Only Whites can be Racist?

Or are we all just too sensitive?

Published on July 12, 2004 By CS Guy In Current Events

From an article by Scott Norvell:

Officials in Louisiana are rethinking the scheduled appearance of a comedian because he's not African American, as they assumed, but actually a white dude who appears in black make-up, reports the Lafayette Advertiser.

Organizers scheduled the show by Willie Richardson in Lafayette with the understanding that he was black. Now that they know otherwise, they are rethinking the gig.

Officials with the local NAACP (search) have asked that he not be allowed to perform.

Ja'Nelle Chargois, who is general manager of a local radio station in addition to being NAACP president, said even she was surprised; she has played Richardson's material on air.

"I've listened to many of Willie Richardson's tapes and they're not racially biased in any manner or against any group. But, if he's someone who is painted in black face, then yeah, I think that's offensive," she said.

So we should expect the NAACP to be protesting the movie White Chicks, right?

Comments (Page 1)

Mr_Frog

on Jul 12, 2004

Another example of a social double standard. Racism is a two-way street, and I frankly can't see how portraying a black person by changing the color of one's skin with makeup could be deemed 'offensive' (aside from whatever characterizations might be being made.)

-- B

stevendedalus

on Jul 12, 2004

It's a hangover from the old blatantly offensive minstrel shows. I would rather the NAACP got defensive about their own black comedians constantly degrading their own race with sterotyping. I don't believe today there's any black comedian that doesn't feel compelled to use Mother F... in every sentence.

WiseFawn

on Jul 12, 2004

Is it OK if he gets down one knee and sings mammy? Any kind of racism is not OK. During the few first months I wrote here, it would've been easy to think that all conversations are the same. But I chose not to. In Cleveland when I was in daily battle with a large group of Mexicans to just be left alone, it would've been easy to think all Mexicans are bullies. But I chose not to. I now live in the hood. My next door neighbor is a hooker, I have a drugged up lady that knocks on my window begging for cigarettes and in the past year, have had to live with the fear of three drive by shootings. It would be easy to think all African Americans are the same. But I choose not to. As a child, my mother's family didn't want to hold nigger baby on their laps and hid their purses when we came to visit. My father stood in his Navy uniform and was refused service because he was an American Indian. The battles to keep Native land still rage on. It would be easy to think all whites are the same. I chose not to. Just as I choose to not think all rich people are the same, all poor people are the same, and the list goes on forever, doesn't it?
Racism is not limited to one race. It is limited to a way of thinking.

CS Guy

on Jul 12, 2004

I don't believe today there's any black comedian that doesn't feel compelled to use Mother F... in every sentence

Bill Cosby... one of the few prominant blacks willing to tell the truth.

Gene Nash

on Jul 12, 2004

racism (râ1sîz´em) noun
1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.
2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.
- rac1ist adjective & noun

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition

There's a liberal theory that unless you have power you can't be racist because you don't have the means to "enforce" your racism. It is clearly based solely on the second definition of racism. (Personally, I feel if you meet the first definition you are a racist, regardless of color or social position.)

Liberals believe that "the majority" has the power and "minorities" are ipso facto "oppressed" and damaged by that "oppression." Therefore, anything that not only empowers minorities but to some extent DISempowers majorities is necessary for fairness and justice. (Again, I think this is hogwash.) That is why it is okay to bar any mention of Jesus in a classroom but perfectly okay to force children to "be Muslim for a day," including praying to and swearing allegiance to Allah. That is why Christmas trees are verboten, but Stars of David and Crescents are good things.

As for the white face/black face thing, I think the argument would go back to how "evil" minstrel shows were in perpetuating white stereotypes about blacks, and thus racist. But since, to a liberal, blacks can't be racist, acting in white face is not only not racist, but possibly "empowering." It comes down to the same rational as blacks can use the N-word but whites can't.

CS Guy

on Jul 12, 2004

As for the white face/black face thing, I think the argument would go back to how "evil" minstrel shows were in perpetuating white stereotypes about blacks, and thus racist. But since, to a liberal, blacks can't be racist, acting in white face is not only not racist, but possibly "empowering." It comes down to the same rational as blacks can use the N-word but whites can't.

That's an interesting observation.

M-Post

on Jul 12, 2004

Well to be literal.. Yes it would be ok for ya Little Whip.. because it's the CONTEXT the word is used in that makes it offensive.

I have a black friend myself.. and I many times will say "Your such a nigger!" to him... but do it in a joking and laughing manner and he laughs right back at me for it because he knows I don't mean anything at all disrespectful by the use of it.

BUT... society in genral doesn't much care for context so generally in life no you can't use the N word =/

Janders

on Jul 12, 2004

Hmmm,*sarcastic* As a white person, I am offended by the movie white chicks, I demand theaters stop showing it.

If the comedian offends you, then don't go to his show..... easy thought!

I wonder if the NAACP if also offended by Micheal Jackson?

CS Guy

on Jul 12, 2004

As a white person, I am offended by the movie white chicks

I'm offended by it also, but not because I'm white. I'm offended because I have a working brain.

Ashlee Ryder

on Jul 12, 2004

lol I was thinking about Michael Jackson when I read this..

Ashlee

CS Guy

on Jul 12, 2004

If the comedian offends you, then don't go to his show..... easy thought!

But the interesting thing is that this president of the NAACP has played this comedians work on her radio show, is familiar with his material, and never found it offensive in "any manner or against any group." It is just the use of blackface that offends here.

While I think she has every right to be offended by that, I have to wonder about the double standard. White Chicks was just the first example that popped into my mind, but what about Eddie Murphy and others who have done this trick in the past. Were they just acting, or were they racist?

Arabella III

on Jul 12, 2004

Aren't they? the NAACP

Arabella III

on Jul 12, 2004

And let's not forget guys, the movie White Chicks is supposed to be humorous. They aren't trying to offend anyone. I mean, why is this movie such a big deal? How many times have we seen movies that black people/or other races are made fun of (I'm not one) or poked at. It's not the first time, but it may be the first for white people to be cracked upon as a race. And some of us may not like it because for once we're being made a joke of at. Just because we're a majority it doesn't mean we're any different. Racism is wrong, but we see it all the time on shows like SNL and MadTV and Comedy Central, and its usually against blacks, asians. But it was never a big deal, or was it? Most of the time it's made to be humorous and White Chicks is no different. What's life if we can't laugh at ourselves?

If the NAACP is protesting this movie, they should protest against all the other racist type movies. White is not superior.

M-Post

on Jul 12, 2004

I thought every movie with Ashton Kuscher in it was a crack at white people?

You might be a redneck if.....

Gideon MacLeish

on Jul 12, 2004

Bill Cosby... one of the few prominant blacks willing to tell the truth.

Yes, Cosby is doing a wonderful job...interesting that he gets slammed for it.

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