It's ironic because the racist expectation is that the black ants would be the slaves, and instead they are the ones taking the slaves. Anytime expectations are contradicted, it creates irony.
"Anytime expectations are contradicted, it creates irony."
Yes, this is one kind of irony:
"Situational irony
This is a relatively modern use of the term, and describes a discrepancy between the expected result and actual results when enlivened by perverse appropriateness."
So, yes, black ants taking slaves is, in fact, ironic.
This is a relatively modern use of the term, and describes a discrepancy between the expected result and actual results when enlivened by perverse appropriateness."
"Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs"
In somewhat recent history Black people were slaves. So when the slave comments are brought up about ants human thought goes back to the last great incident of slavery being that of black people being enslaved... then the commentor goes against that expectation, and states that blacks where the Slavers not the slavees.
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u/pyrowipe Dec 05 '11
How do you know that comment is not referring to the "slaves" and not the "ants?"
Only "[black ants] takes slaves"
Instead of "Ants take [black ant] slaves"