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Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is trea... - 10/25/2008 3:05:56 AM   
Elisabella


Posts: 3939
Status: offline 		So there's a big fuss about some guy who made T-shirts saying that Barack Obama looks like the cartoon character Satisfied Fred. Kinda reminds you of when George W. Bush was said to look like the cartoon character Curious George, right?

Wrong. This time it's racist.

Barack Obama as Satisfied Fred:
http://culturalhealth.blogspot.com/2008/05/mike-norman-thinks-obama-looks-like.html

George W. Bush as Curious George:
http://home.nyc.rr.com/jadedem/gw1.html

And for good measure, Bush as a chimpanzee:
http://www.bushorchimp.com/

Considering Satisfied Fred is a Curious George spin-off, and nobody said boo about the Bush as Curious George memes, this strikes me as a ridiculous form of hypocrisy.

I think one of the biggest problems in America today is that African-Americans are considered "black" before they are considered "Americans." I've noticed plenty of news articles that describe Michelle Obama as a "statuesque, beautiful African-American woman" but I don't think I've seen a single one that describes Sarah Palin as an "attractive Caucasian former beauty queen." Why is there such a focus on race when it comes to non-Caucasians? Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Palin are both American women. They should both be described as American women. If skin tone is such an important descriptor, why is it only used in Mrs. Obama's case and not Mrs. Palin's?

If anything, I think that the people getting upset about the Obama/Satisfied Fred comparison are the real racists. They are the ones who are demanding special treatment for a person based on race. They are the ones who are automatically assuming that the t-shirts were a slight on Mr. Obama's race, rather than being able to laugh at the superficial physical resemblence, the same way they would have laughed at the superficial physical resemblence between Mr. Bush and Curious George.

I don't know if it's possible to be truly "color blind" but it would be nice if we stopped focusing so much on it.
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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 3:14:17 AM   
meatcleaver


Posts: 9030
Joined: 3/13/2006
Status: offline 		Why is there such a focus on race when it comes to non-Caucasians?  Because white Americans have all the power. Even if Obama wins the election, the white establishment will still have all the power.

When you portray a white man as a chimp, everyone knows you portray him as a fool and an idiot. When you portray a blackman as a chimp, everyone knows you portray him as being left behind by evolution and hence, not fully human.

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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 3:18:47 AM   
Elisabella


Posts: 3939
Status: offline
quote:

When you portray a white man as a chimp, everyone knows you portray him as a fool and an idiot. When you portray a blackman as a chimp, everyone knows you portray him as being left behind by evolution and hence, not fully human.


Everyone knows, eh? "Everyone" sounds pretty racist to me.

IF the intention was to say that he was left behind by evolution then I could see your point. But to assume that was the intent is racist. Black people aren't the only ones who evolved from primates, white people did too.

I think it's ridiculous to draw such distinct lines in symbolism. Obama does look like that cartoon character to me. He has the same hairline and the same goofy big ears. I also kinda think he's a fool and an idiot, but that's because he's a socialist, not because he's black.

I really think that people are far too hypersensitive about this issue.

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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 3:30:27 AM   
atursvcMaam


Posts: 1195
Joined: 5/10/2004
Status: offline 		Gee i didn't know that, thank you for educating me.  must be another one of those "code" things that can only be broken with insane decryption mentality.

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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 3:35:44 AM   
SailingBum


Posts: 3225
Joined: 12/10/2007
From: Sailin the stormy sea
Status: offline 		ppl will play the race card whether its needed or not

BadOne

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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 4:12:32 AM   
Kirata


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Joined: 2/11/2006
From: USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: meatcleaver

When you portray a blackman as a chimp, everyone knows you portray him as being left behind by evolution and hence, not fully human.

That association is entirely in your mind. It never occurred to me.
 
Now that I think about it, though, I do recall some old racist shit along those lines. But in my case, it didn't stick.
 
Have a nice day.
 
K.
 
 
 
 

(in reply to meatcleaver)
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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 4:21:03 AM   
Elisabella


Posts: 3939
Status: offline 		Also, come to think of it, Obama isn't black.

He's just as black as he is white. If it's ok to refer to Obama as a black man, it should be ok to refer to him as a white man too, right?

Right??

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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 4:30:23 AM   
PlayfulOne


Posts: 1047
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Elisabella I think one of the biggest problems in America today is that African-Americans are considered "black" before they are considered "Americans."


You've never spent time around certain groups of Italian Americans or Irish Americans?

quote:

ORIGINAL: meatcleaver
When you portray a white man as a chimp, everyone knows you portray him as a fool and an idiot. When you portray a blackman as a chimp, everyone knows you portray him as being left behind by evolution and hence, not fully human.


Right along with the old terms Porch Monkey and Yard Ape.

K




(in reply to Elisabella)
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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 4:31:18 AM   
Kirata


Posts: 15477
Joined: 2/11/2006
From: USA
Status: offline 		Now I gotta wonder if the creator of Curious George intended to portray George Bush as "left behind by evolution and hence, not fully human."
 
K.
 

 

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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 4:32:36 AM   
PlayfulOne


Posts: 1047
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Kirata

Now I gotta wonder if the creator of Curious George intended to portray George Bush as "left behind by evolution and hence, not fully human."
 
K.
 

 


Or maybe the original connection came because they were both named George and have a habit of bumbling around and creating chaos.

