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Sunday, 23 March 2008
Racism changes
It seems a bit strange to me that racism is culture specific. Its like it shouldn't be, but it is. I see in the press at times that there is a person in the USA called Barrack Obama who is trying out for the next presidency. I see that he is referred to as an African American. Apparently one must not call him a black man as that is considered racist.
Here in Australia we have our indigenous Australians or aborigines. As far as I know it is quite all right to refer to them as the blacks. They certainly refer to themselves as that and I hear the term black being used and not causing any ire.
One of the greatest musicians of all time, but in terms of understanding and dealing with difficult social issues it was, "Don't give up your day job John". However, having said that idealists have an important role to play like Bob Geldorf and his sidekick Bono. Did they really think a rock concert could change the G8 (or is that G7)?
Indeed I am reminded of a situation when I worked in a prison where aborigines are vastly over represented as compared to the general population. My main job was to run the program that identified and managed suicidal and self harming inmates. In other words it was up to me to keep the 750 inmates alive, particularly the black ones. The company that ran the prison did not want a ‘black death in custody’ as that rapidly gets political including coronial inquests and so forth.
The aborigine meets the white man
Fortunately in my years there, there was not one completed suicide although there were many attempts of varying seriousness. However there were three who went very close. Indeed it was just plain luck that two of them did not complete the suicide attempts. One of them was an aborigine. After the attempt the other inmates gave him the nickname of ‘black magic’ as he was black and it was magic that he did not die. This became his name in the prison and he thought it was great. He spoke of it often. So obviously calling and aborigine a black man is not racist in this country.
Graffiti
20:25 Permalink | Comments (11) | Email this
Comments
I am never quite sure whether I can refer to someone as black or not so I avoid the word.
See you all next week.
Posted by: kahless | Sunday, 23 March 2008
I have heard of some gang warfare recently where groups of white australian teenagers would offer white power salutes as an insult to the Aboriginal group. In this suburban racial warfare, tyres have been slashed and pet dogs killed. Gangs keep vigilant of each other ready to pounce. I understand how teenagers use the principle of belonging to "the group" to achieve a sense of identity however I wonder what sort of "black and white identity" might be forming in these minority urban settings?
Growing up hating, is not the most ideal environment for developing a view of the world.
kenoath
Posted by: kenoath | Monday, 24 March 2008
I hope that does not get too serious Kenoath
Graffiti
Posted by: Graffiti | Monday, 24 March 2008
Ohh Kahless! Have a great time!
Tony,
My mum is Japanese. She and my dad met and married during the occupation in Japan after the war. They then moved back to Australia where we were born and have lived all our lives.
I remember at school the kids would pick on every one they could. It wasn't a racist or prejedice thing, just kids doing the peer thing. For the aboriginal it was about being aboriginal, for me and my brother and sisters it was about being a nip, for kids from with a german family it was the nazi thing. But for the fat kid it was the fat thing, for the kids who wet themselves it was about wetting themselves, for the poor kid it was about being poor, the rich kid about being rich etc.
It wasn't a racial thing at all - not from them. It was just people being people and pointing things out.
The racial thing happened in my head everytime they would taunt me about my Japanese heritage. The racism was in MY head, not theirs. I was offended about what they were saying. There really was nothing to be offended about. Funnily enough, i wasn't as upset about what they were saying about the others but i would stand up for those less able.
People who have a problem with racism seem to me to be the problem. Racism is in the mind of the person who notices it the most. Why? I don't know - should we put it down to being human again? That excuse is getting so old!
A Bully - the person hitting out at who they consider smaller because some one bigger (in their eyes) is doing that to them. It's all they know to do. Doesn't make them a racist - just very small and frightened.
roses
Posted by: roses | Tuesday, 25 March 2008
I feel rather passionately about this subject. I hate bullying of any kind and racism is simply a form of bullying in my opinion. The subconcious response to difference on a primal level. Why do we see a 'black' man as a black man first - why not see him as a man? His colour is not important when compared to his personality. Neither is mine - I am a white woman but it would not occur to me that I should be treated in a certain way because I am a white woman. Cultural scripting and background does play a part in understanding any group - white, black, catholic, gay etc. How a person sees the world throught their frame of reference affects how they respond and behave. I embrace diversity as a person. I celebrate those kinds of cultural differences that exist between people of ANY background. Why should I treat anyone differently because they have blonde or black hair - or brown as opposed to blue eyes. Its the person that matters: The individual soul. I never ever make reference to colour in fact I often enjoy describing people without making reference to their colour - it is amazing to see people work it out and then say - "Oh you mean the Black Guy". My challange is would you ever say " Oh the white woman" ... I doubt it, and if not why?
Good post Tony - a subject that does not often get discussed.
Posted by: Queen Vixen | Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Why is it so important never to describe anyone by their colour?
It is simply a descriptive word, like saying I have dark hair or am short. if I was living in Asia, someone would describe me as "the white woman" or ....... These are simply descriptive words and I don't see a problem with them.
I have a friend who is very big and recently visited Indonesia. People were fascinated by this big tall woman and kept making comments. Is this racism? Or simply fascination with something that is different to their cultural norm?
If we did that, we would be considered racist.
Why is it fascination when someone of a different culture is fascinated by difference, and racism when we do?
Posted by: Madeleine | Wednesday, 26 March 2008
I like people with black skin, and though I like them, it's never made their skin turn white, yellow or any other colour for that matter. I think the 'fight against racism' robs people of their pride and dignity. I marvel at physicaly different looking people - different compared to me that is - just how beautiful each one is. If i didn't see them in their own individual beauty, i'd be missing the point. That point being - we're beautiful!
roses
Posted by: roses | Thursday, 27 March 2008
Hi Madeleine and Roses.
I think your point about seeing a persons skin color as defining them seems a fairly shortsighted task
Tony
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, 27 March 2008
Cultural scripting as you say QV seems to be a strong force indeed.
If you look at a man and he has black skin then I see nothing wrong with acknowledging that. To not acknowledge it to me would be a wrong thing to do. Of course what beliefs go along with such an acknowledgment is the key
Cheers
Tony
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, 27 March 2008
When chosing our words I think it is neglectful to disregard the fact that words like 'black' or 'retarded' or 'gay' are loaded with history. These words have meaning above and beyond their actual descriptive context and thats what makes them controvetial.
When chosing your conversation (as in essence we all can chose what we say and how we say it) we have to take into account the context in which it is said and why we are saying it in the first place. The word 'black' for many years was used as a derogatory term implying open disrespect for a race of people. These people have in recent times 'reclaimed' their identity and as such chose to use the word.
Taking this history into account, calling someone as 'black' implies disrespect. However, in the case of the inmates calling the man 'black magic' they were embracing his identity and respecting his strength in survival. There is a strong sentiment of respect in this circumstance, credibility and tolerance.
This is why we can call a gay friend a 'fag' or a friend with down syndrome a 'spaz' or an aboriginal friend 'black' but not use those words to a complete stranger. If there is no pre-established foundation of respect the words revert to their original derogatory connotations.
Its the same in essence as calling an elder lady we meet for the first time by her title as "Mrs Surname" its just basic manners. Once we get to know her she may invite us to use her first name.
Posted by: Nadia | Monday, 31 March 2008
Thank you for your thoughts Nadia,
Maybe related to what you have said. It has always surprised me (and I feel like there should be something wrong with it). If a jewish person makes a slur on jews via a joke then that is fine. If a non-jewish person does it then it is racist. I can make anti Australian comment but if someone else does then they are being racist.
there is something not just right about that
Tony
Posted by: Tony | Monday, 31 March 2008
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