Can’t believe I had to have this conversation again today, with someone who should know better. You can’t just un-racist a word because it makes you feel bad man.
Edit to add more context:
Rice burner is a pejorative term originally applied to Japanese motorcycles and which later expanded to include Japanese cars or any East Asian-made vehicles. Variations include rice rocket, referring most often to Japanese superbikes, rice machine, rice grinder or simply ricer.
Riced out is an adjective denigrating a badly customized sports car, “usually with oversized or ill-matched exterior appointments”. Rice boy is a US derogatory term for the driver or builder of an import-car hot rod. The terms may disparage cars or car enthusiasts as imposters or wanna-bes, using cheap modifications to imitate the appearance of high performance.
The term is often defined as offensive or racist stereotyping. In some cases, users of the term assert that it is not offensive or racist, or else treat the term as a humorous, mild insult rather than a racial slur.
I’d like you to read this from a guy who’s father is from the Philippines. His mother is American. Then have a good think about it. Actually think about it for a day or so.
Palting: (reenlist forums)
*When you call a car a “ricer”, you are saying that it is not a nice car, possibly even an atrocious car. I don’t believe you will ever hear a statement like “Look at that gorgeous ricer!!” So, in response to the question, is it derogatory, the answer is that the term ricer is most definitely derogatory.
The question then becomes, is it racist? The term “ricer” was coined to denote the cars that were made in Japan or Korea that were subsequently modded and are obnoxious to the observer. You can ask 100 people what car brand comes to mind when you say “ricer” and 100 of them will come up with an Asian brand. Ask those same 100 people what country or race comes to mind, and 100 will say some Asian country. We can safely say that “ricer” would indicate the Asian culture where rice is the staple food. We can define a term racist if the term pertaining to a race or a race’s cultural character is considered derogatory. Therefore, the term ricer is most definitely racist.
If, lets say, one of the African nations built a car, would you call it a “******”? The term “ricer” most definitely belongs in the same category as ******, slant-eyes, gook and what have you. Shame on anyone who uses the term and who does not realise it is very definitely racist.
My mother is from the USA, my father is from the Philippines. I was born and raised in the Philippines. I am a Filipino. I am not a “halfer”, nor “mestizo”, nor anything other than a Filipino national who chose to reside in the US as an American citizen.*
Calling the term “rice” in connection to focusing on aesthetics over preformance racist just seems insane to me. There are objectly racist uses of the word rice to harm Asians. However when 99% of the community never even correlated this useage of the word to anything derogatory twords asians, and even use it positivly when someone genuinely likes JDM or overbuilt cars, the word stops being racist
You cant claim racist undertones to a word when people don’t corelate that word whatsoever to anything derogatory twords Asians. The modern use of the word spoke about a car that looked like a racecar but didn’t have the preformance of one, making it “ugly”, and then branched to become a positive term when talking about putting lots of efforts into the aesthetic of something
The evolution of the word is not a moral failing but a redirection from a derogatory borderline slur to a word that captures the idea of “looks over preformance”
The term is often defined as offensive or racist stereotyping. In some cases, users of the term assert that it is not offensive or racist, or else treat the term as a humorous, mild insult rather than a racial slur.
*Taps the sign.*
I got called out for saying this once, and went back and looked it up. I had meant it sort of neutrally, and there are a lot of neutral uses of it out there, but there are probably just as many clearly negative/racist uses of it, and practically no positive uses.
There’s a way of being a racist that is like crypto-racism. It appears neutral, but actually moves the ball forward for racists. And my experiences with many many different kinds of people, is that the people who are best at this are like hardcore Nazis.
I personally am not someone who thinks that advocacy and allyship begins and ends with saying or refusing to say certain words. I think there are a lot of really serious problems with the current liberal establishment posture towards race, where you continue to be heavily and unfairly exploited, and now imprisoned or deported because of skin color, but politically we will make sure people aren’t allowed to say certain words anymore. But also being conscientious of our speech is a part of it, whether we like it or not. Ultimately it isnt some great loss of my freedom if I decide to call a Yamaha motorcycle a “Yamaha” instead of a “ricer”. I have a large enough vocabulary that I can spare a word or two.
I think there are a lot of really serious problems with the current liberal establishment posture towards race, where you continue to be heavily and unfairly exploited, and now imprisoned or deported because of skin color, but politically we will make sure people aren’t allowed to say certain words anymore.
You’re absolutely right, you can’t begin and end your advocacy with no longer using certain words. That’s why I’m out protesting, where I can, for causes like Palestinian recognition, Israeli sanctions and Changing the Date.
