Racism is alive and…. Swinging??
OK, I’ve heard it all now… I am sick and tired of hearing about how black people are continually confronted with racial issues from others… more specifically us white people. With a news story which hit all the major headlines the other day this one is just another diabolical attempt to keep racism alive and well here in the United States by none other than the same people who claim that I am racist (remember me…the white guy?).
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/04/09/obama-delegate-stays-with-campai...
I am a husband, father, and white (Caucasian to those PC people out there). Within the context of that alone, I have commented on my children acting as monkeys many of times, which according to this ONE person in this article I must somehow be a racist since I am somehow associating my children with a supposed racial remark concerning how children are somehow associated with monkeys, and that folks, is a bad thing.
Before everyone gets into a huff, I’ll beat you to it: my children are white… just like me; so how do my comments in the previous paragraph fit with the story posted? Not a whole lot, other than the fact that when someone comments on children’s activities (mine or others) REGARDLESS of their color, racism is not automatically applied. Oh, I forgot… the person doing the talking was white, while the children were black… hmm… I still do not see the difference folks! But then again, I’m not black - is that the best argument you can come up with to convince me I’m racist? Give me a break!
I am so sick and tired of hearing how the U.S. is so racist, yet those same people stating this supposed obvious thing are the ones who are in my opinion, the most racist to begin with. Racism is not a white ON black issue anymore people, its independent of color… meaning that I see more racist remarks from black ON white than the other way around (oh uh… I may have just become a racist!!!)
As a parent, I am always confronted by my children to do something to their sibling based on something the other child did or said. Within this parental stumbling block lies an interesting word that I continually strive to teach my children… ignore them. Certain times, when issues are constantly being made over something, the issue never go away, in other words will always be present. Listen up you people who are always claiming racism… maybe you should look up the word ignore… maybe… just maybe… racism can and will go away once people stop claiming it’s all about themselves and color!
Me personally being a black person(if the picture doesn't say it all) know what you are talking about. From my culture's point of view when people use the word monkey , nigg* or black, that is offensive. If you are not black, these three words should not be flowing out your mouth.
MONKEY - Back in the slavery days, anglo americans would call africans and african americans monkeys because they thought we were dumb, made fouls of ourselves , and looked like monkeys.
Nigg* - What anglo americans used to call slavery workers to degrade them. Word was used to make them feel below themselves. Now black people try to call their friends and people nigg*s as a way to relate to other people as their best buddy. But my culture gets mad and fights people who say it that are not black. No one should be saying this word.
Black- Although the darkest color out of the color wheel, african americans feel that color represents them and instead of saying african american we use black. But it's not ok for anyone else to say this.
I know you are saying that you are just playing around with your kids when you call them a monkey but in my cultures society they feel you are a wanna be black guy stuck in a white guys body when you say stuff like that or dance to our music.
Yes these things are so stupid and ridiculous but society is messed up in the head when it comes to certain situations. Even black people go against their own. With my culture, if you are light like me then that means your pretty , mannerable, want to be white , and think your all that. If you are blue0black (like my ilustration) you are ugly and way to ghetto.
Please read my blog :
http://www.progressiveu.org/134728-you-can-find-me-and-others-progressiv...
and rate it . Leave a comment if you feel like it.Thanks.
Lovenenvy,
I can understand your definitions of these most culturally charged words you described. What I was trying to say is that if we continue to live in the past (slave days, etc...) then lets all get used to racism, because it wont go away. I am also aware that any culture is defined by history, and I'm not telling anyone to forget about where, who, or how they came into existence. I don't support what happened those many years ago, and I'm guessing that the majority of people don't either. So... even if previous generations ago of my 'white' forefathers treated colored people badly, that does not automatically make this generation (i.e. me) similar... that is unless we are constantly reminded of it, and since it 'must be true', then we may as well act that way too.
Lets not bring slavery and those times into this instance of racism. If that were the case, then every culture in this world would/could be defined by their past generations (all people living in Russia must be communist... All white people must be European... all women should never work... etc, etc, etc...) This will continue to be a never ending saga unless we look at today when we make decision and such. I don't look at the 1800's to make my choices today... they have perhaps defined who I am to a certain extent, but they don't make my choices now... Neither should past 'slang' have the same meaning (i.e. the meaning of gay in the past versus gay now).
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http://progressiveu.org/blog/profstevevo
"Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?” (Sun Tzu)
And it has nothing to do with skin color. Germs see no color...and all children carry germs. Occupational hazard of the nanny, I guess. I'll just pay the ticket.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman