Has the Race Card/ Political Correctness gone too far ?

Halifax2TheMax said:

mace1229 said:

mickeyrat said:

mace1229 said:

mickeyrat said:

in this case, I would say so. But that doesn't mean there isn't STILL legitimateinjustices perpetrated daily.

my personal view on political correctness is its really about basic human decency and respect toward another human being. I can't see how exactly thats a bad thing?

That isn't a bad thing.
I think the problem some see with PC going to far is too many are overly sensitive to it. You can't bring up fatherless homes when talking about black crimes or someone will accuse you of being racist.
When I was in college I was having a friendly conversation with 2 coworkers and the word "ghetto" was used. My white friend and I were written up and given a serious warning (like almost lost our job) for using racial slurs, and when we asked why the third person wasn't in trouble our manager responded "because she's black, she's allowed to use that word." I think that was my first personal experience of serious over PC reaction. Here we are some 20 year old kids having a friendly conversation on a lunch break, and our job was threatened because we were white and used the word "ghetto" to describe something, then were told our black coworker can use it since she's black.
Probably don't need to mention I didn't have a good relationship with my manager after that and didn't give a crap about my job after that and my work productivity quickly declined.

that scenario depends on how the argument is framed though doesn't it? in what way was that convo framed? what was the context?

on the surface, a misapplication of hr protocols is what it sounds like to me. also got to ask, just how long ago was this?

I don't even remember context, this was 12 years ago or so. Back when the word "ghetto" was used often to describe something shady, you know like if your bumper starts to fall off and you keep it together with duct tape, that's ghetto. It was something like that, innocent conversati0on, nothing to do with race or anything. I'm pretty sure the 2 of us who got into trouble weren't even the first ones to use it, it was our black friend who got a free pass for being black who used it and we just continued the conversation. And to get into as much trouble as we did was ridiculous. To take such offense to an innocent conversation like that just blew my mind at the time. Especially since I remember our defense being we didn't even use the word first (even though I didn't think anything wrong with it at the time anyway) and him following back with "that is our word, you can't have it).

I felt like I got my revenge a month later. It was a job on campus and we had to sign up when we had finals so they wouldn't schedule us. I accidentally said I had PM finals and could work the AM shift. It was reversed, but didn't realized I wrote it down wrong. So I show up for the PM shift (having taking a final that morning) and immediate get my rear end handed to me. In 4 years working this same job, and this was a relatively new manager, this was the one and only time I missed a shift or was even late. The only other incident I ever had was using the word ghetto a few weeks early, but got along great with all our previous managers. So when I realized I wrote down the wrong times I apologized several times, but he kept chewing me out and said this is my second strike and to not let there be a third or I'm gone. He then immediately changes his attitude and says "but since its finals we're really short staffed right now and I could really use your help if you stay, everyone else ha PM finals today." My response was "so you mean I wasn't scheduled to work right? see you tomorrow."

Context is everything. And if you don't remember the context, why bring it up? Still feeling aggrieved from an injustice of 12 years ago?

mace1229 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

mace1229 said:

mickeyrat said:

mace1229 said:

mickeyrat said:

in this case, I would say so. But that doesn't mean there isn't STILL legitimateinjustices perpetrated daily.

my personal view on political correctness is its really about basic human decency and respect toward another human being. I can't see how exactly thats a bad thing?

That isn't a bad thing.
I think the problem some see with PC going to far is too many are overly sensitive to it. You can't bring up fatherless homes when talking about black crimes or someone will accuse you of being racist.
When I was in college I was having a friendly conversation with 2 coworkers and the word "ghetto" was used. My white friend and I were written up and given a serious warning (like almost lost our job) for using racial slurs, and when we asked why the third person wasn't in trouble our manager responded "because she's black, she's allowed to use that word." I think that was my first personal experience of serious over PC reaction. Here we are some 20 year old kids having a friendly conversation on a lunch break, and our job was threatened because we were white and used the word "ghetto" to describe something, then were told our black coworker can use it since she's black.
Probably don't need to mention I didn't have a good relationship with my manager after that and didn't give a crap about my job after that and my work productivity quickly declined.

that scenario depends on how the argument is framed though doesn't it? in what way was that convo framed? what was the context?

on the surface, a misapplication of hr protocols is what it sounds like to me. also got to ask, just how long ago was this?

