Is My Video Too Racist/Offensive?

[Stef]

It's late, and I don't really feel like getting into detail, but I am going to keep it all the way real. I wouldn't say it's 'racist', but it is a bit stupid though. Mostly because African-American's (or any person with darker skin) can in fact get sunburned. That's not even the problem here. The whole thing is just ignorant, from 'Just because he's so darn black like' to the dancing guy at the end who you so eloquently described as 'the random black individual'. To say anyone that would be offended by that is an idiot is so very misguided.

I could honestly forgive all of that if it wasn't so unfunny.

 

[VlogRays]

I could honestly forgive all of that if it wasn't so unfunny.

I thought the dancing was funny as hell! The lyrics didn't make laugh so much but to just say it wasn't funny like it was a god damn fact...well that's kinda being foolish.
Once again if this was a song sang by a black guy about a white guy this wouldn't even be a conversation.

This is wrong in your book then right?

 

[Voice of Vanessa]

*Not at all! People with humour should see this as pure harmless comedy.​

*No, but some people may misunderstand you - but this is inevitable​

I found the video funny! First off you can sing (not the best but I heard you hit some notes there mister ;D) ...lol <3 Second thing is your brave to dance like that iin public !! haha...third I HAVE to wear sunblock!! Black people get so freaking dark when in the sun too long...xD and if I didn't wear sunblock my skin would peel like a banana D; ( to much info I know eww) You're video might offend some people though...when it comes to racism ...it's a touchy subject so you're brave for doing this video in the first place...​

 

[Stef]

@Ray, Well, in my personal opinion it wasn't funny to me.
A 22-second clip from a Chris Rock routine was supposed to prove what? You can find it offensive all you want. I'm not saying you shouldn't. That's you saying people shouldn't be offended.
I don't know, maybe because where I've grown up I'm accustomed to seeing through stuff like this, but if you have to ask if your video is offensive, it probably is, and something tells me you know exactly what you're doing. It is what it is though.

On a nicer note: I'm sure you have a lot more to offer, and I'm not saying you're a racist at all, but this was just a dud to me. Once again, that is just my personal opinion.

 

[maSkraP]

It's late, and I don't really feel like getting into detail, but I am going to keep it all the way real. I wouldn't say it's 'racist', but it is a bit stupid though. Mostly because African-American's (or any person with darker skin) can in fact get sunburned. That's not even the problem here. The whole thing is just ignorant, from 'Just because he's so darn black like' to the dancing guy at the end who you so eloquently described as 'the random black individual'. To say anyone that would be offended by that is an idiot is so very misguided.

I could honestly forgive all of that if it wasn't so unfunny.

Well, regardless whether the video is stupid or not, the intention was to share the dialogue I had with my colleague at work. Of course, I could have done it in a plain ole vlog style... but I thought I do it a fun way by putting a little effort into it. Just wanted to be creative, that's all. If you think it's stupid, well, thanks for your opinion. But it's not like I was trying to win a Nobel Peace Prize with it. I'm just having fun with it. You may call me ignorant or what have you, but I honestly didn't know whether black people wore sun-screen or not. My colleague told me black people don't, and because I honestly didn't know, I just took his word for it.

In essence, he was making fun of me for being able to get burnt so easily. My face was hurting and started to peel a lot. Just wanted to make a fun video out of the situation. Hope I didn't offend you. That surely wasn't the intention of this video. I also took out "black" in describing the individual whom volunteered to dance with me. If it bothered you, surely others might be bothered as well by it... so thanks for the heads up.

 

[VlogRays]

Well, in my personal opinion it wasn't funny to me.
A 22-second clip from a Chris Rock routine was supposed to prove what? You can find it offensive all you want. I'm not saying you shouldn't. That's you saying people shouldn't be offended.
I don't know, maybe because where I've grown up I'm accustomed to seeing through stuff like this, but if you have to ask if your video is offensive, it probably is, and something tells me you know exactly what you're doing. It is what it is though.

On a nicer note: I'm sure you have a lot more to offer, and I'm not saying you're a racist at all, but this was just a dud to me. Once again, that is just my personal opinion.

I'm not offended by the Chris Rock clip at all. That's my point. In fact Bigger and Blacker is one of my favorite comedy dvd's I have.

 

[maSkraP]

@Ray, Well, in my personal opinion it wasn't funny to me.
A 22-second clip from a Chris Rock routine was supposed to prove what? You can find it offensive all you want. I'm not saying you shouldn't. That's you saying people shouldn't be offended.
I don't know, maybe because where I've grown up I'm accustomed to seeing through stuff like this, but if you have to ask if your video is offensive, it probably is, and something tells me you know exactly what you're doing. It is what it is though.

On a nicer note: I'm sure you have a lot more to offer, and I'm not saying you're a racist at all, but this was just a dud to me. Once again, that is just my personal opinion.

I was looking for upfront, real, truthful, and blunt answers.
Thanks for sharing this with me.
You tell it how it is in your mind.
You are not afraid or do not hesitate to share it.

To give you a little background of myself, if I may... I grew up in Jamaica town during my elementary/high school years. But in all those years, I've never came across this subject. So I found it particularly interesting. Just thought I let you know because it seems like you may regard me as completely naive. I'm sure you have a deep-rooted experience relating to this type of culture-tension (as you have gently hinted above). I respect it fully and in no way am I here to offend.

Have yourself a good night's rest.
I hope my future videos will grant a better approval from you.

 

[urbanlamb]

Younger people are more easily offended I just want to point this out they tend to get more upset more easily over things. As you get older you tend to well loosen up a lot you see real racism and what is funny to some people is offensive to others. I wont get into the sunburn thing I know black people burn haha I have a friend who wears sunblock to avoid getting black as tar. In any event there is no way to please everyone especially with humour. I dont think its possible to not offend someone when being funny. Some people get offended if they hear swearing. Some get offended with body language some get offended with parodies and I can go on and on and on. I didnt chuckle a whole lot but I did find the video creative. I come from the generation that finds monty python and the holy grail funny... though..

I am going to point out another very old steriotype you will get as a korean making such a video and you are likely quite aware of the racial issues between asians and blacks in general however that generation is long gone and the newer generation does not carry that baguage.

 

[VlogRays]

I come from the generation that finds monty python and the holy grail funny... though...

It doesn't matter what generation you came from! Monty Python and the Holy Grail will ALWAYS be funny as hell!

 

[maSkraP]

Younger people are more easily offended I just want to point this out they tend to get more upset more easily over things. As you get older you tend to well loosen up a lot you see real racism and what is funny to some people is offensive to others. I wont get into the sunburn thing I know black people burn haha I have a friend who wears sunblock to avoid getting black as tar. In any event there is no way to please everyone especially with humour. I dont think its possible to not offend someone when being funny. Some people get offended if they hear swearing. Some get offended with body language some get offended with parodies and I can go on and on and on. I didnt chuckle a whole lot but I did find the video creative. I come from the generation that finds monty python and the holy grail funny... though..

I am going to point out another very old steriotype you will get as a korean making such a video and you are likely quite aware of the racial issues between asians and blacks in general however that generation is long gone and the newer generation does not carry that baguage.

Well put.