Black Activists Speak Out against Obama Amnesty Agenda

[bonnie]

I happen to love watermelon. It is a staple in my fridge all summer long. Always took it to work for break.

Another co-worker did same. A big blow occurred at work with a  black co-worker when she made the statement about watermelon being her favorite food so she was glad it was cheap. The black co-worker blew up and accused her of mocking him because black  people are frequently connected to watermelon.

No one owns the exclusive right to the word or the product.Watermelon does not have to be struck from the english language..Using the word does not mean anyone is using it in a negative manner.

 

My dad was a mechanic and often used the word "chink" when something wasn't working right. Never at anytime was that considered a racial slur. It was stating there was a problem somewhere that had to be corrected. Should the dictionary meaning and use of the word be struck from the English language?

Using it in a negative manner is racial.Using it to describe a problem with an engine didn't have the slightest thing to do with race.I didn't realize until I read it here that the use of that word can only have a negative use

[bonnie]

Look it up here - http://www.fact-index.com/l/li/list_of_ethnic_slurs.html  I don't make this stuff up.  

 

Maybe making an assumption and leveling an accusation without at least a question as to what was meant is also part of the problem.

Perhaps a demand that word be struck from the dictionary,regardless of it's meaning should be made.

 

So that word must always be used as you claim?  Was the conservative blogger using the word in the pejorative sense concerning other conservatives?

What is ironic is that liberals that champion "diversity" have such a reaction to the diversity that doesn't fall into line with their thinking.

[bonnie]

Look it up here - http://www.fact-index.com/l/li/list_of_ethnic_slurs.html  I don't make this stuff up.  

 

h

Had you at anytime approached this in a manner that did not make the automatic leap and accusation that it was meant as a racial slur .My reaction to someone being sensitive to the use of that word would have been far different than when it is placed on this level 

[Tom Wetmore]

Not only not getting it, but resisting getting it, evidences a lack of caring about it.  The whole idea of so many slurs is that they have a double meaning, used as a code, for the initiated to understand.  Yes, in the worst forms some slurs are used openly and with intent to be well understood.  The common dictionary does not always give the slang meaning.  Nor do dictionaries give the context of the usage. In fact there are many of those slurs that have a meaning and usage that is not at all offensive.  Take the word "monkey" for example.  And then there is a very regionalized usage to consider.  As a life long Yankee with deep roots in the North,  I may not know the proliferation of negative terms used by white southerners in reference to black people, simply because there was no racial context of my formative years.  

 

But what you seem most unwilling to get is that it is not so much about your personal intent in using the word "ninny" in reference to black people.  Your ignorance is not much of an excuse, really.  But you needn't be defensive, or worse, persistently in denial.  I have informed you.  Now for future reference consider being more sensitive and careful of words you use in this context.  Try to use objectively acceptable and simply language.

[Tom Wetmore]

As I keep saying, you don't get it do you!  But worse, you really reinforce that you could care less if you offend anyone.  You simply do not care.  And that is a major part of the problem.  Apathy.  

 

One really doesn't have to be hateful or mean-spirited toward others.  Not caring or being apathetic about others is worse that hating them.  It has been said that the opposite of love is not hate, but rather not caring one way or the other about the person.  True apathy.  Not caring if anything good or bad happens to the other person.  Really acting as if they simply do not exist,  if they live or die matters not and means nothing.  They are nothing, mean nothing.

 

Really now, if you cared, wouldn't you prefer to not offend someone you cared about, even if done so innocently?  If someone near and dear to you told you that the perfume you liked to use, actually gave them a headache, wouldn't you stop using it, at least when you expected to be in their presence?  Choose your words so that their fragrance that you may think is OK doesn't offend or annoy others.

[bonnie]

As I keep saying, you don't get it do you!  But worse, you really reinforce that you could care less if you offend anyone.  You simply do not care.  And that is a major part of the problem.  Apathy.  

 

One really doesn't have to be hateful or mean-spirited toward others.  Not caring or being apathetic about others is worse that hating them.  It has been said that the opposite of love is not hate, but rather not caring one way or the other about the person.  True apathy.  Not caring if anything good or bad happens to the other person.  Really acting as if they simply do not exist,  if they live or die matters not and means nothing.  They are nothing, mean nothing.

