Posts tagged race

eshusplayground:

Hint: If you ignore or omit race in your discussion of privilege of any kind, you’re probably the one I’m talking about.

(via all-about-male-privilege)

fracturedrefuge:

So this post has been ever-growing and evolving, but original credit must be given to the-real-full-metal-bitch for starting this waaaaay back when.  It was getting long and convoluted, so I just decided to make a new post with all the ones I could find.

If you want, you can submit any you have to me and I will update this post with your name and the images you send me. (You can remain anonymous, too!)

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you reblog this, I ask that you please keep the #epilepsy warning, #gif and #multiple gifs tags in place.  Thank you.

Enjoy!

(Under a cut cuz wow this got longer than I thought it would…)

Read More

ULTIMATE.

biggadjeworld:

When I was child, Halloween costumes rarely comprised of anything inherently insulting. The choices were easy; I could be a cat, a pumpkin, a clown, or a ghost. My neighborhood was filled with little vampires, witches and the occasional television or movie character. Some stereotyped Disney characters made an appearance, such as Pocahontas or Esmeralda, but the notion of purposefully dressing as a racial stereotype was seemingly absent.

There were few “gypsies” or “Indian princesses”. I don’t remember “ghetto” ever being a costume until I was in high school. I never happened upon a ”geisha”, “eskimo” or “muslim”. People seemed to have enough decency to not allow their children to tromp around as, and consequently on, another race or culture.

Granted, individual opinions vary as to whether it is ever respectful to use a racial or cultural costume on Halloween, but no one can deny the fact that most of these costumes are in no way accurate, often play into negative stereotypes, and for women, hypersexualize traditional attire. Those aspects of cultural and racial costumes are always offensive.

In case you have never done so, let’s take a look at how starkly different Halloween “costumes” are from the true culture & why donning these “costumes” is both racist & insulting.

Gypsy
Before we even get to the actual costume, first it must be pointed out that the word, “gypsy”, is actually a slur for the Romani ethnic population. Not only are these costumes more akin to pirates than actual Romani traditional dress, but they are marketed under a slur that is rife with stereotypes and negative connotations.



This is traditional Romani dress of just two regions of Europe; the Carpathians and Balkans, respectively. The Romani, like any other ethnic or racial group, are not entirely homogeneous. Though our most traditional dress is some variation of what is shown here, this is not the only type of clothing worn by the Romani.



As one can clearly see, the “gypsy” costume is wildly inaccurate in comparison to traditional Romani dress. As I will state for nearly every single “costume” here, also, one must take note of how sexualized the costume is, which has had & continues to have a direct impact on Romani women & girls. This type of stereotyping does result in sexual violence.


Indian
This is not the Indian from the subcontinent of India in South Asia. Native Americans are comprised of numerous sub ethnic populations. All of which have distinct cultures and languages. Homogenizing Native American culture in the form of a costume denies that fact. Also, the term “Indian”, like “gypsy”, was created by white Europeans who often used it in a denigrating manner.



These images depict the Navajo & Choctaw Nations, respectively. Each Nation, or sub-ethnic population of Native Americans has a distinct dress. As in many other cultures, some of what is worn has an inherently spiritual component. When such items are bastardized to be used for a “costume” it dually insults the particular culture.



Once again, the “costume” bears little resemblance to the actual traditional dress of any Native American group. As with the “gypsy” costume, it is difficult to find an “Indian” costume that is not overly sexualized & stereotyped. Once again, the sexualization of this culture has and continues to result in sexual violence & directly affects Native American women & girls. It is also my understanding that Native headdresses serve a very specific purpose & appropriating them is highly offensive.

Eskimo
Native Americans who inhabit Alaska & Canada also are not homogeneous. They too consist of many sub-ethnic populations all of whom have their own culture, traditions, and language. Once again, the term “eskimo” is often seen as pejorative by members of this ethnicity.



