Why would Latinos think the term "pork chop" is a racial slur?

[Cindy's Mom]

I know for a fact that it is a slur for Puerto Ricans. I worked in a Puerto Rican neighborhood for six years, and that was the term used by many to mock them. We didn't have, and as far as I know, never had a Portuguese neighborhood in Chicago. Not that calling either group that is right. Maybe where you are at it refers to the Portuguese. So, in a sense it's large that one group. As it is, as of 20 years ago, don't know how it it now, Portuguese was not considered by the government as Hispanic.

It must be slur for those of Puerto Rican descent in the Chicago area, because I've heard it several times.

I have NOTHING to back me up on this one, but I just assumed because of pork chop style sideburns that were popular in the 60's and 70's is where that came from and many people of Hispanic heritage wore them. I really don't think it had anything to do with actually eating pork chops.

 

[Michelina]

Urban Dictionary says:
Pork chop 88 up, 54 down
Pork Chop is a slang word referring to Portuguese people. It is not offensive to call someone of Portuguese decent a Pork Chop because it is considered humorous and endearing. Portuguese people refer to themselves as Pork Chops all the time and it has nothing to do with overweight women. portugues people are very laid back and friendly. Men are extreemly sexy and romantic and will do anything for his family and loved ones. Portuguese women are beautiful inside and out and are very strong willed. They are forgiving people but they never forget especially when they are wronged. The only real offensive thing you could say to a Portuguese person is that they are spanish..they are NOT spanish. Learn geography bc im tired of people saying that Portugal and Spain is "the same thing" If you do call a portuguese person spanish the only responce you'll get is *******. ( I starred that out, I don't know if it's some nasty swear in Portuguese!)


It doesn't reference Puerto Ricans at all as far as I could see.

 

[Charade]

I'm still calling stupid on this. It's a common word describing a type of meat. It's an appropriate nickname for a PIG. If you feel offended by it, tough. Get over it. No one is calling YOU a pork chop.

 

[Mickey'sMainMami]

Honestly, my husband is Puerto Rican, and there is another racial slur used for them which is much more offensive than being called a pork chop. I thought if you were looking to insult someone, you would call them this "other" word, you wouldn't use the term pork chop. My husband thought it was funny and kind of cute term, I know that he has been called the "other" word plenty and would have preferred Pork Chop instead of that! People need to stop over thinking things.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I find it amazing that the Latinos can have this name changed, yet the Native Americans have been upset for years about the team names Washington "Redskins" and for when the Atlanta Braves use foam Tomahawks at their games. They never were successful in changing those names.

That is a very good point. I hadn't thought about the situation in that way. I live in Allentown and when I found out what they named the mascot, I found it a little funny, but cute at the same time. Literally, it wasn't even 24 hours later and the name was changed. Sometimes being PC is going a bit too far.

 

[MM27]

At my daughter's school, there are many Portuguese-American students. They refer to themselves as "porkchop". It is not considered derogatory. I am not aware of a derogatory meaning. But this is something that could vary by area or region.

They do that in my school too, but the Portuguese kids are not calling each other "porkchop" it is usually kids from a different ethnic group. They will say "Pork and cheese" or "porkchop" in an insulting way.

 

[Charade]

They do that in my school too, but the Portuguese kids are not calling each other "porkchop" it is usually kids from a different ethnic group. They will say "Pork and cheese" or "porkchop" in an insulting way.

Still not getting how it's insulting.

 

[profdsny]

Still not getting how it's insulting.

It doesn't matter if you think it's insulting or not. If people in that group think it's insulting, it is. It's not your call.

 

[Charade]

It doesn't matter if you think it's insulting or not. If people in that group think it's insulting, it is. It's not your call.

You misunderstood. I didn't say it wasn't insulting, as it might just be to some people. I said I don't get why it is. For someone to just say it is without context is just silly. The only thing I read so far on this thread is "they eat a lot of pork" or they have "pork chop sideburns". Did I miss something?

So let be ask more clearly, WHY DO THEY FIND IT INSULTING? Clear enough?

 

[rparmfamily]

This whole thing is hilarious to me, really.

What's next...

 

[profdsny]

You misunderstood. I didn't say it wasn't insulting, as it might just be to some people. I said I don't get why it is. For someone to just say it is without context is just silly. The only thing I read so far on this thread is "they eat a lot of pork" or they have "pork chop sideburns". Did I miss something?

So let be ask more clearly, WHY DO THEY FIND IT INSULTING? Clear enough?

Okay, my apology. I misunderstood you. Honestly, I don't know either, but many slurs don't seem to make sense to anyone. They just are.

 

[Aisling]

It doesn't matter if you think it's insulting or not. If people in that group think it's insulting, it is. It's not your call.

Then that's their problem. I'm insulted when I'm referred to as "white". Excuse me, but I'm a European-American.

 

[EMom]

I think we are missing a vital part of the discussion......

Was the pig in question Hispanic or Anglo?

Not one person has been able to say two words explaining WHY this is an insult. If it's an insult, someone ought to be able to at least give a reasonable, intelligent explanation. Why are so many posting, "I'm a member of that group/my spouse is and we've never once heard that"? It sounds like this teeny tiny subset sees it as an insult and no one else has a clue about it. Did this all spring from a family reunion 30 years ago when a thin relative called a chubby kid "pork chop" and it snowballed from there? That's as good as any explanation I've heard.....which is none.

The PIG was named Pork Chop. Maybe a cow would have been named Sirloin or Chuck Steak. The name was harmless and appropriate.

I'll bet if you take the number of chubby non-Hispanic American kids who have been called "pork chop" and compare it to the number of Hispanics in America who have been called "pork chop," (but not because they're chubby) the chubby pork chops would outnumber the Hispanic pork chops. This is such an obscure "insult" that they drew more attention to it that they would have if they had just let the pig keep its original name.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I did not know that pork chop was any sort of ethnic slur. However, it may be offensive to vegans.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

This is the link to the local newspaper about the story. Hopefully it will help to clear things up.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-mascotname1203-cn,0,2278873.story?coll=all_tab01_layout

 

[Charade]

This is the link to the local newspaper about the story. Hopefully it will help to clear things up.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-mascotname1203-cn,0,2278873.story?coll=all_tab01_layout

Still little explination other than one guy who was called that 35 years ago and his parents would be having a fit. A fit over *WHAT*!?!?!

 

[EMom]

It still does not explain a thing. Just as clear as mud.

 

[Papa Deuce]

This is the link to the local newspaper about the story. Hopefully it will help to clear things up.

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-mascotname1203-cn,0,2278873.story?coll=all_tab01_layout

Nope... same stuff as in the original post.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I did not know that pork chop was any sort of ethnic slur. However, it may be offensive to vegans.

I didn't know Mr. Spock liked meat!!




rotfl2: )