Glad to hear! What is Changing the date? I’m also active politically, too few people are though
In Australia, we celebrate a national holiday on the anniversary of Captain Cook’s invasion of Australia. Indigenous Australian’s therefore don’t feel like they can celebrate, and alongside allies, advocate for changing the date. Protests on that day also advocate for truth-telling as well as other actions discussed in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
I feel like a lot of people here need to stop taking this information so damn personally. You didn’t know, great, that means you’re not racist. Now you do know. So just… Stop? That’s it. OP wasn’t even a dick about it.
Personally, I’m grateful when I get a heads up that certain terms are racist, so thank you OP!
Thank you! 🙏
I actually extended your PSA over to my Misskey. A great discussion ensued followed by this term and one other being added to the slur list. :P
Hell yeah, nice work! 💜
Absolutely wild to me. From my experience, Toyotas are way more reliable than Fords.
My ex was Korean and she used the term rice rocket when I mentioned I wanted a Mitsubishi Lancer because it’s a cool fast Japanese car. Asians aren’t a monolith that all think one term or another should be verboten. Assuming all Asians think the term “rice” is a slur is just arrogance.
That’s our word
Same energy as “this one black person said I can say the n word”.
Same energy as “I’m trying to get credit for declaring a random adjective to be a no-no word.”
Nah, not really, but you do you, alright mate? 😊
Thank you! You too, buddy!
this is blatantly incorrect? Rice is an acronym for “Racing inspired cosmetic enhancements”?
That’s a backronym that was created to try and coverup its racist origin.
Race Inspired Cosmetic Enhancements. That’s what rice has always meant to me, and as far as I know everyone around me. You can rice an American car and you can rice a German car just as much as you can rice a Japanese car.
I think this kind of linguistic prescriptivism is one of many things wrong with modern anti-racism movements. It’s such a non-issue.
The term is often defined as offensive or racist stereotyping. In some cases, users of the term assert that it is not offensive or racist, or else treat the term as a humorous, mild insult rather than a racial slur.
*Taps the sign.*
That is a backronym that was invented to try and coverup the racist origins of the term. Like I’ve said in other comments, why don’t you start using the n-word to mean the colour black and see how many friends that makes you 😊
Oh, I had only ever heard this term in the context of Linux desktop customization. Like in the context of superfluous over the top additions that look pretty but ultimately do not add anything to a system and may to some extent degrade performance.
I dont know why I never connected it with the car scene or with racist attitudes. I’m ashamed to say I think I’ve used the term myself once or twice. Thanks for sharing an explanation of the history of this evidently very racist term, I imagine there are others like myself who have failed to make that connection.
Idk why its so hard to just say “setup”. I’m not sure that a use case this particular warrants its own terminology.
I’m ashamed to say I think I’ve used the term myself once or twice.
It’s okay, you didn’t know then, so didn’t use it intentionally to cause harm.
Thank you. I’m Asian and it is honestly a bit maddening when I get white-splained as to why the term isn’t racist towards Asians.
I may be white, but I’m trans and get awful stuff said at/around me too, so I get it. Gotta have solidarity with other minorities and lift each other up! 💪
what
Some people believe that labelling certain words as dirty because they have prejudicial or offensive connotations in a completely unrelated context is effective activism, passing judgement to feel like they’re doing something.
One such word is “ricing”. It comes from “rice burner”, which is a pejorative term referring to East Asian cars and motorcycles. The modern usage has nothing to do with cars or ethnicity.
On a related note, the word “queer” has a similar history.
I’d also like to point out that Queer has been reclaimed by Queer people. Whereas a bunch of, mostly white, Linux users have “reclaimed” it. But, in the context with my friend today, it was the car modification usage ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Right so that offensive term is fine but this other offensive term is still super bad, actually.
I have absolutely no idea what anything in this post is about but it seems to me like a majority of people who use the term use it because that’s what it was called when they were learning about… Whatever it is that it’s referring to. Not because they’re racist.
Gay isn’t a slur, but when you use it to mean something is bad, you are still being homophobic…
I’m a queer person, I get to use that term. As well, collectively, queer people have decided that it’s a good umbrella term for our community. If someone decided to use it pejoratively, that still wouldn’t be okay.
When referencing cars, it is being used as a pejorative though, so that seems pretty clear cut.
The modern usage has a direct connection to it’s historical usage.
I’d like you to read this from a guy who’s father is from the Philippines. His mother is American. Then have a good think about it. Actually think about it for a day or so.
Palting: (reenlist forums)
*When you call a car a “ricer”, you are saying that it is not a nice car, possibly even an atrocious car. I don’t believe you will ever hear a statement like “Look at that gorgeous ricer!!” So, in response to the question, is it derogatory, the answer is that the term ricer is most definitely derogatory.
