That's correct, UptownCitizen. 10-15 years ago people were calling each other "wankers" in a sort of an affectionate way, but things like that are not something you say to a total stranger.

Oh, I'm not English myself.

I've spent enough time there to have some perspective though.

novabrkr said:

Oh, I'm not English myself.

I've spent enough time there to have some perspective though.

Another view lol

Because I definitely don't get that. Cunt is not a nice word.

UptownCitizen said:

Timmy84 said:

Yeah I just learned that was a compliment when you visit there. Strange.

Can anyone (preferably someone English) explain how calling someone a cunt is a compliment there - or anywhere? I think it's only used in certain circles over there while, for the most part, remaining offensive in general.

Calling someone a 'cunt' is certainly NOT a compliment anywhere in the UK - I think there has been some leg-pulling going on

'Spook' isn't really a term used much in the UK, in fact, I don't recall it being used in any racial context at all**.

(** I tell a lie - I've just remembered that the term was mentioned in the song 'Brother Louie' by Hot Chocolate which was a hit in the UK in the mid-seventies.)

[Edited 9/23/10 1:36am]

In England they also use the word "coloured" like it ain't no thang. It just means a Black person to them. So ol boy might have been unaware of how that word is perceived here in the US, but at 62 and world traveled you would think someone would have schooled him like I've schooled some of my English friends.

Things to never speak about - religion, black people, sexuality.

Identity said:

Fuck his pathetic ass and the career he built on pilfering Black music.

Plant didn't built anything, he and his band stoled and plagiarized most of the music they've put to vinyl. Kudos to Rolling Stones from the start pegging Zeppelin as a fake, a fraud . . . a cover band.

[Edited 9/23/10 6:29am]

Identity said:

"Spook" is likely a slur he uses in private to reference Blacks. On the Today Show, he was selectively oblivious to his surroundings and did what comes naturally to him.

[Edited 9/21/10 19:43pm]

Did you read what you just said?

DakutiusMaximus said:

I've also heard that the word eskimo was actually an N word type slur and that the proper term for the arctic indigenous people should be Innuit.

I didn't know that, although I can't even remember the last time I thought of someone as being an Eskimo (outside of one of my childhood coloring books). Although neither was I aware of the fact that many Native Americans were offended by the Cleveland Indians logo. But once we learn of and understand these things, we need to respect how others feel about these labels.

I've always loved Robert Plant, but I don't know what to think of his use of the word "Spook". Though neither do I understand why in 2010 so many young men choose to refer to themselves with The N-word. That one REALLY leaves me scratching my head (...especially when it's done so in public among mixed crowds).

zaza said:

Things to never speak about - religion, black people, sexuality.

Thats not what I see in TV,,,certainly not FOX network

EmbattledWarrior said:

Graycap23 said:

We = Black folk

Yeah, I'm Bi racial...

So i get it from both sides...

but the territorial "we" IMO seems to just propel the whole Us & Them notion that generates the cyclical wheels of racism.

Black and white is a fallacy...

just illusions, colorblind yourself

Seems that u are preaching 2 the choir.

Harlepolis said:

zaza said:

Things to never speak about - religion, black people, sexuality.

Thats not what I see in TV,,,certainly not FOX network

[Edited 9/23/10 9:33am]

PDogz said:

DakutiusMaximus said:

I've also heard that the word eskimo was actually an N word type slur and that the proper term for the arctic indigenous people should be Innuit.

I didn't know that, although I can't even remember the last time I thought of someone as being an Eskimo (outside of one of my childhood coloring books). Although neither was I aware of the fact that many Native Americans were offended by the Cleveland Indians logo. But once we learn of and understand these things, we need to respect how others feel about these labels.

I've always loved Robert Plant, but I don't know what to think of his use of the word "Spook". Though neither do I understand why in 2010 so many young men choose to refer to themselves with The N-word. That one REALLY leaves me scratching my head (...especially when it's done so in public among mixed crowds).

I understand why they do it, but I don't agree.

