Quote:
Originally posted by DeltAlum
Uh, gee whiz.
I kinda like some country music.
But I've never lived in a trailer park. (I did carry newspapers in one once) Nor have I ever chewed tobacco. And I don't have a pickup truck, let alone a trailer hitch. Never been divorced. Get along with my mother-in-law. Not crazy about trains. Don't wear a cowboy hat or boots. Have most of my teeth.
Just pointing out that stereotypes are easy to fall into -- and some country music fans might take offense.
That doesn't make any part of wearing blackface OK in any way. And I don't think there is any question that these guys will be punished.
Even though this is probably a case of being dumb as opposed to being mean spirited.
|
My point
EXACTLY!!!
Some of what you are saying is discussing the issue of stereotypes and how they hurt those that they are against.
Some of what other folks are talking about is racism and how pervasive it is.
ktsnake:
You said awhile back ('cuz DAYUM, I get gon' in 2 days and y'all on the 8th page!!!), that the Universities are government entities and should be out of legislating or dictating morals and offensive behaviors displayed by students. Well, I disagree with your perception. 1. I would be accurate to say that most African Americans find blackface (for the sake of arguement) offensive and that is should be asserted by the University that the despicable behavior will be punished. Why? Because, most African Americans see this behavior as not as an expression of choice, but as a "terrorist attack" one's whole perception of life. How? How would you feel if one were to imitate and mock YOUR way of life and to simply nullify it as "oh well, I just didn't know, what's the big deal anyways?"
For everyone:
This issue goes back to stereotyping. All people are guilty of it and African Americans are no less guilty than another ethnic group.
Racism is an institution. It was once legislated and legal to segregate and bar one ACCESS to public accomodations and pursuance of employment. The 1964 Civil Right's act abolished those laws. Moreover, racism--even though a misnomer because there is not such thing as a genetically distinct "race"--cause MANY different cultures, most notably African Americans--but MANY others to a lesser degree a second class citizenship in the "Land of the Free and Home of the Brave"... And many Caucasians died side by side with African Americans to change those laws. Why? Because, how can the United States impose laws and adjudicate where some could go, how someone could live and what their behave out to be--all the time--when the Constitution and the Bill of Rights say differently? Separate is inherently unequal...
So when some weak-assed, small dickless children smear brown or black paint on their faces and appear to ridicule those that appear similar, when they do not normally look that way is a defamation and abomination to my ancestors, my family and my entire being!
How can an University CALL themselves as a diverse atmosphere, sell me on believing that I would feel safe environment to excel in my academic endeavors? How can an Unversity CALL themselves that their student population is here for academic degrees when there ONE mockery of a group of students on campus? How is that safe--or rather--how can THAT NOT be perceived as a terrorist attack--my whole way of life is being made worthless. I already come from family life that could be improved, so if I wanted to "jack" myself, I would have stayed in the 'hood!!! An attack on one culture is an attack on all... And yes, African American groups have been guilty too--what are these Male Auctions all about? Moreover, does this have ANYTHING to do with succeeding in my ACADEMIC MAJOR and getting MY DEGREE? (That's what your Mama's gonna ask you about!!!)