OSU-Gators and race

[caraher]

Buckeye linebacker calls foul on race-baiting Gators

Ohio State linebacker Tyler Moeller said Florida players hurled racial slurs at him throughout the game and that that sparked some of the chippiness during the 24-17 Florida win.

Buckeye linebacker calls foul on race-baiting Gators. "They're classless. That's the way I'd put it," Moeller said, according to Marcus Hartman from Buckeye Sports Bulletin. "I've never seen more people swing at our players and call us racial slurs. I've never been called a 'cracker' more in my life than I have today. So I don't really have much respect for them in terms of that but they're a good team. They came out and outplayed us today."

Any reactions? I'm not sure "cracker" is truly a slur - the only time I've encountered its use in real-life, it was a Georgian's proud self-description, and even as a slur it pales against those leveled at most other racial groups. Yet it's certainly a race-conscious form of name-calling. To me (white, living in the midwest) it's use suggests the alleged "cracker" is not just white but probably a racist as well.

I think if I were in his shoes, I'd probably just laugh it off. But I'm not comfortable with readily accepting race-based taunts.

[Condem]

1. We (Iowa) played them a couple times in the Outback Bowl. Same shit.

Under Zook and Meyer. Classless doesn't begin to describe the Gators. Much more so under Zook. Chirping even when they were getting their ass kicked. But under Meyer it still existed.

[1gobluedem]

2. I don't think Cracker is a racist term

As I understand it, at one time it simply referred to anyone who emigrated to Florida and originated with cattle herders who drove their herds south for the winter; 'cracker' comes from them cracking their whips at the cattle. That's how I've always heard it anyway. I'm sure that isn't what it means now.

Stupid and irrelevant, maybe, but I don't think it's racist.

[caraher]

3. I guess there are many word origin tales for "cracker"

Just looked at the Wikipedia entry, which opens with, "Cracker, sometimes white cracker, is a pejorative term for white people.[1] It is an ethnic slur used throughout the United States."

Most of the references to the whip explanation I've just looked up say the reference is to slave drivers, rather than cattle.

[joeybee12]

4. I've only heard it used in terms of race, used on a white person...

specifically meaning they're white trash...I don't know if I'd call it racist, it certainly is racial since it applies only to whites, and it definitely is classless, but that's what Florida is known for.

[trumad]

5. I call Bullshit

Hate the Gators but the Gator team has as many African Americans playing for it that OSU.

Simply sour grapes for losing to a horrible Gator team.