Racism and ProU

chevy boy1987's picture

I have only been a member for maybe a day and I have already seen numerous postings about racism. But do people really understand why things are racist?

Racism is an opinionated reaction to comments in which they feel that attack a race. Racism is only an opinion and is only accepted as racism if the majority agrees. What I may think is racist may not be considered racist because the majority of people do not agree. That is prejudice and closed minded in my eyes. But what can I say I am just an uneducated backwoods redneck farmer from Indiana.

TUFFGONG's picture
Member of the Progressive U Alumni Association

Racism is when a prejudice is held which is based on race. If you say something like Black people are violent; that is racist. If you say White people are all racist; that is racist.

If you say Muslims are violent; that is not racist, that is religious prejudice. If you say Americans are the great Satan; that is not racist, it is cultural prejudice.

For something to be racism it has to be based on a racially motivated prejudice. If you say that a person or group of people act a certain way because of their race, that is racism. It is the most simplistic, ignorant and flawed means of judging anybody or group of people.

It's not open for discussion, that's what the word means:

"a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race" - Mirriam Webster Dictionary

"1. the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races
2. discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race"
- Wordnet definition - Princeton University

The fact that a group, majority or otherwise, has decided on their own meaning for the word does not make it the actual meaning. Mass delusion does not constitute fact.

_____________________________________________________________
I am the people my mother warned me about.

fanaile essence's picture
Managing Director of Progressive U

"Mass delusion does not consitute fact" - LOL! Priceless...

Too bad so many people seem to think otherwise.

Nice comment by the way, I either agree or we are suffering from the same delusion.

---------------------------
"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean

http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence

chevy boy1987's picture

I was refering more to the grey area comments rather then blunt racist comments. Like I read a blog about white people at a party putting aluminum in their mouth and drinking malt liquor and the blogger was trying to say they were making fun of the black population.

Just because a white person drinks malt liquor doesnt make them racist and I would put my truck on the line that the whole aluminum foil ordeal was because they were smashed. You could take the worlds least racist person and when their drunk they will do anything.

www.chevy.com

TUFFGONG's picture
Member of the Progressive U Alumni Association

The incident you're talking about happened on Martin Luther King Day. It's hardly a grey area.

As for the whole drunks doing anything business, there is an old Latin saying: In Vino Veritas; truthful when drunk.

_____________________________________________________________
I am the people my mother warned me about.

chevy boy1987's picture

Thats an old wives tale.

And it doesn't matter that it was on Martin Luther King day. If that is the case then it must be racist for a white man to drink malt liquor during the month of Febuary.

Does everyone jump down your throat on this site or what?

www.chevy.com

You were referring to my post. And that post was put on here because:

That junk was done during the weekend of Martin Luther Kings's B-day.

I could have an understanding if it was done any other time of the year. And I get drunk all the time. I dont go grab the foil when I am "smashed". And dont say blogger, say my name. You can make all the ignorant retaliations that your heart desires because I asked how the hell a truck is progressive. Go to a redneck board with that trash, advertising for Chevy is not progressive, and I find it quite pitiful that these kind of posts are all you have to talk about. Trucks and copying my post and crying about it. HA HA HA

Dr Gonzo's picture
Member of the Progressive U Alumni Association

It is definetely racist, but is it really all that harmful? A major part of popular black culture is malt liquor and grillz. I am sure it was carried out in a way meant to make fun of Black people, but unless it was a veneer over much more harmful racial feelings it is a pretty minor incident. Making fun of pop-culture images isn't exactly burning crosses on lawns.

I don't think it happening on MLK day really matters. If it had been done at a rally maybe... No matter the weekend it happens on it is still racist, and still pretty minor.

Res ipsa loquitur.
memor mori, mahalo.

Yeah, I agree that it was minor, but it is still racism and racism is a big problem of all races, not just blacks. If something was done to seriously mock your race, you would be offended.

TUFFGONG's picture
Member of the Progressive U Alumni Association

It's not a minor incident. It's just a minor part of a very significant whole.

The ridiculing of a race of people, through focusing on one negative part of a culture associated with a part of that race, serves to belittle and de-humanise an entire race of people, regardless of their culture.

Laughing and joking about, say, all Black people loving hip hop, grillz and 40s of malt liquor, or all White people being racist, uptight, and unable to dance, at the best of times serve as humour, but in many cases they are reflective of deeper racial attitudes, like when they take place under totally unacceptable circumstances.

For instance, a Black guy calling another Black guy nigga, the humour here lies in the fact that this was a negative racial slur placed upon Black people to dehumanize them. By turning it into a race exclusive form of endearment, Black people are making a statement, they are making it positive. By enforcing their reclamation of the word, by losing their minds if any other race uses it, and using it constantly themselves, they are actually being very smart-assed with it.

