California Conservative

15 Responses to “Who Thinks “Refugee” Sounds Racist?”

1. Pete D Says:
   September 5th, 2005 at 7:30 am

   “Refugee” certainly is derogatory and racist. It is frequently used to demean Haitian immigrants, Cubans, and Palestinians who are displaced from their countries due to racism, war, and poverty. Commonly used to demote these groups as “poor haitian nigger immigrants”, “boat monkeys” or “muslim sand niggers”. It’s common knowledge. I hear it used repeatedly in a derogatory manner by a very many white persons I know, especially in New York City: “buncha’ refugees” For the record I am white and have even used this term myself. The uncanny similiarities between Haitians and New Orleanders being both poor, black, and french, affords the phrase a particular vivid racist undertone. Moreover, “refugee” has little to do nowadays with its archaic meaning of “seeking refuge” still found in some dictionaries, and has more to do with displacement due to ethnic discrimination. The fact that Michele Malkin is unaware that this term is often used derogatorily, is a testament to just how clueless and detached from reality she really is.
   Fugees Biography
   “since there are so many displaced Haitians who have looked to the United States for political and social asylum, the term “refugee” is sometimes used as a derogatory term for Haitians in general.”
   

2. California Conservative Says:
   September 5th, 2005 at 8:11 am

   Pete D,

   Sorry to say, but you sound like a self-loathing individual. Exact reasons remain unknown. Just because you supposedly know “very many white persons, especially in NYC” (in NYC?) that you allege to be racist, still does not make the word offensive. Check the dictionary — that’s “common knowledge.”

   However, if you think “refugee” is “archaic” and has no meaning today, you might want to reconsider working for the INS. There’s plenty of people worldwide “seeking refuge” in the U.S. that would strongly disagree with you.

   If the sky is blue, why call it red?

3. Matt Says:
   September 5th, 2005 at 9:29 am

   That is right. Refugee is not an archaic word at all. You see,International Law has to manage with refugee status still today.

4. Pete D Says:
   September 5th, 2005 at 9:52 am

   Please let me clarify: the word “refugee” traditionally of course is not a racist term. But it is frequently used as a racist term by MANY people. How the word is used is the problem. I never wrote the word “refugee” was archaic so dont put words in my mouth. The traditional definition “seeking refuge” is archaic. Seeking refuge from persecution or war is the more correct modern usage. And no I am not alleging anything - these people are admitted racists and use “refugee” all the time as a slur. This is well known. Nothing will change this from being a fact. The sky is blue and I’m calling it blue. There is no proof that this term is being used in a racist fashion. But have some sensitivity and dont say it’s not a racial slur when it is. Furthermore admitting I can partake in racial slurring just like the next man only means I have the confidence to admit it where others do not. This does not make one self-loathing.

5. California Conservative Says:
   September 5th, 2005 at 9:58 am

   Pete D,

   “There is no proof that this term is being used in a racist fashion.”

   Thank you for the admission.

   Please come again!

6. Pete D Says:
   September 5th, 2005 at 10:03 am

   In all likelihood those in the press who use this word have no idea it is a word which has been used in a derogatory manner. The fact that this blog exists means many people dont know it has been used in this manner. But it is word that has evolved into a racial slur specifically for poor french-speaking black people, and therefore they dont feel comfortable with it since they are not sure of these writers intentions. So why is it necessary to use this word at all and piss off a whole bunch of people?

7. California Conservative Says:
   September 5th, 2005 at 10:14 am

   OK. Don’t call ‘em refugees. It hurts their feelings.

8. Pete D Says:
   September 5th, 2005 at 6:02 pm

   I’m not sure if I was getting my point across clearly. Lots of people use the word ‘refugee’ in a derogatory manner. An analogy of this kind of slur is saying “i wanted to buy that watch for a cheap price so I jew-ed him down” or “hes such a jew” Calling someone a Jew who is a Jew doesnt sound insulting, but in this manner its used its meant to be derogatory that the essence of jewishness is ‘cheap’ ’stingy’ etc. Yeah so people make fun of haitians and blacks calling them refugees. Even Asians call vietnamese people and laos people refugees because they are the “nigger of the asians” according to most Korean people.
   These insults are thrown around all the time. So this is why it is offensive. I suppose there are still alot of people out there who have never heard it used in such a way. But its pretty common of a slur. So what would seem as a pretty harmless word in some parts of the country actually can be used offensively. I assumed most people knew this already and I think thats why so many people are like what? how is it racist?

9. California Conservative Says:
   September 5th, 2005 at 8:20 pm

   “Even Asians call vietnamese people and laos
   people refugees because they are the ‘nigger of the asians’ according to most Korean people.”

   Wow, Peter D. Never heard that before. You sure do know alot about how “most people” talk about others.

   Have you ever thought about finding new friends?

10. Refugee Says:
    September 7th, 2005 at 12:24 pm

    I’m glad you’re getting this new racial slur out to all the rest of us. We didn’t even know it was being used that way. I’ll get started calling people refugees in a derogatory way right now! I’m from the Midwest, which is pretty much Mars to anyone from NYC. We are definitely falling behind in the effort to stay abreast of all the new racist language, so we just think of a refugee as any person seeking refuge from anything, be it religious persecution, war, or even a terrible hurricane. Geez, I am so unsophisticated!

    There is nothing derogatory about calling a refugee a refugee, same as there’s nothing wrong with calling a Jew a Jew. Just because ignorant people use a word as a slur doesn’t make it one, but people who are making a big deal about it now will make certain that it’s misuse is perpetuated for many years to come.

11. Pete D Says:
    September 7th, 2005 at 9:04 pm

    When you call someone black, poor, and french who is *NOT a refugee* then its always meant as an insult, at least it is here on the east and west coast. Thats why they hate the term. I would never peg these white or black citizens as refugees because refugee means people who are exiled from their country. Its just that simple..

12. Refugee Says:
    September 9th, 2005 at 5:59 am

    Refugee means people who are exiled from their country??? No, it means (as has already been stated over and over by rational people) one who seeks refuge, doesn’t matter what they are fleeing. The whol argument is baseless.

13. noob Says:
    September 19th, 2005 at 7:23 am

    an individual who has left his or her native country and is unwilling or unable to return to it because of persecution or fear of persecution (as because of race, religion, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion)

    Source: Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.

    refugee

    n : an exile who flees for safety

    Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University

    keyword: EXILE

14. California Conservative » Katrina’s Federal Funding: Lapdances & Liquor Says:
    October 18th, 2005 at 2:56 pm

    [...] But don’t call them “refugees“. [...]

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    March 12th, 2006 at 11:45 am

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