View Full Version : Judging Amy racist
GOALden Hawk
8 Jan 2004, 11:16
"When men get together to celebrate being men, something happens. They become aboriginal. They start to leak brain cells,"
Quote from the show the other night. Now can you imagine if an Australian (say, Steve Irwin) appeared on Letterman and said "I was losing brain cells like an Indian".
Lady Lawrence
8 Jan 2004, 12:13
You will find that this is not a racist comment. It simple terms it means that they have become more basic, more primal. Meaning of aboriginal for you below. Aboriginal when applying to a race also means those that were the original inhabitants of a country. So aboriginal would also apply to native Americans.
aboriginal = having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state; "aboriginal forests"; "primal eras before the appearance of life on earth"; "the forest primeval"; "primordial matter"; "primordial forms of life"
GOALden Hawk
8 Jan 2004, 12:56
So comparing an Aboriginal to someone who is leaking brain cells is not racist? :confused:
Mr Eagle
8 Jan 2004, 13:19
Originally posted by GOALden Hawk
So comparing an Aboriginal to someone who is leaking brain cells is not racist? :confused: Note the difference: Aboriginal vs aboriginal. We use the term as a specific reference to Australian natives, but as I understand it Americans would use 'aboriginal' as we might use the term 'neanderthal'. Which, a little disturbingly when you think about it, is one of the term's true meanings.
Originally posted by GOALden Hawk
So comparing an Aboriginal to someone who is leaking brain cells is not racist? :confused:
Were you one or the 2 people that rang 9 and complained ?
GOALden Hawk
8 Jan 2004, 14:28
Originally posted by JUBJUB
Were you one or the 2 people that rang 9 and complained ?
No, I couldn't really care less. But I still think if an Australian said a similar thing about Native Americans on Letterman (because they are a primitive society as well) they would be absolutely crucified.
sandeano
8 Jan 2004, 14:42
I must admit when I read this thread I was shocked, disgusted and outraged....
....that someone admits to watching "Judging Amy".
;)
Lady Lawrence
8 Jan 2004, 14:45
I think the point is that the remark was made as an adjective rather than a noun. Aboriginal with a capital A refers to a race of people be they Australian Natives or American Natives or any sort of Native. Aboriginal with a small a is a way of describing something as being in it's earliest state of development.
I can see how you may have taken it the wrong way at first though but as in most things we need to look at more than the face value.
Chicago1
8 Jan 2004, 15:07
Originally posted by GOALden Hawk
No, I couldn't really care less. But I still think if an Australian said a similar thing about Native Americans on Letterman (because they are a primitive society as well) they would be absolutely crucified.
Hmmm... you just don't get it, do you? The term "aboriginal" as it was used on Judging Amy (And BTW, what the hell were you doing watching THAT??? LOL) has nothing whatsoever to do specifically with the native peoples of the Australian continent. Haven't you ever heard the term used in any other context except in reference to the natives of your continent? Surely you've heard the term used in an adjectival sense when "original inhabitants" of an area such as in Canada, the United States or even in Papua New Guinea are discussed? The term "aboriginal" has numerous meanings as do many other words. The way it seems to have been used in Judging Amy infers the meaning of basic, primitive existence akin to primordial existence. Nothing more. Actually it's a rather clever use of the term invoking images of men getting together, getting drunk, acting like Neanderthals, etc. However, I can see how you might have misinterpreted its meaning as used in that context. It's only your misunderstanding of the nuances of language that led you to your incorrect assumption. But that's OK. I'll be "rooting" for you in the future against those who might cast doubt as to your sincerity.
;)
Chicago1
8 Jan 2004, 15:08
Originally posted by sandeano
I must admit when I read this thread I was shocked, disgusted and outraged....
....that someone admits to watching "Judging Amy".
;)
It takes a brave man.......
GH
I watched the show too, but I didn't have a problem with what they said, as has been explained, they were referring to "primitives", not Aboriginals as a race.
PS: I love this show
GOALden Hawk
9 Jan 2004, 07:53
Can I just set the record straight - I WASN'T watching Judging Amy!! :p There was an article in the paper about it yesterday. Never watched the show in my life.
OK, see your points of view (and yes, I have heard aboriginal used in that context, but it's extremely rare in Australia as opposed to America).
But unless you have subtitles it's hard to tell whether it's an adjective or noun.
bogan_blue
10 Jan 2004, 14:09
Originally posted by Lady Lawrence
I think the point is that the remark was made as an adjective rather than a noun. Aboriginal with a capital A refers to a race of people be they Australian Natives or American Natives or any sort of Native. Aboriginal with a small a is a way of describing something as being in it's earliest state of development.
I can see how you may have taken it the wrong way at first though but as in most things we need to look at more than the face value.
How can you possibly justify such a disgusting comment from typical american trash.
It shouldn't surprise us that America (the most racist country in the world) holds other races in contempt. They have been slaving the african-americans for more than 200 years and now they are starting on our Aborignals.
The Black Panthers should go down and teach those twits a lesson. (The Black Panthers are a group formed about 30 years ago to defend the rights and dignity of black America)
If you defend that comments about Aboriginals, than sadly I think you are racist.
bacon buster
10 Jan 2004, 14:27
*WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH*
Lady Lawrence
10 Jan 2004, 14:31
Originally posted by bogan_blue
How can you possibly justify such a disgusting comment from typical american trash.
It shouldn't surprise us that America (the most racist country in the world) holds other races in contempt. They have been slaving the african-americans for more than 200 years and now they are starting on our Aborignals.
The Black Panthers should go down and teach those twits a lesson. (The Black Panthers are a group formed about 30 years ago to defend the rights and dignity of black America)
If you defend that comments about Aboriginals, than sadly I think you are racist.
And you have totally missed the point. The comment was not about "our" "A"boriginals or "any" Aboriginals. It was not about a race. Read the explanations as to what the "adjective" word aboriginal with a small a means.
Your comments are racist to Americans!
If anyone should be offended by the comment is should be Men in general. As this was a comment generalising all men and that when they get together to celebrate being men, they shed brain cells and become primitive or neanderthal which was what the word aboriginal meant in this context.
Docker_Brat
10 Jan 2004, 16:06
Tyne Daly is offensive enough without the racism aspect.
Urge to kill.. rising..