BloodyTheNight 5 Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 "Gypsy" is not a race. Stop calling it a "racial" slur. And I've never heard it be used as a slur. I'm sure Gaga has never heard he used as a slur. That's not "a thing" in most places on the planet. And I'm willing to bet that wherever it is a problem, the English word "gypsy" is not the word used as the slur. You have to think about the context. There are plenty of words that could be problematic because they're more relevant to the situation. Chola and orient were definitely. It was a direct to reference to race. (Although, being Mexican myself, I did not find the word "chola" to be offensive. I actually found it more inclusive because I personally know people who would fall under that stereotype, so the backlash against the use of that word was ridiculous to me. I'm sure most of the people who cried wolf didn't even know a real life chola/cholo who proudly identified as such... which, by the way, does not necessarily mean you're in a criminal gang. It's a lifestyle.) The whole "Gypsy is problematic" argument exists only because people are inappropriately mixing contexts. Lady Gaga is irrelevant to the Romani people and the Romani people is irrelevant to Lady Gaga and saying "I'm a gypsy" (and using the English word) is in fact just a metaphor for constantly being on the road. I don't think she actually thinks she's a gypsy. Had she used the term "gypped" then yes I'd consider it problematic. It's a common term in American English that has a negative connotation. But nowhere in the English dictionary is "gypsy" said to be a slur - not in a denotative or even connotative way. it is a race.... im in it.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jvlianvs 0 Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 On 22/3/2014 at 6:05 AM, DrewStevens said: It's not a racial slur, it's actually an ethnic group. The only thing that "could" be offensive is that she is calling herself a gypsy without being one. Wrong. The name is Roma and yes gypsy it's a slur they don't like it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jvlianvs 0 Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 On 22/3/2014 at 6:00 AM, tokyodisko said: I agree, but two of those are much older and people were not as involved in "activism". It's not a metaphor. The name is from a group of thieves basically, from Romania or somewhere iirc. Like the word 'gypped'. A group of thieves... so basically you are a racist **** yourself Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jvlianvs 0 Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 On 22/3/2014 at 6:13 AM, tokyodisko said: "I'M a gypsy." as in a person or an attribute. A metaphor would be saying "I'm like a gypsy" Comparing herself to one, not proclaiming it. Judas was a metaphor for sure, but gypsy is much more literal. Lol yes a metaphor using a racist stereotype. If I use "nig*er" as a metaphor for being exploited or discriminated does that make it less racist a term? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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