I figure this. I figure that every group of friends interacts differently. It's the intent that bothers me or doesn't bother me. If I knew that Chaldean and the person he won the "Award" from, and it didn't seem like the guy had bad intentions, I wouldn't flip out over it. I mean yeah I'd think it's ignorant, but I wouldn't think it was worth more of my time than that.
I constantly hear people talk about cars that are "Riced" up, people using the phrase "Don't Jew me", television shows with black actors saying to white actors "You're so white", or referring to things as "Ghetto" or "Gay" or "Retarded" and I'm sure most people do as well. And before you say it, it's not just on TV. I've had my friends make fun of other guys because they can't dance and say they were "So white". Most people don't put it on ABC news anytime they hear something like that.
-Rudey
Quote:
Originally posted by enigma_AKA
It would still be ridiculous, but that wasn't what the award was...
Consider this (to all):
You happen to attend a function honoring, say, one's social/cultural/academic/athletic/whatever. You're White/Black/Jewish/Christian/Female/Handicapped/Whatever. You hear the MC say "And here's the award for the most Jewish in the group". It goes to a Chaldean (Arab Christian).
Or maybe "Here's the award for the most female". You turn and see a male run up to the podium.
The 'most handicapped'? You see a limber, fit, presumably athletic track star skip up to the stage, graciously bowing as they accept their award.
If you fall into the hypothetical category above, it might occur to you to wonder: 'Hmmmm, how can one be Jewish? What does it mean to them to be Jewish?' (I don't know; I'm not). And 'How do they know?' From this, you know they are just bouncing off stereotypes--
Or you might be ascertaining as to why an athlete would be considered the 'most handicapped', though he/she is not. You are and you still might be wondering "How can one (assumingly physically sound/non-handicapped) be the most handicapped without actually being so?"
The reason why many might not take offense/understand the gravity of the situation is probably due to lack of relavance (i.e. how a sorority woman might not understand why it may be offensive to a Black person but could understand being offended at the gross stereotyping concerning those in sororities...or not).
I say good for the body that decided that cultural sensitivity workshops were in order for these woman as well as the cease and desist. These women might need to learn some things about themselves before they try to help others...
Just my opinion/rant...
enigma_AKA
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