I don't even remember context, this was 12 years ago or so. Back when the word "ghetto" was used often to describe something shady, you know like if your bumper starts to fall off and you keep it together with duct tape, that's ghetto. It was something like that, innocent conversati0on, nothing to do with race or anything. I'm pretty sure the 2 of us who got into trouble weren't even the first ones to use it, it was our black friend who got a free pass for being black who used it and we just continued the conversation. And to get into as much trouble as we did was ridiculous. To take such offense to an innocent conversation like that just blew my mind at the time. Especially since I remember our defense being we didn't even use the word first (even though I didn't think anything wrong with it at the time anyway) and him following back with "that is our word, you can't have it).

I felt like I got my revenge a month later. It was a job on campus and we had to sign up when we had finals so they wouldn't schedule us. I accidentally said I had PM finals and could work the AM shift. It was reversed, but didn't realized I wrote it down wrong. So I show up for the PM shift (having taking a final that morning) and immediate get my rear end handed to me. In 4 years working this same job, and this was a relatively new manager, this was the one and only time I missed a shift or was even late. The only other incident I ever had was using the word ghetto a few weeks early, but got along great with all our previous managers. So when I realized I wrote down the wrong times I apologized several times, but he kept chewing me out and said this is my second strike and to not let there be a third or I'm gone. He then immediately changes his attitude and says "but since its finals we're really short staffed right now and I could really use your help if you stay, everyone else ha PM finals today." My response was "so you mean I wasn't scheduled to work right? see you tomorrow."

Context is everything. And if you don't remember the context, why bring it up? Still feeling aggrieved from an injustice of 12 years ago?

Could you provide me with a context where it is appropriate for a supervisor to tell 2 employees they are being written up for a word they used since they are white, and the third employee, involved in the same discussion, is told it is okay to use that word because he is black? Same context, even same discussion, all 3 were friends. I cant think of any where that would be appropriate (if it was the N word then maybe, but we're talking about saying the word "ghetto").
And I did tell you the context of the discussion, we were referring to something being "ghetto" as is being sketchy. I'm sure everyone remembers that being a common phrase back then, and to write 2 employees up for racial slurs while giving a third a free pass I think is ridiculous. What exactly it was we called ghetto I don't remember, but that was the word used and the context in which it was used.
Would I now describe something as "ghetto"? Probably not, but a racial slur? no. And the topic of this thread was has PC gone too far, and I think this is one example where it has.
And yeah I was pissed off, in 4 years this was the first incident I had of any kind and I didn't take being called a racist lightly.

Go Beavers said:

Not sure I've heard boombox used since 1990.

HughFreakingDillon said:

Jimi Hendrix as part of your white history month. Good god.

mace1229 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

mace1229 said:

mickeyrat said:

mace1229 said:

mickeyrat said:

in this case, I would say so. But that doesn't mean there isn't STILL legitimateinjustices perpetrated daily.

my personal view on political correctness is its really about basic human decency and respect toward another human being. I can't see how exactly thats a bad thing?

That isn't a bad thing.
I think the problem some see with PC going to far is too many are overly sensitive to it. You can't bring up fatherless homes when talking about black crimes or someone will accuse you of being racist.
When I was in college I was having a friendly conversation with 2 coworkers and the word "ghetto" was used. My white friend and I were written up and given a serious warning (like almost lost our job) for using racial slurs, and when we asked why the third person wasn't in trouble our manager responded "because she's black, she's allowed to use that word." I think that was my first personal experience of serious over PC reaction. Here we are some 20 year old kids having a friendly conversation on a lunch break, and our job was threatened because we were white and used the word "ghetto" to describe something, then were told our black coworker can use it since she's black.
Probably don't need to mention I didn't have a good relationship with my manager after that and didn't give a crap about my job after that and my work productivity quickly declined.

that scenario depends on how the argument is framed though doesn't it? in what way was that convo framed? what was the context?

on the surface, a misapplication of hr protocols is what it sounds like to me. also got to ask, just how long ago was this?

