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Is anyone concerned that Gypsy is a racial slur?


tokyodisko

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tokyodisko

As a Romani gypsy, I don't find it racist.

Neither does other gypsies I know.

She's not saying anything bad about my culture in the song

She's just useing it in a way where she's like a gypsy

No home. Never in the same place for a long period of time.

We used to be travelers (some of us still are) so no racist or offense to my people.

 

Interesting! So do you know why some of your people do find it racist? 

The guy I had the interaction with was VERY livid that people use it. 

 

Yeah but that's so important and big of you to do. Asking questions leads to understanding. I always have this weird bond with other Gaga fans because our fave isn't basic. That sounds shady to others fanbases but what I mean is, so many people in this fanbase are artistic, creative and forward-thinking. And LOL "kitchen", she taught you well. :lmao: 

I always feel borderline ignorant and accidentally racist when I ask questions, but yes, I also think it's important, because if people don't talk about something or try understand each other there is no way to move forward, just around it and that makes the elephant in the room bigger. 

I do think this is a forward thinking fan-base, though sometimes it isn't demonstrated on this site unfortunately. I love the real threads with actual discussions. 

 

Question: Is it offensive if I ironically use the term "kitchen" if I actually have a weave in?

I use them for cosplay sometimes.  :emma:

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I don't think so, especially if you really have a "kitchen" situation going on haha (someone reading this thread is googling "kitchen" right now.)

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tokyodisko

I don't think so, especially if you really have a "kitchen" situation going on haha (someone reading this thread is googling "kitchen" right now.)

Wonderful. I feel much less questionable now. haha

It was a term I certainly loved adding to my vocabulary. 

I was talking to a woman outside of a bar about her weave and I said something about kitchens and in mock horror she responded "HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS?" Made my night. 

I can only imagine:

"black kitchen"

"Did you mean black kitchen appliances?"

:toofunny:  lame joke. Time for bed. lol 

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Omegahedron

Not at all.

I've worked in planning for gypsies, travelers and travelling people, and they have to put up with far, far more vicious and aggressive discrimination than this (which as has been said is just a metaphor, and a positive one at that!)

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BloodyTheNight

Interesting! So do you know why some of your people do find it racist? 

The guy I had the interaction with was VERY livid that people use it. 

 

No idea. Different people react differently to things. Even as little as this song which really has nothing to be offended about.

Maybe he feels that gaga says she's a gypsy cuz she doesn't have a home and that's her claim to call herself a gypsy when really we're a culture of people with our own language and traditions etc. you know now that I think about it maybe it's a little sterotypical when I put it that way. Its like saying I like to drink so I'm Irish. Even tho not everyone who's Irish likes to drink. so in that way I could see why he got offended but I mean we are so secretive and hidden from

Society that who could really know or understand my culture? I'm kinda torn lol. But I still like the song so eh.

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Karandr

Don't bring up racism (casual or overt) here. For all the pomp and airs about being very progressively minded, there are very few people on this forum willing to look at Gaga or themselves with a critical eye regarding race.

Just because you like Lady Gaga and you changed your profile picture on Facebook to a red marriage equality sign that one time, and just because you've seen a few episodes of Glee, that doesn't mean you're immune to saying or doing things that are problematic.

In my opinion, Gaga's use of the word gypsy wasn't a very wise move. I can understand why she did it, and she made an awesome song, but I don't personally think she should have.

That said, the anti-social justice circle jerk on here is VERY strong so I'm just gonna sit back on this one. Have fun telling yourselves that Mama Monster can do no wrong, kids <3

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Awakened M

Its not in the context of the song. That's all that matters

 

If the lyrics were something like "All these damn Gypsies trying to steal my car," then there would be an issue, but there isn't

Just imagine Gypsy ft. Lil Boosie & DMX  :flop: 

But no, I'm not concerned

I'm not getting any sleep tonight because I woke up to a beautiful life. I'm awake.
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Except that some people do...  :awkney:

I meant it would not be a controversy at all. There have been a **** ton of hit songs that use the word gypsy.

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MonsterMum

You will have to expect that people do. She's an A list celeb and people will try to pick her apart for using the term Gypsy as they did when Millie vomitted on her.

The message will be completely lost on them but hey, at least they have another reason to hate her, even if the reason is small or non existent.

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Tommy Monster

The problem is, also here in Slovakia, there are roma people and everyone is translating it as gypsy... But gypsy is originally someone that travels from one place to another.... Roma people are supposed to be travlers but they are settled at some places, they don't work and they live like socialy disadvantaged, get money from the state, have many children, are dirty and unpolite, many of them violent and steal everything and they are a real problem here, especially at some places of our country (not where I live fortunately)...

And I'm really angry when someone say that they are called gypsies in English, because it means something else... Roma people are a racial minority that is unable to adapt to where they live and they don't even want to and they use it (of course there are some of them that live like normal people but most of them live in slums in really bad conditions)

Plus, they say they are racially discriminised, but no one is forcing them to live like they live... White people can also live like animals if they wanted to... It's not a problem of race for me, but of manners...

And this is why it may be offensive, because people in Europe translate the word gypsy wrong :toofunny:

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Rainbowgynous

Nope, all travelers I know would be delighted with anything 'representing' them, even if it comes from outside.

Would you be worried a song using gay references being discriminatory if neither the context nor content were in any way discriminatory just because the singer was straight?

anyone peeved at Macklemore's Same Love? And don't throw me the race card, it's EXTREMELY discriminatory to separate discrimination by race from discrimination by s-xual preference, gender (-identity), handicap or anything else a person didn't voluntarily choose to be.

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iamsean

In the UK they like us to call them 'travellers' pfft. I can't stand the ones around this area, they stole my bath from my front garden  :roll:

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