New Items 3/2

[mking624]

Paddy is used as a slang term in British English for an Irish person, its use as slang is considered offensive or contemptuous by Irish people.


Being of Irish decent, I know of not one single Irishman which would not take offense to the term "paddy"

Thanks for the insult

I highly doubt it was being used as an insult. I'm of Irish descent and I don't take offense to it (nor do many of my friends who are of Irish descent)...simply because in today's society in America, it's not really used as some sort of derogatory term. Not to mention that "Paddy" can also be a given name or even a nickname for "Patrick" (or "Padraig") that even Irish people use (and yes, I know people born and raised in Ireland who use this word). Let's all relax here, there's no need to turn this into something it wasn't intended to be.

 

[mtlhddoc2]

You are wrong, it very often is used in a derogatory way. I am positive this person did not know, but ignorance does not bely the fact that is is derogatory and is used as such - and yes - here in America - and yes - I have had the term used against me - and recently at that.

 

[mking624]

You are wrong, it very often is used in a derogatory way. I am positive this person did not know, but ignorance does not bely the fact that is is derogatory and is used as such - and yes - here in America - and yes - I have had the term used against me - and recently at that.

Oh come on, please stop turning this into something about hatred and insults and such. You know that wasn't what it was about, so just leave it be.

And for the record, no I'm not wrong. But to each his own.

 

[dizanimator]

You are wrong, it very often is used in a derogatory way. I am positive this person did not know, but ignorance does not bely the fact that is is derogatory and is used as such - and yes - here in America - and yes - I have had the term used against me - and recently at that.

I'm pretty sure that it was used in ignorance, and while that still dosn't excuse the matter, could we please try to let this drop before it turns into a big argument and gets the board closed?

 

[mtlhddoc2]

Oh come on, please stop turning this into something about hatred and insults and such. You know that wasn't what it was about, so just leave it be.

And for the record, no I'm not wrong. But to each his own.

I didnt, I merely pointed out that it is a derogatory term. But just because YOU have not experienced racism, does not mean that you are "not wrong" in it being a derogatory term here in America. Ever heard of a "paddywagon"? That phrase was coined in NEW YORK CITY in regards to the arrest of Irish immigrants en masse. Maybe it is different here on the East Coast where an anti-Irish sentiment still runs very strong, but regardless. *I* was offended, regardless of the intent of the original poster.

 

[mtlhddoc2]

I'm pretty sure that it was used in ignorance, and while that still dosn't excuse the matter, could we please try to let this drop before it turns into a big argument and gets the board closed?

Consider it dropped, but I seriously hope people learn from this.

 

[mking624]

I didnt, I merely pointed out that it is a derogatory term. But just because YOU have not experienced racism, does not mean that you are "not wrong" in it being a derogatory term here in America. Ever heard of a "paddywagon"? That phrase was coined in NEW YORK CITY in regards to the arrest of Irish immigrants en masse. Maybe it is different here on the East Coast where an anti-Irish sentiment still runs very strong, but regardless. *I* was offended, regardless of the intent of the original poster.

I've encountered plenty of racism being that I'm also Hispanic (half Irish, half Bolivian), but I'm not going to turn threads that have nothing to do with that into something completely different, because yes, intent is everything...otherwise turning it into something I know it wasn't intended to be just stirs the pot. You can believe I am wrong, all I'm pointing out is that its use in American society today is not like it once was...but ok, you think I'm wrong. I'm not going to argue about that.

I noticed what you said about "paddy" also being word for word from Wikipedia, you also left out where the word is commonly used as a nickname for Patrick (or even Padraig) or is even a given name by the Irish.

This thread isn't about you, or me, or racism. Please stop turning it into that. People aren't out to get you for whatever you think is wrong in this world, can you simply enjoy a conversation without it turning it into something it's not intended for? There's no reason for it.

Let's please get back on topic.

 

[mtlhddoc2]

I had dropped it, obviously you want to keep it... so ok... I was not accusing anyone of being racist, I was educating. It is offensive to every Irishman I know, and I am 4th generation Irish. My grandfather, during my childhood, was a police officer in New Jersey. He often had his house vandilized with the words "paddy" and "mic" - when I would go out to play near his home, I would often encounter people who would say things like "paddy want a potato" - these are stark images from my childhood that I remember quite vividly and are brought to the fore when people use offensive words like this, even innocently. I have also encountered other forms of racism since my first wife was Puerto Rican (and my oldest son is half Spanish-half Irish) and my current wife is German-Jewish - to this day I experience many forms of racism in my life. I have even been turned down for a job because I am Irish. The last place I expect to see racism and racist comments is a DISNEY board, yet, here they are, bringing all of those not-so-fond memories back to me.