I don't even remember context, this was 12 years ago or so. Back when the word "ghetto" was used often to describe something shady, you know like if your bumper starts to fall off and you keep it together with duct tape, that's ghetto. It was something like that, innocent conversati0on, nothing to do with race or anything. I'm pretty sure the 2 of us who got into trouble weren't even the first ones to use it, it was our black friend who got a free pass for being black who used it and we just continued the conversation. And to get into as much trouble as we did was ridiculous. To take such offense to an innocent conversation like that just blew my mind at the time. Especially since I remember our defense being we didn't even use the word first (even though I didn't think anything wrong with it at the time anyway) and him following back with "that is our word, you can't have it).

I felt like I got my revenge a month later. It was a job on campus and we had to sign up when we had finals so they wouldn't schedule us. I accidentally said I had PM finals and could work the AM shift. It was reversed, but didn't realized I wrote it down wrong. So I show up for the PM shift (having taking a final that morning) and immediate get my rear end handed to me. In 4 years working this same job, and this was a relatively new manager, this was the one and only time I missed a shift or was even late. The only other incident I ever had was using the word ghetto a few weeks early, but got along great with all our previous managers. So when I realized I wrote down the wrong times I apologized several times, but he kept chewing me out and said this is my second strike and to not let there be a third or I'm gone. He then immediately changes his attitude and says "but since its finals we're really short staffed right now and I could really use your help if you stay, everyone else ha PM finals today." My response was "so you mean I wasn't scheduled to work right? see you tomorrow."

Context is everything. And if you don't remember the context, why bring it up? Still feeling aggrieved from an injustice of 12 years ago?

Could you provide me with a context where it is appropriate for a supervisor to tell 2 employees they are being written up for a word they used since they are white, and the third employee, involved in the same discussion, is told it is okay to use that word because he is black? Same context, even same discussion, all 3 were friends. I cant think of any where that would be appropriate (if it was the N word then maybe, but we're talking about saying the word "ghetto").
And I did tell you the context of the discussion, we were referring to something being "ghetto" as is being sketchy. I'm sure everyone remembers that being a common phrase back then, and to write 2 employees up for racial slurs while giving a third a free pass I think is ridiculous. What exactly it was we called ghetto I don't remember, but that was the word used and the context in which it was used.
Would I now describe something as "ghetto"? Probably not, but a racial slur? no. And the topic of this thread was has PC gone too far, and I think this is one example where it has.
And yeah I was pissed off, in 4 years this was the first incident I had of any kind and I didn't take being called a racist lightly.

PP193448 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

mace1229 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

mace1229 said:

mickeyrat said:

mace1229 said:

mickeyrat said:

in this case, I would say so. But that doesn't mean there isn't STILL legitimateinjustices perpetrated daily.

my personal view on political correctness is its really about basic human decency and respect toward another human being. I can't see how exactly thats a bad thing?

That isn't a bad thing.
I think the problem some see with PC going to far is too many are overly sensitive to it. You can't bring up fatherless homes when talking about black crimes or someone will accuse you of being racist.
When I was in college I was having a friendly conversation with 2 coworkers and the word "ghetto" was used. My white friend and I were written up and given a serious warning (like almost lost our job) for using racial slurs, and when we asked why the third person wasn't in trouble our manager responded "because she's black, she's allowed to use that word." I think that was my first personal experience of serious over PC reaction. Here we are some 20 year old kids having a friendly conversation on a lunch break, and our job was threatened because we were white and used the word "ghetto" to describe something, then were told our black coworker can use it since she's black.
Probably don't need to mention I didn't have a good relationship with my manager after that and didn't give a crap about my job after that and my work productivity quickly declined.

that scenario depends on how the argument is framed though doesn't it? in what way was that convo framed? what was the context?

on the surface, a misapplication of hr protocols is what it sounds like to me. also got to ask, just how long ago was this?

