An open letter to Kanye West and others who use similar phrases
Dear Kanye (and world),
If you have to say "No offense, but ..." then you are about to say something offensive.
If you have to say "I'm not racist, but..." then you are about to say something racist.
If you have to say "I don't mean to disrespect you, but..." then you are about to say something disrespectful.
And finally if you have to say "I really like you Taylor, but..." and you are on national television, on a stage at a public event with your colleagues, then you are about to do something really stupid.
Correctly identifying that what you are about say is offensive does not give you extra credit. It does not excuse you from the consequences of what you are about to say. In fact, it is worse, because you know what you are about to say wrong and you do it anyway.
Sorry if this letter offends you Kanye, I don't mean any disrespect.
If you have to say "No offense, but ..." then you are about to say something offensive.
If you have to say "I'm not racist, but..." then you are about to say something racist.
If you have to say "I don't mean to disrespect you, but..." then you are about to say something disrespectful.
And finally if you have to say "I really like you Taylor, but..." and you are on national television, on a stage at a public event with your colleagues, then you are about to do something really stupid.
Correctly identifying that what you are about say is offensive does not give you extra credit. It does not excuse you from the consequences of what you are about to say. In fact, it is worse, because you know what you are about to say wrong and you do it anyway.
Sorry if this letter offends you Kanye, I don't mean any disrespect.
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