[pprropeciaaa]

First of all, the word "neekeri" in finnish means "negro" in english, it at least wasn't ever intented to be racist word. However, due some people, it now is considered a racist word, even though none of the african-origined people ever said anything about it.

We had this chocolate product, with soft filling thing, called "Neekerinsuukko" on our markets, few years back it was due the now "racist" (explained above) word, to just "suukko" which means "kiss".

Now after years on the market with the new name, out of nowhere comes complaints that it's cover should be changed, it's "inappropiate" and "racist" according to those who decided to complaint about it.
Here's a picture of it:


The basis on the complaint was "The characters had drawn eyebrows, earrings and little/small clothing, which points to tropic enviroment" - I mean - come on, how can THAT be racist or inappropiate in any way?
To make it better, the complainers were not african-origined people or anything like that.

I think someone made on another forum a good point "only a racist can see it as racist picture" - and remember, even though most people think that racists are caucasian-origined people against african-origined, it can go other ways too.

And it's a damn hypocritical world we live in, african-origined comedian which name I can't remember right now, makes a lot of (even harsh) jokes about caucasian-origined people, and no-one gives a bloody **** about it, or whines or anything.
Now, if we'd turn the roles "upside down", you can be damn sure there would be people ready to hang the comedian "for being racist"

here's a pic of a product on finnish markets, oatflakes to make porridge from:


Should we now start to complain that it's racist too, giving a wrong picture of caucasian people? we're not all on some fields harvesting oat, are we? or dress in those costumes?
On the same basis as the "suukko" case, that should be whined about too, but as at least I think, both of these cases shouldn't exist, sadly, one of them does.

What do you think about these things?

[bQXHsKzS]

What do you think about these things?

/agree

You are preaching to the choir.

[gardenerextraordinaire]

I think it has indeed gone too far, and this example is a fine one indeed.

It's almost like all this PC crap they're bringing into some of the workplaces, if I got so easily offended at every little comment someone made and took it completly personal as a discrimination of some sort I'd probably have committed suicide by now.

[Phywhewashect]

Yep its the same reason you cant say anything about UK immigration laws without being labelled as a rasist or a member of the BNP

[Lebybynctisee]

This is why people are against images like the one you alluded to above.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface

[blohannaserri]

lol here in Germany wie have something called Negerkuss/Mohrenkopf = Niggerkiss/Darkskinned-head

they look like this

[pprropeciaaa]

This is why people are against images like the one you alluded to above.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface

They even made the lips smaller, though, when they changed the name from "Neekerinsuukko" to "Suukko"

Golemfrost, those are the very same things I'm talking about, I wonder, they're not made by Brunberg in germany, are they?

[ValdisSeroff]

I think the problem is that the picture is depicting black people in a less civilised and inferior form, implying that they are still living in jungle tribes and dancing to drums, which simply isn't the case any more. The reason why the oat flakes picture is ok is that it does not demean the person portrayed, only showing them in (what everyone will understand to be) period dress. You could argue that the chocolate picture is also depicting black people in period dress, but with that kind of dress/imagery also comes all the negative implications mentioned above.

On the other hand, I think if that chocolate was being sold in Africa, no one would have any complaints about it at all.

[biannaruh]

lol here in Germany wie have something called Negerkuss/Mohrenkopf = Niggerkiss/Darkskinned-head

they look like this

We too have them here in the Netherlands! (they WERE called "negerzoenen" meaning kisses of niggers)

BUT they were RENAMED last year because of the racism involved?

I'm sorry but I didn't associate that product with niggers at all ... And I don't think anyone did. Geez

They taste awesome tho [thumbup]

[ValdisSeroff]

I think ppl had better start editting their posts or this thread is gonna get zapped REAL quick. [shocked]

[Precturge]

When a racist calls a racist a racist

Negerzoenen

[Galvanoidum]

We too have them here in the Netherlands! (they WERE called "negerzoenen" meaning kisses of niggers)

BUT they were RENAMED last year because of the racism involved?

I'm sorry but I didn't associate that product with niggers at all ... And I don't think anyone did. Geez

They taste awesome tho [thumbup]

yes isnt that what the original poster said too?
the "Neekerinsuukko"?

[pprropeciaaa]

yes isnt that what the original poster said too?
the "Neekerinsuukko"?

Not really, "******" is "the real racist term", "negro" is not (even though some try to make it racist, too, and isn't generally thought appropiate term anymore I think)
"neekeri" is similar to "negro"

[TeftyJokip]

Whilst I agree that it does go too far in some extent, you need to be aware that there is a lot of bad history for coloured people, and I guess that some feel that certian media portrays this along with their history/weakness under white supremecy.

I_C made the point well about how each race is depicted in the examples provided by the the original poster. I disgree with the original poster that advert about the white people should be claimed as racist, if anything it shows that the white people have lots of land, are well dressed and probably wealthy as they provide harvest for others.

Perhaps find two ads from the same era where racial stereotypes arent dipicted than you might have something to back your argument.

[pprropeciaaa]

Whilst I agree that it does go too far in some extent, you need to be aware that there is a lot of bad history for coloured people, and I guess that some feel that certian media portrays this along with their history/weakness under white supremecy.

Ye, well, I might understand it if it was this "coloured people" complaining, but it's not
I_C made the point well about how each race is depicted in the examples provided by the the original poster. I disgree with the original poster that advert about the white people should be claimed as racist, if anything it shows that the white people have lots of land, are well dressed and probably wealthy as they provide harvest for others.

Perhaps find two ads from the same era where racial stereotypes arent dipicted than you might have something to back your argument. It was probably a bad example, but the point was still the same, one could see it as "stereotype" which doesn't represent the reality, just like the other, wether you see the first one as "negative" or not, depends on yourself.

[ValdisSeroff]

Unfortunately, stereotypes can often be negative, and the negativity is often blatently negative and goes beyond a matter of opinion. Therefore the use of stereotypes should be very carefully considered and best avoided if you don't wish to recieve complaints. Because even if you think it's perfectly fine, in someone else's eyes it might not be.

[opergolon]

Another example: In Germany we have something called "Negerkuss". Neger means Negro, and Kuss means Kiss. The other name for it is "Mohrenkopf" which means black mans head. Basically its a marshmellow with biscuit covered in chocolate. And its been called Negerkuss ever since it was invented. Now you find more and more people that call you a racist when you call the candy Negerkuss.

I say f*** 'em, I will call it like that forever.

Edit: Uh, Golem already had the example... well, go on please, nothing to see here.

[pprropeciaaa]

Another example: In Germany we have something called "Negerkuss". Neger means Negro, and Kuss means Kiss. The other name for it is "Mohrenkopf" which means black mans head. Basically its a marshmellow with biscuit covered in chocolate. And its been called Negerkuss ever since it was invented. Now you find more and more people that call you a racist when you call the candy Negerkuss.

I say f*** 'em, I will call it like that forever.

Edit: Uh, Golem already had the example... well, go on please, nothing to see here.

Streifenkarl, "Neekerinsuukko" = "Negerkuss", it's the exact same candy, exact same name (assuming that neger=negro rather thatn "******"), except now it's just "suukko" in finland due the first "racist" blames, and now, someone wants the damn cover changed too [cursing]

[opergolon]

The funny thing is, negro means just black... so basically its "black kiss". Has nothing to do with colored people anyway.

[pprropeciaaa]

The funny thing is, negro means just black... so basically its "black kiss". Has nothing to do with colored people anyway.

In english, it does mean the african "black" race, in spanish (and portugese?) where it originates from, it indeed just means "black" as in, color black.