Is "white bread" a racist phrase?

[hedgehog]

No, seriously. I'm an ethnic (Irish Catholic)and I tend to use that phrase to describe whites I perceive as having no culture beyond crass commercialism and no knowledge of other people that doesn't come straight from the television. It also implies white people with a smug sense of superiority who have no interests beyond the latest thing from the mall. "White Bread" may describe a certain group of people, which seems innocent enough except that I have to confess that I use it in a pejorative sense. It's more a cultural term than a racial term since I would describe certain family members as white bread. They've been assimilated and cover up any trace of our immigrant background.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. What sort of pissant would be offended by it?

Honestly?

[hedgehog]

7. Well, I sure wouldn't want someone to call me white bread.

Yet I have to admit, I put people in that category. "kids from the 'burbs" is another phrase used to refer to clueless white kids with too much money, arrogance and ignorance.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. Would you feel the victim of racist if they did?

[hedgehog]

10. I'd sure feel like the person using it didn't know me.

Believe me, there is nothing white bread about my life style!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

14. Right, but it's got nothing really to do with race, does it?

It's like getting called a dork, or a square.

It's nothing at all like calling a black person a n*****.

[hedgehog]

20. How about Bo-bo?

From Bohemian bourgeoisie. That appears to be a term for white bread people who don't want to be white bread but can't help themselves!

[Solo_in_MD]

37. Same kind offended by tar ball or niggardly

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

52. tar ball?

Way to stay on the ball, Solo.

[Solo_in_MD]

60. yep, tar ball

TAR is a unix/linux backup utility. Sort of old school, but everything supports it. Slang term for a backup set in TAR format is a tar ball. I had an idiot, hardcore PC type tell the technical staff that was an unacceptable term in a work environment, and wondered why we all burst out laughing. She got quite incensed until one of the staff took pity on them and explained what it was.

Is it any wonder that so many of us consider the PC types brain damaged?

[ecstatic]

55. Ummm... I don't think those words are in the same category

as "white bread." Sure, you can point to Webster's dictionary to explain away using the term "niggardly" in a sentence, but it just doesn't pass the smell test. What type of idiot would use that word knowing how close in sound (and definition) to the racial slur?

[Solo_in_MD]

61. I am mocking this thread and political correctness everywhere

which it so richly deserves. Were you were aware of the case where a person resigned from the DC government over the use of the word niggardly? http://www.glaa.org/archive/1999/williams0127.shtml He was the highest ranked gay person in the Williams administration...

[msongs]

2. its a simulated food who's value is all added with chemicals

and othwerwise refers to things that are all air, fake, without substance, meritless, common and fluffy.

have you ever taken a loaf of wonder bread and wadded it up into a ball the size of golf ball?

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[GreenCommie]

3. I always thought

it referred to white bread, which is generic and bland.
Give me whole grain!

[savemefromdumbya]

4. no, but baa baa black sheep is

depends on the way it is portrayed

[demnan]

5. I grew up on white bread

I'm from the Wonderbread and Velveta generation. You know, the ones who had to deal with the Vietnam war. My brother went. Working class America in the 1960's. That was before Romaine lettuce became available (I can't do without my Romaine these days!)

I prefer whole wheat or European breads today but really that sounds like a dig at 1960's working class culture to me. Please don't use this expression today.

[hedgehog]

12. I was 51 years old before I realized that potatoes are not

required at the evening meal. I always though I was cheating if I served rice or pasta. By the way, my daughter says you can call her anything, just don't call her a Mick!

[whistle]

6. How about honky? Indeed it is...

1. honky:
a derogatory term for a Caucasian person.
there are three main theories for the origin of the word:
1. the word originated from the practice of white males wishing to hire African-American prostitutes in the 1920's, and going to the appropriate part of town while honking their car horns to attract the whores. Some versions state that the reason for this was that the white men were too afraid to actually stop in those neighborhoods, so the honking would bring the hookers to them. Others say that since few African-Americans could afford cars back in that time, the honking signaled a higher-paying white client and would quickly gain the prostitutes attention.
2. the term comes from the word "honky-tonk", which was used as early as 1875 in reference to wild saloons in the Old West. Patrons of such disreputable establishments were referred to as "honkies", not intended as a racial slur but still a disparaging term.
3. "honkie" is a variation of "hunky" and "bohunk", derogatory terms for Hungarian, Bohemian, and Polish immigrant factory workers and hard laborers in the early 1900's. African-Americans began to use the word in reference to all whites regardless of specific nation of origin.

