Racist Stereotypes live on
A response to an awful image circulating today.151 total reviews
Comment from Poetic Friend
I applaud your quest for ending racism in this country.
Unfrotunately, the ugliness brought in this election (and even prior to) indicates that racism still exists in this country.
It is essays like yours that could change the minds of others (even if only one mind is changed). "Each one, teach one."
This essay is so well-written and thought-provoking you may wish to submit to your local newspaper.
Thank you, thank you for this essay! You are my hero.
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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I applaud your quest for ending racism in this country.
Unfrotunately, the ugliness brought in this election (and even prior to) indicates that racism still exists in this country.
It is essays like yours that could change the minds of others (even if only one mind is changed). "Each one, teach one."
This essay is so well-written and thought-provoking you may wish to submit to your local newspaper.
Thank you, thank you for this essay! You are my hero.
Comment Written 19-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Each one, teach one is the motto of the adult literacy program I volunteer tutor for and have just joined the board of. Thank you for such kind comments :-) Peace, Brooke
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Wow, what a coincidence! I remember that motto from years ago, but I can not recall from where.
Again, thank you for such a thought-provoking, but enlightening essay.
Comment from wirenut
adewpearl,
there is no doubt that, we, as a conglomeration of God's creatures, are awful to each other. and, as you so eloquently put it, WE need to STOP IT!
However, there is a second agenda that is going on in this quagmire of disrespect. Allow me to illustrate; i oppose Barrack Obama, not necause he is black but becasue he is dangerous, his thoughts are dangerous to the country, in my opinion. One the constitution grants me the right to hold, but some of the danger that comes from Obama is exactly in this type of behavior in reverse, as every time I speak against him, both black and white folk call me a racist.
Throwing the race card out is done on a regular basis, which is what I see as dangerous to this country as i forsee riots after the election whether Barrack Obama wins or loses. If he wins, becasue he won; if he doesn't, becasue he didn't.
It is a pity that grown ups have to behave this way and nothing any of us do is going to stop ignorance, in an undereducated nation, what else can you expect?
Racism is not a white to black issue, it works both ways and both segments of the population are being manipulated into this horrendous event by third parties with other motives than being nice to each other.
Am I right or wrong? I believe I am right but as a conspiracy theorist anything I say is immediately discounted as luacy. The only evidence I have is the turmoil that has been created between the races since the early 1900's when the black race was manipulated by the white race into creating a militant organization rather than that which Booker T Washington had proposed.
We have a century of racist governemnt programs that were created to maintain a separation which they could then abuse on both sides. This is the crouning jewel of a century of third party intervention by which opposing an idiot gets one called a racist by politically corerect drones too ignorant to know any better.
People(white)who favor Barrack Obama's candidacy have attacked writers in this site and called them racists without listening to the evidence.
I have been called a racist becasue I dared make comments about his policies, not his color, I don't care if he is purple or pink, he ie an idiot who will lead us into sure doom.
But I can't vote, so all I can do is make noise. And it is just noise from a spick as I have been the victim of the same ignorance for about 44 years, you get used to it after a while, trust me.
We have 16 days before the mess begins and black leaders have been professing that if Barrack loses there will be trouble. I call that Blackmail (nothing racist about that word)
Well done as far as the write, the thoughts are admirable though a bit onesided. Racism is the cancer that will consume the country from within.
Nothing we can do about it except not be racists ourselves. You can't pass a law that changes a man's mind.
Politically correct acceptance, is as bad a racism...
Thanks for sharing,
rick
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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adewpearl,
there is no doubt that, we, as a conglomeration of God's creatures, are awful to each other. and, as you so eloquently put it, WE need to STOP IT!
However, there is a second agenda that is going on in this quagmire of disrespect. Allow me to illustrate; i oppose Barrack Obama, not necause he is black but becasue he is dangerous, his thoughts are dangerous to the country, in my opinion. One the constitution grants me the right to hold, but some of the danger that comes from Obama is exactly in this type of behavior in reverse, as every time I speak against him, both black and white folk call me a racist.
Throwing the race card out is done on a regular basis, which is what I see as dangerous to this country as i forsee riots after the election whether Barrack Obama wins or loses. If he wins, becasue he won; if he doesn't, becasue he didn't.
It is a pity that grown ups have to behave this way and nothing any of us do is going to stop ignorance, in an undereducated nation, what else can you expect?
Racism is not a white to black issue, it works both ways and both segments of the population are being manipulated into this horrendous event by third parties with other motives than being nice to each other.
