What's a Typical White Person?

[DawnCt1]

Barrack Obama referred to his grandmother as a "typical white person". If you are white is that offensive. Would the term, "typical black person" be offensive?

 

[shortbun]

To me, the word 'typical' means normal, not unusual. So, not offensive. Now if you said it with malice in your voice and rolling your eyes....depending on the content of the rest of your statement...it could have another meaning. In the case of Obama's speech, not offensive.

 

[chris1gill]

First of all, he put it into perspective on CNN last night, what he meant it to mean, was your good typical person that has fears that are embedded due to their experiences or perceptions (not racism).... his grandmother happened to be white, I'm sure if she was Hispanic or any other ethnicity he would have used that.... That it was not that she was racist, but that she held beliefs that were common at the time. I'm sure the transcript is out there.

My grandfather and FIL were both typical white people that did use phrases I wish they hadn't... but they did...

As for myself, pretty much the typical white person, have no issue with it.

 

[lilyv]

Morning Dawn. Sigh. I grew up in the Midwest, probably knew folks like his grandmother. He and his grandmother actually talk about race. I know, that's amazing. He knew, and she knew what he meant. Don't know why it worries you. FWIW, I've living in integrated neighborhoods most of my life. Military life is like that...you might know that too.

FIL...South Fla...think Seinfelds-Del Boca Vista Phase 2..."Shocked" at times who my neighbors were. There are still lots of folks in America who live a segregated life, and have little or no meaningful interaction with African-Americans.

Hope this answers your question-Have a nice Easter Weekend.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

To me, the word 'typical' means normal, not unusual. So, not offensive. Now if you said it with malice in your voice and rolling your eyes....depending on the content of the rest of your statement...it could have another meaning. In the case of Obama's speech, not offensive.

When refering to the constraints of a "typical white person" as being afraid when they see a black person walking down the street then that IS offensive to me.

I think Susan Estrich (God strike me down) had a great point on this issue on Hannity and Colmes last night....frankly as a woman I'd be afraid if ANY person dressed in "thug" type clothes in the 18-24 year old age range whether they're black, white, Asian, hispanic, or green...would I be afraid of an elderly black person? no...a black person dressed in professional attire? no. Its about the context, not about race.

 

[DawnCt1]

First of all, he put it into perspective on CNN last night, what he meant it to mean, was your good typical person that has fears that are embedded due to their experiences or perceptions (not racism).... his grandmother happened to be white, I'm sure if she was Hispanic or any other ethnicity he would have used that.... That it was not that she was racist, but that she held beliefs that were common at the time. I'm sure the transcript is out there.

My grandfather and FIL were both typical white people that did use phrases I wish they hadn't... but they did...

As for myself, pretty much the typical white person, have no issue with it.

Putting things in perspective at a later time does not always rescue politicians, as conservatives have discovered. Remember Trent Lott?

 

[DisneyJosh]

This is what he meant, and you know it, but you want to stir the pot as usual.

"The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn't. But she is a typical white person who, uh, if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn't know there's a reaction that's been been bred into our experiences that don't go away and that sometimes come out in the wrong way and that's just the nature of race in our society. We have to break through it."

“Barack Obama said specifically that he didn’t believe his grandmother harbored any racial animosity but that her fears were understandable and typical of those often shared by her generation.”

"But the campaign also said the senator did not mean to suggest all white people share his grandmother’s reaction to seeing a black person pass her by on the street."

“His intentions may have been misconstrued,”

 

[lilyv]

Putting things in perspective at a later time does not always rescue politicians, as conservatives have discovered. Remember Trent Lott?

Regardless of the intent, I do hope Easter Bunny visits Pot Stirrers anyway.

 

[marybet]

Typical white person here, know exactly what he meant.

I don't think it helps to take every single word a person says and pick it apart. I did not agree with people who said he threw his grandma under the bus. He was just telling a story, giving an example. My FIL uses the "N" word all the time, we all tell him how offensive it is but he still uses it and he is still my husband's father and part of the family. Most of us know someone like that. But when we took them on a cruise and had a tour guide in Jamaica that was black my FIL treated him just fine, rode in the front seat. I was a little worried but he didn't embarrass us.

