Is using someones "accent" racist?
There is a semi-new "meme" going around called Ugandan Knuckles. Knuckles is an echidna character from a video game (Sonic series). Well this meme version of the character is essentially someone has taken what he looks like and made him very short and fat. They use him in virtual chat rooms but instead of using their (the gamers) normal voices, they use a Ugandan accent and say things like "Do you know da wae?" (the way). Originally this was inspired by a movie made in Uganda in which a character says that line.
Some people are saying its racist because its making fun of Ugandans since its uses their accent. But is that even a thing? I mean people tend to use accents of other people all the time. And not usually as an offensive matter. I feel like people are stretching things to far with what "racist" means. Even many Ugandan people (including the movie maker) love the meme and find it hilarious.
Now, to be fair some people that have used this character in virtual chats will make clicking sounds (like a tribal click). And one person said "He has the ebola!". Now the ebola comment obviously seems racist. Though the clicking thing I am really unsure how to feel about. In the end I think the original meme with just the "Do you know the wae?" (with accent) is not really racist. Maybe its a tad bit close to offensive to some. But not racist.
What do you think? Is imitating an accent really racism? Maybe just mean? Or not a big deal at all? Or does it really depend on how its used?
I should note while I am italian, I am born american so obviously I don't have the italian accent. But I imitate it sometimes. As I do others, such as with my irish friend I'll say "Top of the morning to ya <name>!". I think its all innocent fun. This also begs the question does this mean if someone uses a "southern twang" accent, does that mean racism? I mean that isn't even a race.
There is a semi-new "meme" going around called Ugandan Knuckles. Knuckles is an echidna character from a video game (Sonic series). Well this meme version of the character is essentially someone has taken what he looks like and made him very short and fat. They use him in virtual chat rooms but instead of using their (the gamers) normal voices, they use a Ugandan accent and say things like "Do you know da wae?" (the way). Originally this was inspired by a movie made in Uganda in which a character says that line.
Some people are saying its racist because its making fun of Ugandans since its uses their accent. But is that even a thing? I mean people tend to use accents of other people all the time. And not usually as an offensive matter. I feel like people are stretching things to far with what "racist" means. Even many Ugandan people (including the movie maker) love the meme and find it hilarious.
Now, to be fair some people that have used this character in virtual chats will make clicking sounds (like a tribal click). And one person said "He has the ebola!". Now the ebola comment obviously seems racist. Though the clicking thing I am really unsure how to feel about. In the end I think the original meme with just the "Do you know the wae?" (with accent) is not really racist. Maybe its a tad bit close to offensive to some. But not racist.
What do you think? Is imitating an accent really racism? Maybe just mean? Or not a big deal at all? Or does it really depend on how its used?
I should note while I am italian, I am born american so obviously I don't have the italian accent. But I imitate it sometimes. As I do others, such as with my irish friend I'll say "Top of the morning to ya <name>!". I think its all innocent fun. This also begs the question does this mean if someone uses a "southern twang" accent, does that mean racism? I mean that isn't even a race.