I don't even remember context, this was 12 years ago or so. Back when the word "ghetto" was used often to describe something shady, you know like if your bumper starts to fall off and you keep it together with duct tape, that's ghetto. It was something like that, innocent conversati0on, nothing to do with race or anything. I'm pretty sure the 2 of us who got into trouble weren't even the first ones to use it, it was our black friend who got a free pass for being black who used it and we just continued the conversation. And to get into as much trouble as we did was ridiculous. To take such offense to an innocent conversation like that just blew my mind at the time. Especially since I remember our defense being we didn't even use the word first (even though I didn't think anything wrong with it at the time anyway) and him following back with "that is our word, you can't have it).

I felt like I got my revenge a month later. It was a job on campus and we had to sign up when we had finals so they wouldn't schedule us. I accidentally said I had PM finals and could work the AM shift. It was reversed, but didn't realized I wrote it down wrong. So I show up for the PM shift (having taking a final that morning) and immediate get my rear end handed to me. In 4 years working this same job, and this was a relatively new manager, this was the one and only time I missed a shift or was even late. The only other incident I ever had was using the word ghetto a few weeks early, but got along great with all our previous managers. So when I realized I wrote down the wrong times I apologized several times, but he kept chewing me out and said this is my second strike and to not let there be a third or I'm gone. He then immediately changes his attitude and says "but since its finals we're really short staffed right now and I could really use your help if you stay, everyone else ha PM finals today." My response was "so you mean I wasn't scheduled to work right? see you tomorrow."

Context is everything. And if you don't remember the context, why bring it up? Still feeling aggrieved from an injustice of 12 years ago?

Could you provide me with a context where it is appropriate for a supervisor to tell 2 employees they are being written up for a word they used since they are white, and the third employee, involved in the same discussion, is told it is okay to use that word because he is black? Same context, even same discussion, all 3 were friends. I cant think of any where that would be appropriate (if it was the N word then maybe, but we're talking about saying the word "ghetto").
And I did tell you the context of the discussion, we were referring to something being "ghetto" as is being sketchy. I'm sure everyone remembers that being a common phrase back then, and to write 2 employees up for racial slurs while giving a third a free pass I think is ridiculous. What exactly it was we called ghetto I don't remember, but that was the word used and the context in which it was used.
Would I now describe something as "ghetto"? Probably not, but a racial slur? no. And the topic of this thread was has PC gone too far, and I think this is one example where it has.
And yeah I was pissed off, in 4 years this was the first incident I had of any kind and I didn't take being called a racist lightly.

fuck, I still use the word ghetto to describe a shitty part of town. I don't think it's considered a slur where I am. is calling it a "ghetto blaster" considered a slur? is that why it's called a boombox now?

May want to cut that one from your vocabulary... it will offend without intent to do so. Plus saw you used the phrase "sweet Jesus". (I think) in another thread. May want to go PC on that and use "sweet anonymous God"...

PP193448 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PP193448 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

mace1229 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

mace1229 said:

mickeyrat said:

mace1229 said:

mickeyrat said:

in this case, I would say so. But that doesn't mean there isn't STILL legitimateinjustices perpetrated daily.

my personal view on political correctness is its really about basic human decency and respect toward another human being. I can't see how exactly thats a bad thing?

That isn't a bad thing.
I think the problem some see with PC going to far is too many are overly sensitive to it. You can't bring up fatherless homes when talking about black crimes or someone will accuse you of being racist.
When I was in college I was having a friendly conversation with 2 coworkers and the word "ghetto" was used. My white friend and I were written up and given a serious warning (like almost lost our job) for using racial slurs, and when we asked why the third person wasn't in trouble our manager responded "because she's black, she's allowed to use that word." I think that was my first personal experience of serious over PC reaction. Here we are some 20 year old kids having a friendly conversation on a lunch break, and our job was threatened because we were white and used the word "ghetto" to describe something, then were told our black coworker can use it since she's black.
Probably don't need to mention I didn't have a good relationship with my manager after that and didn't give a crap about my job after that and my work productivity quickly declined.

that scenario depends on how the argument is framed though doesn't it? in what way was that convo framed? what was the context?

on the surface, a misapplication of hr protocols is what it sounds like to me. also got to ask, just how long ago was this?

