Current Events > Can somebody explain how this is racist?

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https://www.ajc.com/rf/image_large/Pub/p9/AJC/2018/03/28/Images/marta%20stand%20for.JPG

For context, MARTA is the public transit system in Atlanta. I've always thought this acronym is pretty damn funny. I don't really see how it's racist. But I'm willing to be convinced if somebody has an explanation. Even if I'll still think it's funny.

I'm mostly interested in hearing the opinions of black Americans who think it's racist. I can see that it references race in a way that might make people uncomfortable, but I'm not sure why exactly. Is it because it associates public transit with black people in particular? Is it racist to make that association as a joke?
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Because the black people in the bus are not fucking Africans?

yes
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FighterStreet posted...

Because the black people in the bus are not fucking Africans

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FighterStreet posted...

Because the black people in the bus are not fucking Africans?

Would it not be racist then, if the joke were "Moving African-Americans rapidly through Atlanta"?
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FighterStreet posted...

Because the black people in the bus are not fucking Africans?

so white people should be offended too?
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Virus731 posted...

FighterStreet posted...

Because the black people in the bus are not fucking Africans?

so white people should be offended too?

Shit I cant keep track of what to be offended by anymore
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Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority

This is not racist.

Moving Africans Rapidly Through Atlanta

This can qualify as racist.

Guess which one is the official acronym and therefore the only version the service should ever bother being concerned about...
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Wetterdew posted...

I've always thought this acronym is pretty damn funny.

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A lot of white people use MARTA though....
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ClockworkHare posted...

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority

This is not racist.

Moving Africans Rapidly Through Atlanta

This can qualify as racist.

Guess which one is the official acronym and therefore the only version the service should ever bother being concerned about...

this. people make jokes out of acronyms all the time.

like i hear GM fanboys say Ford means Found On Rubbish Dump or Fix Or Repair Daily

it's a silly racist joke about the bus service.
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black people born in america are not afrikans; they are americans. Whereas a white person born in the continent of Afrika is Afrikan.

So I found an article that claims the phrase has a history of being used aggressively against black people, which is enough to turn me off from it. Which is a shame since I think it's actually pretty funny. But eh
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L0Z posted...

black people born in america are not afrikans; they are americans. Whereas a white person born in the continent of Afrika is Afrikan.

I love that we live in a world where words are so hurtful to people.
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L0Z posted...

black people born in america are not afrikans; they are americans. Whereas a white person born in the continent of Afrika is Afrikan.

Random fact: I'm a white person born in Africa who lives in America now
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I find it exetremely comforting that now "racism" is incredibly minor issues, mainly jokes or images that extremely thin skinned people literally have to argue and explain at length to everyone else to demand to be accepted as why they are racist

When in the past "racism" was certain races not having basic human rights, being attacked in the street, sometimes killed, denied housing and seen as unequal in law.

Just shows how far society has come. Remembered when colored people could ONLY sit at the back of the bus? Now that was offensive. Now people are saying the implication that black people frequently fill the entire bus is offensive. Says it all there.
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UnfairRepresent posted...

I find it exetremely comforting that now "racism" is incredibly minor issues, mainly jokes or images that extremely thin skinned people literally have to argue and explain at length to everyone else to demand to be accepted as why they are racist

When in the past "racism" was certain races not having basic human rights, being attacked in the street, sometimes killed, denied housing and seen as unequal in law.

Just shows how far society has come. Remembered when colored people could ONLY sit at the back of the bus? Now that was offensive. Now people are saying the implication that black people frequently fill the entire bus is offensive. Says it all there.

I agree with this. We've made nothing but progress but people want to get caught up on the little things. It's almost as if it's distracting us from something bigger.
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I think the idea is that public transit is usually associated with lower or working class citizens, which is often assumed of black folk as well. Also, black folks (especially in the civil rights era) have a very specific history with buses in this country, I'm sure I don't need to remind you.

If nothing else, it's an unnecessary prod that implies there's something funny about a bus transporting black folk.

UnfairRepresent posted...

I find it exetremely comforting that now "racism" is incredibly minor issues, mainly jokes or images that extremely thin skinned people literally have to argue and explain at length to everyone else to demand to be accepted as why they are racist

We've certainly come a good distance, but that should never mean that we consider stopping until we're truly equal. Things like this, these "minor issues" as you say, tend to speak to the broader issues that having potentially harmful attitudes, namely making out people of color to be "others" which is what helps contribute to the perpetuation of institutional racism, a huge plague on our society

what kind of sensible individual responds seriously to UnfairRepresent, the notorious charlatan
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Wetterdew posted...