K

< Message edited by PlayfulOne -- 10/25/2008 4:39:13 AM >

(in reply to Kirata)
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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 4:33:48 AM   
SL4V3M4YB3


Posts: 3506
Joined: 12/20/2007
From: S.E. London U.K.
Status: offline 		The difference is that one is being judged by their actions and abilities whilst the other one is being attacked for their appearance. Seems straightforward enough for those who don't deal in grey.  

< Message edited by SL4V3M4YB3 -- 10/25/2008 4:34:32 AM >

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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 4:42:26 AM   
Kirata


Posts: 15477
Joined: 2/11/2006
From: USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: SL4V3M4YB3

The difference is that one is being judged by their actions and abilities whilst the other one is being attacked for their appearance. Seems straightforward enough for those who don't deal in grey.  

George Bush was being "judged", but Obama is being "attacked". Got it. Check. And race has nothing to do with your perceptions.
 
K.
 
 

(in reply to SL4V3M4YB3)
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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 4:43:42 AM   
SL4V3M4YB3


Posts: 3506
Joined: 12/20/2007
From: S.E. London U.K.
Status: offline 		I didn't say who was attacked and who was judged now did I?

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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 4:49:56 AM   
Kirata


Posts: 15477
Joined: 2/11/2006
From: USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: SL4V3M4YB3

I didn't say who was attacked and who was judged now did I?

You said, "judged by their actions and abilities". Wanna argue the point?
 
K.
 

(in reply to SL4V3M4YB3)
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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 4:51:36 AM   
SL4V3M4YB3


Posts: 3506
Joined: 12/20/2007
From: S.E. London U.K.
Status: offline 		I want to know how you know who I'm attacking and who I'm judging when I've mentioned no names?

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Memory Lane...been there done that.

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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 4:52:28 AM   
Kirata


Posts: 15477
Joined: 2/11/2006
From: USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: SL4V3M4YB3

I want to know how you know who I'm attacking and who I'm judging when I've mentioned no names?

Have you read the Curious George cartoon???
 
Clue: It ain't about GWB's "appearance".
 
K.
 



 

< Message edited by Kirata -- 10/25/2008 4:57:38 AM >

(in reply to SL4V3M4YB3)
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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 4:57:42 AM   
SL4V3M4YB3


Posts: 3506
Joined: 12/20/2007
From: S.E. London U.K.
Status: offline 		So George Bush doesn't look like a chimp in the cartoon then is that what you are saying?

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Memory Lane...been there done that.

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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 5:00:17 AM   
SL4V3M4YB3


Posts: 3506
Joined: 12/20/2007
From: S.E. London U.K.
Status: offline 		I don't really understand this argument you can swap the words attacked and judged all you like it make no difference, the difference is what they are being attacked and judged for which you have just now admitted to.

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Memory Lane...been there done that.

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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 5:15:11 AM   
Kirata


Posts: 15477
Joined: 2/11/2006
From: USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: SL4V3M4YB3

I don't really understand this argument you can swap the words attacked and judged all you like it make no difference, the difference is what they are being attacked and judged for which you have just now admitted to.

You really need to be looking under your own bed.
 
One is a series of cartoons telling a story, one is a static tshirt. One is about GWB's (lack of) "abilities", the other (keeping to your words) is about "appearance". And you are the one who used the difference between being "judged" and being "attacked" to fake a point. Personally, I think they're both in poor taste. But the only difference between portraying a white man as a monkey and portraying a black man as a monkey is in the mind of the beholder.
 
To wit: Definition 11
 
K.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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RE: Racism = Treating Obama the exact same way Bush is ... - 10/25/2008 6:00:35 AM   
corysub


Posts: 1492
Joined: 1/1/2004
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: PlayfulOne

quote:

ORIGINAL: Elisabella I think one of the biggest problems in America today is that African-Americans are considered "black" before they are considered "Americans."


You've never spent time around certain groups of Italian Americans or Irish Americans?

quote:

ORIGINAL: meatcleaver
When you portray a white man as a chimp, everyone knows you portray him as a fool and an idiot. When you portray a blackman as a chimp, everyone knows you portray him as being left behind by evolution and hence, not fully human.


Right along with the old terms Porch Monkey and Yard Ape.

K





I'm of Italian decent but have never defined myself as an "Italian American"...My grandfather who came over in the early part of the last century did consider it an honor when he took the test and became a citizen.  We grew up in an Italain ghetto and I understand the frictions that young people have in that environment when everyone not Italian is considered with suspician, and you were called dago, wop, dumb greasy haired "G"....It was a rough time, the gangs were big and well-armed, and some kids didn't make it. 
However, family was always there, respect for older people and "don't bring shame on the family" was drilled into us. Every adult had unwritten permission to give a kid a boot in the ass if he was doing something wrong.  Adults ruled, not children.  The church was an important part of our lives, it provided "hope" for our dreams, and was the source of much of our entertainment with dances, outings, summer camps, etc.  No one read Dr. Spock. and was concerned about the "long term feelings of the child being impacted by strick discipline.  I know I am drifting off topic, but I am trying to give some definition to what MY experience was, and it may parallel the experience of others since the question was raised.

Today, my friends and I meet and talk about politics, talk about the Philly's, talk about sex and everything else under the sun.  We never talk about our "Italian roots".   Most of the people I know are voting for McCain/Palin, possibly splitting their vote for Congress since we have a good guy who just, unfortunately, happens to be a democrat.  The fact that Obama's skin is black is not the issue...The issue is that we are not sure what the true color of his heart is, what radical path his ideology will take the nation, and the inexperience of the man with such great charisma who is so charming, so great with words. 

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