Can a Coconut Be Racist? Judge Says No
take something too far: to go beyond what is acceptable or appropriate
Can a coconut be a racial slur? A woman named Marieha Hussain was taken to court because of a sign she held during a political protest in London. It showed politicians Suella Braverman and Rishi Sunak on coconuts.
When a photo of her with the sign was shared online, the police went looking for her. Facing public backlash and losing her job as a secondary school teacher, Ms. Hussain went to the police to explain that the sign wasn’t racist. She said she was criticizing the racist actions of the politicians.
She was charged with a racially aggravated public order offense. The prosecution said that she had taken it too far, calling her protest unacceptable. They said the term “coconut” is a racial slur that means someone is “brown on the outside, but white on the inside.” During the trial, experts said that the word is often used in Black and Asian communities and is not racist. The judge agreed that Ms. Hussain’s sign was not abusive and found her not guilty.
Sample sentences
I don’t mind if my children play video games, but playing all night every night is taking it too far.
The coach wanted the team to improve, but making them practice in the rain was taking it too far.
The joke was funny at first, but he took it too far and hurt her feelings.
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How woman with coconut placard was tracked down, taken to court – and acquitted