 

[Melp]

Way to go vmk for the giraffe pin! Awesome release! Although there will be no weekend pins?

This was my theory to the reason for no weekend pin this week, but seemed to have been overlooked or something

Idea about why there was no pin this week. There is 5 Fridays in the month of March so maybe the next 4 Fridays will have pins

 

[mking624]

I had dropped it, obviously you want to keep it... so ok... I was not accusing anyone of being racist, I was educating. It is offensive to every Irishman I know, and I am 4th generation Irish. My grandfather, during my childhood, was a police officer in New Jersey. He often had his house vandilized with the words "paddy" and "mic" - when I would go out to play near his home, I would often encounter people who would say things like "paddy want a potato" - these are stark images from my childhood that I remember quite vividly and are brought to the fore when people use offensive words like this, even innocently. I have also encountered other forms of racism since my first wife was Puerto Rican (and my oldest son is half Spanish-half Irish) and my current wife is German-Jewish - to this day I experience many forms of racism in my life. I have even been turned down for a job because I am Irish. The last place I expect to see racism and racist comments is a DISNEY board, yet, here they are, bringing all of those not-so-fond memories back to me.

I didn't see where you had dropped it until after I posted because I was typing my message at the time.

It's not educating when you're saying "thanks for insulting me." And it's not educating when you just called it racism and racist comments. That's an accusation. And you know full well that wasn't what it was intended to be. Personally, I don't appreciate someone's words being twisted into something completely different than what it was meant for....especially when it's known it wasn't intended for that. I'm sorry you struggled with what you did, but that's no one's fault here and they shouldn't have to apologize for your past. And when the term can be used either as a derogatory slang AND as something inoffensive (considering it's a legitimate given name or nickname), it's not fair to assume the worst of someone and then turn it into something where they're apparently out to get you. You may think you're not doing that, but calling the comments racist is simply not fair to that person.

I'm all for education, but there's a way to do it where it doesn't come into a thread and make someone's comments to be something we all knew it wasn't.

 

[Maleficent2]

enough has been said off topic. Please keep threads on topic. Thank you.

I just wanted to add that I think the original comment was completely innocent in nature and it was not meant in any derogatory matter.

 

[LoriR]

Paddy is used as a slang term in British English for an Irish person, its use as slang is considered offensive or contemptuous by Irish people.


Being of Irish decent, I know of not one single Irishman which would not take offense to the term "paddy"

Thanks for the insult

I am sorry you find that term offensive, however, I am sure it was not used with intent to insult. Unfortunately, that term is commonly used as a nickname for the day. (yes even by Hallmark) I am not implying this makes it acceptable.

Educating someone on a subject is great, but adding "Thanks for the insult" makes it appear that it was written with an intent that was not there to begin with.

Please keep this thread on topic. I think our members would like to be able to discuss the new VMK items, without walking into an off topic debate.

Thank you!

 

[mordux]

Hey wow, how bout that pin huh?

 

[Goofy_Bob]

I love the idea of having a Green Space suit. I am also very happy that VMK retired the vest after one weekend. As for pins, well we know Giraffe is the Host pin for the month, and indications are that we'll all be sick of it by the end of the moon. After yesterday's quest for the Zebra pin, I expect we'll see the rest of the Jungle Cruise pins given out as quest prizes throughout the next few weeks.

That would be a nifty change - Weekly costume pieces for sale instead of pins, but still giving pins as quest prizes. And a nice change-up if you ask me.

Another thought on pins - I do hope we get a new St. Patty's Day '07 pin on March 17th, be it for sale as a Special or Quest. Either would be fine and quite spiffy! Ideally it'll be stylized as the new football, Valentine's, and Racing pins in the awesome "'07 Glass" motif. Hey, I wonder if VMK is trying to subliminally prepare us for Micro$haft's Windows Vista... doesn't that feature various glass/transparent-like visuals? Hmm... This pin brought to you by MS Disney.

Ahem, anywho, I really do hope that they don't re-release last year's Four Leaf Clover pin, that would be most-unspiffy.