Racist Stereotypes live on
A response to an awful image circulating today.151 total reviews
Comment from Jendowoz
I totally agree with you adew, and I commend you for standing up and writing this essay. I understand completely, as the same sort of thing happened here in Australia with our wonderful Aboriginal People. They have so much to offer and to give, to me they are part of our special, multi-cultural population and have as much right as anyone else to stand up and be noticed. I'm afraid, like the US there are times when these people act as they are portrayed because they have been re-buffed, and put down for so many years, but I teach a lot of their children and they are delightful people, just as your African-Americans.
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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I totally agree with you adew, and I commend you for standing up and writing this essay. I understand completely, as the same sort of thing happened here in Australia with our wonderful Aboriginal People. They have so much to offer and to give, to me they are part of our special, multi-cultural population and have as much right as anyone else to stand up and be noticed. I'm afraid, like the US there are times when these people act as they are portrayed because they have been re-buffed, and put down for so many years, but I teach a lot of their children and they are delightful people, just as your African-Americans.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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thank you so much for your generous rating and even more for your most interesting and supportive comments :-)
Comment from Gregory Nathan
Coming from Australia I have only a vague awareness of the significance behind some of these images. It's amazing in a way how something so innocent as watermelon can be assigned so much racial value. But you're absolutely right there is no place in he media for images like this which insight and propagate stereotypes from over a hundred years ago. It's about time that people started waking up to themselves and realise how inappropriate all of this is. And the only way that will happen is if people like you educate the rest of us as to what these symbols mean and represent. I say Bravo!
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Coming from Australia I have only a vague awareness of the significance behind some of these images. It's amazing in a way how something so innocent as watermelon can be assigned so much racial value. But you're absolutely right there is no place in he media for images like this which insight and propagate stereotypes from over a hundred years ago. It's about time that people started waking up to themselves and realise how inappropriate all of this is. And the only way that will happen is if people like you educate the rest of us as to what these symbols mean and represent. I say Bravo!
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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thank you so very much - you are most supportive and I am most appreciative!
Comment from Jonez08
Well said adewpearl. You have said my exact words. I am disgusted by what I've seen in this political race. I'm not only appalled, but also hurt that our country is still in this state. I was just telling my husband that I wasn't going to watch anymore because I don't want the seed of hatred planted in me. I started feeling things I didn't like. So I'm back to watching the Home and Garden network. I'm often told that I act and talk white, but no one has been able to tell me what that means. I've been told the characters in my novel appear white. I consider this stereo typing. I write according to my own personal experiences, imagination and intake on life. Thank you so much for the wonderful post. Although, there is much ignorance out there, I never group people together. We should each be measured by our character. Much love my friend.
Cassandra
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Well said adewpearl. You have said my exact words. I am disgusted by what I've seen in this political race. I'm not only appalled, but also hurt that our country is still in this state. I was just telling my husband that I wasn't going to watch anymore because I don't want the seed of hatred planted in me. I started feeling things I didn't like. So I'm back to watching the Home and Garden network. I'm often told that I act and talk white, but no one has been able to tell me what that means. I've been told the characters in my novel appear white. I consider this stereo typing. I write according to my own personal experiences, imagination and intake on life. Thank you so much for the wonderful post. Although, there is much ignorance out there, I never group people together. We should each be measured by our character. Much love my friend.
Cassandra
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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you bring up such an interesting pet peeve of mine - I taught middle school for years in a mostly white district, with about 9% African American student population, and the black children, especially boys, would accuse each other of acting ''white if they did something like excel in academics! I could never figure out how they had come to think white meant academic excellence and it somehow betrayed their racial identity - after so many abolitionists and civil rights workers over so many decades fought for their right to an equal and decent education!! I am so sorry you get accused of acting and talking white when all that means is you speak standard English and not "ghetto." Why should you speak other than you speak or why should your characters conform to some idea other than your own? That is so sad, one of the saddest legacies of white racism is that some African Americans start to buy into it!!! Thank you so much for your most thoughtful response.
Peace, Brooke
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So true, Brooke and I'm not blind to the fact that African Americans harbor racism as well, because I've been in heated discussions when people of my race go on with the nonsense of "the white this and the white man that" I'm glad my family is a melting pot, my sister-n-law is white and I have a beautiful bi-racial niece. My husband recently wrote an article for his class, titled..Stop blaming the white man. I loved it because a lot of young black men have bought into this theory that they can't be successful. Racism must stop on all sides. I wish I would have had a '6' for you today, because this racial hammering of Obama is disgraceful and disgusting. If he is elected, I think it will lift and encourage minorities to strive for their God given talents.