The above shows members of the Yupik (Yupiq, Yup’ik) and the Aleut sub-ethnic populations, respectively. The variances in dress are quite obvious, and to be expected as no ethnic group is entirely homogeneous.


These costumes are marketed as “eskimo”, but bear little resemblance to the true traditional dress of any of these populations. They are also sexualized and I do not believe they will provide any defense against the cold weather, so good luck with that. Are you sensing the trend here?

Mexican
Mexico is a large nation state that is comprised of varying ethnic groups. Though most known as a Spanish speaking country, there are 68 indigenous languages still spoken in Mexico, which means there are likely far more than 68 varying ethnic populations, some indigenous, some not.



The above images depict Oaxacan & Otomi dress, respectively. As any individual from Central Europe can tell you, embroidery plays a large role in the identification of what sub-ethnic population one belongs to. How is this any different because these women are from Mexico? It’s not. Their embroidery is an important feature of their culture, as well.



Why is necessary that every single ethnic costume be highly sexualized? Let’s step back from the blatant inaccuracies and stereotypes for a moment. Has anyone ever stopped to think about just how damaging sexualizing a costume truly is? When such “costumes” are hyper sexualized, the culture is hyper sexualized. That means that the women and girls who belong to these cultures are reduced to mere objects. As if oppression of these ethnicities was not bad enough, why is it necessary to routinely objectify our women?

Muslim & Arab
First of all, Islam is not an ethnicity, but a religion that is practiced by persons of all ethnicities and all races. There is no “Muslim” outfit, as modest dress worn by many who practice Islam is strongly influenced by local cultures. The Middle East is also a highly diverse region of the world with many ethnic populations, cultures, and languages. If you are referring to what is commonly called the “Arab World”, well that spans two continents and contains even more diversity in terms of culture and ethnicity.


Respectively, these images are of a Kurdish girl and Berber girls, two distinct ethnic populations living within the “Arab World”.


Disney called, they want their racism back.

If you are not getting the picture by now, you have serious issues.
Stereotypes. Sexualization. Racism.

Indian
This time, of the Indian subcontinent. South Asia, here we go again, has many destinct cultures, countless languages & is highly diverse.


The first image is of Banjaran women, the latter of Bengali women.


This appears to be a relatively new Halloween trend. Equally insulting.


Geisha
I would like to start with the fact that the Western world has construed and further construed the geisha for quite a long time. Once again, Japan and other countries of East Asia are quite diverse. Chances are when you buy your “Kimono costume”, it is not even a real Kimono.




I have little knowledge of Japanese cultures, so I am going to refrain from labeling these images as I do not want to present misinformation.

Compare to:


No labeling was necessary for you to get the idea.

Ghetto & Black
This needs no explanation.



You should know who these people are.



You should know this is racist. There is a black culture in America & this diminishes it, stereotypes it, and degrades it.



I should probably say something really insightful and representative of all the various ethnic minorities that exist in America. This should be my closing statement that is profound and urges people to be respectful, but I really only have one thing to say:

THIS HALLOWEEN, DON’T BE A RACIST DOUCHEBAG.

(Source: big-gadje-world, via athousandchurches)

lavenderlabia:

dank-potion:

This is for POC that still don’t get it. I pity yall, so we’ll try this again.

• “I don’t see color.” - I don’t give a fuck about realizing my white privilege or the challenges you face because you are not white. I am saying this in a deceptive way to make it sound like I’m not racist, but in fact, what eventually happens goes as follows.

:Sees disproportion in color on college campuses - Well those niggers must be lazy or stupid, or both, because I got here!

:Sees disproportion in arrests against the general population - Well, those niggers must be dangerous criminals, because I obeyed the law and police officers don’t bother me.

• “I have Black People in my family/as friends.” - My racism is so apparent that I have to resort to the measure of bringing up a cousin by marriage on my aunt’s husband’s stepson’s side or a guy my science teacher made me do a project with as evidence that I don’t discriminate against Black People. And you know, slave masters and colonizers totally didn’t procreate with their victim.

