Racist Stereotypes live on
A response to an awful image circulating today.151 total reviews
Comment from redrider6612
I completely, strongly agree with you. As a white person, I am apalled by the bigotry of so many of our race. I was raised to look first at a person's character regardless of color, and that is how I raised my children. My son has several hispanic and African American friends, and my daughter has a couple Asian and even an Indian friend. These terrible images aren't going to go out of vogue unless we step forward and speak out against them.
This essay was very well written. I didn't spot any SPAG at all, but I was so engrossed in the message, some may have slipped by. Thank you for speaking out against this travesty.
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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I completely, strongly agree with you. As a white person, I am apalled by the bigotry of so many of our race. I was raised to look first at a person's character regardless of color, and that is how I raised my children. My son has several hispanic and African American friends, and my daughter has a couple Asian and even an Indian friend. These terrible images aren't going to go out of vogue unless we step forward and speak out against them.
This essay was very well written. I didn't spot any SPAG at all, but I was so engrossed in the message, some may have slipped by. Thank you for speaking out against this travesty.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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thank you so very much for your most thoughtful comments :-)
Comment from hemase
You have written a good piece on a subject which, in this day and age, should not be so prevalent. It is sad that this continues and peoples attitudes are not changing. Good work.
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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You have written a good piece on a subject which, in this day and age, should not be so prevalent. It is sad that this continues and peoples attitudes are not changing. Good work.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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thank you so very much - I do not recognize your name - will have to look at your portfolio.
Comment from pixiemillie
Racism in America continues to persist despite what the majority of individuals feel about this. There also continues these racist cartoons, epithets and slurred comments with no basis for their place in our society today. One can only hope this so-called newsletter will be doomed as word of its negative writing about a Presidential Candidate hits the airways. This cannot be the feeling of the Republican Women in California nor the sentiments of Republican Women across this nation. This is a despicable article and
hopefully one John McCain and Sara Palin, if and when hearing of this, they take to the radio and TV and denouce this ?newsletter? in the strongest words possible. Also wise, would be a vehement criticism by the Republican National Committee Chair and a rejection of this appalling ?wing? of the Republican Party. This is the kind of information that seems to travel fast and needs to be stopped. There are groups of individuals, and this cannot be denied, that are coming more and more to the attention of the media with a black man in contention for the highest seat in our land. How they have the audacity to think this helps the individual, the party or the country is no less abhorrent than what the KKK continues with their hate-mongering. The comment which you note by family members of the editor of this slanderous rag only adds to the viciousness of this.
There have always been ?demonic? fringes out there waving banners of hatred against anything and anyone not seeing or believing what they do.
Anger against something like this is not a strong enough word.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
(I wanted to give this a six but for some reason it's not allowing me to do this- -I haven't used any- -)
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Racism in America continues to persist despite what the majority of individuals feel about this. There also continues these racist cartoons, epithets and slurred comments with no basis for their place in our society today. One can only hope this so-called newsletter will be doomed as word of its negative writing about a Presidential Candidate hits the airways. This cannot be the feeling of the Republican Women in California nor the sentiments of Republican Women across this nation. This is a despicable article and
hopefully one John McCain and Sara Palin, if and when hearing of this, they take to the radio and TV and denouce this ?newsletter? in the strongest words possible. Also wise, would be a vehement criticism by the Republican National Committee Chair and a rejection of this appalling ?wing? of the Republican Party. This is the kind of information that seems to travel fast and needs to be stopped. There are groups of individuals, and this cannot be denied, that are coming more and more to the attention of the media with a black man in contention for the highest seat in our land. How they have the audacity to think this helps the individual, the party or the country is no less abhorrent than what the KKK continues with their hate-mongering. The comment which you note by family members of the editor of this slanderous rag only adds to the viciousness of this.
There have always been ?demonic? fringes out there waving banners of hatred against anything and anyone not seeing or believing what they do.
