Is using someones "accent" racist?

[NothingIsImpossible]

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.

 

[Quid est Veritas?]

Anything and everything can be racist if chosen to be construed in that manner. It depends on context, what the speaker intends and how the hearer perceives it. If the exchange occurs independantly of the group whose accent is imitated, it also depends on whether they would perceive it to be so.

An innocent joke between you and your friend would not be racist, or at least not offensive. There is no reason to go looking for racism, as often innocent fun is intended. I believe you mentioned Super Mario in a previous thread, who is a stereotyped charicature invented by Japanese. They clearly did not do so to mock Italians, but as a fun character. It only becomes offensive if the Italians take offense.
The most popular Asterix book in the UK is Asterix and Britain, full of mockery of all things British. Things are seldom black and white, though.

I assume in this case, that Ugandans would take offense, and I would think it often used in an insulting manner. So yes, probably racist in many instances.

 

[JIMINZ]

If you were a Principal in a School, and you heard some kids using that accent towards a Ugandan student, would you think the child was being made fun of, or that they were being bullied?

Would you make those using the accent stop?......There is your answer.

Even if kids throughout you School only started using the accent after some Ugandan kids began to attend.

It's very easy for whites to make fun of everyone else, but we better begin to understand, the population of the US. has changed from what it always has been to now, 50% white, 50% minority, we seem to be changing shoes, and when both of those shoes are on our feet, we better hope we dealt more charitably with others while we could.

It would be advisable to err on the side of good.

 

[JIMINZ]

Anything and everything can be racist if chosen to be construed in that manner. It depends on context, what the speaker intends and how the hearer perceives it. If the exchange occurs independantly of the group whose accent is imitated, it also depends on whether they would perceive it to be so.

An innocent joke between you and your friend would not be racist, or at least not offensive. There is no reason to go looking for racism, as often innocent fun is intended. I believe you mentioned Super Mario in a previous thread, who is a stereotyped charicature invented by Japanese. They clearly did not do so to mock Italians, but as a fun character. It only becomes offense if the Italians take offense. Things are seldom black and white, though.

I assume in this case, that Ugandans would take offense, and I would think it often used in an insulting manner. So yes, probably racist in many instances.

.
If the innocent joke between friends, cannot be told with third party present, then it is Raciest.

A persons character isn't determined by what they do or say when people are present, but when they are alone.

 

[Albion]

If you believe that the race of the other person is inherently inferior to yours, you are a racist. That doesn't seem to be the case with this situation.

 

[Rubiks]

I don't think the Ugandan knuckles meme is inherently racist unless people use it to talk down to Ugandans or Africans in general. Some people are very open to more "controversial" senses of humor (e.g. exaggerated stereotypes) and some people take offense at virtually everything.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

Some good replies. The point about thinking of a race as inferior to yours equals racism, that is a good point. I know when I have used accents I never think less of the person or what/who they are. I if anything love accents. Its fascinating! Being married to a foreigner I love when the women talk because the accent is interesting to to listen to and also how they raise the volume when talking.

Some of the groups in Africa that use clicking for example, that is mind blowing to me because I don't think I could ever understand how various clicks mean anything. Just as with the fantasy language of Klingon. How you pronounce things and the "grit" (like they are clearing their throat) is very interesting. Of course this is off topic since that is a fictional language. I just love language.

 

[Rajni]

Is using someones "accent" racist?

It isn't race that determines an accent, so I would say no.

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[Dave-W]

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?

Several years ago the Washington post had an article about the tensions between DC area African-Americans and African Ex pats. One African American woman talked about her African neighbors speaking that "bugga bugga language." that is probably a more extreme example of what you are talking about; but my question is why would it be called "racist" since both sides are of African decent? Is that not the same race?

 

[Dave-W]

I know when I have used accents I never think less of the person or what/who they are. I if anything love accents.

Being a white from the north, most southern white accents sound "hick" or even stupid to me. I sometimes have to steel myself internally when someone I know and maybe even respect from reading their materials to not judge someone out of hand if they have that accent.

It is a stereotype for sure, but cannot be "racist" since we are both white.

 

[Sketcher]

It can certainly be used in a racist manner.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

You can't tell a good Irish joke without an Irish accent;

"But with the halp of the Loord, and a long handled stick, I finally got 'em back doon agin."

(Punch line from perhaps the funniest Irish joke ever told.)

 

[zephcom]

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.

As has been noted in the thread, accents do not always follow along racial lines. To equate an accent with a racial difference is only applicable in situations where the accent clearly belongs to racially different people.

But that doesn't provide guidance on whether one should use an accent or not. I think the best guidance would be found in the teachings of Jesus. If -you- were a Ugandan and other people were using your manner of speech in the manner you describe, would you likely be offended? If the answer is 'yes' or even 'possibly yes' then that use would not be considered loving and you shouldn't do it.

The beauty of Jesus' teachings is that there are no longer hard and fast rules that govern interpersonal relationships. There is only the rule of Love. If one's behavior is not loving toward others, then that behavior does not comply with Jesus' teachings.

 

[GeorgeJ]

I have a lotta fun using an Indian accent when I'm talking to telemarketers. I also speak southern redneck to them, and sometimes I'm an "effeminate" male.

I frankly don't care if folks think it's racist or not.