Mods Should Be Deleting Racist Comments and Banning Repeat Offenders

cpho on 30/08/2020 - 14:03

I've noticed an increased racist sentiment in posts where Asian products are being sold. Most of the time the comments are so casually racist that the person doesn't even realise they're being racist.

While mods are usually on the lookout for personal attacks or explicitly offensive comments, I think it's just as important to be removing comments which are racist.

If we continue to laugh at these
jokes and upvote them and deem them humorous then the whole OzBargain community becomes part of the problem that is racism. If we deny that comments are racist, then we basically say that this is acceptable behaviour, which it’s actually not. People may think it’s a harmless joke in the name of fun, but the reality is casual racism can have grave effects.

I think casually racists comments should be deleted by mods, and repeat offenders should have their accounts banned.

From now, I will be actively reporting all comments I see which are racist. I hope you will all do the same.

Site Discussion

closed Comments

        • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 17:19
          +2

          We can move the goalpost when we know the goalpost is moved for good.

          When the outcome is unknown and the agenda is pushed by emotion, the goalpost is best left where it is.

          In this case, we know the outcome is bad because it is undefined. If we can silent speech based on offence that we interpret, we can silence anything.

          • Kangal on 30/08/2020 - 18:33

            @[Deactivated]: Firstly, you can't say the outcome would be bad with certainty. There have been "happy accidents" in a multitude of fields. You can say it would increase the probability of bad outcomes, and the onus comes on you to prove your point. (not that anyone here disagrees with it).

            Though I accept that goalposts get moved by society, and they should move based on how the society evolves. Yet the limits on those are set by (federal) Law, upheld by police and judges, and put upon to the citizens. We should take care with any and all laws (removing outdated ones, updating some, adding new ones, etc etc), but it is simply impossible for a homo sapien to think without emotion. We can reduce our emotions, remain as impartial as possible, and use as much logic, rationality, and reason as possible. However, the bias will always exist… it's what makes us "human".

            So I agree with neil in theory, and I agree with you in practise. It's one of those things that needs clear/concise language, high intelligence, high morality, and as little emotion as possible to see facts, actions and consequences.

            PS: With that said, to peoples in developed nations, it seems like racism has officially ended in this decade. Since using the N-word is inoffensive and casual, and everyone using the R-word for all things… these words have lost their bite, their meaning, their effectiveness. Just like the word "literally" which now means "figuratively". Food for thought.

            • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 18:38
              +1

              @Kangal: I can say with certainty in context of what I said - restricting speech without a defined scope.

              1. The commonality between all totalitarian regimes is the erosion of speech.

              2. When making rules, the lack of definition invites abuse.

              So, to reiterate, I'm not saying restricting speech is always bad. I'm saying restricting speech without scope and/or definition is most certainly bad.

  • cheaplee on 30/08/2020 - 14:52
    +1

    Racism should be judged on the intention or belief with which it is propogated, not the ears upon which it is heard.

    Otherwise nothing said at a KKK meeting could possibly be racist because no one there would find it offensive.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 15:02
    +12

    OP needs to toughen up, hope thats not racist.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 15:04
      +3

      You implied they're of a race that may include individuals that are not sufficiently tough.

      That is casual racism.

      • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 15:04
        +2

        I don't know what race they are, should apply to everyone.

        • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 15:06
          +5

          Now you've offended everyone.

          That's universal casual racism.

      • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 15:06

        so what i tell my aussie born son to toughen up that's racist lol.

      • BOGOF on 30/08/2020 - 15:19
        +1

        Nope, that's casual softism

  • ozhunter on 30/08/2020 - 15:02

    If we deny that comments are racist, then we basically say that this is acceptable behaviour

    But what if the comment isn't actually racist?

    It's like the whole rape culture thing that feminists try to convince us is happening everywhere.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 15:02
    +5

    From now, I will be actively reporting all comments I see which are racist. I hope you will all do the same.