I don't even remember context, this was 12 years ago or so. Back when the word "ghetto" was used often to describe something shady, you know like if your bumper starts to fall off and you keep it together with duct tape, that's ghetto. It was something like that, innocent conversati0on, nothing to do with race or anything. I'm pretty sure the 2 of us who got into trouble weren't even the first ones to use it, it was our black friend who got a free pass for being black who used it and we just continued the conversation. And to get into as much trouble as we did was ridiculous. To take such offense to an innocent conversation like that just blew my mind at the time. Especially since I remember our defense being we didn't even use the word first (even though I didn't think anything wrong with it at the time anyway) and him following back with "that is our word, you can't have it).

I felt like I got my revenge a month later. It was a job on campus and we had to sign up when we had finals so they wouldn't schedule us. I accidentally said I had PM finals and could work the AM shift. It was reversed, but didn't realized I wrote it down wrong. So I show up for the PM shift (having taking a final that morning) and immediate get my rear end handed to me. In 4 years working this same job, and this was a relatively new manager, this was the one and only time I missed a shift or was even late. The only other incident I ever had was using the word ghetto a few weeks early, but got along great with all our previous managers. So when I realized I wrote down the wrong times I apologized several times, but he kept chewing me out and said this is my second strike and to not let there be a third or I'm gone. He then immediately changes his attitude and says "but since its finals we're really short staffed right now and I could really use your help if you stay, everyone else ha PM finals today." My response was "so you mean I wasn't scheduled to work right? see you tomorrow."

Context is everything. And if you don't remember the context, why bring it up? Still feeling aggrieved from an injustice of 12 years ago?

Could you provide me with a context where it is appropriate for a supervisor to tell 2 employees they are being written up for a word they used since they are white, and the third employee, involved in the same discussion, is told it is okay to use that word because he is black? Same context, even same discussion, all 3 were friends. I cant think of any where that would be appropriate (if it was the N word then maybe, but we're talking about saying the word "ghetto").
And I did tell you the context of the discussion, we were referring to something being "ghetto" as is being sketchy. I'm sure everyone remembers that being a common phrase back then, and to write 2 employees up for racial slurs while giving a third a free pass I think is ridiculous. What exactly it was we called ghetto I don't remember, but that was the word used and the context in which it was used.
Would I now describe something as "ghetto"? Probably not, but a racial slur? no. And the topic of this thread was has PC gone too far, and I think this is one example where it has.
And yeah I was pissed off, in 4 years this was the first incident I had of any kind and I didn't take being called a racist lightly.

fuck, I still use the word ghetto to describe a shitty part of town. I don't think it's considered a slur where I am. is calling it a "ghetto blaster" considered a slur? is that why it's called a boombox now?

May want to cut that one from your vocabulary... it will offend without intent to do so. Plus saw you used the phrase "sweet Jesus". (I think) in another thread. May want to go PC on that and use "sweet anonymous God"...

it never even dawned on me that it would be a slur. guess I shouldn't say it around my kids. cd player it is!

Some of us really don't think you're racist... but alt either way may...

PP193448 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PP193448 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PP193448 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

mace1229 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

mace1229 said:

mickeyrat said:

mace1229 said:

mickeyrat said:

in this case, I would say so. But that doesn't mean there isn't STILL legitimateinjustices perpetrated daily.

my personal view on political correctness is its really about basic human decency and respect toward another human being. I can't see how exactly thats a bad thing?

That isn't a bad thing.
I think the problem some see with PC going to far is too many are overly sensitive to it. You can't bring up fatherless homes when talking about black crimes or someone will accuse you of being racist.
When I was in college I was having a friendly conversation with 2 coworkers and the word "ghetto" was used. My white friend and I were written up and given a serious warning (like almost lost our job) for using racial slurs, and when we asked why the third person wasn't in trouble our manager responded "because she's black, she's allowed to use that word." I think that was my first personal experience of serious over PC reaction. Here we are some 20 year old kids having a friendly conversation on a lunch break, and our job was threatened because we were white and used the word "ghetto" to describe something, then were told our black coworker can use it since she's black.
Probably don't need to mention I didn't have a good relationship with my manager after that and didn't give a crap about my job after that and my work productivity quickly declined.

that scenario depends on how the argument is framed though doesn't it? in what way was that convo framed? what was the context?

on the surface, a misapplication of hr protocols is what it sounds like to me. also got to ask, just how long ago was this?

