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Comment by cosgroveb | Hacker News Reader

Your example, "black men playing basketball" are a homogeneous group by virtue of your definition. Their trash talk, again, by definition can't consist of one group disparaging another using slurs... I hope you like the slam-dunk of setting up a straw man and knocking it down.

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Ok, let me rephrase. A group which is majority black men playing basketball will, under many circumstances, engage in racial ("cracker", "wetback" or "nigger" - whatever fits) and non-racial ("yo momma") smack talk.

(Note: not a hypothetical.)

Are they bad human beings for doing so?

I strongly object to your characterization of black men. I've played pick-up and organized basketball with people of all races for > 15 years and this has not been my experience.

Honestly, it sounds like you don't play basketball, and certainly not with said "black men". I recommend trying it - I think it would change your mind.

I am speaking from personal experience, nothing more. I've played pickup on many occasions with lower middle class black men.

Also interesting to note: in my experience, in a mixed race group (e.g., in grad school), the smack talk will be toned down. The lone black guy will tone it down to fit in, just as I amp it up when I'm the lone white guy.

Lastly, please note: I'm not trying to portray trash talk as anything other than a harmless cultural practice which outsiders can be intolerant of.

I will take this statement seriously when you start arguing for a specifically exclusionary "black-only basketball league" on this basis.

So, because you've been bullied, it's ok for everyone to be.

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