Are "WE" to easily offended??

[Love_Spell_6]

This post is a result of DoggyStyle82's response in another post to NewBee:


[B]"Newbie, I would never disrespect my Lord and Saviour, nor would I disrespect my chosen way of life. The joke was not about God, nor anyones faith, it was about da Bruhz, an obvious parody of our sometimes reputation. Why anyone would find that this discredits the Almighty in any way leads me too the conclusion that either the protesters are "holier than thou", too sensitive", or are just looking for something to be offended about. Whether the reader finds it funny or not, is in the eye of the beholder, but it is not sacriligious."[B]

I think this raises a different but interesting point. My question to GC is do you all think that African Americans in particualur get offended to easily by things? There's a case now at the University of Tenn. ( i think that's the school) where some white kids dressed up like the Jackson 5.....now they're accused of being racists. And we all know about the cases of white fraternities painting black faces, wearing KKK outfits etc. at their parties.

Can we take a joke? Why is it that we can (in our comedy) talk about EVERY other race and find it funny, but blacks seem to get so easily offended when other races do it to us? Is their a deeper meaning here that I'm missing??

I'll elaborate if anyone is interested..

I'll be waiting for Doggystyle to drop his always infamous knowledge..

BTW, this thread is not meant to "pick on" Newbee's previous comments, I just thought it was a good way to bring up this topic..

[NewBee]

Since this was inspired but one of my previous post, indirectly, its only fitting that I be the first to reply. Honestly, I think we don't get offended enough because if we did we would be taking action instead of sitting passively and just waiting for people to give us whats right. We have become so content with things that no one wants to cause a raucus. We have become so desensitized by life and all the graphic scenes on tv that we think injustices are natural. We walk right passed homeless people like they aren't there. We disrepect each other with the N word and say its an term of endearment. Our ancestors would roll over in their graves if they knew how we act.

As far as Black Comedy, I think it has gone way to far IMHO. We not only disrespect other races but also ourselves. Comic Veiw perpetuates every negative Black stereotype there is daily. Its sooooo not funny. But yet we are placated with music video's and stepshows.

[DoggyStyle82]

I believe that we are easily offended by the wrong things and take a blind eye to others, depending on who is doing the offending.

For instance, to use your Tennessee example, I think that it would be too much to call it a racist incident if the intent was to imitate and not mock. But you always run the risk of being misunderstood when you put on blackface. That is just a no-brainer. Should they be punished, no. But they should be made an example of what not to do. If its questionable, use good judgement.

On the other hand, I almost had to puke this morning when I heard at least 80% of the people, mostly women, say that they would pay to see R.Kelly right now and that he needs our support and make all kind of excuses for his behavior. Our community will accept any crackhead or drug dealer because they are "ours". We accept murderes and thieves but let a white man wear blackface and its the end of the world. Its a result of us not letting go of our "victimization" status, which we wear all to proudly and will bring it out in a moments notice. Unfortunately, too many of our most well known leaders often only appear to wave the victim flag. Sharpton, Jackson, Cochran, et al, only really have a voice when they are complaining. Conversely, when there is real, proactive leadership needed, we either turn a deaf ear, or they are ineffective. Know why? We are geared to be reactive, to only be moved in times of crises.

I do agree with NewBee on this. We need to re-focus.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by DoggyStyle82
I believe that we are easily offended by the wrong things and take a blind eye to others, depending on who is doing the offending.

For instance, to use your Tennessee example, I think that it would be too much to call it a racist incident if the intent was to imitate and not mock. But you always run the risk of being misunderstood when you put on blackface. That is just a no-brainer. Should they be punished, no. But they should be made an example of what not to do. If its questionable, use good judgement.

On the other hand, I almost had to puke this morning when I heard at least 80% of the people, mostly women, say that they would pay to see R.Kelly right now and that he needs our support and make all kind of excuses for his behavior. Our community will accept any crackhead or drug dealer because they are "ours". We accept murderes and thieves but let a white man wear blackface and its the end of the world. Its a result of us not letting go of our "victimization" status, which we wear all to proudly and will bring it out in a moments notice. Unfortunately, too many of our most well known leaders often only appear to wave the victim flag. Sharpton, Jackson, Cochran, et al, only really have a voice when they are complaining. Conversely, when there is real, proactive leadership needed, we either turn a deaf ear, or they are ineffective. Know why? We are geared to be reactive, to only be moved in times of crises.

