Time and time again it is pointed out what racism does to the target of that bigotry. I will scream with my loudest voice until the day that I die for the pain that dark-complexioned women endure. How can you degrade your own race with attitudes such as this - and yet we do.
There is no unity within the Blacks of America and it deeply angers me. My feelings are... if you have such low self-esteem for yourself, how can you ever expect another person... another race, to have a favorable view toward you and your race.
I am Black. I have never wanted to be anything but what I am - Black! I thank God for my great grandmother, born a slave, but every bit the true model of what Black women are - strong, patience, loving, and ooh so beautiful on the inside as well as the outside! I was blessed to have a grandmother who taught me the value of self-esteem at an early age and I teach these truths to my daughters and granddaughters.
To my beautiful dark-complexioned Black sisters - harmed by the prejudices placed at your feet because of the deep, rich colour of your skin - I love you!
Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.
Clips from Bradinn French's upcoming documentary exploring the deep-seated biases and attitudes about skin color---particularly dark skinned women, outside of and within the Black American culture.
In a democracy, silence is not golden; it is condonance in the face of injustices; it is fear, where the thought of reprisal fosters control – Rodney A. Davis
Showing posts with label bigotry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bigotry. Show all posts
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Rush Limbaugh, Voice of the Republican Party?
Rush Limbaugh, voice of the Republican Party, propagandist for the ultra-conservative right, has exercised the most profound influence to date in America among Republicans. After starting his broadcast career in sports for a radio station in San Diego, Rush Limbaugh soon out grew San Diego and moved his ‘show’ to New York. In conjunction with Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh transformed the 1994 Congress into a plurality for the Republicans. Rush became a beacon of light to the faithful; his word is the 'gospel' to a thirsty working class Republican constituency. It would be an understatement for this writer to degrade his ability to obtain and hold the attention of his followers.
But, that is where the accolades end and the other side of Rush Limbaugh begins. Since I am not a Republican, I don’t see in Rush Limbaugh those things that make him a conversation piece for those who are endeared to him. Is he a role model, in my opinion – no?! Does he respect the rights of others to have an opinion other than the one he advocates – no?!
Here is what I do see when I look at Rush Limbaugh. I see a man that thrives on sensationalism and controversy to promote himself, even if it is to his undoing. He has been known to use drugs. His has been recorded on tape sprouting racial remarks that would have gotten other people thrown off of the air. He is quick to reveal the fault in others (particularly Blacks), but he finds little fault with himself. He puts spin on any subject with the intent of proving his point through exaggerations that I am sorry to say are actually believed by his listeners. Give him a moment and he can connect the most farfetched dots into a theory laced with lies, bigotry, and racism. Here is one example of a gross falsification…
Rush Limbaugh is a man that is addicted to OxyContin, has used others to aid him in getting the drug, has gone into rehab to clear his body of his addiction on at least three occasions, and the American people, composed of the far right, consider his every word to be the truth. Let me say that again in less confusing terms… Rush Limbaugh is a confessed drug abuser and the American far right believes his every word to be the ‘gospel truth’. But wait! There is more! Rush Limbaugh has ridiculed others for their use of drugs – labeling drug abusers as the scum of the Earth. He has stated that drug dealers and users should be incarcerated without leniency no matter what the circumstances. And yet, he is the hero of the Conservative Right! And… his celebrity status can be viewed as the reason why he didn’t go to jail for his drug abuse - of course; he hired a good lawyer too.
How can we fit our minds around the fact that Rush Limbaugh is invited onto the FoxNews Show with the likes of Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, and others with the FoxNews network as a worthy Republican pundit? He has even been interviewed by Katie Couric! He is reveled so greatly that most recently Congressman Phil Gingery (R) SC, after making disparaging remarks about Rush Limbaugh, actually called Rush and apologized on the air for what I consider a truthful statement. Here is the video…
Wake up America! If this is the way that you want to be identified, if you listen to the bigotry that is broadcasted daily on the Rush Limbaugh Show, you truly are out of focus on the real issues that confront America today?
In a democracy, silence is not golden; it is condonance in the face of injustices; it is fear, where the thought of reprisal fosters control - Rodney A. Davis
But, that is where the accolades end and the other side of Rush Limbaugh begins. Since I am not a Republican, I don’t see in Rush Limbaugh those things that make him a conversation piece for those who are endeared to him. Is he a role model, in my opinion – no?! Does he respect the rights of others to have an opinion other than the one he advocates – no?!
Here is what I do see when I look at Rush Limbaugh. I see a man that thrives on sensationalism and controversy to promote himself, even if it is to his undoing. He has been known to use drugs. His has been recorded on tape sprouting racial remarks that would have gotten other people thrown off of the air. He is quick to reveal the fault in others (particularly Blacks), but he finds little fault with himself. He puts spin on any subject with the intent of proving his point through exaggerations that I am sorry to say are actually believed by his listeners. Give him a moment and he can connect the most farfetched dots into a theory laced with lies, bigotry, and racism. Here is one example of a gross falsification…
Rush Limbaugh is a man that is addicted to OxyContin, has used others to aid him in getting the drug, has gone into rehab to clear his body of his addiction on at least three occasions, and the American people, composed of the far right, consider his every word to be the truth. Let me say that again in less confusing terms… Rush Limbaugh is a confessed drug abuser and the American far right believes his every word to be the ‘gospel truth’. But wait! There is more! Rush Limbaugh has ridiculed others for their use of drugs – labeling drug abusers as the scum of the Earth. He has stated that drug dealers and users should be incarcerated without leniency no matter what the circumstances. And yet, he is the hero of the Conservative Right! And… his celebrity status can be viewed as the reason why he didn’t go to jail for his drug abuse - of course; he hired a good lawyer too.