    I hope the mods will ban users that repetitively make false accusation of racism.

    One cannot be afforded the opportunity to tarnish another's reputation, liberties and privilege yet be free of any repercussions.

    • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 15:09
      +1

      You might be better off on whirlpool forum

      • brendanm on 30/08/2020 - 15:15
        +5

        You may need your sarcasm detector recalibrated.

    • Moderatorneil on 30/08/2020 - 15:46

      I hope the mods will ban users that repetitively make false accusation of racism.

      Users are free to report as many times as they want without repercussions. All reports are kept confidential so no "reputations will be tarnished".

  • popsiee on 30/08/2020 - 15:11

    I think it’s good no one I hope is reporting people in the Cottonball Club as the mods would be overwhelmed !

  • cynicalmike on 30/08/2020 - 15:14
    +1

    i'm not racist, i hate everyone equally.

    • this is us on 30/08/2020 - 17:22

      Because people sk… (I really don't know if this verb is allowed in this context, but to be clear some people buy vacuums to sk the dust). That's probably known as the "s verb"…

      • cynicalmike on 30/08/2020 - 17:23
        +1

        nope, suck is fine. i doubt you would get censored by mods for using that word.

        i prefer to just say most people are "c" word (plural).

    • pegaxs on 30/08/2020 - 23:35

      I’m an equally opportunity discriminator… everyone gets a piece of my hate…

  • zombrex on 30/08/2020 - 15:15
    +12

    There are people here who want to shut down any criticism of China and use racism as an excuse to shut it down.
    There are many products from China that have serious concerns about health and safety issues, ip theft and using slave labour in producing goods.

    https://www.aspi.org.au/report/uyghurs-sale
    Just look at this document and see how many major companies like Nike, Sony, Apple are linked to using slave labour.
    If anything it surprising some of these offending products don't receive more negative comments.

    We have seen from the university free speech debacles that even saying Taiwan is not part of China is even considered racist by these zealots.
    Overall I think mods do a very good job of removing comments that are genuinely racist while still allowing free discussion.

  • avgbowlofpho on 30/08/2020 - 15:18
    +4

    OP, while making to make a statement, does not refer to any sort of evidence or information on this website that pertains to the argument of "casual racism" because of the fact that a "witch hunt" might occur.

    From my experience being on this website, a majority of the comments which you may "perceive" as racism are probably misinterpreted.

    Mind you that it is your choice to be on this website and stay here, and that the decisions will be made under the moderator's discretion. Seeing as some moderators are Asian, I'm sure that if there was racism or racist comments, they'd be removed already.

    There is absolutely nothing wrong with a) reporting the comment or b) leaving OzBargain if you don't like what's being said because it doesn't pertain to your heavily skewed perception of what and what isn't racist.

  • Melb69 on 30/08/2020 - 15:39

    OP just do as you are proposing and report comments. It's then up to the moderators to review your opinion as to whether in fact they are racist comments and deleted. I would like to say in my opinion. When anyone begins with the line. ' By the way no offence, but… To me that is someone justifying their true thoughts when being racist .That is offensive . Just saying. IMO. I believe the moderators are already doing their job to their best ability and with the time they have.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 30/08/2020 - 16:15
    +1

    The Karen is strong with this one

    Im half asian and im telling you the mods do ban racist comments - if anything the sentiment is pretty 'pro asian' on Ozbargin

    Im my experince (hope i dont get banned for saying this) the Ozb mods are very pro-socialist

    • brendanm on 30/08/2020 - 17:41

      You obviously haven't been to whirlpool

  • YeemaiI on 30/08/2020 - 16:17

    Have to agree, have seen many racist comments. And multiple other offensive comments regarding religion.

    • ozhunter on 30/08/2020 - 16:21
      +2

      Link?

      • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 30/08/2020 - 16:27

        Many religion related posts leave the community divided, here is an example.

        • ozhunter on 30/08/2020 - 17:55

          Lol, I knew it would be a Christianity-related post.