So I found an article that claims the phrase has a history of being used aggressively against black people, which is enough to turn me off from it. Which is a shame since I think it's actually pretty funny. But eh

If you care about what others think...then any time you are making a generalization about people, stop. Frankly, I don't care.

Kazi1212 posted...

Virus731 posted...

FighterStreet posted...

Because the black people in the bus are not fucking Africans?

so white people should be offended too?

Shit I cant keep track of what to be offended by anymore

it's not as offensive as much as it is just really stupid. calling black people africans is hilariously ignorant. makes you look like a trump supporter

BloodyNate posted...

I think the idea is that public transit is usually associated with lower or working class citizens, which is often assumed of black folk as well. Also, black folks (especially in the civil rights era) have a very specific history with buses in this country, I'm sure I don't need to remind you.

If nothing else, it's an unnecessary prod that implies there's something funny about a bus transporting black folk.

I think that's a pretty good explanation of why it would be considered racist.

UnfairRepresent posted...

I find it exetremely comforting that now "racism" is incredibly minor issues, mainly jokes or images that extremely thin skinned people literally have to argue and explain at length to everyone else to demand to be accepted as why they are racist

When in the past "racism" was certain races not having basic human rights, being attacked in the street, sometimes killed, denied housing and seen as unequal in law.

Just shows how far society has come. Remembered when colored people could ONLY sit at the back of the bus? Now that was offensive. Now people are saying the implication that black people frequently fill the entire bus is offensive. Says it all there.

You find it extremely comforting? I'm guessing you meant to type concerning...

Anyway, racism is much more nuanced and entrenched in our interactions than just outright demanding that somebody sits at the back of a bus or gets lynched or denied housing. Most racism is subtle and harder to spot, which is part of why I made this topic.

If you refuse to address or point out subtler forms of racism, then you allow it to pervade your judgment undetected. If you pretend subtle racism doesn't exist, and the only racist things are these:

UnfairRepresent posted...

certain races not having basic human rights, being attacked in the street, sometimes killed, denied housing and seen as unequal in law.

then you are wrong
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FighterStreet posted...

Kazi1212 posted...

Virus731 posted...

FighterStreet posted...

Because the black people in the bus are not fucking Africans?

so white people should be offended too?

Shit I cant keep track of what to be offended by anymore

it's not as offensive as much as it is just really stupid. calling black people africans is hilariously ignorant. makes you look like a trump supporter

Do you find the term African-American equally stupid?
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He's not saying it doesn't exist, just that we've come a long way. How could you possibly disagree with that?
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shnangyboos posted...

He's not saying it doesn't exist, just that we've come a long way. How could you possibly disagree with that?

On rereading his comment, I think you are right. Oops. I was misinterpreting his comment as if he was frustrated about the modern usage of the word racism, and that he was dismissing smaller forms of racism. That's why I said I thought he meant to type that he found it "concerning" instead of "comforting"
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what's the issue anyways? do they want to change the MARTA acrocym to different letters? because I'm sure whatever is used someone will come up with a joke about it
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Kazi1212 posted...

FighterStreet posted...

Kazi1212 posted...

Virus731 posted...

FighterStreet posted...

Because the black people in the bus are not fucking Africans?

so white people should be offended too?

Shit I cant keep track of what to be offended by anymore

it's not as offensive as much as it is just really stupid. calling black people africans is hilariously ignorant. makes you look like a trump supporter

Do you find the term African-American equally stupid?

I dont really care man

Thats cool, was just curious of your logic of what sorta terms you find stupid in reference to black people given your strong stance of how ignorant it can make someone look in your eyes
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Kazi1212 posted...

Thats cool, was just curious of your logic of what sorta terms you find stupid in reference to black people

People can call themselves whatever they want. I used to have a friend who was half-black half white and his skin was blatantly light brown. But he identified as black. I found the whole thing hilarious; frankly it's strange to me just how much people feel the need to conform into some category. . Yet I dont feel the need to tell them that i disagree with their categorization.

on the topic

The content of the joke isn't racist, but giving it context realizes its racist implications.

The acronym/joke "Moving Africans Through Atlanta" is simply pointing out that the bus carries black people. A person thinks "Haha, yeah i also noticed that the people on the bus are black"

This, of course, isnt necessarily racist by itself. People like to laugh at the little idiosyncrasies of life. However, that's not the only reason why people find it funny.

Upon hearing the joke,

a reasonable person would then think.... why? Why are the people on the bus predominantly black?

Obviously, almost no one would ride public transportation unless they had to.
People really like to drive their fancy cars.

Thus, usually persons of lesser affluence ride the bus. Lesser affluence correlates with poorer education, criminals, worse life prospects...etc (literally everyone knows that black individuals and other minority groups in USA, due to historical contexts of our society (racists would argue further reasons), are not as affluent on average.)

