Racist Stereotypes live on
A response to an awful image circulating today.151 total reviews
Comment from Nightwind1
I do not have six stars. This one deserves 10 stars. I agree one hundred percent. I am as white as they get. My husband is from The Gambia. I have had black women tell me he is too black. He works at a night job driving a forklift. The men in that job have no idea of his education or other work and he prefers to keep it that way. They treat him just like some ignorant blak African with no manners or intelligence. Little do they know he has a Doctorate of BioChemistry as a research scientist with published works. Just because he chose to put it aside to spend more time with me while I faced cancer treatment and work a second job to cover cost of treatment so I could retire. Ignorance is very clearly alive and well.
Very well written essay.
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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I do not have six stars. This one deserves 10 stars. I agree one hundred percent. I am as white as they get. My husband is from The Gambia. I have had black women tell me he is too black. He works at a night job driving a forklift. The men in that job have no idea of his education or other work and he prefers to keep it that way. They treat him just like some ignorant blak African with no manners or intelligence. Little do they know he has a Doctorate of BioChemistry as a research scientist with published works. Just because he chose to put it aside to spend more time with me while I faced cancer treatment and work a second job to cover cost of treatment so I could retire. Ignorance is very clearly alive and well.
Very well written essay.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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thank you for sharing your story with me - I truly appreciate your support. Your husband sounds like a man who has his priorities in the right place! Blessings to both of you.
Peace, Brooke :-)
Comment from Writewoman
Oh, I think the family knows full well, Adewpearl; the innocence is feigned, and I think most of the African Americans and non-African Americans can see through the ruse. The beauty of free press is that people are allowed to make fools of themselves!
Nevertheless you make your point well and give explanations for the symbolism that most of us never knew. Thank you for shouting indignation from the bandstand.
Barb in BC
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Oh, I think the family knows full well, Adewpearl; the innocence is feigned, and I think most of the African Americans and non-African Americans can see through the ruse. The beauty of free press is that people are allowed to make fools of themselves!
Nevertheless you make your point well and give explanations for the symbolism that most of us never knew. Thank you for shouting indignation from the bandstand.
Barb in BC
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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yes, you are right about the right to make fools of themselves in public! I do hope their own national Republican organization calls them out for this - McCain in the last debate was quick to ask Obama to repudiate negativity amongst his supporters :-) thank you!
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Yes, almost immediately McCain repudiated, but CNN is having a romp with it nevertheless. Soon we'll hear from Jackson and Sharpton, I'm sure. Barb
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I am most glad McCain repudiated it - he is not the person I back, but I do think he has personal integrity.
Comment from Bananafish308
For the most part, this incredibly important work is well-written, articulate and informative. I would just like to point out in the fourth to last paragraph you repeat "Again" three times in the first two lines - it just breaks the flow, a bit.
Your message is one that all Americans need to hear. I have always been of the opinion that racism is alive and well in our country, albeit in a more subtle and insidious form than in the past, but this incident is as blatant as it gets. You struck the perfect tone - outrage and disgust - which is the only reaction that such vile, despicable trash warrants Thanks for having the courage and taking the time to write this piece.
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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For the most part, this incredibly important work is well-written, articulate and informative. I would just like to point out in the fourth to last paragraph you repeat "Again" three times in the first two lines - it just breaks the flow, a bit.
Your message is one that all Americans need to hear. I have always been of the opinion that racism is alive and well in our country, albeit in a more subtle and insidious form than in the past, but this incident is as blatant as it gets. You struck the perfect tone - outrage and disgust - which is the only reaction that such vile, despicable trash warrants Thanks for having the courage and taking the time to write this piece.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Sorry about the repetition - I wrote this spontaneously and on the spur of the moment and when I was literally shaking and crying - I have written published academic articles on the topic that I hope are better formulated :-) thank you for your most thoughtful response. Peace,Brooke
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Your welcome, Brooke. I figured that was the case with the repetition.