The question then becomes, is it racist? The term “ricer” was coined to denote the cars that were made in Japan or Korea that were subsequently modded and are obnoxious to the observer. You can ask 100 people what car brand comes to mind when you say “ricer” and 100 of them will come up with an Asian brand. Ask those same 100 people what country or race comes to mind, and 100 will say some Asian country. We can safely say that “ricer” would indicate the Asian culture where rice is the staple food. We can define a term racist if the term pertaining to a race or a race’s cultural character is considered derogatory. Therefore, the term ricer is most definitely racist.
If, lets say, one of the African nations built a car, would you call it a “******”? The term “ricer” most definitely belongs in the same category as ******, slant-eyes, gook and what have you. Shame on anyone who uses the term and who does not realise it is very definitely racist.
My mother is from the USA, my father is from the Philippines. I was born and raised in the Philippines. I am a Filipino. I am not a “halfer”, nor “mestizo”, nor anything other than a Filipino national who chose to reside in the US as an American citizen.*
Not that I disagree about using “rice” in this context, but I just want to paraphrase something I think a comedian said but I forget the source now. But basically, no, it’s not as bad as “the n-word” and I know that because you censored “the n-word” but didnt censor the word rice.
I still think it’s rude and not a particularly good term.
If you look at the source, the person who wrote that is filipino, so the n-word isn’t one he gets to use, would be my explanation for that.
what?
Could have used that reply to clarify
Clarify what though?
It started out as a pejorative (like a cheap car with cheap mods) but has become a positive term associated with customization and a respect for effort involved regardless of financial resources (sometimes cheaper being more impressive).
So uh… Nah I’m gonna keep saying that. You do you.
You can’t just un-racist a word because it makes you feel bad man.
*Taps the sign.*
If, lets say, one of the African nations built a car, would you call it a “******”? The term “ricer” most definitely belongs in the same category as ******, slant-eyes, gook and what have you. Shame on anyone who uses the term and who does not realise it is very definitely racist.
You can’t just un-racist a word because it makes you feel bad man.
I think you should look into reclaiming slurs. The once derogatory term now has a positive meaning and that’s imo a good thing. Look at the word ‘Queer’, most people (especially young people) don’t know it used to be derogatory, and I don’t think people should stop using it.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReappropriationWith an obvious albeit obligatory note that if you use a word in a derogatory way that’s obviously not ok, if you use it with the compliment definition it’s a bit different.
Some reappropriation can be at varying levels in different countries which is why (I assume) it’s seen as worse in other countries.
If you are to respond I would request to hear your rebuttal without copy and pasting the same article please.
The claim that “queer” is being reclaimed is easily supported. Not so with OP’s term. If you have evidence to the contrary I’ll look at it.
Sorry, let me clarify. You can’t just un-racist a word, unless you’re the targeted group, because it makes you feel bad man. I figured that I didn’t need to add that caveat? I’ve talked about the word Queer in other places in the thread.
It was a derogatory insult toward poor gear heads, who else can reclaim it? Only the Asian born subset? Asian people who never touched a motorcycle? It was never about any Asian traits of the riders or the vehicles but strictly that they were imported and the low cost.
Would you be ardently crusading in a hypothetical alternate history where these people had access to cheap Soviet Ladas? Surely cabbage burner would be just as offensive?
While we’re on the subject, here is a non-exhaustive list of European heritage word associations you are no longer allowed to say in any context outside of a recipe:
- Pasta
- Sauerkraut
- Rye
- Potato
- Beet
- Milk
- Mayo
- Butter
- Burger
- Donut
- Cucumber
- Beer
- Vodka
- Baguette
- Pickles/Pickled
- Radish
- Herring
Much like your anecdotal blog post source, I personally find these highly offensive.
The term is often defined as offensive or racist stereotyping. In some cases, users of the term assert that it is not offensive or racist, or else treat the term as a humorous, mild insult rather than a racial slur.
*Taps the sign.*
ah that kinda makes sense. Can you explain why who’s reclaiming a slur makes a difference? I don’t really understand why you wouldn’t like a positive meaning to a once negative word. It doesn’t really make a lot of sense to me.
I’d reference how “cunty” (used as a compliment) isn’t exactly only said by women, but people who are generally seen as ‘in the loop’. How come the word referenced in the post isn’t treated the same way? I genuinely am asking and find this really interesting.
Also idk if it did but sorry if my message came off as rude before, I was kinda stressed about an advising meeting when I wrote it
I don’t really have the spoons to explain it to you. If you aren’t the aggrieved party, it’s just not reclamation.
please come back when you have the energy to continue this conversation 👍
I’ll start calling it a sleeper now.
