Female Greek athlete sent home for racist remark

reply to post by 11andrew34


Again, the Olympics are a Unity thing, bringing the World together, for one Purpose.

Put it this way, would people have been offended, if Hitler said it, about Jesse Owens ?

Food for thought.

I don't see what the big deal is. If she did make racist remarks, well, that's wrong. But then look at the world of Futbol/Soccer. That is a sport that is nearly entirely racist. Racism runs rampant in the world cup. Not so sure about the Euro Cup though. But nobody gets booted from playing then....

This years Olympics needs to just be shut down. Its boring anyways. The best part of it is the boxing. (and that even kinda blows because the head gear worn) I want to see some KO's.

But that girl is mighty fine.

MaryStillToe brings up another good point that shows the intent here.
Normally “At least” is used to give a positive outcome to something that is a negative.

negative point --- “at least” --- some good may come from it

This just goes to show that, yes this was meant in a racist way.

Too many Africans in Greece (-) well at least the mosquitoes will have something to eat (+).

Originally posted by khimbar
If I said 'with so many cakes on this plate I'm spoiled for choice' am I saying there are too many?

Even though you are trying to put a positive spin on it, it still means that in your opinion there are more then there should be. Now couple that with the “at least remark” and you can see that she does not look on this excess amount in a positive light.

The Greek government should be fined for allowing their athletes to come to our country and break our laws.

Originally posted by Domo1


I just don't think racist jokes are necessarily racist. I know how stupid that sounds, but if there is no malice I don't get the big deal. Words are words, it's the intent behind them that makes me angry at times. Not the word itself.

I hear ya, Domo. Problem is, on the World stage,when EVERY Nation is watching these athletes, with magnifying glasses, its best you keep your mouth shut, and let your Body do the talking. Whole point, is to make your Country look good. Cant do that, when your talking.......

reply to post by Tramadolnights


They didn't let her come . They stopped her before she got on the Plane.

Ok...looking into this now a bit more and there is significantly more to it than just the one joke, and also involved some recent support for some sketchy political party called Golden Dawn.

And it wasn't a typo, the joke is about Greece and not London because there is a recent West Nile outbreak in Greece.

Annnnnd....I still don't think thought policing is the right way to handle this sort of thing, but I do feel my interest in this topic fading back to a baseline of not giving a crap about it or anything else to do with the Olympics.

Originally posted by this_is_who_we_are
reply to post by khimbar

 

No. No it isn't at all. Africa is MULTI-RACIAL, She wasn't referring to Blacks.

Not many people will understand that fine point.

Disclaimer: I am multi-racial, am not a racist and have a sense of humor. Apparently those who sent her home did not have a sense of humor.

I am multi-racial also, and I found it in very bad taste. I also have a sense of Humor. It doesn't matter if she was inferring the color grey. If she wanted to say it "after" she competed in the Olympics, or after the Olympics, ended, more power to her. She put her team, and Nation, in precarious position, with her remarks. Especially in the World, we live in today. People are failing to understand what the Olympics is ALL about. MHO

Originally posted by sonnny1

Originally posted by Domo1


I just don't think racist jokes are necessarily racist. I know how stupid that sounds, but if there is no malice I don't get the big deal. Words are words, it's the intent behind them that makes me angry at times. Not the word itself.

I hear ya, Domo. Problem is, on the World stage,when EVERY Nation is watching these athletes, with magnifying glasses, its best you keep your mouth shut, and let your Body do the talking. Whole point, is to make your Country look good. Cant do that, when your talking.......

I hear you too domo, Problem is it wasn't a comedy festival where it's a given, that everything and everyone is open slather,
it is a world renowned mighty game which brings countries together in positive respectful way, a combative and a competitive way, minus the blood shed.
She dishonered the game and herself by being so flippant.

Even a sexy chick, such as she clearly is, can be unsuitable for some things.
Public speaking would be it for her.

Originally posted by sonnny1

Originally posted by Domo1


I just don't think racist jokes are necessarily racist. I know how stupid that sounds, but if there is no malice I don't get the big deal. Words are words, it's the intent behind them that makes me angry at times. Not the word itself.

I hear ya, Domo. Problem is, on the World stage,when EVERY Nation is watching these athletes, with magnifying glasses, its best you keep your mouth shut, and let your Body do the talking. Whole point, is to make your Country look good. Cant do that, when your talking.......

I get ya. At the same time everyone is watching and letting that little tweet snowball into a fiasco and banning her just perpetuates racism in my opinion. Hell it's not even racist. She never mentioned a race.

You know you got me about 60/40 on this one. I appreciate you being so civil and offering good points. I'm going to take a minute and think about it. I guess the only point of view I'm seeing it from is my own. I like posters like you.

reply to post by Domo1


Thanks for the Complement.


Honestly, if she was at any stand up comedy bar, she would have gotten laughs. Olympics? Not so much.........

reply to post by Jaellma

LMAO. I am usually identified as a liberal although I consider myself independent but I found this hilarious. Couple of things that I should add though. I am an American and I have no clue whats going on in Greece with Africans. Therefore, I don't know the conversation that is happening or the tone of said conversation. So I cannot make a judgement on whether or not its racist.

reply to post by sonnny1


It’s not only that, she’s not even competed yet, and she’s:
a) embarrassed her home country.
b) shown she has no common sense on what not to say.
c) made a remark that can be taken as critical of her country.
d) alienated a portion of the population she has been sent to represent.

You know that their PR people must have been worried about what her next “off the cuff” joke would be, when she obviously has no common sense on what’s acceptable. The last thing they would want is her becoming a gold medallist, celebrity, then shooting her mouth off.

Originally posted by sonnny1
Again, the Olympics are a Unity thing, bringing the World together, for one Purpose.

Put it this way, would people have been offended, if Hitler said it, about Jesse Owens ?

Food for thought.

Not much to chew over really.

Not that it matters, but national sports, national medal counts, etc is clearly not much of a unity builder. The Olympics are fairly reliable source of rancor and discord, by its own track record.

And I'll only respond to your really lame hypothetical if you tell me exactly what you would have your puppet Hitler tweeting about Jesse Owens. Until then it's not possible because I don't see any particular way to mash the meaning of this joke into that context.

reply to post by sonnny1


She wasn't inferring a color at all. Not all Africans are Black. It's fairly racist to think that they are, IMO.

Originally posted by XXX777

How is it racist to tell a joke about mosquitos and Blacks?

If a Black person tells a joke about apple pie and Whites is that considered racist?

People bitten by mosquitos infected with West Nile can get very sick and even die. I suppose it's the kind of humor only a racist could appreciate.

Also, I've never heard the phrase "As White as Apple Pie" so I really don't follow your drift.

P.S. The confederates lost the war, black people are also American and they also are known for making and eating apple pie.

Originally posted by this_is_who_we_are
reply to post by sonnny1

 

She wasn't inferring a color at all. Not all Africans are Black. It's fairly racist to think that they are, IMO.

When white Africans travel or migrate back to Europe, do Europeans consider them as foreigners and worthless immigrants or do they generally welcome them home?

The biggest problem with issues like these it that a greater audience is gained when people complain.

Just sayin'.

Originally posted by 11andrew34
Ok...looking into this now a bit more and there is significantly more to it than just the one joke, and also involved some recent support for some sketchy political party called Golden Dawn.