We learned this week that indeed you can use "light-skined African American without a Negro-dialect," in reference to Presidential canidate Obama and not be considered a racist.
Dang.
It's great to know we have progressed so far in race relations in the States. It used to be considered racist to label any black person according to the shade of their skin. That is, if you were lighter skinned, then you had some sort of an advantage over the darker skined ones. And it used to be that anyone saying that a black person was "articulate," was a racial slur too.
But not anymore.
Even white people can do it.
I would have surely thought that calling Ebonics "a Negro dialect," would be racist, if not ignorance seeing how Ebonics is an actual language not a dialect. But maybe Harry Reid would have been called a real racist if he'd just called Obama what he really thought of Obama, i.e. a light skinned (aka half white) nigger who talks like a nigger. What other "better choice of words would he use?" This is exactly what he meant.
Or maybe it's that he's a Democratic? A racist nonetheless.
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He was making an observation?
That is a bunch of nonsense.
I have found that once you are called a racist, regardless of why, or if you're innocence, no defense against it is adequate.
It seems to bring out the preditor/prey response in people these days.
Especially in the case of HR, as a politician. He's the prey of the Republicans. In my opinion as he should be, but not because he's not a Republican. I could care less. It lookls like his political career maybe over soon anyway.
But if i had used "negro" in any context I would have been fired and labeled a racists. And like you said would have a hard time overcoming the label.
But also what was HR thinking when he used the term "negro-dialect?" Which one? If we think of Black English as a legit language (as i do) then any regional variation of that language would be better described than "negro."
Good to see you Dr. lobojo. I have not forgotten your site BTW. Been busy to write many responses.
Perhaps, pecheur, you could be helped by reading Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's note on Huffington Post.
Maybe KAJ should stick to commentating basketball games.
I read... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kareem-abduljabbar/coppertone-politics_b_420165.html
...and what he says is typical.
My point remains the same. if I had called anything "negro" i would have lost my job. Point final.
I've heard better pundits than KAJ and found him less articulate than other Black leaders including Jeff Johnson of BET, who defended HR aptly.
BTW by saying he's less articulate I'm just making an observation.
I bet we would find KAJ to be a democrat.
I really wasn't expecting you to listen to someone else. Not even one who actually knows what's it like to be black in America.
And you think you can judge.
The ingrained habits of white privilege, I guess.
Whatever. If you knew half of what you thought you do about me, then you wouldn't be so quick to judge.
As always we drift from the subject to ad homen attacks. Doesn't surprise me with you.
My point is still the same. If I had said anything "negro" I would have been fired! And to say "Negro Dialect," is pure ignorance. And I would expect a senator leader to be more informed than that.
Did you read the part where I wrote about listening to the point of view of Jeff Johnson? Who, in my opinion, expressed that viewpoint better than the article by KAJ.
He should stick to what he knows alright, BASKETBALL.
Perhaps you could compare the books they've respectively published.
And as for an example serving as the definition of ad hominem, how's this: "I bet we would find KAJ to be a democrat."
OK. I'll try to take a look at their books and see the comparison. it'll be a good exercise.
You got me with the KAJ = democrat. My point was that if any democrat had said it was racist, it would have been. But when Michael Steele says it is, it is dismissed. In this case, what is considered "racist," and what is not is based on politics. Politics determined what was proper and what was not. But you got me. no matter if he (KAJ) is or is not a democrat, his opinion stands as is. Point taken.
But within the black community there is division based on how light and how dark the skin is. No white person has the right to make the same judgments. So, from that point of view, HR was just stating what his black neighbors and friends are and have said before. It's the same when black people call each other racial names. No white person better ever do it. To me HR crossed the line with "light skined," and "Negro."
But if the black community doesn't care, why should I? I bet though I will never be able to use such language and not be considered a racist.
Books:
KAJ=
On shoulders- personal influences in Harlem
Brothers in Arms- all black battalion
Giant Steps- autobio 1
Kareem- autobio 2
Black Profiles- heroic AA in US history
A season with Apaches- high school coach with Apaches
---------------------------------
Jeff J=
Everything I'm Not
---------------------------------
Observations:
KAJ has written more books than JJ. Well, he is older so there is a longer period to write.
Topics of KAJ deal with basketball and his plight as an AA along with others. What else would you expect from an ex-NBAer who was on top of his game.
JJ writes about political activism. His writing (and speaking) reflects the "political" nation of the discussion at hand. KAJ is writing from a retired professional basketball player's standpoint who identifies with a hard life as a black person in America.
Both say the same thing in regards to HR's comments.
Regardless of who says it, the argument is the same: HR gets a pass since his comments are not seen as racist by many black influential people.
"writing from a retired professional basketball player's standpoint..."
Man, how you do like to diminish the world. Narrow vision.
I don't think the Gospel is helping you broaden your heart at all. Maybe you should try something different. Christianity's not doing it for you.
[Tough love]
The way I counted it, 3 of the 6 books are about his viewpoint as a basketball player, n'est-ce pas?
As you conveniently left out "who identifies with a hard life as a black person in America." which would cover his other 3 books.
Getting back to the POINT. What he says and what JJ says is the exact same thing. HR gets off the hook. Why does it matter that i think JJ's viewpoint is better stated than KAJ? IT DOESN"T MATTER!!!
I don't care which black person said it. If they are saying the same thing, why does it matter?
Maybe I should become a Black Muslim and change my name and follow after the really broad hearted Louis Farrakhan. Now there is some real love, though i don't know how tough it is. ;)
Smile Feodor, where is you sense of humor?
Don't be too hard on Feodor, it is just that his feet are sore from the long journey he is on.
You are aware, are you not, that "Negro" is a catagory subtitle on the upcoming U.S. Census form?
Some of my Brittish aquaintances have expressed susprise that we can "get away with" calling "African Americans" blacks. In Great Brittan apparently black is a slur akin to calling someone "a blacky".
When I was growing up during the era of complete segregation calling someone "colored" was polite and calling them "Negro" was being respectful.
Intent, should always be considered.
You are aware that HR was talking about when he was advising Obama to make the run for the presidency?
Obama understood what he was saying.
Dr. lobojo,
Fair enough. When I come as far as Feodor has come on the journey, I bet my feet will be hurting too! I'm just glad he's made it this far. May he continue and find rest for his sore feet! A good foot massage might be in order too.
I was not aware of the Census document. But it has been brought back to my attention there is the United Negro College Fund. So, I suppose it is not as offensive as I imagined.
In Portugal it is similar. There are two words for "black," (perto and negro). One is highly offensive and the other is fine.
And getting to HR. Yes, the comments were in the context of Obama chances of winning since he's black.
As more information comes to light, "intent" did NOT seem malicious. But something is there. Why would he say "Negro dialect?" To me it has a smidge of something. For sure, he is ignorant of Black culture in America in respect to Black English.
But hey, if Obama sees no problem and most of the black community doesn't either, I can overlook it too.
I,myself, will still be cautious when using "Negro." Time to revisit my friends in high school, where I was the minority and see if they can help me with race relations. And what a better time than MLK day!
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