          I haven't gone through it again, but I'd think like 99% of the comments were fine imo.

      • YeemaiI on 30/08/2020 - 16:35

        E.g. of racism
        One guy making fun of the way some Chinese speak, so I reported it.

        E.g. of making offensive comments about religion
        People talking about how some religions are fake and all that type of stuff

        • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 17:31

          It's your choice to identify as a believer. There is nothing wrong with knocking religion.

          If I believe the earth is flat and held by elephants standing on a celestial turtle floating through space, calling me an idiot is as much an offence as knocking religion.

          • ozhunter on 30/08/2020 - 17:49

            @[Deactivated]:

            It's your choice to identify as a believer. There is nothing wrong with knocking religion.

            Is there then anything wrong with knocking with what's listed here?

            https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/562188#comment-9217534

            If you're born a certain way, shouldn't you be less offended if some took jabs at something out of your control?

            • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 18:00
              +1

              @ozhunter:

              Is there then anything wrong with knocking with what's listed here?

              Attacking someone based in gender identification. Depends. If by attack you maliciously, of course it is wrong. If by attack you mean you think it is a disorder, then that's not even "attacking".

              Attacking someone based on sexual preference. Wrong. Sexual preference is innate.

              Attacking someone based on their weight. Depends. If someone is obese and they are stuffing burgers down the chow hole, go ahead. If you're "attacking" by declining that person a heart transplant in favour of someone that watches their diet and isn't far, go ahead. It isn't okay if someone is doing their best but has a condition that predisposes them go obesity.

              And let's be honest, people who watch their diet and exercise but are still obese is very rare.

              • ozhunter on 30/08/2020 - 18:12

                @[Deactivated]: Attack seems to strong of a word. I mean ribbing/teasing/joking/banter.

                Sexual preference is innate

                Actions are not.

                I meant that if religion should not be off the table, why should anything else be? Is the whole point about protecting people's feelings?

                • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 18:19
                  +3

                  @ozhunter:

                  Is the whole point about protecting people's feelings?

                  Protected speech was never about protecting feelings.

                  It is about protecting the right to say anything but since there is no such thing as total freedom, just as freedom doesn't mean the ability to shoot up a nightclub, there are some restrictions.

                  Protecting speech is about minimising the restrictions without impeding ones ability to express their opinions and ideas nor allowing one to use said protection to cause harm without accountability.

              • RockyRaccoon on 30/08/2020 - 19:03

                @[Deactivated]:

                If someone is obese and they are stuffing burgers down the chow hole, go ahead.

                No that makes the assumption that Burgers - High in Saturated Fat is the cause of their obesity.

                Much scientific opinion is that high saturated fat, is not the cause of obesity or heart disease.

                Also you might want to read this

                https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-reasons-obesity-is-no…

                …… Now for the Purple people eaters who are never discriminated against 😀

        • mrvaluepack on 30/08/2020 - 17:56

          What if I speak hybrid? Is that racist?

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDmYTHwqrww

    • brendanm on 30/08/2020 - 16:40
      +4

      People cannot choose their race. They can however choose their religion.

      • YeemaiI on 30/08/2020 - 16:44
        -1

        Yeah, people can choose their own religion, but that doesn't mean people should be making fun of other religions. See what I mean?

        • brendanm on 30/08/2020 - 17:01
          +4

          They can, why not? Same as people make fun of football teams people choose.

        • kahn on 30/08/2020 - 17:02
          +3

          Are you suggesting that people aren't allowed to make fun of religions? How about flat-earthers? How about those who believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and Richard Simmons?

      • RockyRaccoon on 30/08/2020 - 19:09

        So just because you can choose something, means its fair game?

        Funny the law doesnt discriminate. Its against the law to discriminate against or cause offence based on Race or Religion or Sexual orientation. (Or words to that effect)

        And now we are told we can choose our sex, so does that mean sexual orientation is now fair game?