Never lose the outrage. Bill
Comment from davidray
Racism will always be a part of life. Good grief, as much as it isn't "right", and I agree wholeheartedly, do yo not see it's just another side of man's ignorance? Look back through time, it will always be there.
I am not an American, but am aware that racism has always been a part of your history. Having said this, do you think it's possible at all that you're reading a we ebit more into this than meets the eye? I mean, really: I would never have thought of a water melon implying as a fact that black people have big mouths and everything else you qwrote. When I read your co mments I think 'Wow, what a creative imagination.' What makes you claim such things on a multicultural international website?
Please understand: I'm not coming down on you at all. I'm just being devil's advocate here. Maybe I'm a bit naive. I'm glad to say these sorts of things aren't a worry as much in Canada.
I have not one iota of a racosm bone in my body but one thing I get tired of hearing is "African American. Always hear about it, like a broken record. Enough all ready. I never hear about the "Portuguese-Americans" or the "Norwegian-Canadians" etc etc etc. Why can't they just get called Americans like the rest of you friggen folks?
Anyhow, interesting read. Some intriguing comments.
Take care,
David
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Racism will always be a part of life. Good grief, as much as it isn't "right", and I agree wholeheartedly, do yo not see it's just another side of man's ignorance? Look back through time, it will always be there.
I am not an American, but am aware that racism has always been a part of your history. Having said this, do you think it's possible at all that you're reading a we ebit more into this than meets the eye? I mean, really: I would never have thought of a water melon implying as a fact that black people have big mouths and everything else you qwrote. When I read your co mments I think 'Wow, what a creative imagination.' What makes you claim such things on a multicultural international website?
Please understand: I'm not coming down on you at all. I'm just being devil's advocate here. Maybe I'm a bit naive. I'm glad to say these sorts of things aren't a worry as much in Canada.
I have not one iota of a racosm bone in my body but one thing I get tired of hearing is "African American. Always hear about it, like a broken record. Enough all ready. I never hear about the "Portuguese-Americans" or the "Norwegian-Canadians" etc etc etc. Why can't they just get called Americans like the rest of you friggen folks?
Anyhow, interesting read. Some intriguing comments.
Take care,
David
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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I'll make my reply shorter this time as my response of a couple minutes ago got eaten up. My comments are made after years of graduate study and research - I have published academic articles on this in addition to my master's thesis. The comments were not made lightly or quickly. Thank you.
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I hate it when i put a worthy reply in and it gets eaten!! Thanks for the response, though. Much appreciated.
Comment from offtackle46
Even while extremely upset, you took the time to explain the stereotypes and history behind the bias. I learned something new, and can pass that on to my kiddo. Although I am not sure there will ever be an end to racism, at least my daughter will grow up without blinders.
Thank you for choosing to post the essay rather than the poem. It was well written, compelling, and educational.
I look forward to your poem later.
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Even while extremely upset, you took the time to explain the stereotypes and history behind the bias. I learned something new, and can pass that on to my kiddo. Although I am not sure there will ever be an end to racism, at least my daughter will grow up without blinders.
Thank you for choosing to post the essay rather than the poem. It was well written, compelling, and educational.
I look forward to your poem later.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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thank you so much - it is important that we never forget, and the legacy of these hateful stereotypes is passed down generation to generation in African American families - then when they get upset by something by this, whites will charge them with being too sensitive - it is not at all sensitive to mind that people are still portraying them as animalistic thieves with insatiable appetites and low morals. Thank you so very much for your support.
Comment from Annmuma
If only I had 6 stars!!!!!
I'm so, so pleased that Obama's election to the presidency (AND HE WILL BE ELECTED) of the US will have a major positive effect on our world. At first, the effect --which is already happening-- will be unconscious. Just by osmosis, some racists will begin to see A black man as capable of leading the richest country in the world. Pretty soon, that feeling will trickle right over to their neighbors and they'll recognize Obama is not a black anomaly. Finally, it will become 'real' in their own hearts. There will be those who never get there and will someday die with their hardened hearts. It makes me angry, but more than that, it makes me sad.
