Racist Stereotypes live on
A response to an awful image circulating today.151 total reviews
Comment from Stephy Jemmisparks
God will not consider our race or social status on Judgment day, but if we loved our neighbour, if we were His own.We would have not even water melon juice to drink should we be cruel to His children on that very sure and eventful day,much less chicken.
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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God will not consider our race or social status on Judgment day, but if we loved our neighbour, if we were His own.We would have not even water melon juice to drink should we be cruel to His children on that very sure and eventful day,much less chicken.
Comment Written 22-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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thanks so much, Stephy for your review :-)
Comment from TamaraTel
You did a great job with this essay. You made clear your outrage and disappointment with such class. It is such a shame that people in this day and age are still this way.
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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You did a great job with this essay. You made clear your outrage and disappointment with such class. It is such a shame that people in this day and age are still this way.
Comment Written 22-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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thank you for your supportive comments! Peace, Brooke
Comment from nitad
You would think that in our (sometimes overly) educated society that this kind of ignorance would no longer exist.
Sadly, that is not the case.
This is a well written, well thought out essay that is sure to spark conversation on the subject.
Bravo!
Nita
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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You would think that in our (sometimes overly) educated society that this kind of ignorance would no longer exist.
Sadly, that is not the case.
This is a well written, well thought out essay that is sure to spark conversation on the subject.
Bravo!
Nita
Comment Written 22-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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thank you for your supportive comments - you are most thoughtful and I wish everyone were half that thoughtful!
Peace, Brooke
Comment from Mouse
Perhaps they put his face on a food stamp because of his ideas of 'spreading the wealth around', taking from those who have worked their butts off to get where they are and giving it to those who haven't. He's not Robin Hood and this isn't Notthingham Forest. I wouldn't vote for him if he were every color of the rainbow and had little pots of gold coming out his ass. I'm not voting for him because he's a lefty liberal socialist.
Why aren't you attacking Obama himself for supporting a church and a pastor who openly spewed white hatred from the pulpit? How is that different?
Sure there are still racial tensions and racial prejudices ... but there are other kinds as well.
How about the way John McCain is portrayed as a doddering old imbecil because of his age. Since when does age equate with inability? In the Native American culture elders are revered for their wisdom, their experience, and their knowledge.
How about the way Sarah Palin has been slaughtered by so-called feminists. They call her a bad mother because she's running for Vice President. They say she won't do her job well because she's got a family to look after, and she won't be a good mother because she's got a job to do. WTF? Weren't the feminists the ones telling us we could have it all and be great at everything? I even read an article that suggested she did nothing more than add to an already overpopulated planet by not aborting her son with Down's Syndrome! If you want to be pissed off and outraged over something, how about that?
There has been plenty of mud-slinging from both sides during this election. Barrack Obama is not surrounded by a pristine bubble as the press would like us to think he is. While I don't think what this group did was appropriate, need I remind you we do have freedom of speech and freedom of press in this country no matter how distasteful the content might be.
And by the way, I think the use of the term "African American" is ridiculous. The majority of so-called African Americans in this country have never set foot in Africa, nor have their parents or grandparents. They are Americans who happen to be black. I don't distinguish myself as being a Welsh/Scottish/Irish/English/with some Native American American! No, I'm an American who happens to descend from those ancestors. That whole term is just another bit of PC nonsense.
Mouse
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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Perhaps they put his face on a food stamp because of his ideas of 'spreading the wealth around', taking from those who have worked their butts off to get where they are and giving it to those who haven't. He's not Robin Hood and this isn't Notthingham Forest. I wouldn't vote for him if he were every color of the rainbow and had little pots of gold coming out his ass. I'm not voting for him because he's a lefty liberal socialist.
Why aren't you attacking Obama himself for supporting a church and a pastor who openly spewed white hatred from the pulpit? How is that different?
Sure there are still racial tensions and racial prejudices ... but there are other kinds as well.
How about the way John McCain is portrayed as a doddering old imbecil because of his age. Since when does age equate with inability? In the Native American culture elders are revered for their wisdom, their experience, and their knowledge.