Still, for me, it's not about a list of words. I'm more concerned about intent and context. I can't think of any scenario where the context and someone's intent allows me to accept being called a cunt ... but i love cunts! Cunts are great! Wouldn't be here without one! I don't want to be one, and I think I experienced my last one a long time ago, but they get nothing but love from me. As far as I know, women (for the most part) are the only people who have cunts ... but I wouldn't call a woman a cunt for the same reason that I wouldn't call a woman a toe. Why would anyone call somebody something that's part of somebody else? Good question.

Timmy84 said:

Harlepolis said:

Thats not what I see in TV,,,certainly not FOX network

Are they developing yet another sketch comedy show?

TheSkinMechanic said:

UptownCitizen said:

Can anyone (preferably someone English) explain how calling someone a cunt is a compliment there - or anywhere? I think it's only used in certain circles over there while, for the most part, remaining offensive in general.

Calling someone a 'cunt' is certainly NOT a compliment anywhere in the UK - I think there has been some leg-pulling going on

'Spook' isn't really a term used much in the UK, in fact, I don't recall it being used in any racial context at all**.

(** I tell a lie - I've just remembered that the term was mentioned in the song 'Brother Louie' by Hot Chocolate which was a hit in the UK in the mid-seventies.)

[Edited 9/23/10 1:36am]

No leg pulling going on,

any pub in new castle upon tyne...

and don't even mention scotland... so many obscenities are terms of endearment over there, its difficult to know when someone is insulting you or complimenting you.

UptownCitizen said:

Timmy84 said:

Are they developing yet another sketch comedy show?

Probably one no one watches anyways.

UptownCitizen said:

Timmy84 said:

Are they developing yet another sketch comedy show?

Its hard to compete against the big dogs of mindless comedy like Hannity & Pig O'Reilly.

EmbattledWarrior said:

Graycap23 said:

We = Black folk

Yeah, I'm Bi racial...

So i get it from both sides...

but the territorial "we" IMO seems to just propel the whole Us & Them notion that generates the cyclical wheels of racism.

Black and white is a fallacy...

just illusions, colorblind yourself

Worst advice EVER. Part of where America has failed miserably in dealing with race is the "colorblind" mentality that Prince and others were pushing in the 80s.

EmbattledWarrior said:

TheSkinMechanic said:

Calling someone a 'cunt' is certainly NOT a compliment anywhere in the UK - I think there has been some leg-pulling going on

'Spook' isn't really a term used much in the UK, in fact, I don't recall it being used in any racial context at all**.

(** I tell a lie - I've just remembered that the term was mentioned in the song 'Brother Louie' by Hot Chocolate which was a hit in the UK in the mid-seventies.)

[Edited 9/23/10 1:36am]

No leg pulling going on,

any pub in new castle upon tyne...

and don't even mention scotland... so many obscenities are terms of endearment over there, its difficult to know when someone is insulting you or complimenting you.

Nah - soz - it just aint true. "Cunt" is not a compliment.

If you spill a drink in a pub, and you are with a group of mates, one may say something like 'you silly cunt'. It's not aggressive in that context, it's just banter - but it's a helluva stretch to say it is a compliment.

If a stranger complimented me like that in a pub, there could only be one possible outcome, and it would't be me saying "why thank you, kind sir".

BlaqueKnight said:

EmbattledWarrior said:

Yeah, I'm Bi racial...

So i get it from both sides...

but the territorial "we" IMO seems to just propel the whole Us & Them notion that generates the cyclical wheels of racism.

Black and white is a fallacy...

just illusions, colorblind yourself

Worst advice EVER. Part of where America has failed miserably in dealing with race is the "colorblind" mentality that Prince and others were pushing in the 80s.

The solution is not an easy one but it starts with being able to respect and acknowledge ALL COLORS, not pretend. Society itself is a "fallacy" but if you choose to live in it, you must adhere somewhat to its boundaries or it all falls apart into chaos.

And I don't care what the "tall cool one"'s background is, SPOOK is definitely a racist term. Ignorance is not an excuse and he knows what he said. Its probably just common speak for him. Its his generation that used words like "spook".

different strokes.

It is a fallacy to me, and I choose not to adhere to it.

there will be no way to simply respect it

Simply because of human nature, which based on fear of anything different.

