13-08-2002 01:38									#31
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Cal, you don't have any right to tell other people what is offensive to them, and what is not offensive to them.

Sometimes an ignorant person might think they are doing an act of kindness towards a person of a minority race status, and then it will get overblown as a deliberate racist act.

But, white people really do not have any right to tell blacks how they should feel.

	13-08-2002 01:58									#32
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quote: Originally posted by chegitz guevara It is rather likely that whoever set her up to this did intend the melons to be an insult, even if the old woman herself had no idea what it meant.

Why is it likely? There is absolutely no evidence of racism at all.

quote: Caligastia, you know some Black people. Why don't you ask them about the whole watermelon thing? In fact, all of you who don't understand, why don't you do the same?

I will ask

	13-08-2002 02:03									#33
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quote: Originally posted by MrFun Cal, you don't have any right to tell other people what is offensive to them, and what is not offensive to them.

Did I try to? Nope. I said there is no evidence to suggest that this was racially motivated.

quote: Sometimes an ignorant person might think they are doing an act of kindness towards a person of a minority race status, and then it will get overblown as a deliberate racist act.

Yep. Because of perceived racism a gift of watermelon is not acceptable to blacks. The racists win.

	13-08-2002 02:06									#34
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Man, I'm really surprised. I expected Non-americans wouldn't recognize it as a racial slur, but am shocked at all the number of US posters that did the same. If I went down to the south side of Chicago and handed out watermelons, my life expectancy would be about 2 minutes. I guess it's more regional than I thought.

I learn something new every day.

RAH
But I guarentee that it was meant as an insult. The alternative would be, Yeah, let's pay that asain women to deliver some watermelons as a good will gesture.

	13-08-2002 02:09									#35
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quote: Originally posted by Dan Severn quote: However, racists used to say that Black were nothin' but a lazy bunch of cottin' pickin', watermelon and fried chicken eatin' . . . etc. It's an insult because it is meant to be an insult. (I know, that's circular, but the psychology of racism isn't logical). Gee, and yet somehow, I've never heard any of those insults, except cotton pickin'. And that's not a racial thing, it's like saying f#ckin'. Fried Chicken is great, BTW.

What part of ILLOGICAL don't you people understand!?!?!?!

No, it' doesn't make a goddamned bit of sense. You need to look back at how Black people used to be depicted, lying around on their porches (hence the term, porchmonkey) eatin' watermelons with big bulbous lips, black as coal, gigantic feet, etc.

An insult doesn't have to make sense. It doesn't have to be cruel. It could be used to ridicule.

http://www.ferris.edu/news/jimcrow/newforms/
http://www.duke.edu/~kgf2/Bamboozled%20Essay.doc
http://www.s-t.com/daily/02-99/02-21-99/e04li164.htm
http://www.nannyjack.com/Gallery.htm

	13-08-2002 02:16									#36
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I understand that this can be viewed as a racist attack, but by being offended, arent they just reacting the way the racists want them to? If they just accepted the watermelon with a smile then the gesture would lose its appeal as a racist form of attack.

	13-08-2002 02:18									#37
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Probably so. But emotions aren't necessarily rational.

	13-08-2002 02:19									#38
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Publishing stories like this one doesnt help matters.

	13-08-2002 02:40									#39
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia I understand that this can be viewed as a racist attack, but by being offended, arent they just reacting the way the racists want them to? If they just accepted the watermelon with a smile then the gesture would lose its appeal as a racist form of attack.

And when a burning cross shows up on your lawn? JUST SMILE AND THE GESTURE WOULD LOSE IT"S APPEAL.

Extreme example I know, but just taking it doesn't always solve the problem.

Rich

	13-08-2002 02:42									#40
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quote: Originally posted by rah And when a burning cross shows up on your lawn? JUST SMILE AND THE GESTURE WOULD LOSE IT"S APPEAL.

Thats a very silly analogy Rah. Burning a cross on someones lawn is illegal and dangerous. Quite different from giving watermelons.

quote: Extreme example I know, but just taking it doesn't always solve the problem.

Do you think racists would still give watermelons to blacks if they knew they wouldnt get offended?

	13-08-2002 02:47									#41
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Yep, because they'd still get humor out of it. Because the dumb bigots wouldn't know any better.

I used an extreme example intentionally.

Accepting intolerance solves nothing in the long run.

Rich

	13-08-2002 02:51									#42
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quote: Originally posted by rah Yep, because they'd still get humor out of it. Because the dumb bigots wouldn't know any better.

Then there would be no harm done would there? If nobody was offended by it then blacks could just enjoy free watermelon from idiots.

quote: Accepting intolerance solves nothing in the long run.

