Broadly and generally speaking, I see the battle against racism as having tiered results. The first and most basic was policies and social rules that dictate tolerance towards those of other races or a curbing of racist behavior. Tolerance has lead to a demand for acceptance or a push to eliminate prejudiced thoughts and beliefs. Acceptance has begotten an expectation of sensitivity to racism or, in other words, you are expected to be on the lookout for racism in all its forms, everywhere you go. And anytime that sensitivity is demanded, hypersensitivity isn't far behind.
Hypersensitivity is often used as a humorous device in entertainment. The first example that jumps to mind is in an episode of the sitcom Seinfeld where Kramer refuses to wear a red ribbon during an AIDS walk and everyone mobs him since you can't actually be against AIDS if you don't wear the ribbon. He's on the AIDS walk, yet instead of seeing a man there supporting the cause by walking, they choose to get offended that he won't wear a red ribbon.
The sad fact is that hypersensitivity like that exists in the real world. Don't believe me?
Prime example: The Colusa County display on their seed producing crops (a $30 million/year source of revenue) that was featured at the California State Fair.
The display contained caricatures of the various seeds of Colusa County. Those seeds included tomato, cucumber, pumpkin, and watermelon seeds. The display was drawn by residents of Colusa County's juvenile hall, Fout Springs Boys Correctional Facility.
Along comes Veronica Thrasher and her husband who immediately took offense at the depiction and called it racist. Or, at least the depiction of the watermelon seed. The drawing of a smiling watermelon seed is obviously racist (ignore the fact that watermelon seeds are actually. . .well. . .black). It didn't matter that the drawings were done in a facility where the population is 40% Hispanic and 40% African American. No, Thrasher objected because it was obvious that if the residents of the facility ". . .had the benefit of a black history class" that showed images depicting African Americans "as a happy black slave eating watermelon," Thrasher said, ". . .they might have drawn Waldo Watermelon Seed a little differently."
So let me see if I understand the reasoning here. First of all, because the seed is black in color, any personification of the seed must consequently be categorized as African American. It can't just be a seed that is smiling? And then, even if we accept the first, no black person can ever be depicted as enjoying watermelon because a couple of black slaves over a hundred years ago enjoyed a watermelon?
Black slaves are often depicted as shirtless. Does that mean that every black guy on the skins side of a shirts and skins basketball game is racist? Black slaves are often shown working in agriculture. Does that mean that every farmer who's black or who employ's black workers is now racist? Maybe they wouldn't go shirtless or work the fields if they had seen an image depicting slaves that way because then they would understand that doing so is racist.
That, or maybe some people are looking a bit too hard for racism. In the picture below, do you see anyone being harmed, threatened, or intimidated? Was someone or some group of people demeaned or insulted in this drawing? Do you see any of that?
Racism is one thing. It does exist and is an offensive thing.
But sometimes a seed is just a seed.
References:
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1196475.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,414042,00.html
4 comments:
Indeed, sometimes a seed is just a seed. But just because we do not see the offense, does not mean that there isn't something there that can intimate other things.
When I first read your post i thought that the student actually drew a smiley face on a watermelon seed, not a stylized representation of a watermelon seed. The taking offense to the smiley face on an actual watermelon seed seems a but preposterous.
But when I look at the stylized representation, I can see where one might become offended. it looks like blackface. i doubt any harm is intended. But it seems to play on stereotypes here. I doubt that they were intended but I can see it. Would I have been annoyed at it? not unless someone pointed it out, or if I actually took time to at the exhibit, something I doubt I would have done.
The Thrashers made comment about if the artist had had a course in African American History, they may have drawn it differently, and perhaps. I do not think that that the comment means every African American can no longer enjoy watermelon because slaves enjoyed watermelon. I think that that assumption is false and you are going down a slippery slope of assumptions, overgenralizations and oversimplifications.
Blackface is typically shown with bright colors around the lips (white or red). Not on this watermelon seed. In fact, the lips are the same color as the rest of the seed.
"you are going down a slippery slope of assumptions, overgenralizations and oversimplifications"
If you are referring to my examples of shirts and skins games and whatnot, that was the point (sorry if that didn't come across in the written form). They are things that really have not direct connection to "blacks" at all but could easily be blown out of proportion. The same thing goes for enjoying a piece of watermelon.
If watermelon seeds were green and the seed was drawn exactly the same way (same face, eating the same fruit, everything the same except the color) except green, would it have been considered racist?
Watermelon seeds are black. So of course that is the color the seed was drawn as. I guess I fail to see how it plays into any stereotype.
What assumption are you saying is false? That no African American can ever enjoy watermelon again or be depicted as enjoying it? I also agree that such a conclusion is false. Explain that to the Thrashers though because they are the ones up in arms because a "black" (and I'm referring to the color of the seed, not racial status) watermelon seed was smiling and eating watermelon.
It looks drawn in the style of Shoop da woop, a Fourchan meme that's highly racist.
Still, maybe whiteness is being illustrated here.
Anyway, I kid; I see their point, but it's ridiculous, especially when it there's a good chance it was made by someone who isn't white.
I personally think that some people take "racism" too far....they use it as an excuse. Do I think this seed is racist...no...I can see how someone who is "ultra sensitive" could see it as racist.
Being someone who has been in jail (yeah I screwed up) I've seen both sides of racism. I've seen black people who get told (in jail) you can't do, insert activity here, and it's "cuz I'm Black", but then when me as a white guy gets told no it's "just so it seems fair".
Also there was a few times where I was allowed to do, insert activity here, and a black guy wasn't...No they black guys all said it was racist, and I can somewhat see that, BUT there is more to it than that...I was in jail for 3 months, and NEVER got in the smallest amount of trouble, and the other guy had just been written up twice for fighting. But every black guy on the block said "It's cuz he's black", and when I tried to point out the fact that I hadn't gotten into trouble, and he was constantly fighting..all the sudden I was a racist too. I dunno..I've seen it from a different view than most, but I think a large percentage of percieved racism is just an excuse. Yes there is racism in this country, and the world, but it's not around every turn like some people seem to think.
I know I'm rambling, and I'm not good at putting my thoughts in print, but I got one more example.
During the election there were many debates on T.V., and we shared 1 T.V. on the block for everyone, and it was basically a vote to see what we were going to watch. Well When the debates were on during Obamas speeches everyone had to be quiet, or there was a fight, and during McCains speeches all the black guys would be yelling slurs like "Cracker" and some other stuff I won't mention here, but you can guess. When I brought up the point to them...I was the racist again....Not to get political, but I supported Obama, but I still wanted to hear what McCain had to say. Since I didn't get to hear both sides I abstained from voting for the president, because I wasn't 100% on both sides, and didn't want to make a "somewhat educated" vote.
So on racism, yeah yeah I know...shut up Jon...yer rambling, I think that there is racism, but when a black guy is racist it's O.K. in there eyes, but if a white guy says the slightest thing that can be misconstrued as racist then it's obviously racist, and you're a piece of garbage.
O.K. I'm done now, and remember...I can't spell, so all the spelling mistakes are just me being dumb!
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