, I don't think we should curtail our language just because somebody may get offended, we just have to learn how express our sentiments better and have an understanding of what different cultures find offensive.
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

i think harbhajan should watch his language and if u call symonds a monkey then we will call u wateva we like in return
and a mouth ful is wat ull get
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

Is there any point in tit for tat though? All that is going to happen is that the incident will escalate and cause even bad feeling, not only amongst the players but the fans as well. If you stoop to their level then surely you're no better than they are?

There is enough anecdotal evidence to point to the fact that a majority of Indians were unaware of the link between monkey chants and racism when it first happened. Yes, I'm sure that some people in the crowd knew exactly what they were doing and then a number followed like sheep (it happens, go to any sporting match) but I doubt those people gave it much thought. Though ignorance is not an excuse, in a country like India I doubt that there are many people of African descent and therefore no real need for awareness of it.

The recent case poses slightly more problems in light of the furore surrounding the first incidence but without hard evidence we have to take the word of the players involved and seeing that the 'victim' isn't even sure himself of what was said I think we can draw a line under it all.

Racism isn't to be tolerated (although the race card can be overplayed and used to stifle debate in some cases) but we also have to look at the races and cultures involved in order to get a full understanding of what is going on.
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

Just check out this. One of the current stories doing the rounds on cricinfo. Quite an interesting read, and it does highlight Indias ignorance towards racism. Written by an Indian mind you. Though a lot of the comments are quite negative
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

And rightfully so. It's a pretty stupid point to make that all Indians are racist, even if they don't know it. You have a billion people and yes, you're going to have those extreme, uneducated, and ignorant elements that probably are racist, but the vast majority of the population should not be included in that characterization.
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

If I recall, the incident happened during or before India won a test. This may have been a psychological ploy by India to upset the Australians, taking there mind off match preparation. They were at the top of their game and making history again. So, why not try something off the park to upset their flow...It seemed to work and as usual the ICC didn't really handle the situation very well.

Is this because India is the Super power off the pitch and Australia the super power on the pitch? Of course the ICC doesn't want to upset either. Weakness again from the ruling body.

Of course I do not condone the Indians behaviour, but there is far worse language used by players native tongues, it seems only the English speaking teams get caught, perhaps England should learn Welsh!!! One reason for having the return of a HOME umpire or 3rd Umpire on stump-mic duty?
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

leggeb4 said:
If I recall, the incident happened during or before India won a test. This may have been a psychological ploy by India to upset the Australians, taking there mind off match preparation. They were at the top of their game and making history again. So, why not try something off the park to upset their flow...It seemed to work and as usual the ICC didn't really handle the situation very well.
Click to expand...
It happened during the Sydney Test which India lost under controversial situations. It wasn't a ploy to upset the Australians, quite the opposite.
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

someblokecalleddave said:
Liz - Monkeys superior to us?????? You've been watching too much planet of the apes !
Click to expand...

O, how I've missed you Dave ;)

Hope you have been having fun and it has not all been work, work, work....
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

leggeb4 said:
If I recall, the incident happened during or before India won a test. This may have been a psychological ploy by India to upset the Australians, taking there mind off match preparation. They were at the top of their game and making history again. So, why not try something off the park to upset their flow...It seemed to work and as usual the ICC didn't really handle the situation very well.

Is this because India is the Super power off the pitch and Australia the super power on the pitch? Of course the ICC doesn't want to upset either. Weakness again from the ruling body.

Of course I do not condone the Indians behaviour, but there is far worse language used by players native tongues, it seems only the English speaking teams get caught, perhaps England should learn Welsh!!! One reason for having the return of a HOME umpire or 3rd Umpire on stump-mic duty?
Click to expand...

what are you saying? symonds came upto harbhajan and started it. and australia only made history because of poor umpiring otherwise the game would have easily been a draw. also there is no proof that harbhajan actually said the word. that is why his ban was lifted not because icc is weak.
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

I have been corrected and the incident took place during the second test. Also, yes Harbi was cleared through lack of evidence and not the fact he didn't do it.

But, through all this did India win the next test? We're the Australians rattled through off-pitch matters that resulted from this incident and Why did another sub-contentient team play judge and jury, even to the extent that would 'go home'? We have heard this before from Pakistan in England.

The point I make about the ICC being weak, is they jump conclusions and then when face by the sub-contentient sides they crack and reverse decisions which make the ICC look incapable of running our loved game.

Until the ICC get tough with 'ALL' countries, they will only administer the money that goes into their pocket. Also, respect has to be drilled into these super-stars, they are here for the spectators benefit and not their own. Therefore, they need to respect the game and their opposition.
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

if there is no evidence how are you so sure that harbhajan said the word? he could have said anything. i could accuse australia for trying to rattle harbhajan because he was batting well and india were taking a lead over the australian total. symonds was the one who started it. harbhajan went and patted brett lee and symonds took exception to that. symonds said in his defence that he doesnt like someone being friendly with his team mates on the pitch. that clearly shows that he actually doesnt like harbhajan. couldnt it be his ploy to get harbhajan in trouble.
 
Re: Why is monkey racist?

deer - I know that this is an emotive subject for you but leggeb4 is not suggesting that Singh was guilty and let off on a technicality, more that it was a mess from the start.

Firstly he was found guilty due to hearsay then found not guilty due to lack of evidence, which pretty much equals the same thing in both cases - it came down to an opinion.
 
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