I don't even remember context, this was 12 years ago or so. Back when the word "ghetto" was used often to describe something shady, you know like if your bumper starts to fall off and you keep it together with duct tape, that's ghetto. It was something like that, innocent conversati0on, nothing to do with race or anything. I'm pretty sure the 2 of us who got into trouble weren't even the first ones to use it, it was our black friend who got a free pass for being black who used it and we just continued the conversation. And to get into as much trouble as we did was ridiculous. To take such offense to an innocent conversation like that just blew my mind at the time. Especially since I remember our defense being we didn't even use the word first (even though I didn't think anything wrong with it at the time anyway) and him following back with "that is our word, you can't have it).

I felt like I got my revenge a month later. It was a job on campus and we had to sign up when we had finals so they wouldn't schedule us. I accidentally said I had PM finals and could work the AM shift. It was reversed, but didn't realized I wrote it down wrong. So I show up for the PM shift (having taking a final that morning) and immediate get my rear end handed to me. In 4 years working this same job, and this was a relatively new manager, this was the one and only time I missed a shift or was even late. The only other incident I ever had was using the word ghetto a few weeks early, but got along great with all our previous managers. So when I realized I wrote down the wrong times I apologized several times, but he kept chewing me out and said this is my second strike and to not let there be a third or I'm gone. He then immediately changes his attitude and says "but since its finals we're really short staffed right now and I could really use your help if you stay, everyone else ha PM finals today." My response was "so you mean I wasn't scheduled to work right? see you tomorrow."

Context is everything. And if you don't remember the context, why bring it up? Still feeling aggrieved from an injustice of 12 years ago?

Could you provide me with a context where it is appropriate for a supervisor to tell 2 employees they are being written up for a word they used since they are white, and the third employee, involved in the same discussion, is told it is okay to use that word because he is black? Same context, even same discussion, all 3 were friends. I cant think of any where that would be appropriate (if it was the N word then maybe, but we're talking about saying the word "ghetto").
And I did tell you the context of the discussion, we were referring to something being "ghetto" as is being sketchy. I'm sure everyone remembers that being a common phrase back then, and to write 2 employees up for racial slurs while giving a third a free pass I think is ridiculous. What exactly it was we called ghetto I don't remember, but that was the word used and the context in which it was used.
Would I now describe something as "ghetto"? Probably not, but a racial slur? no. And the topic of this thread was has PC gone too far, and I think this is one example where it has.
And yeah I was pissed off, in 4 years this was the first incident I had of any kind and I didn't take being called a racist lightly.

fuck, I still use the word ghetto to describe a shitty part of town. I don't think it's considered a slur where I am. is calling it a "ghetto blaster" considered a slur? is that why it's called a boombox now?

May want to cut that one from your vocabulary... it will offend without intent to do so. Plus saw you used the phrase "sweet Jesus". (I think) in another thread. May want to go PC on that and use "sweet anonymous God"...

it never even dawned on me that it would be a slur. guess I shouldn't say it around my kids. cd player it is!

Some of us really don't think you're racist... but alt either way may...

pretty sure everyone here knows I'm not. I was just ignorant as to the historical significance of the term.

Just busting your chops.

mace1229 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

mace1229 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

mace1229 said:

mickeyrat said:

mace1229 said:

mickeyrat said:

in this case, I would say so. But that doesn't mean there isn't STILL legitimateinjustices perpetrated daily.

my personal view on political correctness is its really about basic human decency and respect toward another human being. I can't see how exactly thats a bad thing?

That isn't a bad thing.
I think the problem some see with PC going to far is too many are overly sensitive to it. You can't bring up fatherless homes when talking about black crimes or someone will accuse you of being racist.
When I was in college I was having a friendly conversation with 2 coworkers and the word "ghetto" was used. My white friend and I were written up and given a serious warning (like almost lost our job) for using racial slurs, and when we asked why the third person wasn't in trouble our manager responded "because she's black, she's allowed to use that word." I think that was my first personal experience of serious over PC reaction. Here we are some 20 year old kids having a friendly conversation on a lunch break, and our job was threatened because we were white and used the word "ghetto" to describe something, then were told our black coworker can use it since she's black.
Probably don't need to mention I didn't have a good relationship with my manager after that and didn't give a crap about my job after that and my work productivity quickly declined.

that scenario depends on how the argument is framed though doesn't it? in what way was that convo framed? what was the context?

on the surface, a misapplication of hr protocols is what it sounds like to me. also got to ask, just how long ago was this?

