Albasini racist?

[kingjr]

The "I'm sorry I punched you in the face baby, I didn't mean it, I was angry" defense. Yea...seems legit.

Seriously, this thread provides more than ample evidence that there is little reason to have faith in much of humanity.

So you're not "you" when you're angry? Yea, take it from someone with anger issues, you are absolutely "you" when you are angry. I may ask for forgiveness when I inappropriately express my anger, but I certainly don't p!ss on top of it with "I didn't really mean it." Accept the consequences for your actions, and for what you express to others.

What a load of waffle. You have literally understood nothing of what I said.

 

[ChewbaccaD]

What a load of waffle. You have literally understood nothing of what I said.

No, you don't understand what you said.

 

[kingjr]

No, you don't understand what you said.

You embarrass yourself

Let's start with this

So you're not "you" when you're angry?

That's not what I said. You just made that up.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

I really don't get the defense of racist comments? I feel certain that there are many things said in breakaways when a rider isn't working, some of those things are very unkind...but I feel certain that one need not resort to mention of another's race to make your point. Choosing to use race in your tirade however indicates that whatever thoughts you are expressing are found within something you've thought about before.

Maybe you don't get the defense of racist comments, because you are imagining it? Seriously man, if you think I'm defending Albasini, you should try reading the post you reply to.

You guys can play the whole "it's all cool because he was angry, and they kissed and made up, and Albasini isn't necessarily racist because he said something racist" all you want, but it's a ridiculous stance.

Read what you reply to and stop putting words in my mouth. I don't think it's acceptable at all when you lose yourself in the heat of the moment and start saying extremely offensive things. All I'm saying is that it not necessarily indicative of Albasini being a real racist. It's indicative of Albasini being an idiot though.

Now you can feel free to disagree with this all you like and try to get an image of Albasini's views on race based on one remark he made when he was mad. But stop pretending I'm defending racist comments.

 

[jaylew]

Full disclosure: my skin color is somewhere in the middle but certainly closer to Reza's than it is to Albasini's so I may have some different sensitivities than some others here. Doesn't make me any more or less right, but I may look at it from a different perspective.

I still don't think he said this. And if he did, there must have been a reason he lost his temper (maybe Reza said/did something to him before. It wouldn´t be the first time that a black man offends a white one*). Thus I don´t condemn Albasini unless it becomes clear he was the offender... until then, still innocent.

* You see, it goes both ways.

I'm also not convinced he said it so I'm not going to condemn him. But, if he did say it I'm certainly not going to say "well, he must have had a reason". The only way I might give him a pass is if Reza first said something like "you dirty, white Swiss" or the like, and even then, two wrongs don't make a right.

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

I can't tell if you're uninformed, trying to use sarcasm, or trolling as neither of these assertions are even remotely true.

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?

I'm not quite at the point where I feel that it's the "real you" that comes out when you make an offensive comment in an argument but I do believe there's at least a little truth in that. When you're really, really upset with someone you often say what you think will hurt the most and in many cases that is something offensive. But I think that's only in very, very extreme situations and I believe how quickly you get to that point says something about your character. And no, a bike race, no matter how tired you are doesn't come close to qualifying (yes, I race and have been in heated arguments on the bike). So, if he did say it then in my mind it would probably be a case of some of the real Albasini coming out.

While I'll mostly give him the benefit of the doubt for now, I probably won't cheer for him to win out of a break when in the past I might have. This could be falsely "penalizing" him but as I said initially, I have my own sensitivities to this issue based on my perspective.

 

[Wallace]

I don't know if that's a case of racism, when you're really angry at someone for whatever reason, you use the words that you think are the most hurtful.

Threads like this are a Rorschach test of the most depressing kind. This has nothing whatsoever to do with "political correctness." If you can't see the difference between anger and racism, the difference between calling someone an asswhole and calling someone a n……… then you really have a problem.

 

[SeriousSam]

Threads like this are a Rorschach test of the most depressing kind. This has nothing whatsoever to do with "political correctness." If you can't see the difference between anger and racism, the difference between calling someone an asswhole and calling someone a n……… then you really have a problem.

I don't believe I have a problem, but just to be sure, would you mind elaborating on that difference? Stick to the hypothetical were someone's searching for the most hurtful insult, as opposed to a person who actually doesn't like certain ethnicities or thinks they are inferior (ie a racist).

 

[Energy Starr]

If racism is nothing but mean words, it isn't anything at all.

I was thinking this as I read this thread. If we assume Albasini is a racist based on the comment.....do we care? For example, I am white. I really don't care what any racist thinks about white people. What matters to me is can the person effect my health or my wealth based on their racism. Believe me, in my line of work I have been called every racist name for a white person you could ever think of, and perhaps a few you couldn't. It doesn't bother me because its just words and those people's racism isn't relevant to my life. So does Albasini really have any way to actually bother Reza, other than barking out idiotic words? Does Reza give a damn that Albasini is racist, if he actually is?

 

[kingjr]

If you can't see the difference between anger and racism, the difference between calling someone an asswhole and calling someone a n……… then you really have a problem.

If you want to hurt someone you don't call him an a-hole. That's way too impersonal and generic.

I would have had no problem btw if Reza knocked Albasini off his bike after that comment just to make that clear.

