Hypothetical

[blisteringherb]

As an FTM of color, what are your feelings about developing a sense of humor in terms of racial and/or queer jokes or even just simple terms? How has your use of language changed to either embrace or reject terms based on how they might make somebody somewhere feel? Have you ever felt like the way you used language was compromised by ethnocentric

Comments

[stronger_still]

When I am with any people of my same ethnic (I am black) group, I am just fine with kicking it and making all the jokes we do. However, this does not cross over when the social status or socio-economic background does not mix. I am from an urban ghetto, born and raised poor. I do not appreciate or have the same comfort of humor with other blacks who come from a different socio-economic background than I do. In other words, if a upper middle class black makes cracks on ghetto stuff, I am more liable to be more pissed at him than if a non-poc person makes the same cracks.

I am never comfortable making those same jokes and comments with non-blacks. Just not what I want to do. When I am with my own kind, my own peeps.. its on! And we have fun with it.

[happy_jack_2005]

Like stronger_still, I make racial jokes with other African-Americans, because I feel comfortable laughing about the stuff that "we" do. I never make racial jokes around white people, because I don't want them to think that it's okay for them to do the same.

I guess they could see that as a double standard--like using the n-word. I used to say that word a lot (too much rap music, I guess), but I don't anymore. I realized that my saying it doesn't make it any less derogatory than a white person saying it.

Not sure what you mean about language [being] compromised by ethnocentric discourse in the trans community. Care to elaborate?

[blisteringherb]

Sorry bout that. I read it again and I sounded like an anthopology geek :-) I guess I mean do you ever feel like because the way we talk about trans issues is pretty much dictated by white transguys that sometimes language that people of color use to describe themselves or talk about their issues is either misunderstood or labeled sexist or something like that? Do you think POC ever have to change their language in order to be heard?

[happy_jack_2005]

Personally, I haven't felt like I needed to change my language about trans issues when I'm around white guys. I feel like the trans language is pretty universal. I haven't encountered any trans terms that could be construed as "white" or "Native American" or anything else.

Most of my disconnects are when I'm talking about race-specific issues and manhood: like how to do that special African-American male handshake/hug or what to do in a barber shop or when I see a honey walking down the street.

[shaboogie]

yep, i feel like the vocalary i have to describe myself in terms of gender in english IS ethnocentric and it's distressing...

[shaboogie]

make that 'vocabulary.'