Rather than the word simply ridiculing Black people, instead it now ridicules racism. It says: Nigger is a derogatory term for Black people, but only Black people are allowed to use it. It actually underlines the nonsense racism represents in a very clever and humourous fashion. So when a Black guy uses the word in a certain setting and in a determined way it is smart-assed humour. But when a White person uses it under the same circumstances there is nothing funny about it.

The only reason White Americans don't do the same with words like Cracker/Whitey, is because most don't feel they have the right. If this wasn't true, they would lose their minds everytime a Black person used it. The fact is, Cracker/Whitey is less offensive to White people, largely because many White people realise that other White people have completely screwed over African Americans, so the whole Cracker/Whitey thing can be shrugged off.

Like the school bully who grows up and meets a guy he bullied as a kid, when the bullied kid calls him an asshole, he will shrug it off. He will probably say to himself: "I earned that, I know I'm more grown up and mature now, but I did bully the shit out of that kid. So he's earned the right to call me an asshole. I'll just take it on the chin." But if the bully calls that same guy an asshole upon meeting, it's on! Because the bully has done something he, or his friends should feel bad about; the bullied kid is still dealing with the by-product of the bully's actions.

_____________________________________________________________
I am the people my mother warned me about.

_Meke's picture
Volunteer for the Progressive U Alumni Association

"A major part of popular black culture is malt liquor and grillz."

That is NOT a major part of black culture. It certainly is not part of my culture. That's just the parts that are shown on television.

"I don't think it happening on MLK day really matters."

It does matter that it happened on MLK day. For most black people that day has a lot of importance.

If it had happened on some other day it would still be racist, but that day just to me shows that they knew fully what they were doing.

Eat Dirt. It tastes good

Dr Gonzo's picture
Member of the Progressive U Alumni Association

Okay, this is kind of a silly side argument, but malt liquor and grillz are, in fact, a part of popular black culture. It may not be ubiquitous, and may not apply to you and your friends, but it IS a part of the culture. I don't live in some sort of white's only castle land. I have met black people who are all into malt liquor and bling. The most popular rap groups are singing about grillz and gin and juice and blahblahblah.

It is just a part of popular culture. That doesn't make it universal or right, but it is part of pop-culture.

Res ipsa loquitur.
memor mori, mahalo.

chevy boy1987's picture

Hey the third grade is down the hall and around the corner.

What post did I copy? I believe it was a response to your post.

Popping up with stereotypes now arent we? "redneck board with that trash" I reckon that this allows me to be a little stereotypical. You are just like the loud mouth black woman in the movies.

Go complain to the NAACP not me.

And the truck blog is every bit progressive. Like I said before it is your own closed mind that you didn't take somthing from that. It was full of facts even though it was about a truck. At least it is not some whiney, im an innocent black person blog.

www.chevy.com

"What post did I copy? I believe it was a response to your post"
If it was a response to my post, you would have hit the reply button to my post.

"Popping up with stereotypes now arent we? "redneck board with that trash" You called yourself a redneck, I didn't have to assist

"You are just like the loud mouth black woman in the movies." Thank you, thank you thank you, thank you!

"And the truck blog is every bit progressive. Like I said before it is your own closed mind that you didn't take somthing from that. It was full of facts even though it was about a truck. At least it is not some whiney, im an innocent black person blog. " Ha ha ha ha ha, I dont care about what anyone thinks about me. Good for you that you are making an ass of yourself by saying that I was making an innocent black person blog.

You are a copycat. We have one like you on here, dont really need another.

P.S. he's alot better at it than you. Let the professionals do their job little boy.

chevy boy1987's picture

Grow up. You are stupid and ignorant and no one really cares whether you exist or not.

www.chevy.com

chevy boy1987's picture

By the way I just wrote another "stupid" and "unprogressive" blog for ya. Betcha you'll find yourself giving me a few views. haha

www.chevy.com

hmmmmmmmmmmm

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0130072clemson4.html

hmmmmmmmmmmm

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0130072clemson3.html

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0130072clemson2.html

oh yeah and....

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0130072clemson1.html

yeah, you were right, not prejudice or racist at all.

chevy boy1987's picture

I actually find that quite funny...if you would lighten up you would find humor in it.

I can find racism in as much things as you can. Stop the over kill on it...its numbing everyones sense of pity for you.

www.chevy.com

I dont find that white boy in black face funny. And your alter-ego (yeah, I know), made a comment about me being a typical black girl with a big ass. Well lo and behold! A white girl with a big ass! She stuffed her butt with something. She wanst making fun of white girls.

chevy boy1987's picture

I've seen plenty of white girls with big asses...so be it. What makes you think she wasn't making fun of a fat ass white girl? You just assumed it was about blacks because the world revolves around Africa.

www.chevy.com

If the world revolved around Africa there would be AIDS or starvation there,

chevy boy1987's picture

I think you meant wouldn't.