Cassandra
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Cassandra, from your lips to God's ears - I am so psyched for him to win! I do want people who are afraid he will bring Muslim rule and socialism and heaven only knows what else to this country to see he will simply be a competent leader! Maybe that will prove something to at least some people. Peace, Brooke :-)
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amen and amen
C
Comment from GerryMacNeil
Thanks for writing this, for it is much needed. I find it hard to believe that the newsletter editor was unaware that he was employing stereotypes--and outdated ones at that! To me the importance of bringing the sterotypes front and center is to deprive them of future excuses! I too am embarrassed for my race, outraged, and shaking! Gerry
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Thanks for writing this, for it is much needed. I find it hard to believe that the newsletter editor was unaware that he was employing stereotypes--and outdated ones at that! To me the importance of bringing the sterotypes front and center is to deprive them of future excuses! I too am embarrassed for my race, outraged, and shaking! Gerry
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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thanks so very much for your most thoughtful and supportive review :-)
Comment from Janelle
This is a very powerful piece and written with such passion. And you are right, I can remember seeing such caricatures in comics and cartoons, here in Australia when I was young. They are such subversive items that silenty instill perceptions in young minds in the guise of entertainment. I agree with you, it is unbelievable in this day and age that something as blatant as you describe could be published in connection with a Presidential candidate. I hope the people concerned are made to take a good hard look at themselves and a lot more people voice this displeasure at such an insult. Well done, regards, Jan
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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This is a very powerful piece and written with such passion. And you are right, I can remember seeing such caricatures in comics and cartoons, here in Australia when I was young. They are such subversive items that silenty instill perceptions in young minds in the guise of entertainment. I agree with you, it is unbelievable in this day and age that something as blatant as you describe could be published in connection with a Presidential candidate. I hope the people concerned are made to take a good hard look at themselves and a lot more people voice this displeasure at such an insult. Well done, regards, Jan
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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this is a most thoughtful response, and I am truly grateful for your supportive comments!
Comment from tteach
This is timely and amazingly well written. You speak from expertise, background garnered during your college years. I, too, heard this story, and was shocked. But, unlike you, I pushed it to the back of my mind and forgot it, until now. I thank you for reminding me!
I truly believe that, thanks to the comments of Sarah Palin, the racists are moving into the forefront of the political agenda. Just last week, people in Minnesota were heard shouting, "Off with his head."
On the comment side, there are some strange spacing issues going on. The editor is playing with your text!
terry
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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This is timely and amazingly well written. You speak from expertise, background garnered during your college years. I, too, heard this story, and was shocked. But, unlike you, I pushed it to the back of my mind and forgot it, until now. I thank you for reminding me!
I truly believe that, thanks to the comments of Sarah Palin, the racists are moving into the forefront of the political agenda. Just last week, people in Minnesota were heard shouting, "Off with his head."
On the comment side, there are some strange spacing issues going on. The editor is playing with your text!
terry
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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the editor loves to toy with my essays, my poems - ugh.
thank you for your most philosophical and interesting comments - and for your most generous rating! Peace, Brooke
Comment from Aussie
It is good that you have posted your message through your writing. There will always be the great divide between the colour of our skins. I believe in the US you still have the KKK. We in Australia are disgusted by these white supremacists. Having our own problems with the first Australians; at least they are tolerated and integrated more so than the racism that is so evident in the US.
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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It is good that you have posted your message through your writing. There will always be the great divide between the colour of our skins. I believe in the US you still have the KKK. We in Australia are disgusted by these white supremacists. Having our own problems with the first Australians; at least they are tolerated and integrated more so than the racism that is so evident in the US.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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It is insidious - I do so hope other parts of the world have gotten it better. Thank you for your supportive comments!
Comment from ulster3
Wow I'm impressed and proud to know you dewpearl.
What you write of is horrendous and I didn't hear this thing about Obama. I'm white too, and I'm reactionary enough to be open, Obama all the way babe! Some folks should have very red faces when they read your essay!
Thanks much for this. rebecca
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Wow I'm impressed and proud to know you dewpearl.
What you write of is horrendous and I didn't hear this thing about Obama. I'm white too, and I'm reactionary enough to be open, Obama all the way babe! Some folks should have very red faces when they read your essay!
Thanks much for this. rebecca
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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thank you so much - I'm rather glad to know you, too! Even if I were not for Obama, I would be embarrassed that people were using this sort of tactic to criticize him. :-) Brooke
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So would I be mortified by such garbage.
Comment from starman
I come from the UK, but I am fully aware of rascist stereotyping that still goes on today. I'm ashamed to say my father himself was extremely rascist. He used to think black-skinned people were niggers, coons, gollywogs... he used to think it funny, and still does, I think. Yes, it's well that his generation is passing on, but old bigots die hard, and young people copycat.
Thank you for reminding me of these programming morons who should really be strung up by their balls.
:)s.
:)s
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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I come from the UK, but I am fully aware of rascist stereotyping that still goes on today. I'm ashamed to say my father himself was extremely rascist. He used to think black-skinned people were niggers, coons, gollywogs... he used to think it funny, and still does, I think. Yes, it's well that his generation is passing on, but old bigots die hard, and young people copycat.
Thank you for reminding me of these programming morons who should really be strung up by their balls.
:)s.
:)s
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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strung by their balls - now there is an image I can get behind LOL thank you so much for your most enthusiastic review :-) My dad was also racist, raised to be so by grandparents, etc. - He was such a great dad to me - but so flawed about that.
Comment from deRanger
Excellent essay and certainly for a cause that needs to be remembered and upheld at every opportunity. You obviously have the background and the knowledge to address this issue with authority and conviction, and you've done so without hesitation.
Thanks for writing what many people don't have the words or the knowledge to say, even though they may feel uncomfortable with it. It's good to expose the roots of such propaganda so that its true purpose can be clearly seen and its effects understood.
Keep your pen sharp, your skills and expertise will always be needed.
Sorry I seem to be out of sixes.
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Excellent essay and certainly for a cause that needs to be remembered and upheld at every opportunity. You obviously have the background and the knowledge to address this issue with authority and conviction, and you've done so without hesitation.
Thanks for writing what many people don't have the words or the knowledge to say, even though they may feel uncomfortable with it. It's good to expose the roots of such propaganda so that its true purpose can be clearly seen and its effects understood.
Keep your pen sharp, your skills and expertise will always be needed.
Sorry I seem to be out of sixes.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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I accept a 6 at heart :-) thank you!!!
