Gypsy Boy? Is That A Racist Comment?

[ToraToraTora]

Really? It's like me being called Essex Boy surely! It's a fact, taking offence is what makes it offensive.Can't believe all the fuss.

[fiction-factory]

Yes.

[viv41]

No.

[hc4361]

Depends on whether the boy is a gypsy or not.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't consider gypsy a race; but that aside, like much of this sort of stuff, whether it is ok or not is down to how it was being used. Seems a bit over-sensitive though.

[retrocop]

No

[Baldric]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_people

///The Romani are widely known among English-speaking people by the exonym and racial slur "Gypsies" (or "Gipsies"), which, according to many Romani people, connotes illegality and irregularity///

[fiction-factory]

But it was not said in friendly or factual way. It's a bit like saying "Oi, black man" to someone who is black in a conflict situation- not a good idea

[Everhelpful]

Frightened to open your mouth in this Country now,always somebody waiting to be offended.!!

[stuey]

I think that the words "racism" and "racist" are being flung around too often these days. I would consider the use of "Gypsy Boy" to be classed as derogatory, demeaning, insulting, etc, rather than racist.

[ummmm]

It's not a race...

[ABerrant]

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/discrimination/protected-characteristics/gypsies-and-travellers-race-discrimination/

[woofgang]

stueys point is why i think that all the “ist” laws, and possibly some of the asbo stuff should be amalgamated together to be one crime called something like“Being a bad mannered winker” a further charge of “with intent to” could be added if needed. Because its all bad manners. Bullying, abuse, vandalism, race, theft assault, rape, gender and all types of discrimination...its all just bad manners.

[jomifl]

There are no 'races' just variations. The more people feed the erroneous concept of recism, the more it grows.

[Ellipsis]

"My big fat gypsy wedding" ???

[Mamyalynne]

Is that an invite Ellipsis?

[murraymints]

I think we are all too touchy at times...

[Mamyalynne]

In answer to the OP, no it isn't racist for the reasons stated however it seems to have been uttered in a derogatory fashion so careless and displaying a lack of good vocabulary.

[ToraToraTora]

"lack of good vocabulary" - how should he have said it then: "You child of the travelling fraternity" ? PMSL

[Ellipsis]

Hehe Mamya, just pointing out the word is in common parlance and is not necessarily derogatory.