...as for the term white bread, here it is:

1. white bread

One of the worst racial insults ever. Now callin these white boys cracka-ass crackas is one thing, but who got lazy and called them "white bread"?

It's just the race with a food at the end

"Whats up white bread?"
"Not much, black beans"
------------------------
&q uot;Fuck you, white bread!"
"Fuck you, asian chicken platter!"

<link> http://www.urbandictionary.com/browse.php?character=A

[hedgehog]

9. My uncle was a self-described Hunky

Lots of terms that are derogatory when used by outsiders are used with pride by insiders (Esp the dreaded N word.) I wouldn't associate white bread with working class. All the working class whites I know are ethnics or have a strong cultural background such as rural North or rural South. "White bread" implies no culture beyond the latest fad at the mall. White bread people spend all their time trying to keep up with the Joneses.

[Wiley50]

11. Literally speaking, it's culinary n/t

[Cleita]

13. I've heard it used by racist white people to describe themselves.

For instance, one neighborhood couple said to me once when they announced they were moving,

"We want to move into a more white bread community, one that our children can grow up in safely."

To which I wished them well and told them that there wasn't any reason to keep in touch as we probably wouldn't visit them anyhow.

[hedgehog]

18. Well maybe it's an appropriate term then.

Now the question becomes is it ever acceptable to look down on another culture simply because that culture doesn't respect multiculturalism!?!

[Cleita]

26. Why would anyone look down on a culture because it

doesn't accept multiculturalism? I'd say a truer statement would be that a lack of respect for other cultures is a narrow minded and provincial way of viewing those who are different from you. However, that doesn't mean that others would look down on them, just that they don't agree with their belief.

I prefer to keep toxic relationships to a minimum when I can, and dealing with bigoted, racist, sexist and other types of narrow minded individuals is something I prefer not to do when I don't have to. That doesn't mean I look down on them or wish them ill, just that I would rather spend my free time with people I'm more comfortable with.

[hedgehog]

33. Wouldn't you say that some groups are at least perceived

as endorsing racism and that other groups look down on them for that reason? I perceive white bread people as being closed to new experiences and judgmental of other cultures and tend to look down on them for that reason.

[Cleita]

41. You don't have to be white to be racist. I think you can

sort it out though if you ask yourselves a few questions about why you dislike a certain group of people, even though you don't know any of them personally.

I don't know if you heard Randi today but a caller yelled at Randi for speaking out against the Muslim profiling that Fox News said should be done. She kept asking the caller what color or race Islamofacists were? The caller of course couldn't answer.

I think you only need to go as far back as Nazi Germany to realize that when you want to start putting patches on people's clothes like the Nazis did, Star of David for Jews, pink triangles for gays and so on we are treading on some pretty awful racial hatred here.

Randi pointed out to the woman who obviously had drank too much kool-aid at the fountain of hatred that Limbaugh, Hannity and O'Reilly are dishing up that Islamists are religious fanatics not corporate fanatics, like facists. So the word is a false premise to begin with.

The thing that made me sad was that people who think like that woman are why our country is turning into a fascist hell. The neo-cons have deliberately baited all the prejudices these Americans harbor, successfully, to get the power they have today.

The only way you can pull away from all the brainwashing of your childhood is to question everything and try to find the real facts. This goes for racism as well.

[C_U_L8R]

15. just don't call anyone pumpernickel

look out

:beer:

[XNASA]

16. Bread does not discriminate.

Period.

[Catherine Vincent]

17. I don't like white bread anymore. I like wheat bread.

:evilgrin:

[MrSlayer]

19. There aren't any real racial epithets for white people.

White bread? Not offensive. Honkey? What the fuck is a honkey? Not offensive. Cracker? Not offensive. White boy? Well yes I am. One might well use these terms in a racially hateful manner but the words have no power. I've been called these things on many occasions and have never been offended by them because they are meaningless to me. When you are the majority power, when you have been the enslaver and not the enslaved, when you have been the one who denigrates and not the denigrated there cannot be a term to make you less than human. White people rip on each others ethnic backgrounds, that gets some people's blood up.