I don't even remember context, this was 12 years ago or so. Back when the word "ghetto" was used often to describe something shady, you know like if your bumper starts to fall off and you keep it together with duct tape, that's ghetto. It was something like that, innocent conversati0on, nothing to do with race or anything. I'm pretty sure the 2 of us who got into trouble weren't even the first ones to use it, it was our black friend who got a free pass for being black who used it and we just continued the conversation. And to get into as much trouble as we did was ridiculous. To take such offense to an innocent conversation like that just blew my mind at the time. Especially since I remember our defense being we didn't even use the word first (even though I didn't think anything wrong with it at the time anyway) and him following back with "that is our word, you can't have it).

I felt like I got my revenge a month later. It was a job on campus and we had to sign up when we had finals so they wouldn't schedule us. I accidentally said I had PM finals and could work the AM shift. It was reversed, but didn't realized I wrote it down wrong. So I show up for the PM shift (having taking a final that morning) and immediate get my rear end handed to me. In 4 years working this same job, and this was a relatively new manager, this was the one and only time I missed a shift or was even late. The only other incident I ever had was using the word ghetto a few weeks early, but got along great with all our previous managers. So when I realized I wrote down the wrong times I apologized several times, but he kept chewing me out and said this is my second strike and to not let there be a third or I'm gone. He then immediately changes his attitude and says "but since its finals we're really short staffed right now and I could really use your help if you stay, everyone else ha PM finals today." My response was "so you mean I wasn't scheduled to work right? see you tomorrow."

Context is everything. And if you don't remember the context, why bring it up? Still feeling aggrieved from an injustice of 12 years ago?

Could you provide me with a context where it is appropriate for a supervisor to tell 2 employees they are being written up for a word they used since they are white, and the third employee, involved in the same discussion, is told it is okay to use that word because he is black? Same context, even same discussion, all 3 were friends. I cant think of any where that would be appropriate (if it was the N word then maybe, but we're talking about saying the word "ghetto").
And I did tell you the context of the discussion, we were referring to something being "ghetto" as is being sketchy. I'm sure everyone remembers that being a common phrase back then, and to write 2 employees up for racial slurs while giving a third a free pass I think is ridiculous. What exactly it was we called ghetto I don't remember, but that was the word used and the context in which it was used.
Would I now describe something as "ghetto"? Probably not, but a racial slur? no. And the topic of this thread was has PC gone too far, and I think this is one example where it has.
And yeah I was pissed off, in 4 years this was the first incident I had of any kind and I didn't take being called a racist lightly.

What was the "something" being referred to? You don't remember so why bring it up? And yes, I can think of "context" where the reference to "ghetto" would be racist. That you can't seem to understand how the term, regardless of context, might be offensive to some is telling. Did your African American friend come to you and your other friend's defense? Maybe he was offended but wasn't able to speak up, being a minority and all and able to get a free pass?

I told you the context and the reason to bring it up, you are just refusing to read it I guess.
Applying 2 different standards based on color, especially over a word that was not used in a derogatory manner is PC overkill.
The context was "Man, this _________ is ghetto." "Yeah, that ________ pretty ghetto, you're right." That was the context, don't remember what specific object we were talking about but I can tell you it wasn't about a specific person. A very common phrase used at the time. I no longer use it because I understand it was offensive, but in that situation the punishment did not fit the crime. Luckily it was just a college job and this was my last year, but if it was a company I was staying with I wouldn't want racial slurs on my work record. It was a common saying, didn't think about it, was used in every day language. The third person did not stand up for us because she did not even know we were written up. The 2 of us got called into the office at the end of our shift about an hour later and threatened to be fired on the spot, literally for saying something to the effect of "that store was ghetto" in a conversation during our lunch break. That to me is PC overkill.
That you cant seem to understand applying 2 standards based on color in a workplace is wrong is telling.