Skin color is much like dividing lines on a globe is just one of the many nonexistent follies of man

Skin color, and genetic differences can be explained rationally, and happened over a change in evolution. There should be no reason to have to "accept" someone.

What is, just is.

what people associate skin color, is usually culture and thats where we land into cultural relativism land. But even with culture you could use the same logic. A persons culture is the eruption of experiences that happened during crucial time in their specific genetic ancestors social history.

People don't like to change and love familiar, yet our bodies are equipped to handle variety.

If we understand what we are, and what we come from on a higher level the folly of our ways becomes apparent.

but we keep clinging to the ole lizard brain.

you cling

I won't anymore

to quote John Lennon

"I don't believe in anything, I just believe in me"

and thats all I need

EmbattledWarrior said:

It is a fallacy to me, and I choose not to adhere to it.

there will be no way to simply respect it

Simply because of human nature, which based on fear of anything different.

Please explain exactly what the fallacy is.

Skin color is much like dividing lines on a globe is just one of the many nonexistent follies of man

Skin color, and genetic differences can be explained rationally, and happened over a change in evolution. There should be no reason to have to "accept" someone.

What is, just is.

Well, a cartographer can choose to draw a map. People can't choose their (natural) skin color or (natural) hair texture or any (natural) physical feature. Babies aren't fools; they just don't know any better. Race is a folly, but that folly isn't built into anyone's skin color; the folly is the response to difference that's learned and taught.

what people associate skin color, is usually culture and thats where we land into cultural relativism land. But even with culture you could use the same logic. A persons culture is the eruption of experiences that happened during crucial time in their specific genetic ancestors social history.

People don't like to change and love familiar, yet our bodies are equipped to handle variety.

Say you're walking down a road one evening. You see a pair of headlights coming in your direction and you move out the way so your ass doesn't get run over. You had to recognize some vehicle coming towards you, realize that it probably outweighed you (and could probably crush you) and make a decision to move - all within a split second. The more you walk down that road during the evening, the more you'll be aware of headlights. And, when you're behind the wheel driving down that road at night, you'll probably be more cautious of people walking down that road because you'll be able to relate.

If we understand what we are, and what we come from on a higher level the folly of our ways becomes apparent.

but we keep clinging to the ole lizard brain.

So, because some people are unable to accept or respect difference, the solution - in terms of evolution - is for everyone to make a conscious decision to deny that those differences exist?

you cling

I won't anymore

to quote John Lennon

"I don't believe in anything, I just believe in me"

and thats all I need

UptownCitizen said:

EmbattledWarrior said:

It is a fallacy to me, and I choose not to adhere to it.

there will be no way to simply respect it

Simply because of human nature, which based on fear of anything different.

Please explain exactly what the fallacy is.

So, because some people are unable to accept or respect difference, the solution - in terms of evolution - is for everyone to make a conscious decision to deny that those differences exist?

you cling

I won't anymore

to quote John Lennon

"I don't believe in anything, I just believe in me"

and thats all I need

Pretty Much.

The differences are myriad and trivial,

Embrace the individual and the self, the rest will follow.

What Plant said won't change my opinion of his music the same way the questionable things Prince and MJ have said about some minorities haven't changed my opinion of their music.

sextonseven said:

What Plant said won't change my opinion of his music the same way the questionable things Prince and MJ have said about some minorities haven't changed my opinion of their music.

But something has driven you to juxtapose the two.

Besides, who's trying to change your opinion about anyone's music?

UptownCitizen said:

sextonseven said:

What Plant said won't change my opinion of his music the same way the questionable things Prince and MJ have said about some minorities haven't changed my opinion of their music.

But something has driven you to juxtapose the two.

Besides, who's trying to change your opinion about anyone's music?

Some people are all in a tizzy here, but a lot of artists say weirdo things including the person about whom this site was created.

And isn't that how it usually goes? An artist says something offensive and then there are posts saying 'fuck his pathethic ass and his career'. No, I'll still listen to my Zeppelin records.

sextonseven said:

UptownCitizen said:

But something has driven you to juxtapose the two.

Besides, who's trying to change your opinion about anyone's music?