I do agree with NewBee on this. We need to re-focus.

Thank you for your point about "us" accepting murderers, crackheads, drug dealers and general lowlifes just because of their color. That also makes me ill.

Yes, many of us are still struggling. But many of us are doing reasonably well -- if we are willing to prepare ourselves and take advantage of breaks.

Bottom line, I don't believe that we had a civil rights movement that involved people getting maimed and killed for the right to act like BooBoo Da Fool.

Now as for the blackface, it's stupid and insensitive for real and I would like to see a punishment that would focus on reducing incidents.

Once again, however, I want to see our "leaders" and us get angry about the fact that 70 percent of our babies are born out of wedlock -- where are Jesse, Rev. Al the kiddies' pal and Maxine Waters on this issue?

I'd also like to see us get angry about the higher education gap between the sexes, which IMO is one of the factors that is weakening our families.

[Dionysus]

YES! About the wrong or small things too.

[JJSP01]

Originally posted by Iconoclastic
Is your sorority doing anything to try and stop these bastards from being born ( at the lust of these irresponsible fornicators and adulterers ). Does any BGLO for that matter promote Abstinence until marriage as a National program? What BGLO has taken a pro-life stance nationally seeing that 36% of all abortions are performed on black women? In some areas, the abortion to birth rate is 3:1. It's hard to stand against something when you would rather be politcally correct than STOP MURDER. Forget these mules we call black leaders. Bump any organization that is hypocritical.

What are YOU doing? Can you tell us all the the things YOU are doing in response to the aforementioned questions? Why do we say we need an organization (BGLO, or otherwise) to enact change when it comes to pre-marital sex or abortion? Individually we can all do something to make a change.

Adultery and fornication will always exist as long as God has given us free will. The flesh is weak and always will be...deal with it.
I know how I feel personally about abortion...It's MY choice, not YOUR morality that will make me decide whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. If I was gang-raped and became pregnant, YOUR "pro-life" stance/murdering attitude would not make me want to carry that child.

Bump any INDIVIDUAL that can only come at organizations with an accusatory attitude, instead of giving IDEAS and SUGGESTIONS. Practice what you try to preach.

[Love_Spell_6]

Originally posted by DoggyStyle82
I believe that we are easily offended by the wrong things and take a blind eye to others, depending on who is doing the offending.

For instance, to use your Tennessee example, I think that it would be too much to call it a racist incident if the intent was to imitate and not mock. But you always run the risk of being misunderstood when you put on blackface. That is just a no-brainer. Should they be punished, no. But they should be made an example of what not to do. If its questionable, use good judgement.

I think you're right on this one dog... I think Black people are tooooo sensitive about the wrong things! We tactily accept under-achievement, materialism, and anti-intellectualism in our culture, when these are the things we should be outraged about. Why be so concerned with other people "making fun" of us...even if that is their goal. Are we going to march and boycott everytime someone does this? How about we march through the streets and stop condoning the things that are really hurting our communities .............oh, but wait, we can't do that, because we'd step on too many toes

We need to focus on the things that really matter, and as someone else stated, be PROactive vs REactive......

[DoggyStyle82]

When you are told your whole life that you failures are not your fault or that your skin tone or economic status will prevent you from ever achieving, its easy to look for scapegoats at every turn. Think about it, its much easier to blame others for your shortcomings than to accept responsibility for your deadbeat dad status, drug use, infidelity, and babymaking, underachievement and lack of academic success. Unfortunately, we have been both spoiled and conditioned by the civil rights movement to take offense and expect government redress. That was great in its time and can still be useful, but Black America needs to grow up. In a sense it has. Maybe its apathy, but the old guard is being tuned out more and more. People are more skeptical of our so called "leaders".