• “There’s a Black History Month, but no White History Month” - So, get this lawls! We actually do have a White History Month, but we’re just so fucking selfish that we decided to branch it off into subcategories (German, Italian, Polish, Italian, etc.) but you know, we’re still going to play the victim role here. Also, you have plenty of history that we either neglect or steal, so we’re just going to not discuss you in any of our history books, but get mad when you actually try to celebrate the history of yours that we’ve distorted.

• “Not all White People are Like That” - Du U SEE WHUT I DID HERE!? I just made myself the victim, even though you’re the one in pain. And clearly, you don’t think all White People are like that, because if you did, you wouldn’t even be wasting your breath with me anyways, but I’m still going to pretend you generalized against White People. I don’t like to listen to your pain, it’s not fun, so I’m just going to shut you up. Good luck with your shitty life, come back when you have nice things to say about White People, okay?

• “I’m not Racist, but (insert racist shit here)” - So, obviously I am a racist because I just said something incredibly racist, but totally don’t want to take the title racist, so guess what, I’m just gonna say I’m not a racist and hope you’re stupid enough to believe me. Don’t call me out though, you see, we have this thing called Reverse Racism that we made up and we’re gonna use that on you.

• “That’s Reverse Racism” - Although my reasons for disliking you are completely about my belief that you’re inferior and your reasons are out of being made inferior, I’m going to call them the same thing. I’m going to tell you that Affirmative Action is an example of Reverse Racism, but get this, Affirmative Action was created to level out the centuries upon centuries that I have had a head start in comparison to you and it hardly exists anymore, but I’m still going to use it.

• “You can say nigga, but not me, that’s not fair” - Neither is the fact that I’m much less likely to get pulled over by the police and I can be a felon and still have a better chance at getting hired against your crime-free record, but hey, this isn’t about me! I’m more concerned with taking the one thing you can do that I can’t, which by the way, came out of centuries of oppression and cruelty. I don’t like that you can use a word that has historically hurt you, but I can’t use the same word, even though I’m the one who used it to hurt you.

• “Appropriation? No, I just love your culture.” - I just really saw some cute headband feather shit at Urban Outfitters and was completely unaware that it was your culture until you pointed it out. But keeping up with a summer trend is way more important than your people and the sacred meanings behind your accessories. come fall, new shit is gonna be out and your culture is going to be in my trash can but hey , I’m still appreciating you! Feel appreciated, damnit!

This is an amazing post. 

(Source: maarnayeri)

lavenderlabia:

strugglingtobeheard:

blahblahblather:

howtobeterrell:

I know I wont live to see 25.

I just know it. 

Looking at some of the comments to this kills me. Do people really not know why it’s so common for black folks to say this, especially black men and boys? It’s because a shit load don’t make it to 25.

I used to have this same feeling. Like 25 wasn’t going to happen for me. It got to the point where I turned things into I’m not going past 25, that’s too old, just to comfort the forbidding in my stomach. One minute til my twenty-fifth I wrote my sister and told her I had just made it to the point in my life when I used to say I would die and for the first time I was genuinely happy with myself.

Anyway, I hope you make it way past, and that when you do there are enough good things in your life that makes that shit worth it.

Yea the comments are rude as shit. I just turned 25 in june and let me tell you, I am fucking amazed. And I didn’t even live in poverty or an area where there was constant violence. But… shit can really take a toll on you and I thought it would be by my own hand or by not having any regard for my safety or life.

I do hope you do live to 25 but the feeling you have is real. And it aint wrong to have. No amount of “positive thinking” will get you out of your circumstances without resources to back it up and niggas preaching to you can shut the fuck up. I know you been going through a rough ass time. And how you’ve felt down a lot. I can’t tell you what will or won’t happen. but you are loved. And tho people are assholes, this is your blog and you can express your feelings however you need.

Reblogging for commentary. 