How about the way Sarah Palin has been slaughtered by so-called feminists. They call her a bad mother because she's running for Vice President. They say she won't do her job well because she's got a family to look after, and she won't be a good mother because she's got a job to do. WTF? Weren't the feminists the ones telling us we could have it all and be great at everything? I even read an article that suggested she did nothing more than add to an already overpopulated planet by not aborting her son with Down's Syndrome! If you want to be pissed off and outraged over something, how about that?
There has been plenty of mud-slinging from both sides during this election. Barrack Obama is not surrounded by a pristine bubble as the press would like us to think he is. While I don't think what this group did was appropriate, need I remind you we do have freedom of speech and freedom of press in this country no matter how distasteful the content might be.
And by the way, I think the use of the term "African American" is ridiculous. The majority of so-called African Americans in this country have never set foot in Africa, nor have their parents or grandparents. They are Americans who happen to be black. I don't distinguish myself as being a Welsh/Scottish/Irish/English/with some Native American American! No, I'm an American who happens to descend from those ancestors. That whole term is just another bit of PC nonsense.
Mouse
Comment Written 22-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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I was not trying to comment on the entire election, just an emotional response by a person who has studied these stereotypes for years to hearing they were still being circulated. I am against anyone of any party stereotyping any person for any reason. This particular piece was about one small aspect of that, prompted by hearing this on the news. I have also fought against censorship my entire life.
This does not mean I do not speak out against what others say that is hateful or stupid. Freedom of speech means we do not bar publication of things we do not agree with - it does not mean we don't debate them and speak out against them. The fact you are disagreeing with me is open discourse and should be welcomed in our society - it does not mean you are against my free speech. I refer to African Americans as such because most of the black Americans I know prefer that designation - if they asked to be called a different term, I would honor that wish. And if you told me you wanted to be called a Welsh...American, I would honor that. Thank you for your response. I welcome all discourse. Peace, Brooke
Comment from jonouk
Primed full of passion adp, and rightly so. You make a strong case of course, and explain the situation to me as a Brit, who doesn't know of the stereotyping re water melon, never heard of it, which to you must be a good thing. Of course we do get a lot of the American programmes aired in the UK, and some of them depict some of the American families as totally off their heads. This piece brought to mind a series, which is actually presented by a Brit as well, Louis Therroux. He tends to take a closer look at the thornier sides of western society, and he spent time with some neo Nazi white supremacy nutcases. Wow, it was so bad, the thing like you say is that their kids, and their kids friend echo their opinions, as they are going to pick up on their peers behaviour and think it is right. It is sheer ignorance in fact, these people know very little of the big picture, usually they have no interest in learning, it is an unfortunate result of Human Beings, there will always be the fringe oddballs, at least for the foreseeable future, maybe it will change one day for the better, we hope so. jonouk
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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Primed full of passion adp, and rightly so. You make a strong case of course, and explain the situation to me as a Brit, who doesn't know of the stereotyping re water melon, never heard of it, which to you must be a good thing. Of course we do get a lot of the American programmes aired in the UK, and some of them depict some of the American families as totally off their heads. This piece brought to mind a series, which is actually presented by a Brit as well, Louis Therroux. He tends to take a closer look at the thornier sides of western society, and he spent time with some neo Nazi white supremacy nutcases. Wow, it was so bad, the thing like you say is that their kids, and their kids friend echo their opinions, as they are going to pick up on their peers behaviour and think it is right. It is sheer ignorance in fact, these people know very little of the big picture, usually they have no interest in learning, it is an unfortunate result of Human Beings, there will always be the fringe oddballs, at least for the foreseeable future, maybe it will change one day for the better, we hope so. jonouk
Comment Written 22-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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fringe oddballs I can live with - my anger over this is that a cartoon created by the fringe worked its way into the newsletter of a mainstream ladies' group - the kind of women who hold teas and invite their local legislator over to address them. Thanks so much for all your informative and thoughtful comments. Peace, Brooke :-)
Comment from RapturedHeart
I'm so glad your title caught my eye this morning adewpearl. This was very informative - I did not know these things, and this pretense is outrageous. I just have to say that such pompous pride has always been propagated by Darwin and his hate literature fully titled, 'On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life,' - which also depicts women as being far inferior to men; something no one bothers to mention when they pass this off as 'truth' in schools today. Scientifically speaking - the minute differences that determine skin color in the overall makeup of men is akin to window dressing - just God's paintbrush. Because of his erroneous teachings the Australian Aborigines of the late 1800's suffered horrendously under the scientific community, who thought they were sub-human; perhaps the missing link - just horrifying. I believe we are ALL CREATED in the image of God - no 'higher species hocus pocus' - such foolishness.
