Is this considered racism?
By Chad525
@Chad525 (349)
Canada
February 28, 2010 12:32am CST
Now first and foremost, I'm not trying to offend anyone, I'm just really curious about an incident that happened to my friend, when I was spending some time with him at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, and to see what you all think about it, regardless of what country you are from (even though this has to do mostly with Canada / U.S.A.)
As you know, Vancouver has never been busier as it is right now with the participation of the 2010 Olympics. 80 countries are participating, and people from ALL OVER the World are in attendance in British Columbia...
Brian (my friend) and I were walking in the heart of Vancouver, proudly supporting our Team Canada hockey jerseys, when we happened to to run into a group of about 100 Americans, all wearing various articles of clothing baring the Stars and Stripes. Brian and I were shocked. We saw thousands of people from different countries, but never that big of a pack at once.
So Brian said to me, "Wow Chad, there must be 100 Yankees there". Now this comment wasn't mean to offend, or degrade...it was just to point out the fact that there must have been 100 Americans in that group of people.
So, one of the ladies in the group, turned around and started yelling (and I'll save the profantities)..."What the hell did you just say. I can't believe a stupid Canuck just called us a bunch of Yankees" ....this tirade went on for minutes and she really tore us a new one and left us feeling absolutely guilty...
The thing that got us was the fact that she went on to call us "Whiteys" which was strange because she was too as well as a "Canuck", which, atleast to my knowledge is on the same termonology as a "Yankee". On top of things, 5 of the people in the crowd were wearing Yankee jerseys.
Personally, I didn't think Yankee was a bad term. But I'll gladly eat crow if I'm wrong.
So once again, I appologize if I offend, but I really want a clarification. Is what Brian said wrong? Did she over react?
Let me know what you all think.
Thanks a ton!
2 people like this
15 responses
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
28 Feb 10
I am from the U.S. and being called a Yankee wouldn't offend me. We even have a very popular magazine here that is named Yankee Magazine I think that she called you a Canuck, which I wouldn't find offensive either. because she was so upset at being called a Yankee and was trying to find some way to strike back. It seems to be that today we try to find things to be offended by. As a nation and a world, we just all need to lighten up a little bit. I suspect that the reason that you saw so many people from the U.S. together has to do with the fact that ours is the closest country to yours. DH and I had an opportunity to visit B.C. a couple of years ago and Vancouver is now officially my favorite city. I just loved it there. We stayed at a hotel near English Bay and did the walk around the Bay every day. We also ferried over to Vancouver Island which I loved as well. Just let it roll off your back. You can call me a Yankee anytime. I'm a Yankee and porud of it!
1 person likes this
@Chad525 (349)
• Canada
28 Feb 10
It was just shocking. Like I said, we saw 10s of thousands of people in Vancouver, but never once did we see a group of another country over 10 people in one group...but to see over 100 people, supporting their country was shocking, but incredibly awesome. Like I said, Brian never said it to be a jerk, he said it just to say it.
In fact, we were thrilled to see the patrionism from other Nations. To the point that when I was attending the Men's Figure Skating Gold Medal Event...when Evan Lysacek won Gold and the crowd erupted. My Fiancee and I, in our red and white team Canada hockey jerseys stood up and cheered at the top of our lungs. We were just as happy for Evan as the Americans were.
But it was just suprising. The comment clearly was taken out of context as it wasn't meant for one second to offend. She clearly was just having a bad day and decided to take it out on us.
But your right, Vancouver is a beautiful city. Definately one of my favorites and once I am done my job here...I'm moving straight back to VanCity.
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
28 Feb 10
You know one of the things that I like best about this Olympics is that people simply appreciate the athleticism and dedication of the athletes. I was so touched by the grace and courage of Joannie Rochette. I was rooting for her to win the gold medal even over the athletes from the U.S. My heart also broke for the young man who lost his life. Imagine working so hard toward a dream that you've had in some cases from when you were three years old and finally seeing that dream come true. My next trip to Canada is going to be to the Atlantic Maritime provinces. I want to hike the Bay of Fundy and have always wanted to visti Halifax. Take care.
@Chad525 (349)
• Canada
28 Feb 10
It certainly has been quite the experience. 17 days of excellence and unfortunately it is all coming to an end tonight.
My favorite thing about the Olympic games is even though you are there representing your country - you are supporting them all. When I was attending the Men`s Gold Medal Figure Skating live...it didn`t matter of the skater was Canadian, American, Swedish, Italian, Japanese, Korean or from wherever they were from, everybody in the stands were up cheering at the top of their lungs. They were just happy and in appreciation of the talents that these skaters had to offer.
When Gold was presented to Evan Lysachek...the Canadian crowd ERUPTED. Quite possibly the loudest crowd I`ve ever been apart of.
1 person likes this
@coolcoder (2018)
• United States
1 Mar 10
As an American myself, yeah, "Yankee" is something of a disparaging remark. I'm not surprised by the reaction you got from the group; I probably would have reacted the same way.I might not have said anything, but I would give said offender a nasty glare.
1 person likes this
@Chad525 (349)
• Canada
2 Mar 10
Which really suprises me because if I was in the States with 99 of my buddies all dressed in Canadian gear and somebody said, "wow, theres a big group of Canucks", we would never have batted an eye at it.