        And we can mock religion here in Australia, but try that in other countries, and you aren't discriminated against. You are just put to death. Again that applies to all.

        • brendanm on 30/08/2020 - 19:41

          Haha the classic "try that in other countries" gag. So these other places religions are so tolerant and beautiful that they will kill me for having a differing opinion? Sounds magnificent, get me on board with that.

          Yes, if people choose something it should be fair game. If you choose to believe in a certain thing, people are going to comment on it, get over it.

          Also, discrimination in law does has nothing to do with me mocking religion on a forum.

  • mapax on 30/08/2020 - 16:25
    +6

    If OP refuses to give examples and the comments are so casual that the commenter doesn’t know it’s problematic how is anyone outside of the cult meant to know?

  • MagicMushroom on 30/08/2020 - 16:51
    +2

    I've noticed an increased racist sentiment in posts where Asian products are being sold.

    Why not make it clearer, if there was an increase, its on Chinese products and rest of Asia is hardly involved.

  • JimmyF on 30/08/2020 - 16:57
    +3

    Why stop at there, any post that offends anyone should be removed!

    • AustriaBargain on 30/08/2020 - 18:31
      -2

      I know that the Christian members would like it if their belief system was untouchable here, and probably everywhere in the world if they had the choice.

      • brendanm on 30/08/2020 - 19:42
        -1

        This goes for everyone in a sky-daddy club.

  • Gnostikos on 30/08/2020 - 17:36
    +12

    I've noticed an increased racist sentiment in posts where Asian products are being sold

    No you haven't.

    You've noticed an increase in people quite rightfully criticising the actions of the Chinese state, Chinese foreign policy, Chinese manufacturers of commodity goods and Western economic dependence on China and you've interpreted this trend as stemming from racism, when in reality it's stemming from opposition to exploitation and subjugation on an international scale by an incredibly corrupt and power-hungry regime.

    The fact that you're likely of Chinese background yourself significantly colours your perception of such commentary and prevents you from removing notions of race/ethnicity/culture from a perfectly legitimate critique of what are political/social concepts.

    This is precisely the kind of hypocritical deflection and Whataboutism that the Chinese state engages in whenever it's called out for it's wanton disregard for humane and internationally-agreed upon ethics and morals in diplomatic relations.

    but the reality is casual racism can have grave effects.

    It certainly can, and as a perfect example, the Uyghur people, who are indigenous to Xinjiang, are being persecuted on a scale and magnitude that hasn't been seen since the heyday of the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, which is contributed to in large part by state-encouraged Han Chinese discrimination against all non-Han minorities in China.

    • JimmyF on 30/08/2020 - 17:38
      +7

      You've noticed an increase in people quite rightfully criticising the actions of the Chinese state, Chinese foreign policy, Chinese manufacturers of commodity goods and Western economic dependence on China and you've interpreted this trend as stemming from racism, when in reality it's stemming from opposition to exploitation and subjugation on an international scale by an incredibly corrupt and power-hungry regime.

      THIS

      • RockyRaccoon on 30/08/2020 - 19:13

        And remember Australian's are NOT good friends as "Good Friends dont act like Brutus", isnt that now China's policy?

        Next we can have all those Americans claiming jokes/statements about their President are casually racial based, and not friendly either.

  • Ocker on 30/08/2020 - 18:04
    +1

    Storm in a teacup as what can be classed as racism is very subjective.
    OP even admits that in the first para. of the post on this issue "that the person doesn't even realise they're being racist.". Perhaps a poster does not consider a comment to be racist, but OP does?

    • ozhunter on 30/08/2020 - 18:15
      +1

      OP wants you to stop something you don't realise you are doing. 😁

  • randomusername2017 on 30/08/2020 - 18:25

    *Popcorn…

    Hopefully this doesn't degenerate into one of those boring religious debates..