 

[chris1gill]

This is what he meant, and you know it, but you want to stir the pot as usual.

Typical for the poster at hand, thanks for finding the quotes DisneyJosh

As the CNN Analyst round table all agreed last night, get a grip...

Start talking about what is truthful, if not once in your life you've not crossed the street or held your purse closer when you've been approached by someone you don't know, you're quite superior to the rest of us.

 

[chris1gill]

And at least my presidential candidate has made 4 gaffes regarding who and what we are fighting, only to be corrected by Lieberman

At least my presidential candidate didn't just forget what was asked and was reminded by Joe Lieberman yesterday

And last but not least my presidential candidate didn't misconstrue and Israeli Holiday while in Israel, only to be what? Corrected by Joe Lieberman

 

[mickeyboat]

I don't let that kind of stuff get to me. Actually, most of the time I try to notice the intention behind someone's words, not how somebody somewhere could find them offensive.

If that means I am naieve or living in a dream world, then I am perfectly happy to stay there.

Denae

 

[ariel & eric]

Barrack Obama referred to his grandmother as a "typical white person". If you are white is that offensive. Would the term, "typical black person" be offensive?

I guess it would all depend on if he meant "typical" as in good or bad. If typical is good then I have no problem with it. If typical is bad or negative, then yes, I would be offended.

Not sure if "typical black person" would be offensive to me. My family is white and DS13 has one friend who is black. He is a wonderful kid, quiet, polite and never know he is around. His parents are great. Mom is a sweetheart and dad is very funny and smart. If this is typical, then no offense here. Of course, I live where there are about 20 black families in our school system and this is the only black family I have ever had any contact with.

I hate to think that what we see on TV is typical of anyone.

 

[ariel & eric]

I don't let that kind of stuff get to me. Actually, most of the time I try to notice the intention behind someone's words, not how somebody somewhere could find them offensive.

If that means I am naieve or living in a dream world, then I am perfectly happy to stay there.

Denae

Me too. I don't have time to worry about such things.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

I don't think it helps to take every single word a person says and pick it apart. .

no, its only ok to do that if a Republican makes a comment in the case of GWB last week with the "romantic" word and John McCain in regards to the Sunni/Shiite/Iran/Iraq comments...

this point here is that given the "tension" surrounding the racially divisive language of Obama's pastor, and his wanting to open up a dialog about race in America, I think its highly irresponsible to use the phrase "typical white person" because AS the OP has already pointed out the phrase "typical black person" would be torn apart as racist in 15 seconds flat.

 

[sewer]

I really think he could have had a better choice of words, and I agree what would the repercussions be if someone used the phrase "typical black person"?

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

And at least my presidential candidate has made 4 gaffes regarding who and what we are fighting, only to be corrected by Lieberman

At least my presidential candidate didn't just forget what was asked and was reminded by Joe Lieberman yesterday

And last but not least my presidential candidate didn't misconstrue and Israeli Holiday while in Israel, only to be what? Corrected by Joe Lieberman

thanks for making my point in regards to words and language only mattering if the words are uttered by a Republican

 

[DisneyJosh]

I don't let that kind of stuff get to me. Actually, most of the time I try to notice the intention behind someone's words, not how somebody somewhere could find them offensive.

If that means I am naieve or living in a dream world, then I am perfectly happy to stay there.

Denae

No, that just means you're logical and not looking for a bone to pick. Dawn just enjoys stirring the pot.

 

[lilyv]

And at least my presidential candidate has made 4 gaffes regarding who and what we are fighting, only to be corrected by Lieberman

At least my presidential candidate didn't just forget what was asked and was reminded by Joe Lieberman yesterday

And last but not least my presidential candidate didn't misconstrue and Israeli Holiday while in Israel, only to be what? Corrected by Joe Lieberman

One can only hope that Lieberman will continue to be at McCain's side, corrective whispers at the ready. By the way, McCain's Purim is same as Halloween comment... You can't make this stuff up.

 

[happygirl]

I don't find typical white person offensive at all, in fact I hope people consider me to be a typical white person