Albasini racist?

[Maaaaaaaarten]

This is ****ing racist !
Albasini speaks fluent french, how could Reza don't know his languages ? They don't have civilised languages in his jungle ? He is a parisian boy! you **** **** *** ******* *** !!!

Dude, according to your quote Albasini was saying that he himself doesn't know French very well, not that Reza doesn't know French.

 

[rhubroma]

Racism is about intent no ?

Saying ******bag comments is rude in general but if there's no prejudice behind the comments then he's not a racist, just not a nice guy.

Once again, a white cylcist calling a black cyclist a "dirty n!gger" is a racist comment. Intent has got nothing to do with it. It's time for grown-ups to take responsibility for themselves.

In taking responsibility, perhaps Albisini himself can reflect upon where he really stands on the issue and for his own awareness.

 

[Warhawk]

1.) You don´t need to live in Switzerland if you don´t like it.

Hey now, stop learning your catchphrases from morons in my country.

 

[difdauf]

Dude, according to your quote Albasini was saying that he himself doesn't know French very well, not that Reza doesn't know French.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdad8Mi4kgo

4mins of interview in french without any hesitation, perfect conjugation, good vocabulary. Ok you clearly see, it's not his first language but no kidding.

 

[Hayabusa]

I think this needs to be fully investigated and if Albasini is found guilty then he should be banned for a very long time. I assume other cyclists will have heard the exchange and will be able to shed some light on what happened.

 

[deValtos]

Once again, a white cylcist calling a black cyclist a "dirty n!gger" is a racist comment. Intent has got nothing to do with it. It's time for grown-ups to take responsibility for themselves.

In taking responsibility, perhaps Albisini himself can reflect upon where he really stands on the issue and for his own awareness.

Intent has everything to do with identifying if Albasini is racist or not ...

Of course it has nothing to do with him saying a rude comment, like I said before that just makes you not a nice guy.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

It wouldn't be the cycling news forums if there weren't a few clowns defending the indefensible. I suppose it's interesting to note that this extends even to outright racism.

 

[Arnout]

Is racism worse than doping? I'd say yes.

 

[argyllflyer]

To be honest, I can't help but feel those falling over themselves to defend Albasini's right to say something 'silly' in response to Reza perhaps instigating his ire are probably casual racists themselves. Unfortunately for them and Albasini, this is an increasingly global sport where prehistoric attitudes are no longer welcome. I'd imagine racist thoughts are pretty far from most people's minds when they come across someone of a different race to them, so if the thing that flies out of Albasini's (or that disgusting creature Suarez for that matter) mouth is a racist slur, then perhaps such thoughts are not buried so deeply.

Also, it should also be pointed out that Germans and Swiss are not a race as such. Albasini and Cancellara, two of the highest profile Swiss riders, clearly have Italian heritage for a start. And Italian is not a race either. Therefore saying negative things about either of these country is not racist. Bigoted, stereotypical, narrow-minded perhaps, but not racist.

There are countries that treat women abysmally in the world, but just because these places are stuck in the Stone Age, that does not mean they are above criticism. Just as countries that have a dislike of foreigners are not beyond criticism. I have heard stories from people that have been to Australia that it is a very intolerant place. Where I am it's more a religious intolerance that's bandied about and is equally stupid.

 

[el chava]

Is racism worse than doping? I'd say yes.

well, I don't think anyone going to argue with that...

 

[SafeBet]

Nothing like this, no. Sudden anger doesn't make you say things that have nothing to do whatsoever with who you are, it just brings out what you *really* are.

Well that was back in May, but if my memory serves me correctly it was how an Italian rider (and, no, I can no longer remember which one), referred to the some Colombians.

In any case I remember reading something about it in la Repubblica.

I'll do some research on their website, I don't recall reading about it at the time.

On the subject: I completely agree with everything Hrotha said.

 

[auscyclefan94]

There's nothing "moralizing" about holding one accountable for calling a black rider a "dirty n!gger" at the Tour de France (or anywhere else for that matter, but, you know, cycling's public image at the Tour has a bit more weight than a club ride). It's merely a call for a grown-up to take responsibilty for his own stupidity and nastyness in an age in which such racist remarks are no longer tolerable.

Your referring to the episode as merely a "silly, off-the tongue comment" thus pertains to an early 20th century mentality of the pre-civil rights, pre-apartheide eras that rightfully is no excuse. Perhaps if it were directed at you, it wouldn't seem so tivial though.

Your last comment simply adds further idocy to the merely moronic.

Firstly, my last comment was merely a troll attempt which worked quite well. Secondly, your over-emotional response to my post has proved my point. You are just posturing and pontificating about someone who has said something stupid. Trying to create an analogy between my post and "pre-apartheid" attitudes towards racism is beyond absurd. You are trying to appear superior to everyone else by using hyperbolic and highly-emotional language to condemn Albasini and now me.

My point is that those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. I have said stupid comments in the past about people. I have had them said about me. I would say everyone on this forum has made a stupid remark once in a while. If Albasini continues this behaviour, then I would call for him to be suspended for a while but a racist must hold those views/attitudes over a long period time, not just be an off-the-cuff remark or moment of stupidity.

Take a deep breath, please.

 

[deValtos]

It wouldn't be the cycling news forums if there weren't a few clowns defending the indefensible.

Threads titled "Albasini racist?", that's what is being discussed, no one is defending Albasini actions of calling Reza what he did.

It wouldn't be the cycling news forums if there weren't a few clowns who can't read a thread properly ...