Anger against something like this is not a strong enough word.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
(I wanted to give this a six but for some reason it's not allowing me to do this- -I haven't used any- -)
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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You have probably given me a six, and you can only do that twice in 30 days. The problem with this newsletter is that it is not fringe - it's some mainstream Republican women's group in California - I'm sure they throw teas and raise money for the party. If only the KKK and skinhead groups were circulating this filth, I wouldn't even give it the time of day - I know they are nutcases. It's when what they circulate gets accepted by mainstream people that the danger begins. I do so hope you are right and the national committee and McCain's campaign renounce this when they hear of it. Thank you for your most thoughtful response.
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I got so wired reading your essay I forgot to say how well it was written and that your scadalous feelings about what you heard comes through loud and clear. Sorry about not mentioning this in my review.
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oh, I'm so wired I didn't even care about the style or how anyone perceives the actual writing/structure/style. :-)
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I did mean 'scandalous' :+)
Comment from joan marie
The format when you posted messed up one of your paragraphs. Starting with My graduate work. We had a restaurant her 20 odd years ago called Little Black Sambo's !!! They actually had a picture of a black child being chased around a tree by a tiger if memory serves. I agree totally. I can understand your being upset I am. I have been stop by the police in black neighborhoods dropping of co workers of friends. I am amazed at the blase attitude of cnn. I imagine we will here more of this story to come out. Or at least I hope so. Also I think some white people need to be reminder we are actually a minority if you count all the other races we seem to think we are better than as one. Great Essay!!! joan marie
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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The format when you posted messed up one of your paragraphs. Starting with My graduate work. We had a restaurant her 20 odd years ago called Little Black Sambo's !!! They actually had a picture of a black child being chased around a tree by a tiger if memory serves. I agree totally. I can understand your being upset I am. I have been stop by the police in black neighborhoods dropping of co workers of friends. I am amazed at the blase attitude of cnn. I imagine we will here more of this story to come out. Or at least I hope so. Also I think some white people need to be reminder we are actually a minority if you count all the other races we seem to think we are better than as one. Great Essay!!! joan marie
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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I thought CNN did a decent job of their coverage - they sent people to try to get the editor's family to explain themselves and they interviewed the African American woman who had blown the whistle on them. I used to have copies of the Little Black Sambo children's book that the restaurant got its name and logo from - my collection has long since been sold after my research was done. Thank you for your support - if you read other reviews, not all have been so kind.
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Wil check out other reviews. Boy people sure show their asses at election time. Told mom about your essay so we switched over to cnn. Just in time, you're not going to believe this, a senator or governor didn't catch which got arrested in Virginia for DUI after running a red light. He then complicated things when he caused a simple DUI to become a sex scandal when he called his long time mistress to bail him out!!! They even have a chld together. Who elects these people? Thouoght you'd get a kick out of it if you missed it. Think I'll check out a few of those reviews you mentioned. jm
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I guess that's the wonderful thing about a free country people are free to be asses. jm
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yes, I have always been in favor of asses making asses of themselves in public!
God Bless America!!
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I once heard someone compliment a racist by telling hin he sure put the ass in class!!! jm
Comment from FrankieT
pearl, this was a wonderful essay in every single way. I totally agree with your outlook and all people, in this day and age, should be ashamed; but they are not. It makes you laugh, somewhat, at McCains indignation about Obama's people putting down those who attended his(McCain's)rallies for shouting out terrible things about Obama - traitor, terrorist, kill him, etc. "These are mostly all great patriotic Americans - another catch phrase intimating perhaps, Obama is not. Great job of writing. :o)
FrankieT
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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pearl, this was a wonderful essay in every single way. I totally agree with your outlook and all people, in this day and age, should be ashamed; but they are not. It makes you laugh, somewhat, at McCains indignation about Obama's people putting down those who attended his(McCain's)rallies for shouting out terrible things about Obama - traitor, terrorist, kill him, etc. "These are mostly all great patriotic Americans - another catch phrase intimating perhaps, Obama is not. Great job of writing. :o)
FrankieT
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Thank you, Frankie - if you read my reviews, you will see that I needed your review and your most supportive and kind words. Thank you for your generous rating and your generosity of spirit. Peace, Brooke
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I didn't read them but I certainly will now. :o)
FT
Comment from KYPollard/El Gato
Bravo. This was a well written essay. You put passion in your content which makes it stand out. I am black and you are right, people need to understand this is 2008, just let it go, you know. I live in Georgia, and it amazes me how some people refuse to lay money in my hand (I work in a store). I only feel sorry for these people. They miss out on so much knowledge and insite that can be gained from someone not like themselves, rendering them a well-rounded person. Thank you for your passion and courage to speak out.
