Racism that matters and the sometimes absurd claims of cultural appropriation
Recently racist remarks have been made by Donald Sterling, Cliven Bundy, and in addition certain actions taken by Christina Fallin have sparked outrage within Oklahoma and throughout other areas of the country. While all these people have been the cause of indignation by many in the public arena, the real damage that racism and inequality pose has been lost in the mix.
These occurrences involved words and actions that, although hateful, had no effect on others’ freedoms. The racism that should worry us, but instead gets overshadowed by stories like these, is that of institutional racism. What should trouble our nation is the disparity in race in the penal system, education, healthcare, and the workplace. Instead, society is quick to condemn those such as Sterling, where the statements are so obviously inflammatory, and lackadaisical in doing much about things that have real effects. Words hurt, but denial of opportunity hurts much more.
There is a trend in this country, as seen in the response to Christina Fallin, which has resulted in an increased sensitivity toward any depiction or description of minority groups. The phrase “cultural appropriation” flies across Twitter and Facebook and most condemn it because they think it is the politically correct thing to do, not because they have any stake in the matter.
This is not the way to overcome racism in this country. The goal should be to view everyone as the same. Sure, anyone is afforded the prerogative to be offended or feel as they wish about an issue. However, when certain groups feel they have more of a right to be offended than others, it divides us. When we are constantly tiptoeing around in fear that someone might be offended, this serves to exacerbate the distinctions between races.
Recall what President Obama said, “There is not a Black America and a White America and Latino America and Asian America—there's the United States of America.” You either believe those words or you don’t. You either believe that certain groups deserve special treatment or you don’t. Protest if you like, but while you are so concerned about getting your feelings hurt, minorities are getting arrested disproportionately, fewer opportunities are being afforded to women, and homosexuals are denied the right to marry. That is inequality that means something, that significantly affects the lives of others...
http://www.reddirtreport.com/prairie-opinions/keeping-it-perspective-racism-matters-and-sometimes-absurd-claims-cultural
= new reply since forum marked as read
But first, a picture:
Now, I could be wrong, but I'm thinking that Mr. Woodward is looking a bit white, wouldn't you say? So of course this gives him the gravitas to tell the rest of us that we're too busy being offended by racism and cultural appropriation. Am I right?
And here's his little blurb:
Mr. Woodward, you may think you're not subscribing to any certain ideology, but you are. You most certainly are. So, POC, women, anyone who isn't a white man: stop worrying about piddly things like Donald Sterling and save your outrage for the big stuff. View everyone the same and it will all work out.
Ya got that??
Would you still take offense to that? Because there are a fair number of PoC out there who would agree with this fella.
And btw:
Mr. Woodward, you may think you're not subscribing to any certain ideology, but you are. You most certainly are. So, POC, women, anyone who isn't a white man: stop worrying about piddly things like Donald Sterling and save your outrage for the big stuff. View everyone the same and it will all work out.
Ya got that??
Your snark is duly noted.
Whatever slight imperfections may exist are quite easily dwarfed by the substantial number of great points he makes; not only is he willing to continue to talk about the reality of institutional racism, but he's also not afraid to criticize those who take things too far. All in all, I do wish more people like him would stand up, regardless of their ethnicity.
This is going to go well.