Some people are all in a tizzy here, but a lot of artists say weirdo things including the person about whom this site was created.

And isn't that how it usually goes? An artist says something offensive and then there are posts saying 'fuck his pathethic ass and his career'. No, I'll still listen to my Zeppelin records.

Okay - you're obviously not one of those people in a tizzy. Why participate in this thread if the topic doesn't interest or concern you?

I don't know how it usually goes. I know this particular guy said something fucked up on live television that bothers me. Is it going to bother me when another artist does something similar? Maybe or maybe not - but this does, and I'm here to discuss it. I'm not asking you to be bothered as I am because I choose to discuss it.

And I still haven't read a post by anyone in this thread that says "sextonseven, I demand that you stop listening to your Zeppelin records." Not a single one.

UptownCitizen said:

sextonseven said:

Some people are all in a tizzy here, but a lot of artists say weirdo things including the person about whom this site was created.

And isn't that how it usually goes? An artist says something offensive and then there are posts saying 'fuck his pathethic ass and his career'. No, I'll still listen to my Zeppelin records.

Okay - you're obviously not one of those people in a tizzy. Why participate in this thread if the topic doesn't interest or concern you?

I don't know how it usually goes. I know this particular guy said something fucked up on live television that bothers me. Is it going to bother me when another artist does something similar? Maybe or maybe not - but this does, and I'm here to discuss it. I'm not asking you to be bothered as I am because I choose to discuss it.

And I still haven't read a post by anyone in this thread that says "sextonseven, I demand that you stop listening to your Zeppelin records." Not a single one.

I'm concerned that others are being overly concerned. I think that's a waste of time because too many artists over the years have said something wrong about a group of people at some point--whether it be Robert Plant, Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, Elvis Costello or Fishbone--that people would be bothered every day.

When someone posts on this thread 'fuck this guy's career' I interpret that as meaning his music has no value. I disagree.

BlaqueKnight said:

EmbattledWarrior said:

Yeah, I'm Bi racial...

So i get it from both sides...

but the territorial "we" IMO seems to just propel the whole Us & Them notion that generates the cyclical wheels of racism.

Black and white is a fallacy...

just illusions, colorblind yourself

Worst advice EVER. Part of where America has failed miserably in dealing with race is the "colorblind" mentality that Prince and others were pushing in the 80s.

The solution is not an easy one but it starts with being able to respect and acknowledge ALL COLORS, not pretend. Society itself is a "fallacy" but if you choose to live in it, you must adhere somewhat to its boundaries or it all falls apart into chaos.

And I don't care what the "tall cool one"'s background is, SPOOK is definitely a racist term. Ignorance is not an excuse and he knows what he said. Its probably just common speak for him. Its his generation that used words like "spook".

uPtoWnNY said:

BlaqueKnight said:

Worst advice EVER. Part of where America has failed miserably in dealing with race is the "colorblind" mentality that Prince and others were pushing in the 80s.

The solution is not an easy one but it starts with being able to respect and acknowledge ALL COLORS, not pretend. Society itself is a "fallacy" but if you choose to live in it, you must adhere somewhat to its boundaries or it all falls apart into chaos.

And I don't care what the "tall cool one"'s background is, SPOOK is definitely a racist term. Ignorance is not an excuse and he knows what he said. Its probably just common speak for him. Its his generation that used words like "spook".

I still love his music, but it was a pretty bad slip up on his part.

sextonseven said:

I'm concerned that others are being overly concerned. I think that's a waste of time because too many artists over the years have said something wrong about a group of people at some point--whether it be Robert Plant, Amy Winehouse, Lauryn Hill, Elvis Costello or Fishbone--that people would be bothered every day.

When someone posts on this thread 'fuck this guy's career' I interpret that as meaning his music has no value. I disagree.

You may disagree, but that doesn't make someone else's choice irrelevant. This might totally erase any value that Robert Plant's music may have had for someone else. Oh well.

You're concerned about others being overly concerned about the issue more than you're concerned about the actual issue. It might be a waste of time, but that's not your time to waste. The level of concern you may have set for yourself doesn't necessarily determine anyone else's.