How can we fit our minds around the fact that Rush Limbaugh is invited onto the FoxNews Show with the likes of Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, and others with the FoxNews network as a worthy Republican pundit? He has even been interviewed by Katie Couric! He is reveled so greatly that most recently Congressman Phil Gingery (R) SC, after making disparaging remarks about Rush Limbaugh, actually called Rush and apologized on the air for what I consider a truthful statement. Here is the video…
Wake up America! If this is the way that you want to be identified, if you listen to the bigotry that is broadcasted daily on the Rush Limbaugh Show, you truly are out of focus on the real issues that confront America today?
In a democracy, silence is not golden; it is condonance in the face of injustices; it is fear, where the thought of reprisal fosters control - Rodney A. Davis
Monday, October 13, 2008
Making Race a Factor
I am totally upset at the methods being employed by the Republican Party to garner a win in this General Election. I am going to attempt to convey my thoughts without inciting a riot, a point that I believe is being represented in the latest antics from the McCain campaign.
I frequently ask those tending to demonstrate racial bigotry by their actions this question… why do you have to resort to that mentality to convey your thoughts? The racial bigotry in America is based entirely on fear and hate! I can even venture to say that racial bigotry from Whites is fear driven while racial bigotry from Blacks is hate driven. Why do we do it? Is it necessary? How can we get around it? These are questions that I have asked myself for all of my life; from the time that I realized that others were upset that I was different from them, and at sixty-four years of age I still don’t have the answers. I know that I want it to stop in my lifetime. I hope that I am not alone.
Humans can be so nasty when it comes to respecting the feeling of others. Inflicting pain on someone that you fear or hate is the first line of attack, not defense. Usually this type of pain is introduced by the use of derogatory words. I refuse to use any of them here, but I can convey my thoughts by asking you one question. I want you to grab a pencil and a sheet of paper and take a test – be honest, don’t cheat! You must write, in five minutes, all of the racial words and slurs that you can recall. It does not matter whether you habitually used these words, or not! What matters is whether you have ever heard, or been in a situation where you were exposed to these words. The more derogatory words that you can write, the more exposure you have had to these words. Be honest!
What I have found out about this test is that Whites are capable of writing down more derogatory words than any of the other racial groups. More derogatory words can be traced to origins within the White race. I then asked myself why?
Until most recently, generationally speaking, all of the actors in the movies and on television were White. The hero wore a White hat. The maiden in distress was White. Curly, Larry and Moe were – you guessed it, White! If Blacks appeared in any movie, or television they were depicted as ‘Ya sir boss’ folks with little, or no mental faculties. They did dumb stuff and their eyes bugged out when something startled them, or they said silly things like ‘feet don’t fail me now’! These were depictions of Blacks in the worst light. Who made the movies and television programs – yeah… the same guys!
All of the advertisements in newspapers and in magazines were made by Whites for whites with little regard for the perceptions that would be drawn from these depictions by the viewers of this product. The people used in these advertisements were tall, pleasing to look at, and seem to not have a care in the world. Psychologically, America built on its history of having never before treated others with respect. Even within the Caucasian race there were instances of racial bigotry – the Italians took the weight in those instances. We know what happened to the Japanese to end World War II. Why didn’t we ‘nuke’ Germany?
It would only seem natural that since Blacks were never respected – slaves, and what have you, the only conclusion one can draw from any association with Blacks was that they are shiftless, no-good, dumb guys that have no redeeming values, hence the promulgation of derogatory words was made justifiable. When you consider that Blacks are responsible for the following: air conditioning, the traffic light, blood transfusions, rotary engine, cotton gin, and more; how is it possible for anyone to have less than a total admiration for Blacks? The answer is simple, White America has never read about the accomplishments of Blacks and they never will if those in a position to facilitate the enlightenment of America refuse to give credence to Black inventors - Black people!
Is Senator McCain a personification of racial bigotry in America? I hope not, but he has habitually made racial comments in every venue that presented an opportunity for him to do so with impunity. He has admitted his propensity to degrade all peoples; he has even degraded his wife, let alone other women and people with different ideas about sexuality. The contradiction is noticed in his willingness to embrace those that kept him in captivity for the better part of six years, in fact; he has defended and spoke fondly of his captors. Yet, he has been known to call Asians ‘gooks’. It brings to immediate attention a person that is at odds with himself regarding his respect for others. Are we looking at a person that is a clinical example of multiple personality disorder?
