Wearing Black: The REAL Way to Combat Racism (514 hits)
Category: GeneralRating: -0.3 on 17 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by <scott.reynolds.at.mail.mcgill.ca> (View user info) at 2007-09-25 23:00:53 EDT
I was recently perusing facebook ("OMG FACEBOOK IS FOR LOSERS IM WAY TOO COOL FOR FACEBOOK -2!!!!!!) when I noticed that several acquaintances of mine had attended an event called "I'm Wearing Black on September 20th to Stand Against Racism". Further inquiry revealed that the event was in support of the awareness of a series of highly racist events that had occurred in Louisiana last fall, and support of 5 black students who are set to stand trial for righteously kicking the shit out of a dumb, bigoted white kid. You can read the story here: http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/message.html
Anyways, evidently this is a serious and valid cause to support-the fact that this kind of behaviour exists is an embarrassment to the world, and so forth. However: why is it that a bunch of kids who live nowhere near the event, have nothing to do with anyone or anything related to the event, and will do nothing else to support the general protest about the event, are wearing black on September 20th?
One reason: attention. They wanted people to ask them, on September 20th, "Gee whiz, why are you wearing all black?" so that they could say "I'm wearing black because I'm taking a stand against racism." And the poser of the question will walk away knowing that this person is a very deep, sensitive, and politically aware person. They will know that this person is AGAINST racism, as opposed to all us colour-wearing assholes who are obviously on our way to our weekly KKK meeting. They will know that this is a highly moral person, possibly with philosophical qualifications amounting to an entire viewing of Waking Life.
This was the obvious goal of most of those who wore black on September 20th, and all of those who were part of the facebook event. If the superficiality of wearing black was not enough, another layer is added by making it public to all of their acquaintances that they are participating in this event. If all they wanted to do was support the cause, they would just wear black on September 20th. I'm sure you're still allowed to if you're not part of the facebook club. Therefore, there is absolutely zero reason for them to proclaim their involvement to their entire online community besides trying to garner some attention for their artificially "deep" morality.
And furthermore, if any of these people actually cared about the cause, instead of wearing black for one day and then forgetting about it they would do something at least a little bit real about it. Even a petulant, insignificant petition or letter-writing campaign at the very least shows a bit of effort and dedication. I can wear black without trying. Eat shit.
And PS, no one cares about how much you liked Heroes last night. So shut up.
User Reviews
Submitted by baronMunchausen (user info) at 2007-09-26 16:16:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-09-26 14:32:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Listen, Scott Reynolds, getting all defensive when people leave reviews you don't like isn't going to get you anywhere around here except mocked and ridiculed to the point where you think we're all a bunch of rabid baboons. Now, you wouldn't be far off the mark with that assessment of the uber populace, but that's beside the point.
I forget what point I was going to make, but I'm sure it was very insightful and wise. As with all of my reviews.
I'm sure it had something in it about letting a smile be your umbrella or something about kittens or silver linings. Maybe I was going to go with some sports sayings to energize you? Quotes from great thinkers? Life affirming poetry?
Fuck. I just don't remember.
Oh yeah.
The point is 'fuck you, dipshit.'
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I don't believe either of my responses were particularly defensive-more aimed towards correcting the person who had been stupid enough to either not read or fully misunderstand the post. You, on the other hand, have decided that it is a good idea to insult me, unprovoked, for backing up my arguments to such people. Which of these seems to make more sense?
But what do I know, I'm a dipshit.
Submitted by crosschris (user info) at 2007-09-26 15:13:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
"as opposed to all us colour-wearing assholes who are obviously on our way to our weekly KKK meeting."
couldn't read beyond this gem of a statement... almost pissed myself laughing- truly inspired!
Submitted by scourge (user info) at 2007-09-26 14:32:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Listen, Scott Reynolds, getting all defensive when people leave reviews you don't like isn't going to get you anywhere around here except mocked and ridiculed to the point where you think we're all a bunch of rabid baboons. Now, you wouldn't be far off the mark with that assessment of the uber populace, but that's beside the point.
I forget what point I was going to make, but I'm sure it was very insightful and wise. As with all of my reviews.
I'm sure it had something in it about letting a smile be your umbrella or something about kittens or silver linings. Maybe I was going to go with some sports sayings to energize you? Quotes from great thinkers? Life affirming poetry?
Fuck. I just don't remember.
Oh yeah.
The point is 'fuck you, dipshit.'
Submitted by baronMunchausen (user info) at 2007-09-26 11:44:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by DangerPants (user info) at 2007-09-26 11:04:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/111872
This stupid case has already been covered, and Uber has already given its opinion. You're a week late.
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Maybe if you read this instead of skimming the first paragraph and then judging it, you would have noticed that I am discussing an entirely different issue related to the event. You can eat shit too.
Submitted by baronMunchausen (user info) at 2007-09-26 11:41:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by shadow (user info) at 2007-09-26 09:45:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
You may not like that a bunch of kids are patting themselves on the back for a very mild-mannered political statement, but at least they spread the word.
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If they really cared about spreading the word, they would take more action than just wearing a shirt. I've probably spread more word than them in making this post. And I'm not trying to spread it. That was basically the point of the post.
Submitted by DangerPants (user info) at 2007-09-26 11:04:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/111872
This stupid case has already been covered, and Uber has already given its opinion. You're a week late.
Submitted by shadow (user info) at 2007-09-26 09:45:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
You may not like that a bunch of kids are patting themselves on the back for a very mild-mannered political statement, but at least they spread the word.
Submitted by Amontillado (user info) at 2007-09-26 09:19:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm wearing a black shirt. Because it's my favorite.
Submitted by Empathetic (user info) at 2007-09-26 08:28:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by Progr3ss (user info) at 2007-09-26 06:01:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
For you to put a little rantcheer with a -2 in it at the beginning, leads me to believe that this is an alter.
Submitted by AsshOly (user info) at 2007-09-26 04:11:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I hate people who wear black shirts. All black shirts should be burnt in a fiery pit of flames, all of them. No good, useless, black shirt people. Sitting on their porches all day. Fuck them all.
WHITE SHIRT POWER
Submitted by DeMoNiC (user info) at 2007-09-26 01:30:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"They will know that this person is AGAINST racism, as opposed to all us colour-wearing assholes who are obviously on our way to our weekly KKK meeting."
Lol! I don't care about the rest of the post or whether or not I agree, that shit right there cracked me up, +2.
Submitted by baronMunchausen (user info) at 2007-09-26 00:06:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by ilikesteak (user info) at 2007-09-25 23:10:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Why not just go the whole way and get the face paint too?
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I'm having difficulty understanding the logic here.
Submitted by sir_cowman (user info) at 2007-09-25 23:36:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
The opinion below is mine. I forgot to login as me and so used Haiku's account.
Submitted by haikumikoo (user info) at 2007-09-25 23:35:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Le sigh.
I don't agree with either you or steak.
The idea of wearing a black t-shirt to show support is silly.
However, since I can't offer an alternative I won't -2 you.
Submitted by gravitas (user info) at 2007-09-25 23:33:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
i was invited to the group too. they compared the actions of the 6 black kids to "continuing the fight that MLK started." I had no idea that Martin enjoyed a good beat-down of some white kids because they were racist bigots.
Submitted by ilikesteak (user info) at 2007-09-25 23:10:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Why not just go the whole way and get the face paint too?