Gypsy as a derogatory term

[poetinmyheart]

So, I just thought I'd raise this issue here - am very interested to hear your opinions.

Over the past day or so there has been some serious tensions on tumblr. Some FM fans have been called out by other tumblr users (1 or 2 in particular) for posting the lyrics to Gypsy. They have been called racist as the term gypsy is a slur? Now, I understand in certain contexts the word gypsy could be used in a derogatory way, however being called a racist for posting the lyrics and the video I think is ridiculous. I would post the links to a particular tumblr page where there are extremely angry and venomous rants about how a group of teens/twenty somethings are racists for posting about the song, but not sure if I'm allowed.

Anyway, what are your thoughts and has this issue ever been raised before?

[CADreaming]

The word 'gypsy' did originally refer to an ethnic group of people and I believe they were known for being thieves and frauds. In some parts of the world, 'gypsy' may still be used to refer to people in this way, instead of the romanticized version which just means someone who is a nomad, carefree/free-spirited and travels around from place to place.

[chriskisn]

When you consider the word to be racist or not, it does and always did refer to the Romani people, of which there are still several million living in Europe. Over time the word has taken on a meaning of a carefree traveller, etc. However there are still many people who find the term derogatory. Kind of like American Indians, Negro, etc.

Whether you can claim someone is racist for posting lyrics to a song that someone else wrote would be quite a stretch of the imagination. There are plenty of songs around with much worse lyrics.

[WildHearted]

It can be used in a derogatory manner, or have negative implications, I suppose.

It is offensive to the Romani people because it's often used to insult them in some European countries, but it's really not considered a slur here in America by and large. They use the term Gypsy on the news when they talk about people's stuff getting stolen ('Gypsy Alert' literally), there's a TV show called My Big Fat Gypsy wedding.... I haven't heard any uproar about any of that (although I'm scared to google, I'm sure there has been, this is the internet).

Moreover, Gypsy was released thirty years ago and it is/was a pretty darn popular song, I've never heard any complaints about it probably because there's obviously no negative intent and I don't even get how you could spin it in a negative light. First of all, she's not talking about the ethnic group, anyway, and even if she were, it's very gypsy - positive... 'To the gypsies that remain..' These people on Tumblr are ridiculous.

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by chriskisn

However there are still many people who find the term derogatory. Kind of like American Indians, Negro, etc.

Negro is a word I don't find offensive. Some people give donations to The United Negro College Fund. Not The United African American College Fund. No one seems to be up in arms over that one.
Just last year I referred to Asians as Orientals and was quickly corrected by several Ledgies as to the proper term. I honestly had no idea I was saying a racial slur until The Ledge corrected me.

I don't find Gypsy offensive.

[WildHearted]

^Similarly, apparently there are many Romani organizations that use the word 'Gypsy' in the title.

So....

[SummerlongBoots]

Does anyone remember Cher's Top 40 (and eventual #1) hit, "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves?"

The track was written by Bob Stone as "Gypsies and White Trash" but experienced a name-change when producer Snuff Garrett advised Stone to do so. According to the liner notes in the 1999 compilation album, "The Best of Cher - Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves", the song was recorded on 9th June 1971.

http://chernews.blogspot.com/2011/09...s-thieves.html

[MikeInNV]

Honestly, anymore people just look for reasons to be offended. How stupid.

[Dodfather]

Yes, the term does have some derogatory connotations - particularly in the UK. However, to infer that from the lyrics to a popular song as posted on a forum by someone who describes themselves as a Stevie/FM fan is completely absurd.

[poetinmyheart]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone. It's all about context at the end of the day isn't it? It's almost become ridiculous on tumblr. I'm pretty certain that these people are now trawling the Stevie tag and stirring up trouble for the sake of it. Like I said on tumblr, I was very interested at first in what they had to say but the moment it started getting out of hand, I switched off. Their anti-racist message loses meaning for me when delivered in such a hate filled and venomous way.

[wild-heart]

People get so offended about everything these days. It's not used in an offensive context so I think they are just complaining for the sake of complaining.

[Kate]

As stated above, it can be derogatory sometimes, in certain contexts, but that doesn't negate the fact that it is also used in common parlance by Romani people themselves. Just look at that television show My Big, Fat Gypsy Wedding (which sometimes verges into being very offensive, I think...)

But some people are actively looking for things to call others out on. I don't know if it makes them feel better about themselves, or if they are honestly just disgusted 24/7 and need to share it with the world, but quoting a popular song (which isn't even actively derogatory itself!) should not come under such horrible scrutiny

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by Kate

As stated above, it can be derogatory sometimes, in certain contexts, but that doesn't negate the fact that it is also used in common parlance by Romani people themselves. Just look at that television show My Big, Fat Gypsy Wedding (which sometimes verges into being very offensive, I think...)

But some people are actively looking for things to call others out on. I don't know if it makes them feel better about themselves, or if they are honestly just disgusted 24/7 and need to share it with the world, but quoting a popular song (which isn't even actively derogatory itself!) should not come under such horrible scrutiny

Fake outrage, who is the biggest martyr - the somebody done me wrong song. blah

[chriskisn]

Originally Posted by vivfox

Negro is a word I don't find offensive.

Well I was figuring I better not use the other 'N' word on here. I constantly tell my mother-in-law off for using that one!

There was a sports stadium until 2008 in Australia that had an 'E.S. "N*****" Brown' grandstand. (stars are mine, you can fill in the rest). There has been much campaigning by certain Aboriginal activists to get that changed. Those who defend it, say that the N word was his nickname. Does that make it right? Good thing his nickname wasn't "F***head"

[icinglover1995]

I've never heard it called out as a racist term.. I've even heard some old people use it. "You look like a gypsy with all those rings on.."