XaviMessiGirl
New member
I think negretto just means little black man or something, don't think it's as harsh as the N word in English. I could be wrong though.
Serie A 2012/2013
- Thread starter XaviMessiGirl
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BigBarcaBoy
Active member
we're into Suarez/Evra territory !
ejuventus
New member
since ten years, in Italy it is considered an offence to say "negro" (=nigger) to a coloured man (or woman).
Now, it sounds effectively not really fine.
If P. Berlusconi really said "little nigger" it wasn't for offence, of course ...... but it wouldn't be certainly the best way to express something.
PS:
According to me it was penalty that one on El Shaarawy............ are not those the gifts that Ac Milan have received along the years
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Yeah thats more or less correct. Its still not especially flattering, but when translated into English it becomes a far more loaded remark, especially with the 'family's' part bringing connotations of the slave trade to many English speakers. In Italian it is quite hard to explain exactly, I mean its more like Balotelli is very untypical of any Italian player who is a household name as he is also black. And it takes an effort to remember that this is still a very new thing in Italia, so referring to him as the black guy isn't so much derogatory as it is noting the profile he has as really the first star player we had who is black.
That said I wouldn't condone it, its still an ignorant thing to say and hardly helps with the countries poor reputation for race relations abroad. But compared to the very serious racism we see in Italian football targeting black players, this is really not in the same vein.
XaviMessiGirl
New member
So it's more a thing of cultural ignorance than meaning anything really bad by it? That's what I thought judging by the way the English press is blowing up over it but nobody else really is. Still should probably have better choice of words especially for a high profile player/club.
La Furia
Legion of Doooom
Considering "Negretto" is the Italian version of "Negrito", yes, we are talking the same exact concept.
The difference being that this was said in Italy to an Italian so there's absolutely no reason to interpret it the English way the way the English media is.
Still ignorant? Perhaps, but once again, it doesn't have the same historical context.
PearLBLacK
Banned
People are becoming too sensitive... Is calling a black man "black" with no offensive intentions considered racism?
La Furia
Legion of Doooom
To be fair calling an adult "little black" is somewhat patronizing, but like with what Suarez did, it's not nearly as offensive as the media is trying to make it sound.
PearLBLacK
Banned
Still, the over sensitivity is still there. Idk, I just don't see how calling a black man "black" or an Asian "Asian" is racism. Now if I refuse you something or treat you differently because you're black, then I can be accused of it. But people tend to overreact to such things..
Still it was stupid from that Milan Vice to say that.
Still it was stupid from that Milan Vice to say that.
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La Furia
Legion of Doooom
Well I think the context matters - IE calling someone "coloured" in the U.S. is offensive even if it hardly means anything. But this really isn't a big deal.
PearLBLacK
Banned
Given the long and complex history we have in the matter, yes I can understand "colored" being taken offensive here in the US. Is it at the same level abroad?
Of course context matters, and the cultural part as well. I'm originally from a country where the widely used name for Asians translates to "small eyes." So it being normal to call someone Negrito in Uruguay is understandable, and maybe Italy is the same? Like Sergio or Azzido said, Balo being the first major Italian player of African descent also factors in.
Of course context matters, and the cultural part as well. I'm originally from a country where the widely used name for Asians translates to "small eyes." So it being normal to call someone Negrito in Uruguay is understandable, and maybe Italy is the same? Like Sergio or Azzido said, Balo being the first major Italian player of African descent also factors in.
To be honest the race reference isn't even the most offensive part of it. The fact that he is a nobody but is grandstanding like a big shot to impress some dried up women is the crass part.
I wouldn't say it has much resemblance to the Suarez situation either. For one its seemingly said in good faith about a player of the same club in a context where it is not a slur. Suarez said a similar word, but to an opposition player seemingly to antagonise them in a country where it most certainly is a slur.
I wouldn't say it has much resemblance to the Suarez situation either. For one its seemingly said in good faith about a player of the same club in a context where it is not a slur. Suarez said a similar word, but to an opposition player seemingly to antagonise them in a country where it most certainly is a slur.
arty1: Fiorentina's midfield is banged up badly, but having both Pizarro and Valero there is more important than whatever out of position player takes up the third spot.
Ode to Django
You're not even a real journalism
Draw please.
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