Anyway, a few years ago the kids and I studied the Underground Railroad - I found it hard to get through reading any of the books we did without crying. That such attitudes still live on today reflects pride and a lack of understanding of who we are. Thanks for bringing this to the forefront. I highly recommend Amazing Grace (with Ioan Gruffud) - if you haven't seen it already (Chris Tomlin's rendition of the song at the end of the movie is amazing!). Sorry this had to even be written. Take care,
Heather
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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I'm so glad your title caught my eye this morning adewpearl. This was very informative - I did not know these things, and this pretense is outrageous. I just have to say that such pompous pride has always been propagated by Darwin and his hate literature fully titled, 'On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life,' - which also depicts women as being far inferior to men; something no one bothers to mention when they pass this off as 'truth' in schools today. Scientifically speaking - the minute differences that determine skin color in the overall makeup of men is akin to window dressing - just God's paintbrush. Because of his erroneous teachings the Australian Aborigines of the late 1800's suffered horrendously under the scientific community, who thought they were sub-human; perhaps the missing link - just horrifying. I believe we are ALL CREATED in the image of God - no 'higher species hocus pocus' - such foolishness.
Anyway, a few years ago the kids and I studied the Underground Railroad - I found it hard to get through reading any of the books we did without crying. That such attitudes still live on today reflects pride and a lack of understanding of who we are. Thanks for bringing this to the forefront. I highly recommend Amazing Grace (with Ioan Gruffud) - if you haven't seen it already (Chris Tomlin's rendition of the song at the end of the movie is amazing!). Sorry this had to even be written. Take care,
Heather
Comment Written 22-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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Heather, You are most thoughtful, and it is wonderful to see you studying things of such importance and meaning with your children. If all people were as gracious as you in your feelings toward others, there would be no racial strife. Thank you for your most warm and thoughtful comments and your generous rating. Peace,Brooke
Comment from PoesyPoet
I agree with you that the old stereotypes and especially racism has no place in America and frankly, I am appalled that in 2008 it still exists.
I was sitting in a restaurant in a ruural town in New Jersey, antiquing, and the waitress treated us poorly no doubt because I am a black American woman and my husband is Puerto Rico who looks like an Italian. Even one patron kept staring at us. To think anywhere in American, but especially my neighboring state, New Jersey this still happens. It's a crying shame.
America is a great country and it is horrible that there are still a few narrow minded individuals who insist on stirring things up.
When I see things like that, I ignore them as I am sure many white Americans are like you. I'm glad I missed the segment.
Thank for a powerful story.
PP
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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I agree with you that the old stereotypes and especially racism has no place in America and frankly, I am appalled that in 2008 it still exists.
I was sitting in a restaurant in a ruural town in New Jersey, antiquing, and the waitress treated us poorly no doubt because I am a black American woman and my husband is Puerto Rico who looks like an Italian. Even one patron kept staring at us. To think anywhere in American, but especially my neighboring state, New Jersey this still happens. It's a crying shame.
America is a great country and it is horrible that there are still a few narrow minded individuals who insist on stirring things up.
When I see things like that, I ignore them as I am sure many white Americans are like you. I'm glad I missed the segment.
Thank for a powerful story.
