Rosie's ching-chong comments

[Rickypt]

Thanks, Hejira, I get why ching-chong struck such a nerve and is different than my french buds making fun of English. I didn't know it was considered such a slur.

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Oh geez... I think I'm going to start a race war on the Ledge even though it is not my intention. All I can say is that:

In this day and age, there is no such thing as racism against white people.

And this is hardly an original concept. I believe it was Spike Lee who got into some hot water by stating his opinion about this in the media many years ago... and it was largely dismissed by the (mostly white) media.

But I happen to believe it is true. And it's hard to make this point without sounding like some kind of white-hating radical activist, which I am not (hullo, music does not get any "whiter" than Fleetwood Mac ). It's just that in the western world, caucasians are in a position of dominance- culturally, economically, politically, etc. This means that they are not exactly in a position of being persecuted, marginalized, criminalized or otherwise at a disadvantage in life because of the color of their skin or the language that they speak. So yes, I do realize that there are instances in largely ethnic neighborhoods where whites are technically in the minority. And I do realize that there are white stereotypes perpetrated in the media, e.g., that straight white boys can't dance, all white girls talk like Valley Girls, etc. But this is not the same as calling black people the "n" word or calling Asians "slanty eyes" or, again doing the "ching chong" thing. Historically, those derogatory terms came from a much darker place- they were a means of putting people of color down in their place- basically to remind them that they were different and were not equal to the (superior) whites. During the last World War, the Asian stereotypes were put out in the war propaganda to fuel the American zeitgeist against the Japanese (and, of course, to the vast majority of Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc. are all the same ) Conversely, there are no such derogatory terms in our language today that imply that [my race] is superior to caucasians, and caucasians are nothing but lowly _______. It's just not possible; caucasians control every aspect of western society. I'm not saying that it is right or wrong... it's just the way it is. Therefore, in my own estimation, it seems that any sort of derogatory terms about white people are either a) done in jest b) made up by one group of white people to feel superior to another group of white people, e.g., redneck, or c) crafted as an angry response to being oppressed, e.g., Jesse Jackson calling NYC "Himeytown."

Yes, it does sound like a double standard. But this is why it has been socially acceptable for black people to use the "n" word but totally forbidden for white people to use it. Accordingly, to a large degree, I have carte blanche to poke fun at Asian stereotypes, and trust me, I do (along with Margaret Cho, Amy Tan, etc.)! But for whites to do that... not such a good thing. In general, any time you are in a position of dominance, it really is your noblesse oblige to take the highroad when it comes to dealing with people who are at a disadvantage in society. That is why there is a double standard for white people- it is acceptable to knock white people down a peg or two, but it would be racial harassment if the tables were turned.

Let the flames begin!

For the most part, generally speaking, I agree with you. However, I WAS the victim of racism by a group of black girls when I was in the 7th grade. The odd thing was, eventually another black girl put a stop to it.

Also, there is such a thing as reverse discrimination--my brother experienced it when he was applying to Med school. Granted, its much less prevalent than the usual type of racism/discrimination, but it happens nonetheless. But for the record, as I said, I tend to agree with what you said.

[DrummerDeanna]

Hmm...I think the racism thing may depend somewhat on where you live. There was a lot of white discrimination where I came from - not ANYTHING on par what what other minorities go through mind you...

But Hispanics..mostly Mexicans (fully American - not recent immigrants) are the majority where I'm from - in school - all the way up through high school there were a lot of the gang-banger thug types who made it their duty to harass the white kids....so there is some discrimination there....but again nothing on the scope of what other minorities have and do face today.

[Rickypt]

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Aunt Mary is a common slang for a gay republican.

Not for me it's not. Both parties suck when it comes to true gay equality and the main difference is that Dems pretend to be pro-gay and Republicans are honest about it.

I think an "Aunt Mary" would be a gay person who enjoys the benefits of everything fought for by gay activists over the years, but adds to the environment that keeps us from equality. If you're advocating for the Republican party to embrace equality, Brandon, then you're not an Aunt Mary in my opinion.

However...

I think being a gay republican means that you don't get the connection between the struggle for gay equality and the struggles by other oppressed people: women, people of color, the poor, immigrants, etc. Or you don't care about the connection. Because the Democratic Party has a far better record fighting for those other groups and Republicans promote economic and social policies that prioritize the more powerful and advantaged in the country. While taking on "civil rights" issues such as defending a handful of white people who don't get into their preferred law school.

[estranged4life]

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

Hmm...I think the racism thing may depend somewhat on where you live. There was a lot of white discrimination where I came from - not ANYTHING on par what what other minorities go through mind you...

But Hispanics..mostly Mexicans (fully American - not recent immigrants) are the majority where I'm from - in school - all the way up through high school there were a lot of the gang-banger thug types who made it their duty to harass the white kids....so there is some discrimination there....but again nothing on the scope of what other minorities have and do face today.

I grew up in a city that was (still) racially divided. In my hometown the caucasians were the majority and the blacks the minority (There is about 24 ethnicities represented in Muskogee, OK according to the 2000 US Census). A majority of my friends in Elementary & Jr. High were black and/or poor, We all grew up together so we had similar opinions on most anything since we came from similar backgrounds in the regard to being the poor children of families in the town (ie-Back in 5th grade, When Reagan was shot, our class stood and applauded much to our teacher Mrs.Cliff's disbelief.)

