this is my universal translator. so far it only translates into an incomprehensible language.
We're still circling that first very crucial and yet very basic stage--how to have a conversation about race--instead talking about issues in depth. Instead of broaching the specific problems or discussing perspectives and complexities that are brought up in the initial question, we instead cycle the Kübler-Ross stages of:
- Denial: "The show/the character/that phrasing can't possibly be racist. I know them/it/the writer, they aren't racist! I don't have white privilege; I'm a individual! Why are you attacking me?"
- Anger: "How dare you call me/them/it a racist! That's not nice, in fact, it's the worst thing anyone could ever hear ever. And you're a crazy troublemaker! And you don't know what real racism is!”
- Bargaining: "Okay, maybe you kind of have a point but how does this benefit me? And how does it benefit you? Shouldn't we be out talking in the real world where it counts?"
- Depression: "what good does talking about this do? It doesn't change the world, it doesn't change anything? Why bother? I come to fandom to get away from these sad real life things."
- Acceptance: "wow, huh. Maybe there is a problem. So, what do I do now?" or my personal favourite, "oh, I know everything now, I don't need to read further."
Which hey, leads us all the way back to denial again. There is individual change and growth but as fandom, as this undefinable entity, as a community? I cannot see that much progress in last twelve months of race discussions in fandom.
Alas, people often stop at the denial stage. They can't see a stereotype like Chief Wahoo is wrong even if you point it out in the most explicit terms.
5 comments:
Writerfella here --
There actually is NO discussion of 'race' in America, simply because the MAJORITY of those ostensibly discussing 'race' are Caucasian. The topic emerged as a presence only because 'race' became questioned as the motivation behind EVERY action the 'dominant society' conducted as it saw as proper. And, if such a topic is being discussed mostly by the 'dominant society,' they may make of it whatsoever that they wish. If complaints or dissident opinions should so be offered, those are dismissed because the main numbers of 'listeners' are free to say, "Nah, that can't be it!" Therefore, is anyone truly LISTENING?" Watch this post disappear by 10 am Monday, March 17! And a Happy St. Paddy's Day to you, Rob, faith and gomorrah!
All Best
Russ Bates
'writerfella'
I'm discussing race in this posting and I'm Caucasian. I'm also discussing it in other postings on Barack Obama, mascots, stereotypes, and similar topics. Feel free to join these discussions if you have anything to say.
I'm glad you finally figured out that postings disappear in seven days, not in 24 or 48 hours or whatever your previous guesses were. Now let's hope you've learned that this is an automatic function of the software. It's not part of some conspiracy to hide your comments, as you keep insinuating.
Yes, this posting will go into the archives on March 17, but not necessarily at 10 am. In fact, it'll go into the March archive when I post the first item for March 18, which could be as late as 11:59 pm that evening. Or even sometime March 19. (The date and time stamps on an item are irrelevant since I can edit them. They usually don't reflect the time I actually post something.)
Here's a tip: Check the little box labeled "Email follow-up comments to [your address]" if you want to follow a discussion. You'll be notified of new comments even if the posting is in the archives. That way, you can continue commenting on old subjects the way I sometimes do.
@Russ "There actually is NO discussion of 'race' in America, simply because the MAJORITY of those ostensibly discussing 'race' are Caucasian."
Majority does not mean all. Using your implication that only minorities discuss can and do race, and using the fact of 1/3 minority population, that leaves 100,000,000 million Americans who can discuss race even if Caucasians never do at all. Or maybe 100,000,001 if we can make Rob an honorary minority because he discuss race.
OK... Now that we have dealt with one aspect of your generalization by running with it, let's confront your statement "There actually is NO discussion of 'race' in America" head on. Please send me your e-mail addres sometime. If you would rather not do that, create a Gmail account instead. They have infinite size. You are going to need the mailbox size as I start to forward and email you every single discussion of race that I can find online, any point of view, from any race, as long as the person writing it is American.
You won't mind.... No such discussion exists, so you won't get one email, right?
Writerfella here --
Okay, do the math: 300,000,000 minus 200,000,000 equals 100,000,000. That means 200,000,000 people are discussing race and therefore can ignore 100,000,000 in the process. However one views such figures, 100,000,000 STILL is in the minority...
All Best
Russ Bates
'writerfella'
From Russ's unclear writing, I guess he thinks no one is discussing race except 200 million Caucasians. This is stupidity since I've quoted Indians and other minorities discussing race many times.
You can find minority discussions of race in tens of thousands of blogs and websites. One of my favorites is Racialicious.
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