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Bravo. This was a well written essay. You put passion in your content which makes it stand out. I am black and you are right, people need to understand this is 2008, just let it go, you know. I live in Georgia, and it amazes me how some people refuse to lay money in my hand (I work in a store). I only feel sorry for these people. They miss out on so much knowledge and insite that can be gained from someone not like themselves, rendering them a well-rounded person. Thank you for your passion and courage to speak out.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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That is so sad that someone would refuse to touch you in even that small way - were I in Georgia, I would shake your hand and be proud to be your friend. Peace, Brooke
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:)
Comment from sabby9
A superb and excellent essay.Good words chosen with great imagery. Dynamite and absorbing. No such things should happen, as all of us 're create by God. I read this essay with my deeply felt emotion,even my throat stuck with sadness. Although I'm not black people, still their sadness and pain gripping my heart, so sad .
Well,my congratulate to you Brooke,awesome and stunning piece! with this essay of yours,at least we realize that all of the human being on the earth's must gotta equal and fair attention.
Keep up your good work. An excellent essay. Thank you so much for such an interestint theme. Good luck.
Best Wishes.
Respectfully
sabby
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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A superb and excellent essay.Good words chosen with great imagery. Dynamite and absorbing. No such things should happen, as all of us 're create by God. I read this essay with my deeply felt emotion,even my throat stuck with sadness. Although I'm not black people, still their sadness and pain gripping my heart, so sad .
Well,my congratulate to you Brooke,awesome and stunning piece! with this essay of yours,at least we realize that all of the human being on the earth's must gotta equal and fair attention.
Keep up your good work. An excellent essay. Thank you so much for such an interestint theme. Good luck.
Best Wishes.
Respectfully
sabby
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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thank you - you are most thoughtful as always :-)
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as always,my pleasure . Keep up your great work. You gotta great talent.
lots of love
sabby
Comment from skye
I appreciate your views, appreiciate the lesson you so strongly outlined, and learned a great deal from this essay.
We as civilized people should not stoop to this kind of behavior.
But, as a white person, I am appalled at how other races denigerate us, call us names, accuse us of racism, while engaging in the very same behaviors.
I do not appreciate being accused by other races of behaviors that I do not approve or engage in.
We ALL need to practice the virtues of kindness, tolerance, and doing the very best things for and to one another.
Thanks for a terrific, well written, concise essay.
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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I appreciate your views, appreiciate the lesson you so strongly outlined, and learned a great deal from this essay.
We as civilized people should not stoop to this kind of behavior.
But, as a white person, I am appalled at how other races denigerate us, call us names, accuse us of racism, while engaging in the very same behaviors.
I do not appreciate being accused by other races of behaviors that I do not approve or engage in.
We ALL need to practice the virtues of kindness, tolerance, and doing the very best things for and to one another.
Thanks for a terrific, well written, concise essay.
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Oh, I am against stereotyping of any people by any people.
We all need to learn to look at each individual person and like him or not like her because of that individual's actions.
This was simply a reaction to this particular piece of racial stereotyping, which was white against black. Thank you for your most thoughtful response. Peace, Brooke
Comment from Maurice WA Johnson
A powerfull piece of writing, I feel your rage, I understand your distress. I above all understand the power of images to engender good and bad reactions. But I would sound a cautionary note.
I rarely wear any outward symbols of my religeon, my faith. Because I'm tired of people mistaking my meaning, my reason to show such symbols, I understand that others see other things in those symbols. I have difficulty with some Christian symbols. The fish is ok, and a simple cross I can live with, but I find the full blown crucifix disgusting. I can only see it as a symbol of torture.
