But honey...why are you so against the term "racist" lumping people into one group but you're not as concerned about the RACIST LANGUAGE of these people lumping people into one group. Do you see what I mean?
I understand your point, but I think you're too easy on this issue and I'm puzzled why. I've agreed with you in this thread -- and I still do -- that racist language makes someone ignorant but not necessarily a horrible or evil person. But I think it's perfectly OK not to like someone based on racist language or racist actions. And I think it's a much more valid charge against someone than "bitchiness." Why do you let racists off the hook? I get that it's based on ignorance, I get that it's the way they grew up. Fine. But that should never be the end of the discussion. Not for one moment. We are in 2008 and yes, people should know better. I'm sorry, an "ignorant background" is an explanation but should never be an excuse. Never ever. I think it's perfectly reasonable in 2008 to expect more of people.
Don't you also think it's a weird coincidence that
aijalon and I objected to the "big black buck" term and then all of a sudden Steven goes on to make an obviously racist joke? Fact is -- and listen closely now -- it WASN'T a coincidence. I think the fact that we totally pegged someone who ended up making a highly offensive racist joke should make you question whether you were completely wrong (and you were) on the first issue. You obviously know a lot about race issues in America, and you're obviously highly intelligent, but I think you sometimes make the common mistake of assuming that it's not racism if it's not blatantly obvious (i.e. the Mexican/Black joke).
And yes of course prejudice is bad no matter what. My god, can we elevate this discussion beyond these platitudes? (Prejudice = bad, Democracy = good. Americas lobe these easy stamps of approval and disapproval) It's bad, yes, we all agree. Thank goodness we've settled that one. But the fact is, when someone makes a prejudgment based on physical traits -- especially when the physical traits belong to the dominant culture i.e. white ("I don't like blonds/blonds are dumb") -- it's not automatically the same as racism because the latter affects an entire community in a way that's socially, economically and historically based . Making blond jokes does not affect ALL blonds, does not stem from a history of oppressing blonds, does not lead to blonds bearing the burden of representation and not given the benefit of being seen as individuals, does not encompass part of a system of institutionalized and historical prejudice affecting blonds in terms of jobs, access to education, health-care etc. It is NOT the same thing as race prejudice. It is only "all the same" in the most vulgar and fundamental way (that prejudging someone is wrong) but the ramifications for racism are far, far worse. And I'm amazed that this even has to be spelled out quite frankly. But here we are.
Some things I just chalk up to you being young (lol). I mean let's face it. You were wrong on the big black buck thing, you were wrong about Steven, you were wrong when you assumed race and racism had only to do with physical traits...your response to this post will probably be wrong. Even what you are thinking while reading this? Wrong.
(I love you!)
But you are at least engaging the discussion, which is great and good for you. And you never tried to silence the topic (unlike others, belying their own discomfort and perhaps their own prejudices) and you were man enough to say you were wrong about Steven and that the second comment (the joke) WAS racist. We may disagree but at least in the debate, you are a worthy adversary.
To those who keep pooh poohing it fail to realize that television, movies and music are fraught with troubling political/social and sexual implications and subtexts. If you don't want to discuss it, fine. You don't have to. It's very easy not to. But please don't try to silence those of us who would like to have the discussion. It is not off topic, it not inappropriate. It is only unsettling because in America we don't like to talk about these things. But it was brought up in the context of Big Brother, with an ignorant man making a racially loaded remark and then later an outright racist joke. So you can understand why some of us would like to talk about it.
For some of us, gawking at how many times we can spot a bulge on Jessie, isn't the most rewarding conversation.
. I'm lovin BB right now
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You have to admit, that was funny as hell. I still hated her though.
