Language, gun culture, and the meaning of the word "skittles".

[stone space]

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?

13 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Yes.
	1 (8%)
	No.
	12 (92%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[Kang Colby]

1. Why do you post so frequently about using a gun sighting as an opportunity to legitimize theft?

I was up in Maine last summer, I noticed a few men open carrying handguns (holstered) and I didn't use it as an opportunity to dine and dash or run out of the store with items that I hadn't purchased.

In parts of our country, it is a rather common practice.

[stone space]

2. The topic is language, gun culture, and the meaning of the word "skittles".

Please try to stay on topic.

Do you have any comments on the actual topic of this thread?

[Kang Colby]

3. The post you cite is about your attempt to legitimize theft.

The poster was explaining to you that your actions would be considered criminal unlike open carry in most states.

I could understand if you mentioned this once or twice in passing. But you regularly post about using gun sightings as an opportunity to legitimize petty theft. It comes across like you are trying to rationalize kleptomania.

[stone space]

4. You are trolling. Please try to stay on topic. (nt)

[Kang Colby]

5. No, I am not trolling.

Why do you think it's acceptable to steal if you see someone carrying a firearm in accordance with state law? I'm just trying to understand the reasoning behind these posts.

[stone space]

8. Me, too. Why skittles?

I'm just trying to understand the reasoning behind these posts.

[CompanyFirstSergeant]

12. Skittles....

...I have no idea what Skittles are, I have no idea who eats Skittles.

I assume it's a candy, due to the color of the label shown (the rainbow color) and that it is referred to as 'a box of Skittles.'

Do persons of certain ethnic backgrounds like Skittles?

Do people who are anti-gun like Skittles?

Do shoplifters like Skittles?

What the heck is a Skittle and what is the significance of Skittles?

[ileus]

15. Skittles kill people.

[CompanyFirstSergeant]

16. Only in....

Stand Your Skittles States

[Duckhunter935]

26. There you go with the insults and name calling

That was quick but not surprising. What is it with you and racism?

Simple question again, do you think I am a racist?

[stone space]

30. Stop harrassing me from thread to thread.

Simple question again, do you think I am a racist?

It's not my job you declare you a non-racist.

You are obsessed with being declared a non-racist.

[Duckhunter935]

31. Lol

At least you stopped harassing me via unwanted PMs. Asking a simple question is not harassment and the easy way to stop my asking it is to answer one way or another.

[stone space]

32. When you stopped sending me emails, I stopped replying to your emails to me.

At least you stopped harassing me via unwanted PMs. Asking a simple question is not harassment and the easy way to stop my asking it is to answer one way or another.

It's not rocket science.

[Duckhunter935]

33. See my other post to get the truth, you stopped

When I blocked you and reported you to Skinner. You are the one that sent me the first unwanted PM and responded even though in every one of mine, I kindly asked you to stop.

I NEVER sent you unsolicited DU mails, all I did was respond to yours that you sent me. I asked you to stop and you would not.

For everyone to see, here is the DU mail exchange YOU started with me that was not solicited by me, that SIR is HARRASSMENT

all right, let's get this in the open. your unsolicited mail

stone space
You win. I'm out.

And don't play games.

You did check and you don't want to admit that I was backing you up.

My reply...

I did look and I know you called me a racist and a lier. That is sickening and please do not mail me anymore. I am tired of your insults directed at me. It is best to just post in open forums. Good night
> And don't play games.
>
> You did check and you don't want to admit that I was backing you up.
>
>
>
>

You responded even after I requested you stop.

You lie.

>
> I did look and I know you called me a racist and a lier. That is sickening and please do not mail me anymore. I am tired of your insults directed at me. It is best to just post in open forums. Good night
> > And don't play games.
> >
> > You did check and you don't want to admit that I was backing you up.
> >
> >
> >
> >

My response back....

I see you can not comply with a simple request to stop mailing me but go further and call me a lier. All you have to do is say I am not a racist. Funny how you can't. If you keep sending me insults, I will forward these to the administrators. Please do not send me any more mail unless it is to say I am not a racist. Once again, good night.
> You lie.
>
> >
> > I did look and I know you called me a racist and a lier. That is sickening and please do not mail me anymore. I am tired of your insults directed at me. It is best to just post in open forums. Good night
> > > And don't play games.
> > >
> > > You did check and you don't want to admit that I was backing you up.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >

You responded once again even after I requested you stop...

Why do you feel the need to try to force others to declare that you are no9t a racist?

You do realize just how bizarre that is, don't you?

My response back requesting you stop...

Because you said I was , I am now going to send an email to skinner that you are stalking me. Have a good night

your response..

No I didn't. that is a lie.

My final mail to you..

Blocked your mail for the spam you keep sending after I told you to stop

After that last mail I sent a mail to Skinner to inform him of your repeated contact via mail even after I requested you to stop. I also blocked you from sending me any more mail as I think that is the best way to diffuse the situation. The facts are now out in the open for all to see. I hope you have a great day, sir.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1172&pid=185304

Your question in ATA
Is the posting of private emails acceptable at DU?