[skooooo]

22. Who are you to judge what is offensive...

...to other people though?

[MrSlayer]

29. I'm just saying the words have no power.

If you get offended by them that's your right but don't expect any sympathy. I'll just call you a crybaby and tell you to get over yourself. Words like "nigger" have real power and real meaning.

[annabanana]

40. You're right. . in the power/powerless nexus,

The one with the power has a natural armor against racial epithets. Words are as apt to be sued in a positive connotation as a negative one.
"That's very white of you"..

When we're talking economic power, the poor one is the "cracker". THAT is a slur.

[hedgehog]

24. It all depends on the situation.

One of the amazing culture changes that has taken place in the last fifty years is that some blacks feel perfectly appropriate threatening whites who have entered their neighborhood. "White boy" can be a powerfully terrifying phrase if you are the white boy in question surrounded by three black guys demanding your car keys. It's progress of a sort, I guess, just not the kind of progress we'd all like to see.

[MrSlayer]

32. Having been in those situations I can tell you....

that being called "white boy" is the last thing I cared about. It's no more than a description of what you are. The tone might be menacing but the words are meaningless as a slur.

As far as the neighborhood thing I've been there too. In the 70's black kids couldn't walk through our neighborhood without being chased and beaten nor could we walk through theirs but it has changed. Now they can walk through safely but you cannot walk through their neighborhoods at night unless you have a ghetto pass. You're pretty safe during the day though, even in the worst neighborhoods in North Philly.

[skooooo]

36. There are places where the situation is reversed...

I think the point is that the power of words depends on the situation. You can't make blanket statements.

You actually make this point yourself when you say, "Now they can walk through safely but you cannot walk through their neighborhoods at night unless you have a ghetto pass."

I don't know what a ghetto pass is.

Race and racism is difficult to talk about. It's emotional and based on people's experiences. That's what you draw from here, and quite legitimately. Peace.

[MrSlayer]

39. Well let me explain.

A ghetto pass means that you can walk through the ghetto without being harmed because you have protection. I have black friends that have made it clear to their peers and others in the neighborhood that I am "cool", am safe from harm under their protection and am to be dealt with fairly. It's about respect. Respect is a huge thing on the streets. If anyone was to bother me they'd have to answer to my friends and it wouldn't be a pretty scene. The same thing goes the other way.

[JI7]

62. how about "white trash " ?

although i have seen it mostly used by whites against other whites.

[enid602]

21. WASPs

WASPs of the previous generation would describe something very WASPy by saying that it is very 'white bread and mayonnaise.'

[kskiska]

63. Woody Allen had a scene in a movie

where he decided to convert from Judaism. He came home with a grocery bag that contained white bread, mayonnaise, and a crucifix. Definitely WASP.

[Speck Tater]

23. To paraphrase the Buddha...

to be offended you must first be offendable.

I don't find "white bread" to be offensive.

On the other hand, "Russian Rye", or "Honey Oat Bread", ... Now those are close to crossing the line. ;-)

[MercutioATC]

25. Sourdough....don't ever call me sourdough.

;)

[Cleita]

27. In Alaska the old prospectors were affectionately called

"sourdoughs".

[MercutioATC]

47. See? You're stereotyping me.

Take it back!

[Cleita]

48. Okay!

I guess you are just sour, or just dough?

Help me out here!

[MercutioATC]

49. I'm the Scarlet Pumpernickel.

...without caraway seeds.

:P

[Cleita]

51. Oh my!

I do declare! *fans oneself*

[RB TexLa]

28. Irish Catholic here and I call my wife "white bread" all the time

She is of english descent. So it fits.

[msmcghee]

30. What does white have to do with it?

Do you think that only Caucasions can be guilty of these things?

Do you think that others can be guilty of these things - but only whites deserve to be criticized for that for some reason?

[yellowdogintexas]

31. I think of white bread as very ordinary, unadventurous folks

who do not experiment. They like things plain and dependable, bland and not too interesting.

saying this even though I occasionally enjoy a pbj or blt on white bread, rather than whole wheat.