McCain has said that he would go to any length to defeat his opponent in the political arena. Does that mean that it is alright to put forth lies that only misinform, as well as, incite the behavior of his followers to shout words that bring terror to most Blacks, words that conjure memories of a period in American history that is indeed most shameful and extremely painful to recall. It is unconscionable that Senator McCain or anyone else should freely and without forethought create and promote this type of atmosphere in America today.
If America is ever going to survive the real issues that face ‘us’ we cannot allow this type of behavior to permeate the election of a candidate to the highest office of the land. We cannot allow the leader of the most powerful government in the free world to be represented in the person of John Sidney McCain. Would you want a person that has disgraced, through verbal indiscretions, a significant majority of the populace of the United States – of the free world?
Of course there will be those that see nothing wrong with this type of behavior, and to these people, I direct this opinion in hopes that you will look deeply into the mirror and reassess your values of humanity – please do this?
I frequently ask those tending to demonstrate racial bigotry by their actions this question… why do you have to resort to that mentality to convey your thoughts? The racial bigotry in America is based entirely on fear and hate! I can even venture to say that racial bigotry from Whites is fear driven while racial bigotry from Blacks is hate driven. Why do we do it? Is it necessary? How can we get around it? These are questions that I have asked myself for all of my life; from the time that I realized that others were upset that I was different from them, and at sixty-four years of age I still don’t have the answers. I know that I want it to stop in my lifetime. I hope that I am not alone.
Humans can be so nasty when it comes to respecting the feeling of others. Inflicting pain on someone that you fear or hate is the first line of attack, not defense. Usually this type of pain is introduced by the use of derogatory words. I refuse to use any of them here, but I can convey my thoughts by asking you one question. I want you to grab a pencil and a sheet of paper and take a test – be honest, don’t cheat! You must write, in five minutes, all of the racial words and slurs that you can recall. It does not matter whether you habitually used these words, or not! What matters is whether you have ever heard, or been in a situation where you were exposed to these words. The more derogatory words that you can write, the more exposure you have had to these words. Be honest!
What I have found out about this test is that Whites are capable of writing down more derogatory words than any of the other racial groups. More derogatory words can be traced to origins within the White race. I then asked myself why?
Until most recently, generationally speaking, all of the actors in the movies and on television were White. The hero wore a White hat. The maiden in distress was White. Curly, Larry and Moe were – you guessed it, White! If Blacks appeared in any movie, or television they were depicted as ‘Ya sir boss’ folks with little, or no mental faculties. They did dumb stuff and their eyes bugged out when something startled them, or they said silly things like ‘feet don’t fail me now’! These were depictions of Blacks in the worst light. Who made the movies and television programs – yeah… the same guys!
All of the advertisements in newspapers and in magazines were made by Whites for whites with little regard for the perceptions that would be drawn from these depictions by the viewers of this product. The people used in these advertisements were tall, pleasing to look at, and seem to not have a care in the world. Psychologically, America built on its history of having never before treated others with respect. Even within the Caucasian race there were instances of racial bigotry – the Italians took the weight in those instances. We know what happened to the Japanese to end World War II. Why didn’t we ‘nuke’ Germany?
It would only seem natural that since Blacks were never respected – slaves, and what have you, the only conclusion one can draw from any association with Blacks was that they are shiftless, no-good, dumb guys that have no redeeming values, hence the promulgation of derogatory words was made justifiable. When you consider that Blacks are responsible for the following: air conditioning, the traffic light, blood transfusions, rotary engine, cotton gin, and more; how is it possible for anyone to have less than a total admiration for Blacks? The answer is simple, White America has never read about the accomplishments of Blacks and they never will if those in a position to facilitate the enlightenment of America refuse to give credence to Black inventors - Black people!
Is Senator McCain a personification of racial bigotry in America? I hope not, but he has habitually made racial comments in every venue that presented an opportunity for him to do so with impunity. He has admitted his propensity to degrade all peoples; he has even degraded his wife, let alone other women and people with different ideas about sexuality. The contradiction is noticed in his willingness to embrace those that kept him in captivity for the better part of six years, in fact; he has defended and spoke fondly of his captors. Yet, he has been known to call Asians ‘gooks’. It brings to immediate attention a person that is at odds with himself regarding his respect for others. Are we looking at a person that is a clinical example of multiple personality disorder?
McCain has said that he would go to any length to defeat his opponent in the political arena. Does that mean that it is alright to put forth lies that only misinform, as well as, incite the behavior of his followers to shout words that bring terror to most Blacks, words that conjure memories of a period in American history that is indeed most shameful and extremely painful to recall. It is unconscionable that Senator McCain or anyone else should freely and without forethought create and promote this type of atmosphere in America today.
If America is ever going to survive the real issues that face ‘us’ we cannot allow this type of behavior to permeate the election of a candidate to the highest office of the land. We cannot allow the leader of the most powerful government in the free world to be represented in the person of John Sidney McCain. Would you want a person that has disgraced, through verbal indiscretions, a significant majority of the populace of the United States – of the free world?
Of course there will be those that see nothing wrong with this type of behavior, and to these people, I direct this opinion in hopes that you will look deeply into the mirror and reassess your values of humanity – please do this?
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