Am I right or wrong? I believe I am right but as a conspiracy theorist anything I say is immediately discounted as luacy. The only evidence I have is the turmoil that has been created between the races since the early 1900's when the black race was manipulated by the white race into creating a militant organization rather than that which Booker T Washington had proposed.
We have a century of racist governemnt programs that were created to maintain a separation which they could then abuse on both sides. This is the crouning jewel of a century of third party intervention by which opposing an idiot gets one called a racist by politically corerect drones too ignorant to know any better.
People(white)who favor Barrack Obama's candidacy have attacked writers in this site and called them racists without listening to the evidence.
I have been called a racist becasue I dared make comments about his policies, not his color, I don't care if he is purple or pink, he ie an idiot who will lead us into sure doom.
But I can't vote, so all I can do is make noise. And it is just noise from a spick as I have been the victim of the same ignorance for about 44 years, you get used to it after a while, trust me.
We have 16 days before the mess begins and black leaders have been professing that if Barrack loses there will be trouble. I call that Blackmail (nothing racist about that word)
Well done as far as the write, the thoughts are admirable though a bit onesided. Racism is the cancer that will consume the country from within.
Nothing we can do about it except not be racists ourselves. You can't pass a law that changes a man's mind.
Politically correct acceptance, is as bad a racism...
Thanks for sharing,
rick
Comment Written 19-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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I voted for Obama in the primaries and will vote for him in November, but it would never in a million years occur to me to call you racist because you are voting against him on the issues! People who vote against him because they fear a black leader are racist, but every single election there are millions of people who vote Republican or oppose the Democratic candidate over issues of taxes, war, health care, welfare, etc, etc, etc, and I know there are many people who will vote against him, the Democratic candidate this time around, just as they voted against Bill Clinton.
I am sorry there are idiots on both sides who assume things about supporters of their opponents which are not true. I thank you for your most thoughtful comments. Peace, Brooke
Comment from MizteryWriter
Adewpearl,
Hear, hear! I've also been apalled at some of the cartoons I've seen about Obama. I think America is in deep trouble and needs for all of us Americans, black and people of color, young, old, Republican, Democratic, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and with Irish, Italian, German, Japanese, African, English and so forth to be good patriotic Americans working side by side to make this the best country ever!
Thank you!
MizteryWriter
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Adewpearl,
Hear, hear! I've also been apalled at some of the cartoons I've seen about Obama. I think America is in deep trouble and needs for all of us Americans, black and people of color, young, old, Republican, Democratic, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and with Irish, Italian, German, Japanese, African, English and so forth to be good patriotic Americans working side by side to make this the best country ever!
Thank you!
MizteryWriter
Comment Written 19-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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thank you so much for your most thoughtful comments. Peace, Brooke :-)
Comment from Leah H
Bravo! The truth is people are still so unaware how their prejudices and stereotyping hurt others. It is evident that certain images or sayings are so much a part of mundane existence people think it is okay to use them repeatedly without much consideration. Plain and simple, it is social apathy, and it is this state of mind that, despite so many new opportunities for growth and awareness, has us stopping short of human greatness. There is hope, however, because of essays like yours and work of others who have taken the time to express much needed truth and compassion. Thank you. -- Leah
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Bravo! The truth is people are still so unaware how their prejudices and stereotyping hurt others. It is evident that certain images or sayings are so much a part of mundane existence people think it is okay to use them repeatedly without much consideration. Plain and simple, it is social apathy, and it is this state of mind that, despite so many new opportunities for growth and awareness, has us stopping short of human greatness. There is hope, however, because of essays like yours and work of others who have taken the time to express much needed truth and compassion. Thank you. -- Leah
Comment Written 19-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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What a most thoughtful and supportive review this is! I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate it. Thank you.
Peace, Brooke :-)
Comment from H. Rebecca
That was very interesting. I clicked for information as well as the reward. I too agree that stereotyping anybody for any reason shows a lack of information. In a perfect world it would not happen. Thank you for writing this. The people running that newspaper probably were not consciously aware of what they were doing... but that is NO EXCUSE.
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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That was very interesting. I clicked for information as well as the reward. I too agree that stereotyping anybody for any reason shows a lack of information. In a perfect world it would not happen. Thank you for writing this. The people running that newspaper probably were not consciously aware of what they were doing... but that is NO EXCUSE.
Comment Written 19-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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you are right - any editor should research what she takes from another source - I also have a hard time believing she had no idea there's a stereotype about melon and chicken - thanks so much for your thoughtful review!
Comment from Sandollar
You tell'em, girl. If more people like you protested these things, they would become history, albeit a bad part of our history. Perhaps white society is frightened that they may soon be led by what they've always feared- An intelligent black man. Who knows what imaginary comeuppance they expect because of it. Thanks for writing this. I found one tiny error.