 

Really now, if you cared, wouldn't you prefer to not offend someone you cared about, even if done so innocently?  If someone near and dear to you told you that the perfume you liked to use, actually gave them a headache, wouldn't you stop using it, at least when you expected to be in their presence?  Choose your words so that their fragrance that you may think is OK doesn't offend or annoy others.

I repeat

 

Had you at anytime approached this in a manner that did not make the automatic leap and accusation that it was meant as a racial slur,My reaction to someone being sensitive to the use of that word would have been far different than when it is placed on this level .

In case you are still not understanding me,Had you approached me as admin/moderator quietly and asked me if either I meant this as a racial slur or was I aware that some may be sensitive to that word,I would have edited it myself. Instead you took the right to make an assumption and accusation,something I have seen you rail against in the past on this forum

 

 

This is not what the above says.... But worse, you really reinforce that you could care less if you offend anyone.  You simply do not care.  And that is a major part of the problem.  Apathy.  

[Tom Wetmore]

I happen to love watermelon. It is a staple in my fridge all summer long. Always took it to work for break.

Another co-worker did same. A big blow occurred at work with a  black co-worker when she made the statement about watermelon being her favorite food so she was glad it was cheap. The black co-worker blew up and accused her of mocking him because black  people are frequently connected to watermelon.

No one owns the exclusive right to the word or the product.Watermelon does not have to be struck from the english language..Using the word does not mean anyone is using it in a negative manner.

 

My dad was a mechanic and often used the word "chink" when something wasn't working right. Never at anytime was that considered a racial slur. It was stating there was a problem somewhere that had to be corrected. Should the dictionary meaning and use of the word be struck from the English language?

Using it in a negative manner is racial.Using it to describe a problem with an engine didn't have the slightest thing to do with race.I didn't realize until I read it here that the use of that word can only have a negative use

 

 

Context.  Be aware of it.  Just try to understand. 

[Tom Wetmore]

Maybe this analogy might help. I am left handed. I lived in a country where it was offensive to eat with your left hand, etc. I learned to eat with my right hand so as not to offend when eating in public. There was nothing wrong with being left handed or eating with my left hand. But just trying to be culturally sensitive is all. No need to even innocently offend if it can be avoided.

Words are more important that that. Choose them carefully.

[bonnie]

Maybe this analogy might help.  I am left handed.  I lived in a country where it was offensive to eat with your left hand, etc.  I learned to eat with my right hand so as not to offend when eating in public.  There was nothing wrong with being left handed or eating with my left hand.  But just trying to be culturally sensitive as all.  No need to even innocently offend if it can be avoided.

 

Words are more important that that.  Choose them carefully.

If you knew that eating with your left hand was offensive and to continue to do so in public,it would not have been an innocent offense.

The use of the word ninny never even crossed my mind that there would be those that would insist it a racial slur. Using it was completely innocent. Any offense to someone that might be sensitive to that word was not intended.

It is interesting what does qualify  as offensive name calling/slur and what doesn't. 

AGAIN,had you or any other moderator/admin approached me quietly and asked me if I realized that could be construed as a racial slur I would have deleted it.

Instead,a leap to judgement and deciding it was racist on my part.

[bonnie]

 

 

Words are more important that that.  Choose them carefully.

Words are important. They are also used to verbally club others into submission and accepting their way as the only way.

[CoAspen]

Denial of the elephant and walking around it does not mean the elephant is non existant.

[bonnie]

Denial of the elephant and walking around it does not mean the elephant is non existant.

This particular "elephant" could have been acknowledged and sent from the room.Sometimes it seems that it is more  desirable to keep roping the elephant and dragging him back thru for impact

A simple heads up that there are some that would see that as a racial slur would have resulted in it being voluntarily removed immediately It would also have been helpful in sending the elephant on his way to follow what you tell others about assumptions and accusations. I have certainly seen you post that on more than one occasion 

As for the article itself that also seems racist.This article is hardly unique at this point. A lot has been written about the dissatisfaction of the black community concerning what they felt Obama would provide for them and has not.

There is a reason besides a sudden burst of patriotism on the part of the black community during the last two presidential elections to turn out in the largest number in recent history. Some here disagree. Their disagreement I guess is supposed to be taken as gospel rather than another point of view.