A sleeper is something else though, sort of the opposite of a ricer. A sleeper Honda Civic would look largely unmodded but be a monster under the hood. A ricer Honda Civic is gonna have a wing and loud, giant exhaust and other very obvious modifications.
Personally I love a heavily modified Japanese car, and in my experience of car culture, “ricer” has largely been reclaimed by the people who drive them.
I call them chavved out, which is merely classist and not racist.
It’s not their term to reclaim unfortunately.
That’s not really how language and culture work. Some words are going to evolve and change whether you think they’re allowed to or not.
Okay, why don’t you start using the n-word to mean the colour black and see how many friends that gets you sweetie! 😊💜
Okay, why don’t you start using the n-word to mean the colour black and see how many friends that gets you sweetie! 😊💜
Because that’s not really how language and culture work. I don’t get to decide how a word is used any more than you do.
Honestly, that’s a 10/10 idea 🙏
But can I still call someone who rides that kind of motorcycle without proper safety gear an organ donor or is that insensitive?
Nah that’s perfectly acceptable in my opinion. Another term that’s great for that is squid, because all their appendages will be broken when they come off.
I agree with the overall message here; there’s definitely better words for customisation of a Window Manager/Desktop Environment.
I can’t agree that everyone using that term is racist though. I doubt that everyone who uses it is doing so to discriminate or abuse another race. As proven by this thread, the history of that word isn’t exactly common knowledge in the spaces people are using it.
“bigot” might be a better term to describe people that know the history of the word and actively refuse to change their ways. It feels like throwing “racist” on here where it doesn’t exactly apply sort of dampens the impact of the word. But that’s just me.
The people that now know the meaning, but are trying to argue that it doesn’t matter, are no longer ignorant, and therefore don’t have an excuse.
Another example of this is that I grew up with the term “gyped” meaning to have been taken advantage of when making a deal. When I learnt that it was a racist term that denigrates Romani/Traveller peoples, I stopped using it. If I’d continued too, then that would have made me racist :)
The people that now know the meaning, but are trying to argue that it doesn’t matter, are no longer ignorant, and therefore don’t have an excuse.
I agree, but you’re meme implies that using the term at all makes you racist
The equivalent of this meme would be someone calling you a racist the very first time you ever used the term “gyped”. You yourself stated you didn’t know that term had racist history, so how could you have been racist?
It’s a different situation when someone has knowledge of history and then goes on to use the term. That’s textbook bigotry and I would agree that’s also racsim, but you’re casting a much wider net with this meme encompassing everyone who uses the term knowledgable or not
You can be part of systemic racism and not know it. It still affects the other person even if you didn’t intend it to.
We live in a society. It’s not a personal failing if you were racist and didn’t know it. But I think it is a responsibility to try and change for the better, just like in all aspects of life.
My friend, it is a meme. The format doesn’t lend well to longform explanation. Why are you choosing to come after me for that, when there are people in this very thread saying that they’ll use it regardless?
Why are you choosing to come after me for that, when there are people in this very thread saying that they’ll use it regardless?
I tried to answer this with my first comment
It feels like throwing “racist” on here where it doesn’t exactly apply sort of dampens the impact of the word. But that’s just me.
I hope I’m not coming off agressive or nothing. I’m not saying what you’re doing is entirely wrong or anything because it benefits everyone to spread knowledge especially for something like this. I really dislike that it’s made normal in Linux circles. But this meme is calling everyone that uses a fairly common term racist while you drop good history lessons on individual comments of people that don’t know better. Maybe there’s a more effective way to get your point across?
I hope I’m not coming off agressive or nothing. I’m not saying what you’re doing is entirely wrong or anything because it benefits everyone to spread knowledge especially for something like this. I really dislike that it’s made normal in Linux circles. But this meme is calling everyone that uses a fairly common term racist while you drop good history lessons on individual comments of people that don’t know better. Maybe there’s a more effective way to get your point across?
That’s fair, I’m sorry if I came across standoffish. This is a meme community though, and a simplified meme wasn’t going to be able to convey that full meaning, which is why I brought it up in the comments. Maybe I shoulda dropped it in the text section but I was just frustrated with my friend and wanted to vent a bit of steam. I can go add some stuff to the post.
there’s definitely better words for customisation of a Window Manager/Desktop Environment.
Any recommendations?
Theming
Well that’s just trans/enby phobic /s
Ricing is mucking with compilation flags on Gentoo for no observable gain or even detriment. If it extends to hideous cars of a certain manufacturing origin, I’m sorry for the cars’ feelings, but it’s not racist until cars start having a race.
It’s a racist term, but a lot of people simply don’t know that. How I react depends on their general attitude.