Now all this is fine by me, we all see diferent things in symbols. But recently in this country (England) things have got a little silly, PC is going beserk, people are now banned in some large companies from wearing any visible sign of thier faith, for the fear that they will offend others of different faiths.
I suppose that we cannot legislate away racism or religeous intollerance. These are things that die by living with them, not by forcing them underground. These are things that must be talked about openly, and those that hold contrary views must have thier say to, no mater how unplesant it is to hear them. I know that you are a reasonable and caring person, and that you speak from outrage, which I share, but perhaps our knowlege sometimes leaves us a little too sensitive?
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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A powerfull piece of writing, I feel your rage, I understand your distress. I above all understand the power of images to engender good and bad reactions. But I would sound a cautionary note.
I rarely wear any outward symbols of my religeon, my faith. Because I'm tired of people mistaking my meaning, my reason to show such symbols, I understand that others see other things in those symbols. I have difficulty with some Christian symbols. The fish is ok, and a simple cross I can live with, but I find the full blown crucifix disgusting. I can only see it as a symbol of torture.
Now all this is fine by me, we all see diferent things in symbols. But recently in this country (England) things have got a little silly, PC is going beserk, people are now banned in some large companies from wearing any visible sign of thier faith, for the fear that they will offend others of different faiths.
I suppose that we cannot legislate away racism or religeous intollerance. These are things that die by living with them, not by forcing them underground. These are things that must be talked about openly, and those that hold contrary views must have thier say to, no mater how unplesant it is to hear them. I know that you are a reasonable and caring person, and that you speak from outrage, which I share, but perhaps our knowlege sometimes leaves us a little too sensitive?
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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I completely agree people can go overboard and try to squelch the most innocent of words or images - but this is fringe, Maurice - it shows a black candidate on a food stamp, surrounded by chicken and watermelon - this is not someone wearing a cross. This is a total slap in the face to people - there are matters of degree, and while I do believe people get hyper-sensitive to tiny things on the innocent end of the spectrum, this is at the bottom of any scale, and I will speak out about things that sink this low.
This is over the top, under the bottom, and I don't think I'm overreacting one tiny iota. Thank you for your thoughtful response.
Comment from Showboat
Hi Adewpearl,
Well, I can tell you're mad but I wonder if it isn't just a little excessive. I take it you don't cruise the net very much. As you say, this is nothing new; been going on forever. Think of the cartoons about the Muslims or Christians or Jews and, of course, the man presently in the White House.
I would imagine if Obama is elected, things like this will increase quite substantially. He won't be exempted just because he's black.
I'm not ashamed of being white. I don't feel 'that way' about blacks and I don't know anyone who does...at least they don't say it to me.
Hatred abounds, whether it's racial, class, or country. Again, think about the Jews. Just a sad part of being a human being.
Thanks for sharing,
Gayle
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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Hi Adewpearl,
Well, I can tell you're mad but I wonder if it isn't just a little excessive. I take it you don't cruise the net very much. As you say, this is nothing new; been going on forever. Think of the cartoons about the Muslims or Christians or Jews and, of course, the man presently in the White House.
I would imagine if Obama is elected, things like this will increase quite substantially. He won't be exempted just because he's black.
I'm not ashamed of being white. I don't feel 'that way' about blacks and I don't know anyone who does...at least they don't say it to me.
Hatred abounds, whether it's racial, class, or country. Again, think about the Jews. Just a sad part of being a human being.
Thanks for sharing,
Gayle
Comment Written 18-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 18-Oct-2008
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But this isn't on a fringe website of a hate group that everyone just discounts. It was picked up by a respectable, mainstream Republican women's club. That is when my outrage spins out of control, when we move these stereotypes from the pages of the KKK and skinhead organizations to the pages of "normal" society. If we allow that to happen without speaking out, we allow that it is acceptable. I am not ashamed of being white - but sometimes I am totally embarrassed by the behavior of members of our race. When I wrote that I was spitting mad. Of course I know you are a good person. Thank you for your thoughtful response.
