(Looks at posts by Shodan, magellan01, and chicagowhitesox1173, then glances admiringly at Little Nemo)
Damn son, this thread’s like a tar bab–um, better put it another way–a roach motel for defensive racists. Well done.
Seriously. chicagowhitesox1173 is perfectly depicting the “do you assume everyone secretly thinks the way you do about race?” example. Because no, we don’t, and thank God for that.
I understand in the Anthony Cumia situation maaaaybe some people are just such fans of the show that they’re twisting themselves into pretzels trying to explain away the inexplicable and only make themselves sound either woefully naïve or blatantly ignorant (shades of what got Broomstick in trouble at the beginning of the MZB kerfuffle). But even if one previously thought Anthony was just putting on some kind of character on his show, those string of vile tweets have got to be a wake-up call. No, he’s not just exaggerating for humorous effect. That repulsive shit he wrote was toxic sludge that he spewed in public thinking himself playing to an avid crowd of fans.
The same with Gary Oldman. No, Gar, everyone doesn’t secretly think “heh, yeah, those Hollywood-running Jews, they really know their money!” That’s one of those lines where the defense is usually, “But–but it can’t be a bad thing to say if it’s a compliment, and besides it’s true or at least it was, 100 years ago!” (Hmm, that shtick might need to go on the list too.)
It really is depressing how often this crops up on the SDMB. People joke about Rape Month, but sadly–like the old joke about “How come there’s Mother’s Day and Father’s Day but no Children’s Day?”–every month is Racist Month.
You people have never been to the Southside of Chicago so you probably have no idea what I’m talking about. I’m not talking about Beverly Hills vs Compton here.
I think racist thoughts against my will. Sometimes a white person will say something really stupid within earshot, and I will reflexively think, “Dammit to hell! Why do white people have to be so ignorant!”
But you know what? I don’t excuse myself when I slip up like this. I don’t comfort myself with a convenient, “Eh, everybody does it.” I step back and force myself to consider the more likely alternative: That I’m dealing with one specific individual who is ignorant. Not an entire race.
If I catch myself being a racist, I tell myself to stop being so fucking ignorant. Now I’ll concede that it’s quite possible that “everyone is a little racist”. I don’t know if everyone is or not, but anything is possible. But not everyone just shrugs their shoulders and accepts this about themselves. Not everyone allows themselves to be a victim of their own stupidity.
hey Marley, again I’m only stating the truth when I say most white fathers and even black fathers would raise an eyebrow if their daughters bought home someone of the opposite race. You are one one of the few who wouldn’t mind. congratulations to you.
Yep, the money quote: “That’s why I don’t think Sterling is getting a fair shake. I mean, I know what he said was wrong but I think he’s racist like how maybe I would be racist.”
It’s a perfect illustration of the point in the OP. If you are convinced that you’re just telling it like it is and that everyone else has the same thoughts, you never have to look too hard at your own.
That “most” other people share your discomfort with the idea of interracial marriage.
That if a prejudice is shared by “most” people, that somehow makes it not racist.
A position or prejudice doesn’t have to be extreme or outrageous to count as racism. Not so long ago, most views on race held by most white Americans, for example, were racist. They weren’t non-racist just because they were shared by a lot of people.
ETA: Oh, and by the way, if said fathers would raise more eyebrows about an interracial relationship involving their daughters than one involving their sons, said fathers have scored a racism AND sexism twofer.
There’s a big difference between being a little racist and being okay with being a little racist. We all have faults but we should acknowledge they are faults and work on fixing them.
My OP isn’t just to mock the people who defend racism (although that is a big part of it). I’m also hoping a few people might see something there and realize it does apply to them and rethink their views.
Well done.