But ok all jokes and comments aside I seriously want to talk to you about the whole racism thing. I understand you claiming racism against the KKK or any other white suprimist (sp) organization. But the college kid thing you have to honestly think about it. They are college partiers...they are not the brightest bunch of kids and most of them were drunk and/or high. I mean unlike the KKK no one was really hurt.

So seriously try not to complain about every little thing but more of serious organizations against blacks. Believe it or not I would like to have equality on the earth because the more "better working people" means a better economy and a better work force. It would also help drive everyone themselves to do better to stay above the workforce medium.

But pointing out every little racial thing is not helping out with this thing. It is like how I am. If you show me that somthing is going to bug you then I am constantly going to do it. Like you and this whole racial thing. But if you show to someone that it doesn't bug you it won't be much longer until they finally stop it.

www.chevy.com

chevy boy1987's picture

Do you always make everything about you? I have noticed that in many post. Is your boy not giving you enough attention or what? or do you not have a boy?

I hope you realize that the world does not revolve around you.

www.chevy.com

When did I say the world revolved around me. And yes I have a husband, not a boy. You mad becuase you still stay at home with mommy?

chevy boy1987's picture

Yea its called I work on my family farm...no its not picking cotton but corn...

www.chevy.com

Gbrown888's picture

You are talking about racism and you have made numerous racist comments ON ANY STANDARD!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think your views are very confused and poluted it could be where u live, how you live and what you believe. . .

chevy boy1987's picture

You truley did not follow the whole argument. It was spread amongst several different blogs.

That was more of an example than an actual racist remark. I just wanted to prove my point that by calling all white people racist is just as bad as white people being racist. Both will not help bring all races together as a whole.

www.chevy.com

fanaile essence's picture
Managing Director of Progressive U

There are a lot of posts about racism running around lately. It actually had me searching for news of something that might have happened - another Rodney King Fiasco or something. It's kind of sad, we should be focusing on how to get rid of racism rather than continually draw more attention to one side of it.

---------------------------
"Dream as though you'll live forever, but live as though there's no tomorrow" --James Dean

http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/fanaile-essence

chevy boy1987's picture

Yea most of the stories they are talking about I could not find on the internet.

I agree with ya that it is not helping the situation by bringing bad attention to it.

www.chevy.com

Dr Gonzo's picture
Member of the Progressive U Alumni Association

You are confusing being a racist with people thinking you are a racist. Blanket opinions and generalizations based on racial identity are racist. If that make you a racist then so be it. Accept it. Don't kick and scream because you are being unfairly marginalized as a racist for saying racist things. This whole victimization by society thing is getting to be old hat, old chap. IF you say racist things you will be labeled a racist.

True, opinions like, "Black people don't have souls," were not considered racist, or even discriminatory back in the day, but that doesn't make them any less racist. Once again, the confusion of being labled a racist and being a racist. MAybe your views are in line with public opinion, and maybe they aren't, that doesn't determine whether it is racist, only if it is accepted.

I do hope you have a good time blogging in our little community though, take it easy.

Res ipsa loquitur.
memor mori, mahalo.

chevy boy1987's picture

Get your panties out of a bunch...If not we're not going to get along Chap...

www.chevy.com

Dr Gonzo's picture
Member of the Progressive U Alumni Association

Sorry, I can be a good kid! I swear... *muttering* I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. My bad, that was a little more personal attack-ish than I meant it to be.

And for the record, I prefer commando.

Res ipsa loquitur.
memor mori, mahalo.

chevy boy1987's picture

Ok comando...

www.chevy.com

FahimaFreedom's picture

Being voted in to be class president but having the administration take it away from you saying it is not appropriate ( considering who you are as the president is to be a reflection of greater student body)
Trying to hand in an assignment but the teacher won't take it because of a slight curve in the paper while the OTHER gurl next to you has the paper folded in three places
Being with a someone and having the relationship broken up because his parents don't like your kind
Racism is being followed around a jewelry or clothing store because people think that as a black person you will steal something
Racism is walking from a party rather late and seeing people RUN away from you as if they are afraid you will do something
Racism is getting on the train and having the policeman's eyes follow your every moment while his hand is poised near his gun
Racism is being arrested and having the cops call you nigger and boy and strip search you even when its not called for
Racism is the debasement of a soul
Does anyone seriously believe we don't have racism today?
Fahima ( she who understands( in Swahili))

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.