 

[rhubroma]

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

I don't think the "racist card" was played. At any rate I don't know which is more disturbing your peurile playing up to that, or the offense to intelligence this implies.

Well, you are in good company with the Aussie.

 

[Der Effe]

Maybe because he didn't insult just Reza, but an entire race of people?

I'm not asking for Albasini's head, any human being can make a mistake, but he should really ask himself if a bike race justifies such a comment.

 

[jonas3344]

In the Swiss boulevard press Albasini said he called Reza an a*******

 

[Alpechraxler]

who gives a **** what he exactly said. they shook hands. And yes he called out the good damn europcar lurker.. lurking is the second sin of europcar after their too short cut bibs.

 

[Energy Starr]

who gives a **** what he exactly said. they shook hands. And yes he called out the good damn europcar lurker.. lurking is the second sin of europcar after their too short cut bibs.

If you don't care what he said or what the implications are then stop lurking. The rest of us are trying to have a debate/conversation.

 

[ChewbaccaD]

That's when the TRUE YOU comes out.

No it isn't.

You embarrass yourself

Let's start with this


That's not what I said. You just made that up.

You embarrass yourself trying to bullsh!t anyone into believing you said something else....

 

[Race Radio]

Have to laugh when the all white peloton says there are no issues with racism.

Albasini did what is done in many races, heckle the rookie to pull more.....he just chose wording that is outside of what is acceptable. Stupid move by Albasini. Not only is it classless but it is wrong, Reza is a bad *** bike racer. He has got top 10 in multiple sprint stages, got in breaks, worked for teammates on climbs. The dude can ride.

Have to add, have spent a significant portion of my life in Switzerland. Yes, many are racist. They can be clueless

 

[kingjr]

You embarrass yourself trying to bullsh!t anyone into believing you said something else....

I'm absolutely fascinated. You're a smart guy and you still don't get it.

Let's try again, with a little help this time:

So you're not "you" when you're angry? .

Of course you are "you" when you're angry. I disagree that that's somehow the moment when the "True You" comes out, and when you're not angry you're wearing a mask or something. That's bull****.

 

[phanatic]

So you're not "you" when you're angry?

Great question for the cafe, perhaps.

 

[SKSemtex]

I am not the racist and never was but I am very ****ed of fact that any kind of anger of "white" people towards people of "different “skin for any reason is call racism, their anger is just anger.

 

[42x16ss]

Have to laugh when the all white peloton says there are no issues with racism.

Albasini did what is done in many races, heckle the rookie to pull more.....he just chose wording that is outside of what is acceptable. Stupid move by Albasini. Not only is it classless but it is wrong, Reza is a bad *** bike racer. He has got top 10 in multiple sprint stages, got in breaks, worked for teammates on climbs. The dude can ride.

Have to add, have spent a significant portion of my life in Switzerland. Yes, many are racist. They can be clueless

Indeed, it's incidents like this that undo the work of men like Bernaudeau, who for all his faults has been a bastion for equality in the sport and has rightfully backed his rider.

Who cares if Albasini is/isn't racist. There is no time or place in life, let alone sports for comments like the one he is accused of. If he was angry, there are dozens of other ways to insult without resorting to such disgusting language.

IF this turns out to be true, then I hope Albasini gets a hefty fine and/or suspension. I'd also expect Reza, Berhane or maybe one of the MTN riders to "accidentally" put him in a ditch next time they race together.

Hopefully this is only a misunderstanding and Albasini didn't resort to such language but if so, this needs to be punished. A precedence needs to be set.

 

[42x16ss]

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

Reza isn't even the only rider of African descent on his team - Natnael Berhane has been with Europcar for two years now. Then there's Teklehaimanot and the rest of the MTN-Qhubeka squad.

One thing that I always respect about Bernaudeau is he'll give any rider, of any background an opportunity. Arashiro, Reza and Berhane are proving to be as good as anyone these last few years. Cracking riders.

 

[SKSemtex]

One think is for sure: the word "******" is a special cattegory. One and only. I do not know any other word so "protected".

If you use this word in any content or any occasion you have to be "racist" even if you are the most tollerant man in the world.

We can call other people fu..ng basards, *** holes, dicks ...... as much as we want and it looks like we are OK. This is rediculous.

Racism should be about discrimination not about words.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

One think is for sure: the word "******" is a special cattegory. One and only. I do not know any other world so "protected".

If you use this word in any content or any occasion you have to be "racist" even if you are the most tollerant man in the world.

We can call other people fu..ng basards, *** holes, dicks ...... as much as we want and it looks like we are OK. This is rediculous.

Racism should be about discrimination not about words.

 

[42x16ss]

One think is for sure: the word "******" is a special cattegory. One and only. I do not know any other world so "protected".

If you use this word in any content or any occasion you have to be "racist" even if you are the most tollerant man in the world.

We can call other people fu..ng basards, *** holes, dicks ...... as much as we want and it looks like we are OK. This is rediculous.

Racism should be about discrimination not about words.

The highlighted words have no racial stigma attached and are just some of the things that Albasini could have said without resorting to the alleged. Sure, they're unpleasant but nothing like what was allegedly said.

Racism is about discrimination and discrimination takes many forms, including verbal discrimination. I think some here have trouble accepting this.

 

[Avoriaz]

So you're not "you" when you're angry?

Anybody else in the UK picture Joan Collins eating a Snickers when you read this?