Uno and Black Culture

[Anonymous]

OP here. The reason I asked this question is because of something I read in the NY Times today discussing the “Still Processing” podcast. One of the hosts of the podcast discussed her anger at Kylie Jenner for co-opting black culture by coming out with an Uno card deck last year. She said that in defiance of this, she (the podcast host) bought 10 decks of an Uno deck put out by an AA artist. I did google Merle Robbins and didn’t see anything indicating he was AA and Uno is now owned by Mattel.

Signed -
Someone trying to educate myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you need to unclench. No one is saying non-black people can’t play Uno. Just that it’s very common for black people to do so, so common that it’s a cultural touchstone.

And that's great. Some of us didn't know that yet; including a Black person.

Funny how only the white people got told how "that's like saying you didn't know pasta is an important part of Italian culture," and literally nothing was said to the Black poster who was unaware of the Black cultural importance.

I am the first Black poster. My comment was about nit having heard that it was black-owned or invented by a black personality (turns out it is neither). But I absolutely would identify adults playing Uno frequently and passionately as a Black thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The reason I asked this question is because of something I read in the NY Times today discussing the “Still Processing” podcast. One of the hosts of the podcast discussed her anger at Kylie Jenner for co-opting black culture by coming out with an Uno card deck last year. She said that in defiance of this, she (the podcast host) bought 10 decks of an Uno deck put out by an AA artist. I did google Merle Robbins and didn’t see anything indicating he was AA and Uno is now owned by Mattel.

Signed -
Someone trying to educate myself.

Kylie Jenner (and her mom and siblings) do coopt black culture, but I wouldn’t use Uno as an example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The reason I asked this question is because of something I read in the NY Times today discussing the “Still Processing” podcast. One of the hosts of the podcast discussed her anger at Kylie Jenner for co-opting black culture by coming out with an Uno card deck last year. She said that in defiance of this, she (the podcast host) bought 10 decks of an Uno deck put out by an AA artist. I did google Merle Robbins and didn’t see anything indicating he was AA and Uno is now owned by Mattel.

Signed -
Someone trying to educate myself.

Kylie Jenner (and her mom and siblings) do coopt black culture, but I wouldn’t use Uno as an example.

Like what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you need to unclench. No one is saying non-black people can’t play Uno. Just that it’s very common for black people to do so, so common that it’s a cultural touchstone.

And that's great. Some of us didn't know that yet; including a Black person.

Funny how only the white people got told how "that's like saying you didn't know pasta is an important part of Italian culture," and literally nothing was said to the Black poster who was unaware of the Black cultural importance.

I am the first Black poster. My comment was about nit having heard that it was black-owned or invented by a black personality (turns out it is neither). But I absolutely would identify adults playing Uno frequently and passionately as a Black thing.

I believe you,and that's interesting, and I'm glad to know that now.

What I want to know why this poster was not told "that's like not knowing pasta is part of Italian culture," in a rude tone, as I was:

"I’m Black and I seriously did not know this. We play it often but it never occurred to me, I guess because White people play it too? Unlike spades; I can’t think of anyone I know White that plays spades.

My family will probably “pull my Black card” for not knowing this! 😫😂"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. The reason I asked this question is because of something I read in the NY Times today discussing the “Still Processing” podcast. One of the hosts of the podcast discussed her anger at Kylie Jenner for co-opting black culture by coming out with an Uno card deck last year. She said that in defiance of this, she (the podcast host) bought 10 decks of an Uno deck put out by an AA artist. I did google Merle Robbins and didn’t see anything indicating he was AA and Uno is now owned by Mattel.

Signed -
Someone trying to educate myself.

People affiliated with the NY Times maybe aren't the best for authentic discussions on culture. Especially if what they find important is the commercial dealings of a reality star whose fame is predicated upon doing outrageous things to stay in the news. However, a Kardashian-branded card game is so inoffensive, so uninteresting, so non-noteworthy that one wonders if the podcast hosts were paid to mention it for covert advertising.

I have never once heard of any sort of affinity for UNO by race. I've played it with my (ADOS) family, yes, but also at camps and schools with children of all races. I thought it was just a game that could be easily played and enjoyed by the very young and the old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm White and we played it a ton growing up, especially when cousins got together at my grandparents' house. We also played Hearts a lot. Thank you for bringing up good memories!

I didn't know this was considered to be connected especially to Black culture. Looking forward to hearing more.

Same and we play Spite and Malice all the time too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you need to unclench. No one is saying non-black people can’t play Uno. Just that it’s very common for black people to do so, so common that it’s a cultural touchstone.

And that's great. Some of us didn't know that yet; including a Black person.

Funny how only the white people got told how "that's like saying you didn't know pasta is an important part of Italian culture," and literally nothing was said to the Black poster who was unaware of the Black cultural importance.

I am the first Black poster. My comment was about nit having heard that it was black-owned or invented by a black personality (turns out it is neither). But I absolutely would identify adults playing Uno frequently and passionately as a Black thing.

I believe you,and that's interesting, and I'm glad to know that now.

What I want to know why this poster was not told "that's like not knowing pasta is part of Italian culture," in a rude tone, as I was:

"I’m Black and I seriously did not know this. We play it often but it never occurred to me, I guess because White people play it too? Unlike spades; I can’t think of anyone I know White that plays spades.

My family will probably “pull my Black card” for not knowing this! 😫😂"

My white family played spades too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A little primer on AA culture: we like to put our own twists on mainstream US culture. What we like doesn’t have to have an African origin or come from our own history for it to be embraced as “a black thing”. And something being “a black thing” doesn’t mean that we’re saying we invented it. Only that we’ve embraced it and it’s a recognizable part of our cultural identity.