[joeb]

Not only not getting it, but resisting getting it, evidences a lack of caring about it.  The whole idea of so many slurs is that they have a double meaning, used as a code, for the initiated to understand.  Yes, in the worst forms some slurs are used openly and with intent to be well understood.  The common dictionary does not always give the slang meaning.  Nor do dictionaries give the context of the usage. In fact there are many of those slurs that have a meaning and usage that is not at all offensive.  Take the word "monkey" for example.  And then there is a very regionalized usage to consider.  As a life long Yankee with deep roots in the North,  I may not know the proliferation of negative terms used by white southerners in reference to black people, simply because there was no racial context of my formative years.  

 

But what you seem most unwilling to get is that it is not so much about your personal intent in using the word "ninny" in reference to black people.  Your ignorance is not much of an excuse, really.  But you needn't be defensive, or worse, persistently in denial.  I have informed you.  Now for future reference consider being more sensitive and careful of words you use in this context.  Try to use objectively acceptable and simply language.

What a crock, Tom.  Your attempt to make an issue out of something that you know good and well was not meant to be derogatory is nothing more than a blatant attempt to shame someone into admitting guilt where none existed.  You've tried this with me multiple times and it is nothing more than a personal attack.  So, go ahead and use personal attacks all you want.  All it does is show your desperation in your attempts to silence those you disagree with. 

 

And you call yourself a Christian.

[Tom Wetmore]

Go ahead show me your Christianity...

GO back and read more carefully what I actually said, not just the reactionary responses.

[lazarus]

 

There is a reason besides a sudden burst of patriotism on the part of the black community during the last two presidential elections to turn out in the largest number in recent history. Some here disagree. Their disagreement I guess is supposed to be taken as gospel rather than another point of view.

The fact is that blacks, hispanics and asians came out in increased numbers to vote for Obama. The reasons for the turn out are more sophisticated that you crudely suggest. You have failed to show any clear evidence other than your negative view of black people. Sad but predictable.

[bonnie]

The fact is that blacks, hispanics and asians came out in increased numbers to vote for Obama. The reasons for the turn out are more sophisticated that you crudely suggest. You have failed to show any clear evidence other than your negative view of black people. Sad but predictable.

I don't believe that the reason for the support of Obama is anymore complex or sophisticated than the reasoning behind the women's vote for Clinton,a completely amoral man. He was their guy,"he is so cute' was one of the better thought out phrases for their acceptance of a sexual predator. Had women come out against sexual harassment and worse as strongly as they do in other situations,Clinton would not have been elected. His sex games were well known prior to his election. NOW and all the other liberal feminist would have destroyed him.

Do I believe the black voter wanted a black man in the White House?Yes,can I prove it,never implied that I could. Many are now realizing that this black man has not served them well.

 

 My belief and opinions do not have to be based on  clear evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. No one here has risen to the level that they can demand their reasoning be accepted as the only valid one

You say "sad but predictable".What is sad and predictable is your behavior in slipping in a negative comment concerning the white race.    Even in the topic concerning survival preparation in emergencies ,you found a way to do just that. Thankfully no one bit and ignored your inflamatory comment of needing bullet proof vests to protect from the police.This was shortly after the shooting of Micheal brown. You are very free with your negative drive by snipes.

 

You have stated that anytime someone mentions the "founding fathers'  and other issues you will continue to do so.

You use what you think is a clever cutesy "fondling fathers" whenever you can. Children do the same,long after they received attention for something clever they keep repeating it hoping for the same effect.

Over the years I have had generally positive dealings with any of a minority race. Personal and co-workers that became friends. I don't at this time and that doesn't have anything to do with negative feelings,but my personal life doesn't include the opportunity any longer.

Do I have positive feelings towards minorities that are forever searching for racism in every sentence.No I don't. I generally keep it very superficial.

In my personal life having to deal with negative little snipes at every opportunity would let me know a friendship would not be possible.

If every word has to be researched to see if someone had used that in a slur  in the past would get exhausting very quickly.

[bonnie]

Go ahead show me your Christianity...

GO back and read more carefully what I actually said, not just the reactionary responses.

An assumption that what you posted hasn't been read or that there are some just to dense to be able to follow your direction and accept what you say as gospel?