Why is "Chickenbacker" considered a racist term?

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by cronker, Dec 21, 2014.

  1. cronker

    cronker

    Feb 13, 2007
    Australia
    Sorry if this has been asked before.
    But, the way I see it, it's an amalgamation of Chinese and Rickenbacker.
     
  2. Hoochie Coochie Man

    Hoochie Coochie Man Supporting Member

    Jul 14, 2014
    The Chequamegon
    Everyone knows that chickens make lousy basses, but they'll work for chicken feed.
     
  3. Not everything in the world is racist just because a few people don't like the term in question.
     
  4. cronker

    cronker

    Feb 13, 2007
    Australia
    Don't they make violin strings out of chicken guts?
     
  5. Turock

    Turock

    Apr 30, 2000
    Melnibone
    Because some people love to be offended.
     
  6. two fingers

    two fingers Opinionated blowhard. But not mad about it. Inactive

    Feb 7, 2005
    Eastern NC USA
    It really has nothing to do with chicken per say. It is the "Chi" in China, and the "kenbacker" from Rickenbacker. Throw in the "c" from chicken and it just rolls off the tongue better. But some don't realize that and think you are calling Chinese people chickens..... or some such nonsense.
     
  7. cronker

    cronker

    Feb 13, 2007
    Australia
    Try talking about chicken in the gay community and see what responses you get,

    (Stirring)
     
  8. Gaolee

    Gaolee Official leathers tester and crash dummy

    Racist? I didn't know it was considered anything except a description of a Chinese made Ric fake. Learn something new every day, I guess.
     
  9. Batmensch

    Batmensch

    Jul 4, 2010
    Media, PA.
    First I've ever heard this.
     
  10. GKon

    GKon Supporting Member, Boom-Chicka-Boom

    Feb 17, 2013
    Los Lunas, NM
    I've been wondering the same thing for quite some time, as I saw it mentioned in a previous
    message here on TB, when someone was referring to their Chinese made Rickenbacker (can't remember who).
    The preferred to call it a Chinabacker as opposed to Chickenbacker so as to not be "racist". I found it odd.
     
  11. jmac

    jmac

    May 23, 2007
    Lancaster, Pa
    Being offended is a choice...choose wisely.
     
    mb94952, bassinflorida and DannyBob like this.
  12. buldog5151bass

    buldog5151bass Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.

    Oct 22, 2003
    Connecticut
    The only way I can see is that "chicken" somehow denotes inferior, and you are implying that their work is inferior. I see it as no different than MIM or MIA - shorthand. People also mix up the fact that some people have an issue with illegal copies of an instrument, no matter where it is made.

    Personally, I love many chinese chicken dishes, but not illegal copies.
     
  13. DiabolusInMusic

    DiabolusInMusic Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism

    I have never heard anybody call chickenbacker racist and I have read a lot of racist posts in those threads.
     
    AaronVonRock likes this.
  14. Plucky The Bassist

    Plucky The Bassist Istanbul...not Constantinople Supporting Member

    Jul 30, 2010
    Tejas


    I feel this is relevant to the conversation....some folks will be offended by anything or try to find some type of offensive meaning to near anything. As for calling anyone a chicken, chickens are delicious and are pretty boss at crowing if they are a rooster.

    Those who don't agree with me are just a spoonfaced apple-picking door donkey.
     
  15. Big Hoss

    Big Hoss Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...

    There are crybabies that will be offended at everything. Let them be offended. It's not like the term was intentionally meant to be racist. Like Freud said, sometimes a cigar, is just a cigar...
     
  16. Double E

    Double E I ain't got no time to play...

    Dec 24, 2005
    Cleveland, OH
    It's not...but Chinkenbacker would be, quite so.
     
    Ayce, mindwell, Gluvhand and 4 others like this.
  17. ac11367

    ac11367

    Apr 26, 2007
    Flushing, NY
    I am of Chinese descent and in no way do i find "Chickenbacker" to be offensive. However, adding an "n" between the "i" and the "c" could lead someone to construe it as racist.
     
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  18. Sometimes I feel like I really miss out, being white. We don't get any of the good derogatory names.

    We live in a time where people let their entire life revolve around finding things to be offended about. To me, that's existing, not living.

    Call it whatever you want, but Chickenbacker is pretty doggone catchy.
     
    bravesaint5 likes this.
  19. buldog5151bass

    buldog5151bass Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.

    Oct 22, 2003
    Connecticut
    ^^and I NEVER have heard anybody do that here. I agree that if they did, it would be racist, because "chink" has negative racial connotations.
     
  20. JACink

    JACink

    Mar 9, 2011
    Spain
    Add me to those who just thought it referred to a Rickenbacker clone.
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2014