PP
Comment Written 22-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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In the mid 1980's I went on a speaking tour about apartheid for the American Friends Service Committee- I traveled with a black American man and a black African man from town to town in North and South Carolina, speaking on college campuses, at church gatherings, to women's clubs, etc. You will understand totally the stares and sneers I received each time we stopped at a local diner for a meal. I've rarely been that uncomfortable. I thank you for your most thoughtful comments. Peace, Brooke
Comment from Steven Bishop
I agree that racism, or indeed, any discrimination based on sweeping categorizations (like race, sexual orientation or religion) is completely wrong and has no place in modern American society. Sadly, this country has a long history of racism, one that has left very deep scars that are still being healed. I'm voting for Obama, and if elected, he will represent a new era in American politics and culture. But I don't think racism will ever completely go away, it will simply be driven deeper underground. While I don't condone Chaffey Commitee's use of a racist image, I am somewhat heartened by the fact that naked racism like that is now mostly confined to small, local groups. I think your essay was well written. The historical interpretations of watermelon and chicken were especially helpful. I think you have a slight formatting error at
"White Americans got to be reminded of their supposed grotesque shortcomings without being scared too much by
them"
Other than that, well done.
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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I agree that racism, or indeed, any discrimination based on sweeping categorizations (like race, sexual orientation or religion) is completely wrong and has no place in modern American society. Sadly, this country has a long history of racism, one that has left very deep scars that are still being healed. I'm voting for Obama, and if elected, he will represent a new era in American politics and culture. But I don't think racism will ever completely go away, it will simply be driven deeper underground. While I don't condone Chaffey Commitee's use of a racist image, I am somewhat heartened by the fact that naked racism like that is now mostly confined to small, local groups. I think your essay was well written. The historical interpretations of watermelon and chicken were especially helpful. I think you have a slight formatting error at
"White Americans got to be reminded of their supposed grotesque shortcomings without being scared too much by
them"
Other than that, well done.
Comment Written 22-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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thank you for taking the time to review. Peace, Brooke
Comment from Bryana
Since I was not born and raised in this country I ignored many things that went on with the African American people.
I did see discrimination in the South,Florida. I saw something so horrible I will never forget it. A black man was driving a pick-up truck, lost control and went into the canal. He was trying to save his mother, who was probably 200 lbs, he begged for help and nobody helped him. All of a sudden a farmer from the vicinity jumped and helped to bring the lady out of the water, but by then she had drowned. That day I made myself a promise---I will help a black person whenever I could, I have.
I love your essay. I hope many people read it.
Hugs, Ana
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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Since I was not born and raised in this country I ignored many things that went on with the African American people.
I did see discrimination in the South,Florida. I saw something so horrible I will never forget it. A black man was driving a pick-up truck, lost control and went into the canal. He was trying to save his mother, who was probably 200 lbs, he begged for help and nobody helped him. All of a sudden a farmer from the vicinity jumped and helped to bring the lady out of the water, but by then she had drowned. That day I made myself a promise---I will help a black person whenever I could, I have.
I love your essay. I hope many people read it.
Hugs, Ana
Comment Written 22-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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Thank you for sharing this most tragic story and your thoughtful response to it and thank you for your most kind review. Peace, Brooke :-)
Comment from allborn66
Thank you for your informative essay. I totally agree with you, stereotyping must stop. This essay paragraph structure was well crafted. I few minor notes, the first sentence seemed to run-on to me. Also, since this is an essay, I would have liked to have read a clearly defined thesis. I did know exactly what points you would be addressing, but a simple statement at the start of the essay is the norm.
Barbara
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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Thank you for your informative essay. I totally agree with you, stereotyping must stop. This essay paragraph structure was well crafted. I few minor notes, the first sentence seemed to run-on to me. Also, since this is an essay, I would have liked to have read a clearly defined thesis. I did know exactly what points you would be addressing, but a simple statement at the start of the essay is the norm.
Barbara
Comment Written 22-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 22-Oct-2008
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Sorry about any structural problems - I am astounded it was comprehensible at all as I wrote it while spitting mad, not the way I usually write. Thank you for overlooking that when rating. Peace, Brooke :-)
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Brooke, I know about that "spitting mad" part. Boy, I've written some doozy spitting mad. I had an experience when I was 19 and in the Navy, though. I was "spitting mad" about alot of little petty things, them I was given a "class review" So, I spun a yarn, everything I wrote was "fact" but spun way out of proportion. Nobody reads these things, anyhow, right? Wrong. The next day, I had to go talk to the command officer of the school about what I wrote. So - either I have to be the teenager with "strange mood swings" who blew things "way out of proportion" or most of the instructors are going to be "in deep trouble" for my biting comments. I took the heat for my review, and learned to not "hit send" when angry.