I saw no spag issues and I am so, so glad you have chosen to spend your money promoting this essay.
Thank you. ann
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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If only I had 6 stars!!!!!
I'm so, so pleased that Obama's election to the presidency (AND HE WILL BE ELECTED) of the US will have a major positive effect on our world. At first, the effect --which is already happening-- will be unconscious. Just by osmosis, some racists will begin to see A black man as capable of leading the richest country in the world. Pretty soon, that feeling will trickle right over to their neighbors and they'll recognize Obama is not a black anomaly. Finally, it will become 'real' in their own hearts. There will be those who never get there and will someday die with their hardened hearts. It makes me angry, but more than that, it makes me sad.
I saw no spag issues and I am so, so glad you have chosen to spend your money promoting this essay.
Thank you. ann
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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thank you so much, Ann - if only everyone could open their eyes and hearts as you have!!
Comment from Econ Teacher
I read this and I have to say that I learned something from it. I thought the stereotypes were because that was what African Americans actually ate. Most stereotypes do have some semblance of truth or otherwise they would never exist. But I do see how damaging they can be. I never thought of the way they could be made to make African Americans look uncivilized and animalistic.
I think you did a good job of raising awareness of the hurt that these stereotypes can inflict. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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I read this and I have to say that I learned something from it. I thought the stereotypes were because that was what African Americans actually ate. Most stereotypes do have some semblance of truth or otherwise they would never exist. But I do see how damaging they can be. I never thought of the way they could be made to make African Americans look uncivilized and animalistic.
I think you did a good job of raising awareness of the hurt that these stereotypes can inflict. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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thank you so very much - and yes, many blacks do like chicken and watermelon for real, as do I and my entire white family! unfortunately, that is not what the stereotypes are about :-)
Comment from earthlybeing
It is a sad thing if they are allowed to get by with this. I have heard much more come form much less of an offense. This is unacceptable on their part and everyone should boycott them. Great essay that is well written. Thanks, Jeanette
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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It is a sad thing if they are allowed to get by with this. I have heard much more come form much less of an offense. This is unacceptable on their part and everyone should boycott them. Great essay that is well written. Thanks, Jeanette
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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I do hope the national republican committee calls them on the carpet, or McCain's campaign thank you!
Comment from E. W. Crowe
You know though, if just saying "STOP!" were that easy, right? It's a shame, it really is, I hate when this kind of thing happens to each side of the racial scale. I don't know how we can get past it. Time? I just know it is an awful thing.
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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You know though, if just saying "STOP!" were that easy, right? It's a shame, it really is, I hate when this kind of thing happens to each side of the racial scale. I don't know how we can get past it. Time? I just know it is an awful thing.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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oh, saying stop never stopped anything - but saying nothing is even worse thank you :-)
Comment from Ginny
Thank you very much for this candid denouncement of a disgusting act, which is sadly symbolic of racial hatred and depravity. With no connections at all with the American nation, I can understand how outraged a rightminded citizen can feel, and I am with you all the way. I appreciate the effort taken to explain the full significance of the cartoon imagery, which would otherwise have escaped me. It fills me with revulsion and I can only congratulate you for the publicity that you have given this act. Hats off to you!
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Thank you very much for this candid denouncement of a disgusting act, which is sadly symbolic of racial hatred and depravity. With no connections at all with the American nation, I can understand how outraged a rightminded citizen can feel, and I am with you all the way. I appreciate the effort taken to explain the full significance of the cartoon imagery, which would otherwise have escaped me. It fills me with revulsion and I can only congratulate you for the publicity that you have given this act. Hats off to you!
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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thank you for this most thoughtful response :-)
