[quote author=Halmeister link=topic=47188.msg1444841#msg1444841 date=1324070747]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=47188.msg1444803#msg1444803 date=1324068180]
[quote author=Halmeister link=topic=47188.msg1444778#msg1444778 date=1324064398]
I feel like I'm in a decent position here to talk about this.
I'm of mixed race, and studying Spanish, and Latin American cultures. If he used the word "negrito", which is the suggestion he did, then it was almost certainly not meant in an offensive way. What is the norm here in the UK is not the norm in other cultures, so to punish him because of cultural differences could be construed as equally bigoted. Who's to say what is right when it comes to culture? Uruguay has a large black population, and the term "negrito" is commonplace in the country. They don't get accused of racism.
South American cultures often involve race in appearences. Look at Alvara Recoba, he's known as "El Chino" - The Chinese - because of his appearence. We could construe that as racist here in the UK, but it's not even questioned in Latin cultures.
As JJ said, his English won't be great, he won't know of the cultures. He won't know what's offensive. Cultural differences can cause all sorts of issues, even if no offence was intended. For example, in many eastern cultures, business cards have to be accepted in a particular way, and studied in a caring manner. Here in the UK, we'd take the business card and stick it in our pocket. We'd be condemned in China/Japan for that.
For those who have already decided he's racist should take into account the possibility of the cultural differences, the meaning of the word and everything else. The fact that De Gea heard nothing offensive speaks volumes in my opinion. He probably heard "negrito" being used and thought nothing of it, as he wouldn't being from Spain.
As I said a few pages back, I know a Spanish girl, who has a black boyfriend by the way, and she said the term 'negrito' is "a lovely thing to say. It's not offensive. At all."
[/quote]I havnt decided that hes racist at all, but to suggest he said it and it was a lovely thing to say is a bit daft.
He was winding Evra up and being abusive (racist or not) not being lovely.
[/quote]
I can't really compare it to anything in English, because we don't really have an equivalent. But I imagine it's akin to saying something like "mate" or "little buddy" or something. Something that, if said sarcastically, could be deemed as patronising. But if said sincerely it is lovely. Either way, I doubt Suárez used it with racial connotations. We've all seen Chicarito say it, too.
If he was winding him up, then so what? That goes on. If he was winding him up by being racist then he's a cunt. I doubt he was, though. That's just my opinion, based on my understanding of it and I imagine it's all been lost in translation.
[/quote]
Hammy, you're bang on. And I think people are wrong to say that Evra is just being a cunt in this, someone who throws racist accusations about willy nilly- as Themn has pointed out- I don't think is the case. I think this may be a case of a lack of cultural knowledge on both sides. As you say, lost in translation.
It may be that Suarez realised the expression was helping get on Evra's nerves, and could remain ignorant of exactly why. If that was me, I too would continue to press the button.
