What makes someone a racist? What differentiates the remarks of Mel Gibson, Michael Irvin, and Michael Richards? When is it okay to make a joke about a racial stereotype? If said stereotype statistically defensible, is it more appropriate to joke about? Gladwell is, as per usual, brilliant.
http://gladwell.typepad.com/gladwellcom/2006/12/defining_a_raci.html
001 // Sam // 12.04.2006 // 1:13 PM
I read this entire thing while nodding my head and saying “yes.” Background, context, and intention are very important when it comes to dissecting these things. We live in a world where you say a word and all the sudden you are a “this.”
On the other hand, though, I say that as a middle class white guy. You and I have the luxery of looking at this issue from a reletively safe point of view. Not sure I would agree if I had a different skin color.