 

[rhubroma]

Intent has everything to do with identifying if Albasini is racist or not ...

Of course it has nothing to do with him saying a rude comment, like I said before that just makes you not a nice guy.

This is a typical apologia that attempts to excuse theintolerable of the PC type, whenever a gaffe is said to be "taken out of context."

Calling someone a "b-astard" can be construed as mere rude comment under such circumstances, calling a black guy a "dirty n!gger" is racist under any conditions.

Once again in the grown-up world if you make a certain remark then you rightly will be called to task for it.

 

[cineteq]

Racism should not be taken lightly. That 'silly' comment is a serious offense, and it's clearly what Albasini thinks of Reza.

 

[dduff442]

Plus, Reza's the only black rider in the peloton and a 1st-year pro as well.

 

[Jerkovin]

Racism is about intent no ?

Saying ******bag comments is rude in general but if there's no prejudice behind the comments then he's not a racist, just not a nice guy.

No it is not.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

It wouldn't be the cycling news forums if there weren't a few clowns defending the indefensible. I suppose it's interesting to note that this extends even to outright racism.

To be honest, I can't help but feel those falling over themselves to defend Albasini's right to say something 'silly' in response to Reza perhaps instigating his ire are probably casual racists themselves. Unfortunately for them and Albasini, this is an increasingly global sport where prehistoric attitudes are no longer welcome. I'd imagine racist thoughts are pretty far from most people's minds when they come across someone of a different race to them, so if the thing that flies out of Albasini's (or that disgusting creature Suarez for that matter) mouth is a racist slur, then perhaps such thoughts are not buried so deeply.

Nobody is defending Albasini calling Reza a dirty ******.

Or am I a casual racist now because I think Albasini might've lost himself when he got angry and used some unacceptable terms in name calling somebody with a dark skin colour, rather than actually being racist?

 

[del1962]

If this incident is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, then Albassini has shown himself to have a particularly unpleasant personality.

The next question is though, should he be punished and if so what should his punishement be. Personally I think a fine would be the best punishment in this case.

 

[rhubroma]

Firstly, my last comment was merely a troll attempt which worked quite well. Secondly, your over-emotional response to my post has proved my point. You are just posturing and pontificating about someone who has said something stupid. Trying to create an analogy between my post and "pre-apartheid" attitudes towards racism is beyond absurd. You are trying to appear superior to everyone else by using hyperbolic and highly-emotional language to condemn Albasini and now me.

My point is that those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. I have said stupid comments in the past about people. I have had them said about me. I would say everyone on this forum has made a stupid remark once in a while. If Albasini continues this behaviour, then I would call for him to be suspended for a while but a racist must hold those views/attitudes over a long period time, not just be an off-the-cuff remark or moment of stupidity.

Take a deep breath, please.

You are ridiculous and being specious with it. Minimizing as "silly remark," what in fact is much more serious - but significant even before serious - only shows your own ignorance and misguided sense of significance.

One doen't have to belong to the KKK to have said something racist. Hence Albisini can reflect upon his long term status, but that's not the issue here.

 

[deValtos]

No it is not.

Well that explains my difference of opinion.

I've always felt we should judge people more by their intentions than their actions.

 

[el chava]

Plus, Reza's the only black rider in the peloton and a 1st-year pro as well.

This, in fact, is relevant IMO. Other riders need to take a stand for Reza or just give Albasini a kick in the balls, really. I am quite convinced some degree of racism still exists in cycling (which in many ways operates like it was the 50s), but still a lifetime ban for Albasini for a heat-in-moment idiotic comment is a bit much.

 

[Arnout]

Reza is not a 1st year pro, he is riding for Europcar since 2011.

I have the feeling I might be missing out on a sarcastic remark though.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

First you say he didn't say it, but then say if he did there must be some "justification."

Look, Foxxy, your reasoning is at this point all wrong. Nothing Reza could have done to Albasini would justify the Swiss calling him a "dirty n!gger." Period.

Imagine, there is, even in law. If someone insults you first, you can insult back. So if Reza started (which is highly possible), Albasini has his rights too. Wouldn´t be the first time that a minority person would falsly accuse someone else to save his a$$. The rasism card always works. Which in itself is sad enough. Because the more it´s used falsly, real racism gets harder to spot & fight. As you see here with all the attackers accusing Albasini as a flat out racsist, which OFC is absurd.

I wasn't, that was what the other poster had done. And it is for this very same reason that your reasoning is wrong. As we can't separate the reasons why it is no longer acceptable to call a black man a "dirty n!gger," form the social and political history that took place during the 20th century. I simply made note of this.

I agreed with the other poster. The story is made big out of nothing by the moralizers standing outraged on their podests.

 

[auscyclefan94]

You are ridiculous and being specious with it. Minimizing as "silly remark," what in fact is much more serious - but significant even before serious - only shows your own ignorance and misguided sense of significance.

Again, the only one who is deluded about their significance is you, considering your obsession with pontificating to everyone on racism and Albasini's poor actions, telling people how you are 'holier than thou'.

One doen't have to belong to the KKK to have said something racist. Hence Albisini can reflect upon his long term status, but that's not the issue here.

I never said they had to be from the KKK. I didn't minimise his comment, but if his comments are based upon a deeply held belief, I will call him out and there is no place for it in our sport. If it was an incident where he said something that was quite stupid that he has rarely ever done, then I will call him out and forgive him for it on the condition that he doesn't do it again. I believe that this situation is the latter of the two. Calling for people to be banned is baloney.