So wait, we are having a reasonable discussion about racism because benson got us all thinking about beautiful women (and/or drag queens) in summer dresses and hats?
kens, snappy’s point is definitional. We’ve all (society-wide, I think) gotten used to using the word racism loosely to include all racial bigotry. Snappy’s point is it is a powerful word and people are too quick to own it.
Ok- so far we’ve discussed racism/bigotry, techniques for anger management, driving in NYC, why cats and babies are cute and the color of shit. And snappy has hugged the uber conservatives. What does this tell us? (I have no idea. I have a migraine).
A few years ago on a Sunday afternoon I went to use the ATM at the Chase Bank on the corner of 5th Ave and 9th Street. As I finished and began putting the withdrawn $$$ in my pocket, a man came at me in an aggressive manner, making it clear to me that he was about to try and jack me. My first instinct was to whoop his ass. I immediately reached down to take off my shoe so I could beat him like a red-headed step-child. He must have thought I had some kind of weapon or something because he hauled ass outta there like he was on fire. What I did was stupid as all hell. He could have had some type of weapon himself and hurt or killed me. But, at the end of the day I can’t help but be glad that I did what I did. Otherwise I’d have been out $100.
oh God, lechecal, it is the police who should be teaching driving/traffic lessons through ticketing. The minute we start thinking we have to discipline all the crazies on the road is the day we join them.
Snappy, I agree there is a large difference between being prejudiced and being racist. And power does have a lot to do with it. I also think anyone, of any race or group, can be both. But I have to quibble over your example of Rob. Not for him personally, but for the idea that someone with no power cannot be racist. Power comes in many forms. Historically, just being the dominant group, in this country, white, is power enough, leading to things like Jim Crow laws, anti-misengination laws, etc. This enabled even the most powerless whites, like white sharecroppers and dirt farmers, to see themselves, and act, as if they were “better” than the black sharecroppers in much the same position. Yet these people often committed heinous and racist acts, just because they could, just because they felt that a black person had gotten too high for their station, and uppity. Prejudice just isn’t strong enough a word, in that case.
I think anyone is capable of being racist, which is why I don’t like terms like “reverse racism”. Racism is racism. I do agree that it is used way too often in casual conversation.
enfer, not infer
So wait, we are having a reasonable discussion about racism because benson got us all thinking about beautiful women (and/or drag queens) in summer dresses and hats?
kens, snappy’s point is definitional. We’ve all (society-wide, I think) gotten used to using the word racism loosely to include all racial bigotry. Snappy’s point is it is a powerful word and people are too quick to own it.
Ok- so far we’ve discussed racism/bigotry, techniques for anger management, driving in NYC, why cats and babies are cute and the color of shit. And snappy has hugged the uber conservatives. What does this tell us? (I have no idea. I have a migraine).
True story…
A few years ago on a Sunday afternoon I went to use the ATM at the Chase Bank on the corner of 5th Ave and 9th Street. As I finished and began putting the withdrawn $$$ in my pocket, a man came at me in an aggressive manner, making it clear to me that he was about to try and jack me. My first instinct was to whoop his ass. I immediately reached down to take off my shoe so I could beat him like a red-headed step-child. He must have thought I had some kind of weapon or something because he hauled ass outta there like he was on fire. What I did was stupid as all hell. He could have had some type of weapon himself and hurt or killed me. But, at the end of the day I can’t help but be glad that I did what I did. Otherwise I’d have been out $100.
oh God, lechecal, it is the police who should be teaching driving/traffic lessons through ticketing. The minute we start thinking we have to discipline all the crazies on the road is the day we join them.
Snappy, I agree there is a large difference between being prejudiced and being racist. And power does have a lot to do with it. I also think anyone, of any race or group, can be both. But I have to quibble over your example of Rob. Not for him personally, but for the idea that someone with no power cannot be racist. Power comes in many forms. Historically, just being the dominant group, in this country, white, is power enough, leading to things like Jim Crow laws, anti-misengination laws, etc. This enabled even the most powerless whites, like white sharecroppers and dirt farmers, to see themselves, and act, as if they were “better” than the black sharecroppers in much the same position. Yet these people often committed heinous and racist acts, just because they could, just because they felt that a black person had gotten too high for their station, and uppity. Prejudice just isn’t strong enough a word, in that case.
I think anyone is capable of being racist, which is why I don’t like terms like “reverse racism”. Racism is racism. I do agree that it is used way too often in casual conversation.
I love how I stop using anything even close to proper spelling and coherent sentence structure when I get my dander up.
By Arkady on May 3, 2010 11:46 AM
Charlie Brown – “I like humanity, it’s people I can’t stand.”
Arkady,
lol, I didn’t know Charlie Brown was an existentialist.
remember my quote from last week?
“L’infer c’est les autres”
“Hell is other people”
Jean Paul Sartre
Pete, thanks for the “cut-in prevention” tip. That sounds like it would probably work well.