Posted by Unknown | Posted in | Posted on 12:41 AM
Ok, I have been asked at least 30 times this week what I think about the Imus situation so here we go. "As I See It": Imus Edition, take one.
He was wrong. That is clear and we know that. But its not the "nappy headed hoes" remark that upset me. Thats just a dumb ass old white man who is displaced from those who his word would affect being a dumb ass old white man.
The problematic statement was "this is like the jigaboos vs the wannabees".
That is a problem.
That one statement that was swept under the rug shows that this was NOT just a dumb ass old white man, but an intelligent old white man who had been exposed to african american culture and knew the nuances of the "good or bad hair" complex of african american women in particular.
If you recall, "jigaboos and wannabees" was the theme of a song in the Spike Lee movie "School Daze", whereas the darker skinned women with natural hair were referred too as jigaboos. The fact that he remembered this from the movie and used it in context to this type of woman, proves that he was concious of his act.
The reprimand from CBS came much too late. The reprimand from our society came much too late. I kinda understand why Dave Chappelle left his show. With all the recent increases in racial comedy on television, racist have possibly found a comfort zone to operate in. Racial sensitivity is at an all time low due to the likes of Dave Chappelle and Carlos Mencia. Even though the goal of their comedy is to build a dialogue of racial issues, the frivality that it is discussed through could possibly retarding the process that has been made. More and more people are expressing their prejudices without regard and without fear. This lack of fear and regard is evolving into disdain. If you don't believe me turn to MSNBC, CNN, or any morning radio show and listen closely. Racial overtones are growing by the minute.
This problem did not start with Imus. But the solution can. This could be the catalyst necessary for intelligent discourse on the effects of racism in media. Or we could let it fade out of our memories and futilely take solace in the firing of one racist.
He was wrong. That is clear and we know that. But its not the "nappy headed hoes" remark that upset me. Thats just a dumb ass old white man who is displaced from those who his word would affect being a dumb ass old white man.
The problematic statement was "this is like the jigaboos vs the wannabees".
That is a problem.
That one statement that was swept under the rug shows that this was NOT just a dumb ass old white man, but an intelligent old white man who had been exposed to african american culture and knew the nuances of the "good or bad hair" complex of african american women in particular.
If you recall, "jigaboos and wannabees" was the theme of a song in the Spike Lee movie "School Daze", whereas the darker skinned women with natural hair were referred too as jigaboos. The fact that he remembered this from the movie and used it in context to this type of woman, proves that he was concious of his act.
The reprimand from CBS came much too late. The reprimand from our society came much too late. I kinda understand why Dave Chappelle left his show. With all the recent increases in racial comedy on television, racist have possibly found a comfort zone to operate in. Racial sensitivity is at an all time low due to the likes of Dave Chappelle and Carlos Mencia. Even though the goal of their comedy is to build a dialogue of racial issues, the frivality that it is discussed through could possibly retarding the process that has been made. More and more people are expressing their prejudices without regard and without fear. This lack of fear and regard is evolving into disdain. If you don't believe me turn to MSNBC, CNN, or any morning radio show and listen closely. Racial overtones are growing by the minute.
This problem did not start with Imus. But the solution can. This could be the catalyst necessary for intelligent discourse on the effects of racism in media. Or we could let it fade out of our memories and futilely take solace in the firing of one racist.
Comments (0)
Post a Comment