Skinner's response
Depends what you mean by "acceptable".
I don't personally approve of the practice. But if someone does it there is no guarantee that a jury will find the practice to be inappropriate.

My advice is that people refrain from sending DU Mail messages that they don't want posted publicly.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12599446

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1172&pid=192465

[Duckhunter935]

35. "It's not rocket science."

Yep, please just answer the question, lol

[Eleanors38]

24. Actually, "ammosexual" is a homophobic dog whistle. nt

[Duckhunter935]

27. Yes it is and he uses it a lot

[ileus]

17. If folks could steal stuff whenever they seen an open carrier

it wouldn't be long before everyone was open carrying.



I'm waiting for free day.....I think I'll head down to Bass Pro and carry a transcript of this forum as proof it's acceptable.

I'll finally have that basket full of KVD square bills I've always dreamed of.


They may even have skittles by the front registers for me to grab as I'm fleeing for my life.

[CompanyFirstSergeant]

19. I told the OP once...

...several threads ago - on the same topic - that I would come in to a restaurant open carrying...

...just as he was finishing dinner....

And he could get the meal for free.

He did not think it was funny.

[Kang Colby]

37. LOL...that's funny. n/t

[DonP]

21. Bass Pro my ass, I'm heading for the Jaguar dealership and hoping for the best!

[Duckhunter935]

28. You win, I think

[Travis_0004]

6. If you havent yet paid for the skittles and you want to run away, you dont have to take them with yo

So yes, if you take them without paying its theft. If you want to leave the store, put the skittles down and leave. Nothing wrong with that.

[stone space]

7. Why skittles?

[Travis_0004]

9. No clue. Im more of an M&M guy

[stone space]

10. I'll wait for somebody who has a clue, then.

No clue.

Have a nice day!

[ileus]

14. Peanut M&M's that is.

[Duckhunter935]

29. Me too, plain and peanut

[stone space]

11. For folks in search of a clue.

[ileus]

13. I thought skittles was a brand of candy...

Out of all the colors of skittles, the red skittles, and purple skittles are the only skittles I care for. Toss out the Green skittles and yellow skittles those skittles suck ass.


Skittles is the new Thug.....

[CompanyFirstSergeant]

18. From Urban Dictionary....

Skittles, or a Skittle bag, sometimes used to refer to miscellaneous heterogeneous mix of various narcotic pills, jumbled up in a bag (usually leftovers donated to the communal skittle bag). Often multicolored like a bag of skittles. Incredibly dangerous, as the actual contents are often unknown, and, thusly, the effects are often a surprise high.

Are we really talking about going to a crack house and seeing dealers armed with AK's?

And running away from the crack house for your life?

Sure, you certainly don't need my permission to do that.


I was told that Google is my friend.....

That's what I found.

Interesting.

[jmg257]

20. No. Skittles are tasty candy treats. The sour ones are faves. Nt

[CompanyFirstSergeant]

22. The ones that.....

make kids scrunch up their faces?

[jmg257]

38. Yep! My kid loves em! nt

[Puha Ekapi]

23. skittle this and skittle that...

...I have no freaking clue about skittles or any imagined meaning they may have, but I DO know a few things about people of color and firearms

Stoney, what is YOUR position about people of color arming themselves?

[DonP]

25. Making shit up again?

Based on your extensive insights into "gun culture" I bet. That's about as valid as your other "insights".

Or just trying to create a new imaginary meme that you hope to hell will give you some kind of credibility?

So Skittles in racist now? TV seems to be full of "racist" commercials according to you, alert the networks!

Why not Ice Tea too, as long as you're pulling stuff out of your nether regions?

[Straw Man]

34. I voted "no."

Despite your attempts to paint it as such, "Skittles" is not a racist dog whistle. The silly name makes it convenient to use as an example of someone making an innocent and innocuous purchase. I think this is why so many fastened onto it in the Trayvon Martin case: "He was just going out for a bag of Skittles."

[CompanyFirstSergeant]

39. So let me get this straight.....

The night he was killed, Trayvon Martin was buying Skittles.

Then I think we should change the hypothetical product you would not pay for to something else...

...anything else.

Out of respect. I'm serious.

[Straw Man]

40. Right.

Except it's not me, it's stone space who's claiming "Skittles" was chosen for racist reasons.

[CompanyFirstSergeant]

41. Except it's not me, it's stone space

I know. No one in particular, all contributors to this forum.

We should all switch over to use a generic product with no implications for an actual incident.

[beevul]

36. You have it backwards Stoney.

Last edited Sun May 8, 2016, 10:35 PM - Edit history (1)

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

Here, let me FIFY:

The scenario paints people who run away without paying, as thieves, even when running away from the mere sight of a holstered gun, even if they intend to buy skittles.

You're welcome.

[virginia mountainman]

42. Welp, this describes my feelings on this perfectly.