Same to you, I don't remember hearing fag with my cousin, the words may have been said but I'm not hanging out with with him 24 hours a day. I just don't remember hearing it.
They aren't different.
The reason why whities typically shrug off ethnic slurs and jokes isn't because all whities are rich and famous. They shrug it off over time because they typically just don't care and have other things to worry about than stereotyped as a bricklaying wop, cheap ass big-nosed jew or toothless dumbass farming hick.
You are watching mainstream comedians. You haven't seen raunchy stand up, where all the stereotypes and slurs come in at the 11 pm show.
Do you see Asian people caring much about being joked at being a rice eater with slant eyes who minces up the English vocabulary? Not really. They don't seem to give a shit either. I don't think those 50 year old Chinese men and women working at a restaurant for minimum wage give a shit about Asian jokes.
As I said, some people roll with the punches and don't care, and some seem to care a lot. It all depends on which side of the fence someone wants to stand.
So you tell me why some groups of people don't seem to care, while others do.
A slur is really just a recap word that describes stereotypes. The typical description of a wop most people associate the word with is a lowly educated immigrant from the early 1900s. Italian, crude jobs, low education. And like most Italians, probably hairy too. Who cares. Whether someones says wop, or goes through the words saying all the stereotypical jokes that goes with it, it's really the same.
Let me try to explain the difference to you in a simple way that is easy to understand.
Walk up to a friend that that you know is Jewish and ask that person, Are you a Jew? See what that persons reaction is.
Now ask your gay friend, Are you a faggot? I would really be interested to know what their reaction is. I think you will find out very quickly what side of the fence they are on.
Next, go into a predominantly black neighborhood and approach a group of black individuals and say, hey $&@%er do you have the time. If you are non black, I would expect the reaction you will receive is not a favorable one.
Go into a Chinese restaurant and use your fingers to slant your eyes and order "chinky" food with as a Chinese person trying to speak "engrish". I honestly don't think they will be pleased.
Lastly, ask a person you know that has very little to their name, are you white trash?
The examples you brought up include characteristics that others associate with the word. The word Jew and hick are not slangs on their own while the term Wop and faggot are. Big difference.
People in this city get upset when the term faggot is used as it is a very derogatory term when referring to gay individuals. Kevin Pillar understood that and that is why he apologized. In the heat of the moment he used a term he should not have used.
Times have changed in a city a widely diverse as Toronto. Maybe it is the environment I was raised in but derogatory slang terms for ethnic/racial groups was not prevalent.
Almost every ethnic group/race have characteristics that show them in a very unflattering light and of course some don't care and that is their choice. Why however, do you not see these terms used by individuals in the media, those who teach children, by politicians in speeches, etc.... Because it is wrong!!!