Language, gun culture, and the meaning of the word "skittles". [View all]

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One of DU's posters in this forum asked a profound question in another thread, one that concerns the use of language in gun culture.

Specifically, the question asked by this DU poster is whether certain words (in this case, the word "skittles"), as used in gun culture by gun enthusiasts, have become racist dog whistles.

Is "Skittles" supposed to be the new racist dogwhistle?

I guess I'll have to start eating Starburst instead.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1172&pid=192363

The reference and question appears to be about post #1 of that very same thread, that brought up the issue of guns and skittles and wrapped them together, in direct reply to an OP which had absolutely nothing to do with the murder of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman (Nor was skittles mentioned in the OP.):

WOW..

If you are waiting in line, to buy a pack of skittles, and you flee out the door because you see a person with a rifle slung over their shoulder, or a holstered firearms, you will be the one to have committed a crime.

And you would be the one prosecuted for it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1172192055#post1

Now, this scenario is one which attempts to paint folks who buy skittles as criminals, even when running away from folks with guns.

Given the rather obvious cultural reference in relation to skittles and guns, this does strike me as a racist dog whistle.

So I ask you.

Has the word "skittles", as used in post #1 of that thread, become a racist dog whistle?

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