When I was in High School my friends were tossed in with the rich upper-class white kids from the rich 'country club' part of town and though racial tensions did arise, most of the time my friends of color were the ones who would be on the receiving end of the racial BS, and oddly they were the ones made to look the aggressors (Can ya say UTTER BS!!!?? I can.)...

Hell, my younger cousin was a member of a white racist group "the Posse" who started a race riot in my ol school the year I graduated. I remember asking him "Why" and his reason was more racial BS non-sensical reasons "Because they're black...Because blah blah blah".

One summer (1986) when I was playing baseball, I was the only white boy on an all black team, we had to travel out of town to play a team that was the mirror-universe opposites of my team, All white and 1 black. Can you believe the BS "N" word was yelled at us during the game, so much that the game was stopped midway when a fight broke out on the field and my team just decided to leave than contend with that BS. It was weird because I clearly remember the black player on the other team saying the "N" word wasnt aimed at me since I was white...To which I replied "No, I consider what you're saying to my teammates and an insult to me, so when you say that word to them you're saying it to me too."

My Mother worked with plenty of blacks, and the blacks loved my Mom, Because my Mother never judged someone by their skin color, she judged them by their actions. My Mom would quilt "Raggedy-Ann & Andy" dolls for her black friends that were black, not white (Why give a black friend a white doll with red hair? My Mom decided she would make some that were cool and her colored friends loved those dolls-I own the last black pair she ever made)

I am glad I was raised in Muskogee for it gave me the sight to see in a different perspective than had I been born elsewhere.

Brian "The Super Honky...err Injun too" j.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by irishgrl

. . . oh and Jason? Tim McVeigh was KILLED for his crimes. Much different than a concentration camp............you're comparing apples and oranges again.

Splat - the sound of my point hitting the wal over your head

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Splat - the sound of my point hitting the wal over your head

apple? orange. apple? orange.

you have no point. at least not one that is relative to a discussion on concentration camps

[strandinthewind]

In response to gldstwmn's question - "So we should lock up all the Muslims?"

you replied:

"Um I've made it clear that Im not politically correct in this area. In fact, its the ONE area I cant explain why I feel the way I do. So, I guess in sum, Im not the person to ask. Because you wouldnt like my answer."

I took that to mean you think we should lock up all Muslims because they are terrorists, based on the prior comments. So, my point was that yes, pretty much only Muslims have bombed planes, etc. - but white people like McVie have done it as well. So, your "logic" should apply to white people being locked up as well as Muslims In sum, it is unfair to group an entire race, religion, whatever into one category based on the actions of relatively few parts of them.

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

In response to gldstwmn's question - "So we should lock up all the Muslims?"

you replied:

"Um I've made it clear that Im not politically correct in this area. In fact, its the ONE area I cant explain why I feel the way I do. So, I guess in sum, Im not the person to ask. Because you wouldnt like my answer."

I took that to mean you think we should lock up all Muslims because they are terrorists, based on the prior comments. So, my point was that yes, pretty much only Muslims have bombed planes, etc. - but white people like McVie have done it as well. So, your "logic" should apply to white people being locked up as well as Muslims In sum, it is unfair to group an entire race, religion, whatever into one category based on the actions of relatively few parts of them.

If you would have read a few posts forward from that, I actually addressed that very point, that is: I dont condone concentration camps at all.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by irishgrl

If you would have read a few posts forward from that, I actually addressed that very point, that is: I dont condone concentration camps at all.

I did read that bit of back pedaling

esp. after your statement "I pray there doesnt come a point where I have to say "I told you so"......." - which was in reference to your being right about not liking your answer to the question of should we put Muslims in concentration camps like we did Japanese Americans

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I did read that bit of back pedaling

esp. after your statement "I pray there doesnt come a point where I have to say "I told you so"......." - which was in reference to your being right about not liking your answer to the question of should we put Muslims in concentration camps like we did Japanese Americans

no, that was NOT what it was in reference to, I was referring to the statement I made about seeing an eventual clash between Muslim/Christian.

You never cease to amaze me with your ability to continually mis-read me.

[estranged4life]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

So, my point was that yes, pretty much only Muslims have bombed planes, etc. - but white people like McVie have done it as well.

The McVie's are bombers???

Now I have seen footage of Christine 'bombed' but not John.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by irishgrl

no, that was NOT what it was in reference to, I was referring to the statement I made about seeing an eventual clash between Muslim/Christian.

You never cease to amaze me with your ability to continually mis-read me.

I let the facts speak for themselves.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by estranged4life

The McVie's are bombers???

Now I have seen footage of Christine 'bombed' but not John.

BWAAAAAAAAAA

[sparky]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

In this day and age, there is no such thing as racism against white people.

I got in an argument with two Mexican guys last week at Home Depot.
It was a stupid thing about a cart.
It was the first time I ever got the race thing tossed at me in my life.
What did they say to me?

"You're gonna be the minority here soon, Motherf*cker. We're taking over and your white bitch ass is gonna be sorry. You notice you're the only white face in this store?"

So, last week, I experienced the hint that your statement isn't completely correct. Not in Los Angeles anyway.

I wasn't "offended." That overused, lame word should be struck from the English language I am so sick of it. But I was taken aback. The whole thing made me think. Because those guys were pissed. And they were right.