Here, for your discussion, is a particularly egregious example of claims of racism against someone who had zero intent. The word he used wasn’t the least bit racist, it merely sounded like a racist term. Obviously this should be dealt with differently than someone who used the actual term. And it’s an example of how hilariously wrong some people can be about perceiving racism that isn’t there.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/williams/williams020499.htm
Some overreaction led to decent discussion and a reasonable outcome. Hell, even the guy who was fired (and then rehired) said he learned something positive. High fives all around!
And it was. It was rectified, quickly, and the story is *only *used now by people trying to make some sort of bullshit point about “PC run amuck.”
So what’s your point? That sometimes people are too easily offended? No shit. That sometimes people fly off the handle for arguably silly reasons? No shit. That some people, after experiencing the results of hundreds of years of racism and racial discrimination, have a hair-trigger about it? No. Shit.
It’s kind of sad that you are dismissive of the original outcome, which was for someone to be fired over it. It took a month of “discussion” for him to get his job back. But yeah, in the long run, it worked out. It’s an example of how sometimes white people are right and blacks are dead wrong and accusations of racism are bullshit and discussion, not hasty, cowardly action, is required.
Welcome to the thread, andros. Glad you’ve come here to set us all straight.
When do you expect this discussion could have transpired in this case though? The T-Shirts were already out on the seats for the game that night. When and how are you envisioning this discussion taking place? A decision was made in the time they had to make it and they decided to go with discretion rather than simply telling their star player that he’s wrong about thinking this could be considered racially insensitive. You keep hammering on discussion, but can you let us know how you see that happening in this particular case, in the time they had? And who would be involved in this discussion in your mind?
I was referring to a discussion with iiandi on this thread about a specific issue, not the t-shirts. Read the thread please.
Yes I’ve read the entire thread. Thanks for the condescension though, much appreciated.
This thread is about the T-Shirt incident though. If your repeated refrain about discussion being the way to handle these things, and not taking immediate action, is not relevant to the thread topic and the incident being discussed, then why do you keep bringing it up? It would seem that my question is more on topic than your recent replies then maybe?
If you don’t want to address my question, that’s fine, but pretending its about me not reading the thread is, well, disappointing I guess is the word I’ll go with.
How was I dismissive? It was an overreaction that was later corrected. You know who was dead right in that case? Julian Bond, from the NAACP. Discussion fixed this situation, and it was discussion largely led by black folks. The overreaction was definitely hasty, but unless you think the Mayor was lying (and maybe he was), it wasn’t cowardly – he may have misunderstood the meaning and origin of the word “niggardly” (as so many at the time seemed to, which lead to the kerfuffle in the first place).
What’s the point of trying to find an example of a white person who happened to be right, or a black person who happened to be wrong, about anti-black racism? It doesn’t contradict anything I’ve said, and just comes off as defensive (and a “defense of defensiveness”, so to speak) to me. It sounds like the “accusations of racism are as bad as racism” thing, which is bullshit.
Good thing the ignorant language police solved that cosmic injustice.
This guy?
(my bold)
Do you think **russian heel **agrees with my two statements - 1.) Thinking the Chinese Year of the Monkey is racist is ludicrous. 2.) Thinking the Chinese New Year or the monkey symbols associated with it has anything whatsoever to do with Black History Month is ludicrous.
I don’t think I can read your mind - but based on your posts I think I can make a guess as to what your position is regarding specific items. Like this one. You could correct my assumption if you’d like. Do you agree, disagree, or express no opinion, or something else? No need to be coy with questions, make a statement, like I did. I think you disagree with my assertions #1 and #2 above. Am I right?
Thanks. Sometimes it makes the point more efficiently.
Is there a point where common sense comes in when looking for or finding offense? Or is it just a snap decision? Yup, I’m offended, get rid of it? Does DeMarcus Cousins have any place to reflect and think that a multimillion dollar corporation with an extremely large following by the African American community would not try to intentionally provoke it’s fanbase? Or does DeMarcus Cousins just point, shout racist and demand their immediate disposal while wearing his Givenchy sweatshirt
Did the conversation already maybe happen internally with the Kings? The team’s marketers… of various genders and ethnicities… took a look and said, “Yeah it’s a monkey, but its clearly aimed at the Chinese New Year’s Year of the Monkey. Anyone looking to be offended by this is really looking to be offended.” Here comes DeMarcus Cousins. The marketers roll their eyes, say “Oh for fuck’s sake.” and get rid of the t-shirts.
Yeah, ain’t you just a fucking peach.
Your “point” about the “niggardly” kerfuffle is stupid. Own it.
I don’t know; I can’t read minds any more than you can. But it’s clear from what he’s said–and what you quoted–that he never claimed that “the Chinese Year of the Monkey is racist,” nor that Chinese New Year has anything to do with BHM except the timing.
.
I found your post to me very condescending too.
I know. But my comments were not specifically about it.
Because I can. If you think it’s a hijack, complain to a mod.
You’re right, it would be more relevant. Doesn’t make your comments appropriate.
It’s about you not reading the thread. I’m sorry you’re disappointed.
My point is fine. If you don’t get the point, I’ll explain it to you if you want. Or not.
Yes, but in similar cases it may not be corrected. That’s the point - it wasn’t just an overreaction, it was absolutely absurd, and the fact that it happened in the first place is disturbing enough, even if someone eventually fixed it.
I think the mayor heard “racism” and fired someone. He didn’t care what the word meant. It was cowardly.
It does contradict things you’ve said though. If not, I withdraw that claim.
FALSE accusations of racism are as bad as racism, you mean? Yeah, that’s actually true.
I don’t give a shit if I sound defensive. Accusations of racism (true or false) are also defensive.
Use reason and weaken the main tool in identity warfare politics? Plus reason, common sense, and logic are constructs of the white male patriarchy’s system of oppression.
I asked a simple question about what you have been arguing in this thread. I’m not sure why you felt condescended to by that? However two wrongs don’t make a right. I didn’t accuse you of anything as you did me.
Excuse me for asking a question about your arguments that was relevant to the thread topic. What a horrible offense, that.
I know you can, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a dick when someone asks you a question relevant to your posts and the thread topic.
Inappropriate? What the hell was inappropriate about my question? Wow, in a thread related to jumping to unnecessary offense, no less. I would love to see your explanation of how my question was not appropriate. Please elaborate on this idea.
I’ve read every post in this thread, I’ve been following it the entire time. Again, you don’t have to be a dick because you don’t want to answer a simple question. Just say that you don’t have an answer, or prefer not to say. You are the one being inappropriate here. I’m disappointed because I thought you wanted to have a real discussion here, and clearly you do not.
My apologies - I mixed you up with andros. The “A” name threw me. Sorry for any offense.
Back to square one.
Our conversation had diverged. My comments didn’t necessarily reflect on the OP.