Only Whites can be Racist?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 =/

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?

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.

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

Ashlee

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?

Aren't they? the NAACP

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.

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

You might be a redneck if.....

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.

And let's not forget guys, the movie White Chicks is supposed to be humorous. They aren't trying to offend anyone.

Umm, it doesn't sound like the comedian is trying to offend anyone either.

Don't get me wrong, I don't see the point of the blackface, and don't see how it enhanves one's act...but I do think there's a definite double standard going on here (neither Eddie Murphy nor the Wayans brothers has ever offended me as a caucasian, but both have done the same thing this comedian is doing).

If the NAACP wants to go after the people who truly are perpetuating negative black stereotypes, I suggest they start with their own; many of the lyrics that today's "gangsta" rappers put out do FAR more harm to the image of blacks in America (read the liner notes, folks...). I'd have to find out more about this guy to know what I truly think about his act...

And let's not forget guys, the movie White Chicks is supposed to be humorous. They aren't trying to offend anyone.

Right, and I'm not offended by their use of white-face. However, I am offended by the double standard.

I'll be honest... The whole blackface thing kind of irks me. I think I'd be more all right with it if his material was racially-biased, then I'd find it funny, because over-the-top racism is funny, but being racist unintentionally is just uncomfortable. It is funny though how black activist groups can be. It's like with the Wayans brothers' movie, "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood." Supposedly, that was racist while other gangsta movies were works of art, even though that movie's making fun of stereotypes, while the other gangsta movies aren't making fun of stereotypes, but promoting them. Special interest groups are stupid though.

Also on BET (Comedy review) Black Comediens make several racial comments towards whites,
But if Whites were to do the same on MTV we probably would be sued. Perfect example BET stands for black entertainment. MTV VHI are not reffered as the white peoples cable channel. I think it is blacks who are racist.

Does anyone know if this guy makes a point of his facepaint in his act? It sounds strange to me that he would choose to appear black anyway unless he thought he could get a cheap laugh out of it. Surely anyone who saw him would be able to tell from his facial features that he wasn't an African American/Aborigine/Pacific Islander/etc. Personally I would have considered it more of a weird gimmick than a "racist" move, but then I've never heard of the Black Minstrels show, so perhaps I don't understand the whole context.

I can see how it would be a bloody stupid gimmick to have purely because someone is bound to take offence. Why did he even agree to do the show if he knew that the organisers were operating under a false assumption, even if it's one based on racist overtones? I don't want to judge this man without meeting him or seeing his act, but there are serious questions about his intentions.

I wonder if it is a racial statement at all. Maybe it is just a gimmick. Maybe he should paint his face purple instead?

Do we know what his material is like? Does it have ANYTHING to do with painting his face? Is there a statement being made?

Without intent - if it is TRULY without intent, I cannot see the racial connection.

but we see it all the time on shows like SNL and MadTV and Comedy Central, and its usually against blacks, asians

This is completely incorrect. My television hangs out on a select few channels, and one of those is Comedy Central. I obviously end up watching a ton of stand-ups. I even watch some of the stand-ups on BET sometimes. Anyway, I would say when it comes to one race joking or making fun of another race (i.e. a black guy joking about the white race, or a white guy joking about the black race), there are VERY few that make fun of black people. VERY few!! Now, when it comes to black comedians making fun of white people, it's no holds barred.

A lot of comedians do make fun of their own race though. This makes up almost the entire set for some comedians, like Dat Phan who won last years Last Comic Standing.

It is interesting though that white people are the only ones that I've never heard get offended by jokes directed toward their race. I know that I've never cared.

A perfect example of this is how often do you hear a white comedian say the 'N' word? VERY rarely if ever...
How often do you see black comedians say 'cracker' or any other term that could be considered racially derogatory?

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.

Um. What about "White Men Can't Jump," and will I get in trouble with the NAACP for writing the sequel to that entitled "Black Men Can't Swim"?

There are far fewer real white racists than is portrayed in the media, and there are far more black racists than that same media implies. Perhaps I'll blog later on why I think that is, because I DO have a theory, but for now, it's time to work