@Oceander
Why? What's so special about African whatevers that we must avoid ever offending one of them at all costs? If your ancestors came from Africa and that offends you,it is YOUR problem,not mine.
You obviously believe it to be an accurate observation or you wouldn't be in such a panic to shut it down. If it's not accurate,it will die a natural death.
@sneakypete I'm not sure you and I ever finished talking about the racial stereotype question.
There is a general societal idea that it's stupid to make fun of someone because of his race, gender, membership in a group. There are enough reasons to despise a person because of his individual personality ;). Stereotyping is a very blunt and lazy way to put someone down.
Moreover, in the not-so-recent history of the US, people were actively categorized and discriminated against because of their race, right? They were called names, denied jobs, not allowed to get married or buy houses, etc.
A powerful part of that "dehumanizing" was giving groups derogatory names and comparing them to animals. Sure, "Heeb" comes from "Hebrew". But it's not a name Jews chose to call themselves, and it was used as a rude slur, like "spic" or "chink". Those words also might derive from the group's actual names, but they aren't terms of endearment. Neither is making comments about a group's supposed stereotypical physical characteristics, or comparing people to animals.
It's just not kind or civil; it reminds people of horrible things that happened as recently as their grandparents' time. This is one reason education about the Holocaust is so important, trying to prevent the "othering" that began with caricatures and nasty names.
I don't know if this helps you understand where I'm coming from. But I'd be happy to talk to you about this any time ;).