  • AustriaBargain on 30/08/2020 - 18:31
    +2

    I don't think I recall ever seeing a racist comment here. I'd make an ironically racist joke after saying something like that, but I don't want to be in the penalty box.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 19:21

    I've noticed an increased racist sentiment in posts where Asian products are being sold

    Report and block the offender.

    /thread

  • motiv8ion on 30/08/2020 - 19:31
    +6

    Just trying to work out where the OZ bargain Statue is so I can protest to have it pulled down??

    • brendanm on 30/08/2020 - 19:44
      +1

      You don't even have to protest, just pull it down with some mates. Blatant vandalism is ok nowadays.

      • mapax on 30/08/2020 - 20:03
        +2

        Let me fix that for you

        Blatant vandalism is ok nowadays if it’s in the name of the “correct” ideology.

    • Gnostikos on 30/08/2020 - 20:12
      +3

      It's a 10 metre tall statue of Broden himself, made entirely out of 4,000 Eneloops welded together.

      The plaque at the bottom reads:

      "In nomine deduco,
      Et non solvente RRP,
      Et condemno Geraldo Harveyus, Amen."

      • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 20:39

        Do we not like Gerry Harvey? Is it because he is gloating about making a killing while people are dying?

        Ps: I'm new around here.

        • kahn on 30/08/2020 - 21:41
          +1

          Two other reasons: he spearheaded the effort to get GST applied to all overseas purchases (instead of >$1000) and he claimed that online shopping in Australia would not become popular (in response to Kogan's approach).

  • SBOB on 30/08/2020 - 19:49

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/562245

    would this post count :)

    • whooah1979 on 30/08/2020 - 19:54
      -1

      No.

      • SBOB on 30/08/2020 - 22:39

        Seems the actual answer was 'yes'

        • whooah1979 on 31/08/2020 - 07:37

          I'm confident that Neil knows the difference between racism and trolling. The OP didn't contain any racism but rather an target attack on the seller's religion.

    • Moderatorneil on 30/08/2020 - 20:06

      Removed and banned.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 20:25

    Don’t most come here for the bargains anyway, can still see them if banned lol.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2020 - 20:27

    It’s not like the Nth Korean style whirlpool forum they ban your IP address too lol.
    Hope that is not racist.

  • ProspectiveDarkness on 30/08/2020 - 20:29
    +5

    OP, I'll let you in on a little trick I picked up a while ago: the average internet comment is not worth the time taken to read it - and this goes doubly for OzBargain. Life is much better when you come here for the deals and very little else.

    • kahn on 30/08/2020 - 21:44
      +3

      Meanwhile…3183 comments :-)

      • SBOB on 30/08/2020 - 22:40

        They've contributed so little value :)

      • ProspectiveDarkness on 30/08/2020 - 23:17
        +2

        Lol. I've been here for 10 years and wasn't always so wise.

  • pegaxs on 30/08/2020 - 23:44
    +6

    Lol @ “casual” or “passive” racism… I’m going to put that shit in the same draw as “micro-aggressions”. This “woke” shit is getting out of hand.

  • VictimEqualsProfit on 31/08/2020 - 07:09
    +1

    I'm doing my part in the war against political correctness. You can ban me but you'll have to kill me before I stop.

  • saltypete on 31/08/2020 - 08:47

    If “casual racism” is terms of speech that we have become used to over years, rather than racism, perhaps it’s not an increase but many are becoming more sensitive to this as our community continues to become more inclusive. If so, isn’t that a good thing? I grew up post war in a society here that had just remove a legal imperative to stop non caucasians from becoming citizens. We have moved a long way and will continue to, and slowly respond to the way our society is changing.
    Racism, and I mean with intent is removed. If other remarks offend you, please say so in a factual way and let’s attempt not to try to appear smart by being a##hole#. Sort of simple really.

    Would really like the same approach to English. Make a mistake, have someone apply correct spelling etc, move on.

  • Moderatorneil on 31/08/2020 - 09:44

    OK, this thread has run it's course. Closed.

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