[Bluebear]

34. Not at all. It's like saying "vanilla"

Someone who does not delve into different flavors. That's how I always took the phrase at least.

[GoneOffShore]

35. Is "vanilla" sexist?

In referring to 'breeders'.

Is 'feet' anti motorist?

Is 'Driver' anti pedestrian?

Is "Wasp" racist?

Oh give it up!

At this point, the nastiest thing I can call someone is "Republican"

In the interests of not offending anyone, we are stripping all language of any color. I hark back to Lenny Bruce who was an equal opportunity offender. His theory was that he looked forward to the day when words no longer had the power to harm.

[hedgehog]

38. Some people think Carlos Mencia is terribly funny

while others think he's just terrible! I think I agree with your point. In order to appreciate and admire and enjoy our differences, we have to admit that we are different but agree that that's OK.

[mwooldri]

42. Unsure. I describe myself as Dulux White myself.

Meaning that my skin is very, very fair. Well it sure was 7 years ago, and I'm unsure it is that fair now.

Manufactured whites for white bread? I'm unsure.

Besides it takes a lot for me to get riled up, calling me white bread wouldn't mean nothin'. Plus my wife has used that phrase to describe some folks in the past.

/Mark.

[GoneOffShore]

43. That's good!

I usually say that I'm the other white meat, because the mosquitos love me so much.

I remember going to St. Maarten a couple of years ago, and someone asked me if I was the new marker for AirFrance, because I was so white they could see me from 20.000 feet.

And a good black friend calls me 'White boy'.

[mwooldri]

44. ROTFL...

Yeah. I've used the phrase "the other white meat" too, for the same reason - mozzies.

But the new marker for Air France.

Oh, and when you're good friends with anyone they can throw you all the kinds of bad names you like and it won't matter a darned bit.. good friend I call him a fat scottish bastard, and he'd turn around and call me ignorant english w**ker and we'd laugh out lout about it.

/Mark.

[mrcheerful]

45. My ex gf and all of her friends and family all called me White Mike,

I saw it as a term of affection and besides there was also a few afro american Mikes in the circle. It was getting confusing when someone said hey Mike and 10 of us would say yo.

[LittleClarkie]

46. Have you ever seen it used to put someone down?

If so, yes.

But then again, maybe not. I see it as more of a class putdown, myself, as in milquetoast or vanilla. Flavorless. Just happens that the flavorless bread happens to be the white bread.

As Freud said, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. So I'm not so sure that the white in white bread refers to race.

[Hissyspit]

50. No.

#50.

[porphyrian]

53. It's more of cultural slur than a racial one...

...although White people tend to be the ones it designates moreso than Blacks or any other racial category, as you suggest. I and other White people use it and aren't offended by it (but, then, we're not so "white bread"). "Honky" or "cracker" are closer to White racial slurs, but even those aren't as offensive to most Whites as other racial slurs are to those they are directed at. I think it may come from the fact that Whites have been institutionalized as the race in power, and the greatest sting of these slurs comes from insulting those that aren't.

[cigsandcoffee]

54. If you're eating it, no. If it's used to point out race, yes.

Derogatory terms for skin color are inherently racist.

[ecstatic]

56. racism doesn't boil down to offensive words and phrases

Call me any racial slur in the book, but do not deny me my civil rights (right to get jobs I am qualified for, live in neighborhoods of my choosing, quality schools, etc.). Most racism these days is institutional and done in a way that leaves a lot of other plausible options and excuses for the behavior--that is until you look at the statistical data and realize a definite pattern has emerged. When I hear questions like this it just reinforces the idea that most whites do not truly understand institutional racism. You think it's just about who is PC and who isn't?

[warrens]

57. At one point, it was, marginally

Now it just means lame, middleoftheroad.

[Ioo]

58. White Bread is no racist. - It means plan and simple.

At first glance you may think it is, but it is not, it means plan and simple. She is very white bread, means she is a simple person.

White bread, as in Penetbutter and jelly, not as in white folks doing it.

[Lilith Velkor]

59. ...

:rofl:

[Rosemary2205]

64. Yes.