Racist or not?

Nitefly said:
The image is probably found offensive to some because it's reducing individuals with multi-faceted personalities to the essence of their skin colour. The white man is a white man, the black man is a black man... and so on. This is generally considered socially unacceptable in modern society and it (being, the act reducing people to their skin colour) is a typical component of bona fide racism.

Secondly, it's unsurprising that some racial groups (i.e. those that actually are in reality subject to bona fide racism) may be more sensitive to being reduced to the essence of their skin colour.

It follows that many people (even if they themselves are not subject to bona fide racism) will find it offensive to reduce an ethnic minority to the essence of their skin colour, because it's perceived to be insensitive to them: the obvious sensitivity has been shunned or disregarded for the sake of the humour.

Would the image be considered racist in a perfect world where racism didn't actually exist? No.

Is the image racist in the context of a world where (i) racism does actually exists, (ii) some races are more likely to face racism than others and (iii) others are aware of racism that others are subject to....? Based on those factors, it is quite insensitive. Can it be racist to be recklessly insensitive to realities and sensitivities of others? It can be, yes.

Is the joke itself worthy of scorn or great wrath? No, not beyond commenting that it's somewhat insensitive. It's not great, but it's on the mild end of the spectrum.

It's not something that's limited to race, as others seem to be mentioning. If you were to take a photo of a tall man, an average height woman and then a double amputee and say "those 3 look like Russian dolls!" then I think some would consider that ableist for similar reasons.
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Reminds me of the famous social class sketch
 
Nitefly said:
The image is probably found offensive to some because it's reducing individuals with multi-faceted personalities to the essence of their skin colour. The white man is a white man, the black man is a black man... and so on. This is generally considered socially unacceptable in modern society and it (being, the act reducing people to their skin colour) is a typical component of bona fide racism.

Secondly, it's unsurprising that some racial groups (i.e. those that actually are in reality subject to bona fide racism) may be more sensitive to being reduced to the essence of their skin colour.

It follows that many people (even if they themselves are not subject to bona fide racism) will find it offensive to reduce an ethnic minority to the essence of their skin colour, because it's perceived to be insensitive to them: the obvious sensitivity has been shunned or disregarded for the sake of the humour.

Would the image be considered racist in a perfect world where racism didn't actually exist? No.

Is the image racist in the context of a world where (i) racism does actually exists, (ii) some races are more likely to face racism than others and (iii) others are aware of racism that others are subject to....? Based on those factors, it is quite insensitive. Can it be racist to be recklessly insensitive to realities and sensitivities of others? It can be, yes.

Is the joke itself worthy of scorn or great wrath? No, not beyond commenting that it's somewhat insensitive. It's not great, but it's on the mild end of the spectrum.

It's not something that's limited to race, as others seem to be mentioning. If you were to take a photo of a tall man, an average height woman and then a double amputee and say "those 3 look like Russian dolls!" then I think some would consider that ableist for similar reasons.
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Objectification is the actual scenario. Also your invented scenario.

Unhappiness about unwelcome objectification is completely logical.

But it is a complaint about objectification unless there's discrimination going on to target race (or ability as you exampled).
 
I preface this without knowing your girlfriends race or as importantly, age. Plus I havent seen the picture. How did your girlfriend take it @Guest2 ? Imagine seeing similar captioned images. 5, 10,100 times. Imagine hearing comments in a bar or at work but qualified with "it's only a joke" 10, 50, 100 times. Or hearing people say "its ok I have black friends, wife or girlfriend" Ask her what she feels when a group of friends share certain memes. Maybe your friends who have "called this out" are trying to get ahead of that one sentance change that will mean something else and make your girlfriend, or you feel uncomfortable. Anyway I'm sure you knew what you were doing bring it up in this forum. Good luck to you and your partner.
 
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