They depict African Americans as outside the pale of society, manners, law yet buffoons at it.
I think there should be some something either before law or after it.
Great work!
Sandollar
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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You tell'em, girl. If more people like you protested these things, they would become history, albeit a bad part of our history. Perhaps white society is frightened that they may soon be led by what they've always feared- An intelligent black man. Who knows what imaginary comeuppance they expect because of it. Thanks for writing this. I found one tiny error.
They depict African Americans as outside the pale of society, manners, law yet buffoons at it.
I think there should be some something either before law or after it.
Great work!
Sandollar
Comment Written 19-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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oh, I think there are some people out there right now who are scared shitless! I have no idea quite what they think is going to happen, but yeah, I think their imaginations have run wild. Thanks so much for your most supportive review!
Comment from Earthwriter
it is so true sometimes when people think of a certain ethnic groups a certain sterotypical image follows excellent post
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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it is so true sometimes when people think of a certain ethnic groups a certain sterotypical image follows excellent post
Comment Written 19-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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thanks for your supportive review :-)
Comment from Safety Guy
I agree with every word you have written here. Its a very informative piece well delivered.
I wrote a short about the bigotry my Dad faced in 1960's England, but as it was so close to my heart, I couldnt take the spag comments I received from a reviewer, so i removed the story from the site. I mention this in solidarity as you are obviously outraged by what you have seen.
As you rightly said, not all white people (myself included) are racist, but the growing minority taint us all. Everyone should learn from history, that when racism and bigotry goes unchallenged, it just gets worse.
Well done
SG Ryan
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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I agree with every word you have written here. Its a very informative piece well delivered.
I wrote a short about the bigotry my Dad faced in 1960's England, but as it was so close to my heart, I couldnt take the spag comments I received from a reviewer, so i removed the story from the site. I mention this in solidarity as you are obviously outraged by what you have seen.
As you rightly said, not all white people (myself included) are racist, but the growing minority taint us all. Everyone should learn from history, that when racism and bigotry goes unchallenged, it just gets worse.
Well done
SG Ryan
Comment Written 19-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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funny you mention spag comments - I got a four on this - think it's the only one, from a guy who was telling me all about my use of dashes and capitalized words. LOL He quoted MLA and Chicago Style Manual pages to me - one cursory sentence about what I actually said followed by a page of SPAG minutiae. It can be frustrating. I'm sorry I missed your essay - I would not have cared about a misplaced comma or two. Thank you for this most generous and gracious review. Peace, Brooke :-)
Comment from Mightierthanthesword
That is completly outrageous.
In England there is much more racism in rural communities then in cities and I assume this is the same for America. For something that racist to get into a newspaper is atrocious.
Also quie interesting about the anti-black propaganda of the times. So stupid.
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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That is completly outrageous.
In England there is much more racism in rural communities then in cities and I assume this is the same for America. For something that racist to get into a newspaper is atrocious.
Also quie interesting about the anti-black propaganda of the times. So stupid.
Comment Written 19-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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It was a Republican women's club in the San Francisco area, and one member who got a copy of their newsletter because she is a member, was black! She's the one who let the media know about it. One would expect this of some racist group, but a bunch of Republican suburban women? Glad you enjoyed, Oli. Peace, Brooke
Comment from Hurricane Dean
Bravo, Bravo! I commend you for writing this essay. You know this campaign has taken a really ugly turn for the worse when you see the Repugs behaving like this. I'll gladly give up one of my six stars for this posting.
Have you read the book, White Like Me, by Tim Wise? It's all about white privilege. As a white person myself, I have really never given that idea much consideration until I came across this book. It sounds like you might already know about this book. If you haven't, check it out.
Anyway, you and I certainly have a lot in common. Great job, Brooke.
Dean
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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Bravo, Bravo! I commend you for writing this essay. You know this campaign has taken a really ugly turn for the worse when you see the Repugs behaving like this. I'll gladly give up one of my six stars for this posting.
Have you read the book, White Like Me, by Tim Wise? It's all about white privilege. As a white person myself, I have really never given that idea much consideration until I came across this book. It sounds like you might already know about this book. If you haven't, check it out.
Anyway, you and I certainly have a lot in common. Great job, Brooke.
Dean
Comment Written 19-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 19-Oct-2008
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No, it is a book I should read. Thanks for the recommendation.
Thanks, Dean, for your most supportive review and for your generous rating. I was hoping you'd read this. :-) Peace, Brooke
