Quote:
Originally Posted by Hartofsec
I'm not sure there was any point to anyone questioning whether "white folks" or anyone else considers the caricature on the ADPi t-shirt offensive.
Just asking LaneSig, as he opened the thread with:
I was shocked that this image was found on a sorority shirt at Samford -- who wouldn't be? What was meant by that comment?
Just wondering how deep his sensitivities actually run -- unjustly suggesting that some "folks" on this thread don't understand the insensitive nature of the t-shirt image, while embracing the insensitive mascot history of his own alma mater.
|
Since this is a chatboard and knowing that it is impossible to know someone's vocal tones and intonations, please know that this message is not being sent in an angry or exasperated tone; just someone trying to explain and, apparently, defend himself.
I did start off with "I wish I could say I'm shocked." But, you left out the next sentence: "I wish we weren't discussing this-again."
When I said that, I was speaking of the number of times that racially insensitive shirts, parties, etc., still pop up. My true wish is that our organizations would think ahead and realize how something like the caricature on this shirt doesn't bring up an "Oh, how cute" feeling to a large number of people. I wish that organizations would understand that there is deep hurt on people when they have a party where people dress in ways that mock other people or cultures (like the party a number of years ago where signs were held up saying "I don't cut weeds, I smoke them" as they were dressed in outfits to represent Hispanic/Latino people). I wish people would understand that there is a difference between respect and "politically correct".
I will offer an apology to the ADPis at Samford and on the GC boards for my initial belief that the members of ADPi at Samford intentionally made the shirt while knowing about the caricature. After all of the information came out, it is clear that they did not intend to insult or degrade African-Americans. If my original tone read as such, I am truly sorry.
As for the "GC White Folk" comments. I was replying to what I perceived as KSUViolet's comment directed toward the shirt and people not understanding the demeaning image. I wanted to assure her that, as I stated, the vast majority of GCers understood that the image is inappropriate and unsettling.
But as I said later, after consideration I am inferring that she was commenting about what are - again, in my opinion- snide remarks about watermelon. Again, she has not commented further to clear her statement, but if it is the latter I agree with her.
"Would your eye for the offensive tag the image of an Indian as inappropriate?"
In my younger days, to be honest, no. In these days, yes. As for my comment about making the chapter I advise send me their t-shirt designs, that is exactly the kind of image that watch out for. I also check for phrases that are inappropriate, images of alcohol (intentional or unintentional), etc.
Now, onto my signature. Am I being a hypocrite? Probably. With so many memories of being with fraternity brothers and friends, singing "Cause I-N-D-I-A-N-S, spells victory!", that is hard to give up. The image you posted, of "Jumping Joe" at the time never bothered me. In the mid-90s when many suggested that the image was insulting, I supported a change to another image (that I can't post because I suck at computers) that had stylized letters of "ASU" with a profile Native American in headdress in the "S".
When the NCAA passed the rule that schools with Native American mascots had to change symbols, I did question it. I do feel that "Indians", "Seminoles", "Fighting Sioux" is not the same as mascots like "Savages" or "Redskins". But I accepted it, figuring that there were other more important things in life to fight about. (For the record, I just don't care for 'Red Wolves'. I know that they were once plentiful in Arkansas, but I was one of the many people who wanted 'Woodpeckers'.)
In about 10 years, when PETA protests that schools shouldn't have animals as mascots and ASU changes to the Fighting Kumquats, my new signature will be changed to acknowledge the new mascot.
So, to sum up:
- I wish people would think before hosting parties and having shirts with inappropriate symbols.
-I apologize to ADPi and its membership for making an assumption that the chapter at Samford intentionally and knowingly printed a shirt with a degrading symbol.
-I do believe that I was clear in stating that the vast majority of GCers understand that the caricature on the shirt was hurtful to black people.
-I do believe that the people who made comments about 'watermelon' don't understand the way the stereotype has been used to hurt African-Americans.
-I don't apologize for keeping an eye on the chapter I advise to make sure that they don't intentionally or unintentionally insult cultures or ethnicities.
-I am probably a hypocrite because I have good memories of cheering on my alma mater with what is now considered an inappropriate symbol, but choose not to apologize for my feelings.
Threaded Mode