I guess to each there own. I certainly appreciate the imput. Like I said, there was no intention to offend, I just wanted to see what everybody on MyLots opinions were :-)
@spicysweetie21 (2573)
• United States
28 Feb 10
The only time I have ever heard the term Yankee as being a bad thing is when people from the south who are still big into the confederacy thing, they call northern people Yankees and they mean it as sorta a bad thing...but still makes no sense why they thought it was an insult, heck I've been called a Valley Girl cuz I'm from california and I do say like 
alot, and i just shrug it off, i don't take offense cuz well it is the truth, these people were far too sensitive and made a fight over nothing.
alot, and i just shrug it off, i don't take offense cuz well it is the truth, these people were far too sensitive and made a fight over nothing.1 person likes this
@glambank (217)
• United States
28 Feb 10
The word Yankee has been used as a put down to Americans. But it isn't always used as such. I have met Southerners and people from the Caribbean who use the word Yankee as a derogatory description of an American. It seems people from countries and other areas of the world who have had a negative experience to United States aggression, either economically or politically use this term in a derogatory way.
A word is just a word its meaning can be manipulated by the tone, sarcasm or endearment attached to it by the user of the word.
Know what is really funny, the term Yankee used by someone from the south refers to one from the north. Same word used by someone from another country refers to someone from the United States (northerner or southerner). This means a person from the south can be called a Yankee.
I am a Yankee and a Yankee fan. However, I have never have used the term Yankee to refer to anyone.
You are guilty of nothing. You are a victim of someone else s ignorance.
@Chad525 (349)
• Canada
28 Feb 10
To be honest, I absolutely had no idea that Yankee was ever considered to be offensive. If it is, they shouldn't have a sports team of the same name, or else people will ever learn.
But your right, just as I thought, we didn't say anything wrong or degrading. She just took it the wrong way and went off on it.
1 person likes this
@gogierm4ge (398)
• United States
28 Feb 10
Yankee isn't offending to me and I live in Minnesota.. But the Yankees suck. That is rude and I hate those kind of people, complete idiots, they don't know the reason they're even there. You deserve a thousand apologies, or maybe it's them getty rowdy about the sports that are being taken on.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
2 Mar 10
I'm in the North and would not take offense to being called a Yankee. I do, however take offense to your comment here gogierm4ge. You are grouping us all into one catagory and saying we are all complete idiots and that we suck!!! He was talking about a whole crowd of them and one girl acted out. And who knows .....She was probably from freakin Minnesota which is why she got offended. just guessin.
@fanficgirl28 (54)
• Philippines
28 Feb 10
it just depends on people's perspective. you guys would think that it's not offensive and didn't mean for it to be offensive but the thing is people can't read what you think. they would think that it is offensive and would misunderstand your words. just be careful of what you say and think before you actually say it :D
1 person likes this
@Chad525 (349)
• Canada
28 Feb 10
But it is just weird to me. I am proud to be a Canuck, so why is she so negative to be a Yankee? I just don't understand.
I suppose we have to be more careful before we say things, but we weren't being negative, so there was nothing to really worry about.
1 person likes this
@DeenaD (2684)
• United States
28 Feb 10
Don't worry about it. I'm American and I do not find anything offensive about the term Yankee. (After all, don't we have the NY Yankees?) Maybe that woman had encountered some anti-American sentiment and was just super touchy. Or maybe she was just a big jerk out looking to get in people's faces and maybe stir up a fight. Either way, your friend didn't say anything offensive.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
28 Feb 10
Personally, I don't think it was wrong. I often refer to ppl from the Northern states as Yankees and I'm one myself (since I was born in Michigan). I think it's about perception...some ppl will take offense even when none was intended. It's just how they are. Others will just take it as a joke and pay no attention. I wouldn't let it get you down but in the future you might want to pick your words better...you just never know how someone will react.
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
1 person likes this
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
28 Feb 10
Hmmm... I'm not an American, but I don't think it's something offensive. Well, if it was offensive, then why do they call their team 'The Yankees'?
But still, I usually see this type of attitude with Americans, well, most of the people I knew that is. Not to over generalize. These people overreact fairly quickly and feel that anything directed to them are insults. I don't really know why, perhaps it's stress.
1 person likes this
@I_am_Jessica (25)
• China
1 Mar 10
I am Chinese,so I don't know so much and so clearly about what the exact meaning of "Yankee",but I think you need not feel so guilty about this,this is a misunderstanding in my opinion,and in China,there is an old saying--Not everything goes the way you want,but at least you shouldn't have any guilt in your heart.By the way,after reading your this article,I can feel that you and your friend are kind and nice.
@darksipu8 (26)
• Romania
28 Feb 10
Chad, your friend Brian did nothing wrong. Because some people take things more seriously or personally than they are, is ot his fault. I don`t know if it is something wrong to call an american "Yankee", as for example in my language we call german and hungarian people in two different ways, that are not meant to be an insult. I don`t know the traditions, but maybe she felt bad because yankees live in Texas, and maybe she wasn`t from there, and she considers yankees a bunch of inferior people. It all depends on the mentality of people. IN my opinion you two did nothing wrong, and can defend yourselves against any other comments that are meant to acuse you of racism.
1 person likes this
@rajankin (21)
• India
28 Feb 10
Some people don't like to be classified according to race, country and and all that. Some others just like to make a scene. I don't think what your friend said was racist. The lady was probably an egoistic person who think being called a Yankee by a Canadian is offensive but not when someone from your own country calls themselves that. You really shouldn't feel guilty about yourself if you didn't mean to offend them.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
2 Mar 10
I'm from the states and I would not have been offended by being called a yankee. Its just a word. Ive never known it to be offensive anyway. We have a ball team....The NY Yankees and a magazine called Yankee so in my opinion this girl over-reacted big time. Some people just are waiting for a cause to fight and lash out and get things fired up. I would not think that most Americans would have taken offense to that. You meant no offense so you shouldn't worry about it.