In this case it would. The bigots will get humor out of it either way, but if the blacks just eat the watermelon and laugh at the bigots then what is the problem?

	13-08-2002 02:55									#43
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Then blacks should just laugh it off when they're called niggers. And all our problems would be solved. It's just not that easy. Whatever the guesture, it's the thought behind it that drives the response.

	13-08-2002 02:58									#44
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quote: Originally posted by rah Then blacks should just laugh it off when they're called niggers.

That would also be helpful. Also they should stop using the word themselves if they dont like it.

quote: And all our problems would be solved. It's just not that easy. Whatever the guesture, it's the thought behind it that drives the response.

The expected response also drives the gesture. Where should the vicious circle end?

	13-08-2002 03:00									#45
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The logical place would be the gesture, since that's where the hatred originates.


Yes, in a perfect world, no one would ever get offended.
I don't think that's likely to happen.

	13-08-2002 03:03									#46
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quote: Originally posted by rah The logical place would be the gesture, since that's where the hatred originates.

I think both sides could do their bit.

quote: Yes, in a perfect world, no one would ever get offended. I don't think that's likely to happen.

Not for a long, long time anyway

	13-08-2002 03:08									#47
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia I think both sides could do their bit.

Agreed, but if you tolorate one type of hateful thing so they stop doing it, they'll just find another. The hate is the cause and that's where it must be ultimately solved.
For me, Education and familiarity have resolved most of my prejudices.
Hopefully I haven't passed any of mine from earlier in my life to my daughter. Time will tell.

Rich

	13-08-2002 03:21									#48
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quote: Originally posted by rah Hopefully I haven't passed any of mine from earlier in my life to my daughter. Time will tell. Rich

You have, but don't worry, she'll rebell against it later in life and wonder what your problem was.

	13-08-2002 05:31									#49
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia Publishing stories like this one doesnt help matters.

This is coming from the person who posted this article for a new thread.


I remember seeing a copy of an 1870's racist depiction of a lazy n**ger lying by a tree, eating watermelon, while a white man was in the background sweating buckets, working in the field.

So Cal, let us know what you find out after asking one of your black friends about this watermelon deal.

	13-08-2002 06:40									#50
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quote: Originally posted by MrFun This is coming from the person who posted this article for a new thread. I remember seeing a copy of an 1870's racist depiction of a lazy n**ger lying by a tree, eating watermelon, while a white man was in the background sweating buckets, working in the field. So Cal, let us know what you find out after asking one of your black friends about this watermelon deal.

I asked a black friend of mine about it and she seemed more concerned about paying the bills and getting the kids to school on time in the morning.

Oh and uh she likes watermelon too.

	13-08-2002 06:42									#51
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quote: Originally posted by chegitz guevara Q Cubed, watermelons do not taste like arse.

You have had too many of them damned Commie watermelons. Why don't you taste some of the nice juicy cold all American watermelons.

	13-08-2002 07:28									#52
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no, see i did have american watermelons. i dunno, i just never liked them too much. i always feel like it's too stringy, even though it's not...

don't even like them yellow mexican watermelons.

haven't tried the square japanese watermelons, and i don't wanna.

	13-08-2002 19:10									#53
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quote: Originally posted by MrFun This is coming from the person who posted this article for a new thread.

As if that would make any difference...

Name one person on this forum who will be negatively affected by this thread.

	13-08-2002 19:26									#54
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I don't like watermelons either cube. Too bland.

I still think it's absolutely ridiculous. If I liked watermelons and someone sent me a watermelon, I would be happy, not insulted.

The guy could have sent him a package bomb, so getting all huffy puffy about a friggin watermelon is ridiculous.

	13-08-2002 23:35									#55
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia Name one person on this forum who will be negatively affected by this thread.

I was! Because of this thread, I went and bought a watermelon, only to find out the Bunnygrrl doesn't like watermelons. I have to eat this sucker all by myself!?! Damn you!

	13-08-2002 23:35									#56
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quote: Originally posted by Q Cubed haven't tried the square japanese watermelons, and i don't wanna.

It's just a regular watermelon grown in a box.

	13-08-2002 23:37									#57
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quote: Originally posted by chegitz guevara I was! Because of this thread, I went and bought a watermelon, only to find out the Bunnygrrl doesn't like watermelons. I have to eat this sucker all by myself!?! Damn you!

First cake, now watermelon. What else can I make you eat...

	14-08-2002 00:37									#58
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i know that. but you missed the point. it's japanese.

	14-08-2002 03:22									#59
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quote: Originally posted by Caligastia First cake, now watermelon. What else can I make you eat...

Beer, probably.

	14-08-2002 03:49									#60
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.It's 2 AM here , and I suddenly got a watermelon craving.

*goes to the fridge*