Scott Merritt

[The Pickle]

The Pickle seems to think that it's the fault of the objects of racism that they are offended by racist comments.  Strange.

This has gone WAY too far.  I am not racist.  I foolishly posted a stereotypical message and for that I guess I deserve to be beaten like a red-headed step-child.  Uh oh, I know I just offended someone with red hair...and probably a step-child...

[The Pickle]

And...again...you don't get to decide if people are offended by your comments.

Ok, so according to you I can't tell people how to take my comments, but others can tell me how I meant them...?

[Hards Alumni]

Your meaning isn't relevant, their interpretation is. 

If I called you stupid white trash, but I didn't "mean" it, it doesn't mean it wasn't offensive to you.

Understand?

[SalsaMan]

Pure speculation.  I'm pretty sure my post on muscoop.com wouldn't lead Jesse Jackson to intervene.  Again.  Relax.  It was not meant to be offensive or racist...

I was the Chief Compliance Officer for GE Capital Japan. One of our senior American expat staff planned a clean up day for his office since Jack Welch was coming to Tokyo. He wanted this to be a fun thing so he had polo shirts with the GE meatball made up, ordered pizza and sushi, bought cleaning supplies and asked his professional Japanese staff to wear jeans on what he called Clean Up Day. The Japanese staff lodged a complaint or racism. To them it was unacceptable to play janitor for the day. Furthermore, there were a number of US-based Financial Planning and Analysis staff working in Tokyo in that department but they were not asked to be a part of clean up day. To the Japanese team members this smacked of racism.

I know the person involved. I know he is not racist. But, according to the GE Spirit and Intent Policy, it was much more important how the message was received rather than what Mr Clean Up intended. Result - our senior American expat was asked to resign and his until then stellar GE career came to an end.

Perhaps you might learn from this case study.

[The Pickle]

Your meaning isn't relevant, their interpretation is. 

If I called you stupid white trash, but I didn't "mean" it, it doesn't mean it wasn't offensive to you.

Understand?

First of all, I'm not white, and I take extreme offense you are stereotyping me as such simply based on my comments...

[The Pickle]

Your meaning isn't relevant, their interpretation is. 

If I called you stupid white trash, but I didn't "mean" it, it doesn't mean it wasn't offensive to you.

Understand?

That's my interpretation...understand?

[The Pickle]

I was the Chief Compliance Officer for GE Capital Japan. One of our senior American expat staff planned a clean up day for his office since Jack Welch was coming to Tokyo. He wanted this to be a fun thing so he had polo shirts with the GE meatball made up, ordered pizza and sushi, bought cleaning supplies and asked his professional Japanese staff to wear jeans on what he called Clean Up Day. The Japanese staff lodged a complaint or racism. To them it was unacceptable to play janitor for the day. Furthermore, there were a number of US-based Financial Planning and Analysis staff working in Tokyo in that department but they were not asked to be a part of clean up day. To the Japanese team members this smacked of racism.

I know the person involved. I know he is not racist. But, according to the GE Spirit and Intent Policy, it was much more important how the message was received rather than what Mr Clean Up intended. Result - our senior American expat was asked to resign and his until then stellar GE career came to an end.

Perhaps you might learn from this case study.

So my stellar muscoop.com career is over...?

[GGGG]

Pickle. Just apologize. I didn't think I would have to spell it out for you.

[The Pickle]

Pickle. Just apologize. I didn't think I would have to spell it out for you.

I have.  3 different times.  Dad.

[Skatastrophy]

So my stellar muscoop.com career is over...?

That people, in general, will whine about anything incessantly.

The only way to fix garbage like this is to ignore it long enough that they end up forgetting about the imagined slight.

[wildbill sb]

I ate French Fries once.  Does that count?

[PJDunn]

Methinks the Senate changed the name of "French Fries" to "Freedom Fries" a while back.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

An interesting observation...if The Pickle had played on a stereotype offensive to African-Americans, First Nations, or Hispanics there would be a universal outcry. Why is is different for Asians?

Oh bullsh*t. Stereotypes are funny because there's some truth to them. Lighten the hell up.

Frankly, I don't even believe you found it offensive. It's no more offensive than Irish eating potatoes, blacks eating fried chicken, Germans eating sausage, Jews eating bagels...it's a long list. Get on board. Nobody cares if you're offended...at least I dont.

One more thing, if you're offended it's OK to be offended in silence.

[GGGG]

I have.  3 different times.  Dad.

You never did.  You told them to "relax."

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I find Salsa Man's user ID offensive to our Hispanic American friends.

[Lennys Tap]

The Pickle seems to think that it's the fault of the objects of racism that they are offended by racist comments.  Strange.

If you really think telling a joke (no matter how offensive and/or unfunny) constitutes racism you're minimizing the real thing. Inflammatory remarks like yours make you part of the problem. Find it unfunny? Fine. Offensive? Fine. Racist? Totally over the top.

[GGGG]

If you really think telling a joke (no matter how offensive and/or unfunny) constitutes racism you're minimizing the real thing. Inflammatory remarks like yours make you part of the problem. Find it unfunny? Fine. Offensive? Fine. Racist? Totally over the top.

EDIT:  Nevermind...not worth the effort.

[Avenue Commons]

I have a great sense of humor.  I just find racist crap to not be funny... Especially this joke... Since it wasn't funny to beging with.

For what it is worth, traditionally, Koreans eat dogs.

The comment was culturally offensive. It was not racist. The prejudice was against the culture, not the race. Big difference.

[77ncaachamps]

Wow.  You all need to relax.  I didn't realize everyone on this board had a stick up their ass...

It's a free country to rip on races but do so with the understanding that you'll be ripped apart in public.

That said, keep your culturally offensive crap to yourself.

[ZiggysChestHair]

So with the same logic, since at least some proud Native Americans find the “Warrior”  offensive as it relates to Marquette’s past, have we been insensitive on this board?  From now on do we save the debate for our own little groups vs a public forum like this?  Or is there somehow a difference?

I'll make a comment and get to the point.

As a proud Japanese American I found the comment offensive.

I know that he was probally just trying to be funny, and to many it may be.

I'd advise you to keep comments like this in your own little group vs. a public forum.

Japanese Americans have been fighting stereotypes like this for decades. As a former Vice President of the Japanese American Citizens League I can see that we still have work to do.

[MUUWUWM]

Looks like Pickle got himself in a pickle.....instead of offering a token apology he threw up more insults...and then he says he's not white....sounds like an ethnic Wannabeeeeee

I  happen to find stereotyping offensive and racist...to those who say it isn't racial means that you have never walked in my shoes..I look pretty white until they find out what I am and then all the comments were just jokes....whole lotta jokesters out there.   Couple more decades and maybe we can put this stuff behind us.

[rocky_warrior]

We laughed, we cried, hopefully everyone learned something.  But most importantly, I think we got a Scott Merritt Update somewhere in there.