So really the joke boils down to "Haha @ the black people who have to ride the bus because they are too poor. Haha black people being carted around Atlanta!"

It's similar to making fun of people who have to ride the shortbus.

Haha @ the people who ride the shortbus

Of course, a person could respond say that they dont think these racist things...

they just find the idiosyncrasy funny! It's a little harmless truth! (notice the trumpism exclamation mark )

but the real kicker is

...why.. Why do they keep repeating the joke? Why is it SO funny to them?

If it was just a stupid little acronym, would it really be that funny? Would anyone care enough to defend it? Would the joke really have been popular in the first place?

It's cuz they are fucking racists and are literally laughing at black people for having to ride the bus. Not to mention the fact that seeing and describing people as shades of color or weight etc tends to dehumanize the subject.

"All you people" etc

Once again, I dont really care what people say. There are tons of racists out there. I just find the logical hoops people jump through to try and deny being a racist confounding.

Whoa I thought you didnt care? Your last post seem contradictory to your statement, I mean I would never have bothered typing all that out for something I didnt care about, but whatever, maybe Im just weird like me that. Speaking of logical hoops... first you imply its offensive, then you claim its stupid and ignorant, and now you say you just find it hilarious and strange. Perhaps you have some sort of personality disorder, but I dont see a reasonable person claiming all these adjectives at once to describe a single issue. They arent necessarily mutually exclusive, but its sure one hell of a strange stance to take, almost bi polar
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Kazi1212 posted...

Whoa I thought you didnt care? Your last post seem contradictory to your statement, I mean I would never have bothered typing all that out for something I didnt care about, but whatever, maybe Im just weird like me that. Speaking of logical hoops... first you imply its offensive, then you claim its stupid and ignorant, and now you say you just find it hilarious and strange. Perhaps you have some sort of personality disorder, but I dont see a reasonable person claiming all these adjectives at once to describe a single issue. They arent necessarily mutually exclusive, but its sure one hell of a strange stance to take, almost bi polar

Wow. You didnt respond to a single thing i said. You literally just insulted me. XD

My bad, didnt mean to insult you, I dont know how to respond to posts that dont make sense, I was just pointing out possible reasons why it didnt make sense and its inconsistent nature. Are you a Trump supporter by any chance? That may make a lot more sense now that I think about it
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w0000www

Kazi1212 posted...

My bad, didnt mean to insult you, I dont know how to respond to posts that dont make sense, I was just pointing out possible reasons why it didnt make sense and its inconsistent nature. Are you a Trump supporter by any chance? That may make a lot more sense now that I think about it

I don't really see a purpose of continuing a conversation with someone who I do not believe is intelligent enough to understand me. Have a good day.

FighterStreet posted...

Kazi1212 posted...

My bad, didnt mean to insult you, I dont know how to respond to posts that dont make sense, I was just pointing out possible reasons why it didnt make sense and its inconsistent nature. Are you a Trump supporter by any chance? That may make a lot more sense now that I think about it

I don't really see a purpose of continuing a conversation with someone who I do not believe is intelligent enough to understand me. Have a good day.

Its not my fault your posts dont follow any semblance of logical consistency, but thats cool bro, hope you have a good day too
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Kazi1212 posted...

FighterStreet posted...

Kazi1212 posted...

My bad, didnt mean to insult you, I dont know how to respond to posts that dont make sense, I was just pointing out possible reasons why it didnt make sense and its inconsistent nature. Are you a Trump supporter by any chance? That may make a lot more sense now that I think about it

I don't really see a purpose of continuing a conversation with someone who I do not believe is intelligent enough to understand me. Have a good day.

Its not my fault your posts dont follow any semblance of logical consistency, but thats cool bro, hope you have a good day too

Ignored. I just can't stand NOT getting the last word in, ya know? Also to save myself future effort.

FighterStreet posted...

Kazi1212 posted...

FighterStreet posted...

Kazi1212 posted...

My bad, didnt mean to insult you, I dont know how to respond to posts that dont make sense, I was just pointing out possible reasons why it didnt make sense and its inconsistent nature. Are you a Trump supporter by any chance? That may make a lot more sense now that I think about it

I don't really see a purpose of continuing a conversation with someone who I do not believe is intelligent enough to understand me. Have a good day.

Its not my fault your posts dont follow any semblance of logical consistency, but thats cool bro, hope you have a good day too

Ignored. I just can't stand NOT getting the last word in, ya know? Also to save myself future effort.

Lmfao I didnt realize I was dealing with such a snowflake

Edit: someone quote me so he can see I got the last word in, this guy obviously get triggered easy as hell, do it for the lulz (just dont quote the edit part obv >_>)
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Nobody quote his petty ass lol