Its really time for us to grow up as a people. Every joke is not racist and if it were, so what? If its not meant to intimidate or producing a hostile atmosphere, move on. Not because it is not wrong, but because we, as a people, have bigger fish to fry than worrying about some drunk college kids sophmoric hijinks.

[Love_Spell_6]

Doggystyle you are preaching!!!

Have you read "Losing the Race" by (John) McWhorter?? Sounds like you have. This is exactly what he discusses.

Many people in our community really do need to wake up!

[DoggyStyle82]

Originally posted by Love_Spell_6
Doggystyle you are preaching!!!

Have you read "Losing the Race" by (John) McWhorter?? Sounds like you have. This is exactly what he discusses.

Many people in our community really do need to wake up!

I'm not really a fan of the McWhorters, Larry Elder's, and Armstrong Williams of the world. There is just a little too much self hatred, "I'm a good Negro, not like the others" strain in their work, but despite some of their "house negro "ways, some of what they say is on point.

[Steeltrap]

I would add people like Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams to the list of McWhorter, A. Williams and Elder. All of those guys are less despicable than Justice Thomas and Wardell Connerly.

What frustrates me is that centrist folks like Cynthia Tucker, Clarence Page and William Raspberry (as a journalist, I love reading their work) are considered rightist. IMO, they're speaking from a moderate perspective.

[Kevin]

As a white person I am unsure of why most black people identify themselves as Democrats? Why are some who identify themselves as conservatives demonized or made out to be traitors?

This has puzzled me.

To qualify: My politics lean more towards libertarian so I'm not appealing to come over to my 'team'. Just curious as to what the appeal of the left is?

[NUPE4LIFE]

Yes, I do find black face offensive. But at the same time, I know I was laughing when Martin played the white character on Martin. There have also been countless jokes on Comic View that were directed to other races. How many times have we seen a comedian point out the white people in the audience and make some sorta of joke about them being the only white people in the audience. Would you still find that funny, if Jerry Seinfeld did that it one of his stand-up routines? WE as Black people are too damn sensitive. WE can laugh at other people, but as soon as the tables turn on us it's not funny anymore. I think that I can make that argument for just about the entire population. WE have so many issues that we need to be focused on within our own communities. And yes, teenage pregnancy is a big one. We can all agree that racial jokes are not a good thing, I just wish we all thought about that when we are laughing at jokes about other races.

[Obi_Wan_kenobi]

This is a repsonse to ktsnake. MOst black people who voted during the time of reconstruction were Republican. The first black man ever elected to congress was a black republican from SC. It wsant until Roosevelt came along with the New Deal circa the depression era did most blacks begin to vote democratic. It is almost ironic since Democrats have fought very hard and have killed black people to stop them from voting and blacks are dying to vote for them. Go figure, anywho numbers dont lie. In 1965 73% of all Democrats voted against passing the Civil Rights act of 1965. Also George Bush SR was the first President to enforce the Civil Rights act that produced the all black congressional deistricts.

[divaemeritus]

Originally posted by Obi_Wan_kenobi
This is a repsonse to ktsnake. MOst black people who voted during the time of reconstruction were Republican. The first black man ever elected to congress was a black republican from SC. It wsant until Roosevelt came along with the New Deal circa the depression era did most blacks begin to vote democratic. It is almost ironic since Democrats have fought very hard and have killed black people to stop them from voting and blacks are dying to vote for them. Go figure, anywho numbers dont lie. In 1965 73% of all Democrats voted against passing the Civil Rights act of 1965. Also George Bush SR was the first President to enforce the Civil Rights act that produced the all black congressional deistricts.

To add onto this (wow, paying attention in class really pays):

During Reconstruction, Republicans were the main supporters of the rights of Negroes to vote and hold office. And Negroes were able to win elected office, especially in southern states, because the freed slaves who now had voting rights outnumbered the whites in those states.

However Pres. Rutherford B. Hayes (a Republican himself) withdrew all national Republican party support for the rights of Negroes in politics. Subsequently, the rulings of Plessy v. Ferguson and other separatist rulings by a strongly Republican government turned Negroes away from that party.

(Sorry to interject... my prof. would be so proud).