Independent Leyton Orient Forum

Is calling a large black man a fat water buffalo, racist?

It's very specific, isn't it? They've not chosen to call him a fat b*stard or anything more ambiguous - they've chosen those words (it's hardly everyday vocab is it?) purposefully. If you don't think it is then that is your call, but definitely worth taking some time to think or read on why that may be classed as racist.

Why, what have you got against water buffalos?

Chicken Dhansak wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 1:07 pm Why, what have you got against water buffalos?

Just interested in opinion plus surprised that no one else raised this football related issue.

It’s certainly damm rude, especially coming from a club official. What it shows is a lack of class from the individual concerned.

From 20 minutes in Akinfenwa talks

Thor wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 4:42 pm It’s certainly damm rude, especially coming from a club official. What it shows is a lack of class from the individual concerned.

Agree.

Disrespectful, yes.
Racist, no.

Water buffalo is a common phrase for a large individual, as is ‘hippo’, also a ‘dark’ animal. We risk trivialising the issue if false connections are made between rudeness and racism.

Thor wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 4:42 pm It’s certainly damm rude, especially coming from a club official. What it shows is a lack of class from the individual concerned.

Joey Barton?

I saw him on something on the internet the other day and f*** me, he is enormous. How long has he been retired?

DuvB wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:59 pm Is calling a large black man a fat water buffalo, racist?

Very borderline arguments both for and against and I'm guessing whomever said it knew that.

What i don't get is we're supposed to be calling out racism in football as it's supposed to be at the forefront of the cause.

Yet no names have been mentioned.

I cant make up my mind whether it is racist or not but then again, I am not black.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... -off-match

Just had a google. He's still playing football. How the f*** is that possible?

32 games and 10 goals in League One this season too...

Disoriented wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:47 pm

Thor wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 4:42 pm It’s certainly damm rude, especially coming from a club official. What it shows is a lack of class from the individual concerned.

Agree.

Disrespectful, yes.
Racist, no.

Water buffalo is a common phrase for a large individual, as is ‘hippo’, also a ‘dark’ animal. We risk trivialising the issue if false connections are made between rudeness and racism.

No, what trivialises the issue is nit picking like you're doing. It's not for you to decide whether it's racist.

EH16 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 10, 2020 4:55 pm

Disoriented wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:47 pm

Thor wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 4:42 pm It’s certainly damm rude, especially coming from a club official. What it shows is a lack of class from the individual concerned.

Agree.

Disrespectful, yes.
Racist, no.

Water buffalo is a common phrase for a large individual, as is ‘hippo’, also a ‘dark’ animal. We risk trivialising the issue if false connections are made between rudeness and racism.

No, what trivialises the issue is nit picking like you're doing. It's not for you to decide whether it's racist.

If you have nothing remotely intelligent or relevant to say, don’t bother.

Best to stay quiet and leave debate to the grown-ups.

Disoriented wrote: ↑Sat Jul 11, 2020 10:09 am

EH16 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 10, 2020 4:55 pm

Disoriented wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:47 pm

Agree.

Disrespectful, yes.
Racist, no.

Water buffalo is a common phrase for a large individual, as is ‘hippo’, also a ‘dark’ animal. We risk trivialising the issue if false connections are made between rudeness and racism.

No, what trivialises the issue is nit picking like you're doing. It's not for you to decide whether it's racist.

If you have nothing remotely intelligent or relevant to say, don’t bother.

Best to stay quiet and leave debate to the grown-ups.

I would if I could find any grown ups on here.

Rather than follow your own advice to stay quiet your best course of action would be to delete your account. It'll save you embarassing yourself any further.

PoliticOs wrote: ↑Fri Jul 10, 2020 11:43 am 32 games and 10 goals in League One this season too...

Struggles for mobility, but got decent technique.

EH16 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 10, 2020 4:55 pm

Disoriented wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:47 pm

Thor wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 4:42 pm It’s certainly damm rude, especially coming from a club official. What it shows is a lack of class from the individual concerned.

Agree.

Disrespectful, yes.
Racist, no.

Water buffalo is a common phrase for a large individual, as is ‘hippo’, also a ‘dark’ animal. We risk trivialising the issue if false connections are made between rudeness and racism.

No, what trivialises the issue is nit picking like you're doing. It's not for you to decide whether it's racist.

So who does decide? We are all entitled to our opinions and I agree with Dis on this point. The comment is rude but in my opinion not racist.

my mate from Wolverhampton calls a sink a water Bison

Dohnut wrote: ↑Sun Jul 12, 2020 1:35 pm

EH16 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 10, 2020 4:55 pm

Disoriented wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:47 pm

Agree.

Disrespectful, yes.
Racist, no.

Water buffalo is a common phrase for a large individual, as is ‘hippo’, also a ‘dark’ animal. We risk trivialising the issue if false connections are made between rudeness and racism.

No, what trivialises the issue is nit picking like you're doing. It's not for you to decide whether it's racist.

So who does decide? We are all entitled to our opinions and I agree with Dis on this point. The comment is rude but in my opinion not racist.

You can have as many opinions as you like. But that doesn't mean they are accurate, informed or relevant. Go and read the definition of OPINION.

opinion

noun
1.
a view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
"that, in my opinion, is right"

2.
a statement of advice by an expert on a professional matter.
"if in doubt, get a second opinion"


So, as your opinion is no more relevant than anyone else who is it for to decide?

I liken Akinfenwa to a bumble bee, totally non aerodynamic but does have a sting.

Disoriented wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:47 pm
Water buffalo is a common phrase for a large individual, as is ‘hippo’, also a ‘dark’ animal. We risk trivialising the issue if false connections are made between rudeness and racism.

Is it?

I’ve literally never heard anyone called a water buffalo before. It’s a really random fat insult.

Hippo, yes. Elephant, sure. Piggy too, I suppose. But never a water buffalo.

Yeah you hear it all the time. I'm always hearing it on the terraces at Orient, don't you?

RedO wrote: ↑Sun Jul 12, 2020 5:49 pm

Disoriented wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:47 pm
Water buffalo is a common phrase for a large individual, as is ‘hippo’, also a ‘dark’ animal. We risk trivialising the issue if false connections are made between rudeness and racism.

Is it?

I’ve literally never heard anyone called a water buffalo before. It’s a really random fat insult.

Hippo, yes. Elephant, sure. Piggy too, I suppose. But never a water buffalo.

It is more random than the one I cited, yes, but I have heard it used before.