So if I grew up playing Uno with my grandparents, moved on to playing it with my white friends at college and now play it with my white kids, doesn’t that make it a “white thing” for me? Of course not. It’s a game meant for and played by people of all races. It doesn’t belong to a set culture. It can be your thing or my thing. It’s not a race thing.


We have all really gone over the edge of ridiculous race baiting issues.

Grits
Collards
Fried fish

All part of black culture but also white peoples ear it.

Do you not understand culture?

I associate fried fish more with Roman Catholics.

That’s because you have limited exposure to many cultures.

You’re funny!! It’s a very American RC thing. BTW I grew up in the city not some suburb.

Which side of “the city”? Haha the burbs are way more diverse and integrated.

Detroit, Herman Gardens (“the projects”) neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A little primer on AA culture: we like to put our own twists on mainstream US culture. What we like doesn’t have to have an African origin or come from our own history for it to be embraced as “a black thing”. And something being “a black thing” doesn’t mean that we’re saying we invented it. Only that we’ve embraced it and it’s a recognizable part of our cultural identity.

So if I grew up playing Uno with my grandparents, moved on to playing it with my white friends at college and now play it with my white kids, doesn’t that make it a “white thing” for me? Of course not. It’s a game meant for and played by people of all races. It doesn’t belong to a set culture. It can be your thing or my thing. It’s not a race thing.


We have all really gone over the edge of ridiculous race baiting issues.

Grits
Collards
Fried fish

All part of black culture but also white peoples ear it.

Do you not understand culture?

I associate fried fish more with Roman Catholics.

That’s because you have limited exposure to many cultures.

You’re funny!! It’s a very American RC thing. BTW I grew up in the city not some suburb.

Which side of “the city”? Haha the burbs are way more diverse and integrated.

Detroit, Herman Gardens (“the projects”) neighborhood.

Nobody from public housing calls them “the projects” Karen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A little primer on AA culture: we like to put our own twists on mainstream US culture. What we like doesn’t have to have an African origin or come from our own history for it to be embraced as “a black thing”. And something being “a black thing” doesn’t mean that we’re saying we invented it. Only that we’ve embraced it and it’s a recognizable part of our cultural identity.

So if I grew up playing Uno with my grandparents, moved on to playing it with my white friends at college and now play it with my white kids, doesn’t that make it a “white thing” for me? Of course not. It’s a game meant for and played by people of all races. It doesn’t belong to a set culture. It can be your thing or my thing. It’s not a race thing.


We have all really gone over the edge of ridiculous race baiting issues.

Grits
Collards
Fried fish

All part of black culture but also white peoples ear it.

Do you not understand culture?

I associate fried fish more with Roman Catholics.

That’s because you have limited exposure to many cultures.

You’re funny!! It’s a very American RC thing. BTW I grew up in the city not some suburb.

Which side of “the city”? Haha the burbs are way more diverse and integrated.

Detroit, Herman Gardens (“the projects”) neighborhood.

Nobody from public housing calls them “the projects” Karen.

Really? Really?!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A little primer on AA culture: we like to put our own twists on mainstream US culture. What we like doesn’t have to have an African origin or come from our own history for it to be embraced as “a black thing”. And something being “a black thing” doesn’t mean that we’re saying we invented it. Only that we’ve embraced it and it’s a recognizable part of our cultural identity.

So if I grew up playing Uno with my grandparents, moved on to playing it with my white friends at college and now play it with my white kids, doesn’t that make it a “white thing” for me? Of course not. It’s a game meant for and played by people of all races. It doesn’t belong to a set culture. It can be your thing or my thing. It’s not a race thing.


We have all really gone over the edge of ridiculous race baiting issues.

Grits
Collards
Fried fish

All part of black culture but also white peoples ear it.

Do you not understand culture?

I associate fried fish more with Roman Catholics.

That’s because you have limited exposure to many cultures.

You’re funny!! It’s a very American RC thing. BTW I grew up in the city not some suburb.

Which side of “the city”? Haha the burbs are way more diverse and integrated.

Detroit, Herman Gardens (“the projects”) neighborhood.

Nobody from public housing calls them “the projects” Karen.

No, but that’s how outsiders called it, so I wanted to make sure you understood. I absolutely did there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, who’s claiming Crazy Eights? If it’s still up for grabs, I’m bagging it for the Jews.

Nope you have Mahjong

That's Jewish people co-opting Chinese culture

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A little primer on AA culture: we like to put our own twists on mainstream US culture. What we like doesn’t have to have an African origin or come from our own history for it to be embraced as “a black thing”. And something being “a black thing” doesn’t mean that we’re saying we invented it. Only that we’ve embraced it and it’s a recognizable part of our cultural identity.

So if I grew up playing Uno with my grandparents, moved on to playing it with my white friends at college and now play it with my white kids, doesn’t that make it a “white thing” for me? Of course not. It’s a game meant for and played by people of all races. It doesn’t belong to a set culture. It can be your thing or my thing. It’s not a race thing.


We have all really gone over the edge of ridiculous race baiting issues.

Grits
Collards
Fried fish

All part of black culture but also white peoples ear it.

Do you not understand culture?

I think the point is that something ubiquitous is not uniquely cultural by definition. I would be like saying drinking water is a part of XX cultural identity.

It’s like saying eating pasta is part of Italian culture.

No it isn't. Some parts of Italy don't eat a lot of pasta, and every culture has some form of noodle dish. Italian pasta is a culinary stye from a particular area -- it isn't Uno.

However, is appears that adults gathering for the purpose of playing Uno is a special thing in some Black communities, like Bunco in Southern social circles, or Bridge in midwestern suburbs, so there you have it. Something ubiquitous also becomes cultural.

[Anonymous]

There are 470 variations of UNO.

I’m claiming the other 469.

Back off b$tchs