White privilege: taking for granted that you will almost certainly live past 25.

fracturedrefuge:

[IMAGE SNIPPED: A picture of Jordan Miles, an 18-year-old Black male.  He lays in a hospital bed, with a cervical collar around his neck.  He has been severely beaten, as is evidenced by entensive cuts, bruises and swelling on his face.]  

anarcho-queer:

Predominantly White Jury Clears Three White Officers Of Charges After Beating Black Teen

A federal court jury found three white Pittsburgh police officers did not maliciously prosecute a young black man who was arrested for prowling and fighting with police, but was unable to come to a verdict on whether officers used excessive force and falsely arrested him.

The verdict Wednesday came after five days of deliberations. It means the jury of five men and three women, all white except for the black male foreman, could not award damages to Jordan Miles who maintains he was stopped without cause – likely because he was a young black man walking in his high-crime neighborhood – then wrongly arrested and beaten before and after he was handcuffed on a frigid, snowy night.

“It’s a good win for us,” said James Wymard, the attorney for Officer David Sisak who wasn’t in the courtroom because he’s vacationing with his family.

Miles, now 20, his mother and sister declined comment, but his attorneys promised to continue the legal battle.

“There will be a new trial on the most important issue: Was there excessive force?” said Tim O’Brien, one of Miles’ attorneys.

The officers had always maintained they did nothing wrong and that they stopped Miles only because he appeared to be lurking near a neighbor’s home and had a bulge in his coat pocket which they took for a gun before finding only a soda bottle about 11 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2010. Miles has denied having even the bottle. He said he was merely walking about a block to his grandmother’s house, where he routinely spent the night, when the plainclothes officers rolled up to him asking for money, drugs and a gun – a tactic the police denied using, but which Miles’ attorneys said is used to put suspected drug dealers on the defensive.

Miles, then an 18-year-old senior at Pittsburgh’s performing arts high school with no criminal record, was charged with assaulting police, loitering and prowling at night, resisting arrest and escape. Miles said he ran away and struggled with police only, but only because they didn’t identify themselves as police and he feared being robbed.

Saldutte’s veteran police union lawyer, Bryan Campbell, said the verdict shows the jury believed the officers. “The jury had to decide which story they wanted to believe,” Campbell said.

Miles’ malicious prosecution claim alleged the officers filed the criminal charges without justification, possibly out of spite or to justify the force used to arrest Miles. The wrongful arrest claim, though similar, must be retried and dealt specifically with whether the officers had reasonable suspicion, on the spot, to arrest Miles.

Also to be retried is Miles’ claim that police used excessive force – choking him and hitting him in the head with a hard object after he was handcuffed, among other alleged abuse – that left him with post-traumatic stress disorder and short-term memory problems that will keep him from completing a college education and realizing his full personal and earning potential.

A district justice dismissed the criminal charges against Miles two months later when the woman who lived in the house where police contend they saw Miles lurking testified she never told police she didn’t know who he was and was never asked, as officers claimed in a criminal complaint, whether he had permission to be there.

O’Brien said he’s hopeful a new jury will see the case differently – especially if the judge can be persuaded to allow some evidence in the retrial which was barred from this trial, including a police commander’s testimony that Saldutte and Ewing had made up claims to support similar arrests in the past.

Well, at least I can sleep tonight knowing the one police officer wasn’t unduly burdened with the pressures of a trial and was able to get away for a little vacation with his family…

/sarcasm

fuck the fucking police

I just… ugh.

Every day.  Every fucking day this happens.

lavenderlabia:

thatchickpaige:

I really do enjoy your posts and reblogs, but I’m just truly curious what it is you have against vegans? I’m a vegetarian on the path to becoming a vegan one day and it just seems that you’re another person shaming for our choice to abstain. I know you’re not like that, though, so could you give me some insight into this? Maybe we can help enlighten each other on this constant conflict between what I call the ‘tarians’ (vegans, vegetarians, pescetarians, etc.) and the society normal diet.

Thanks for your question (if you’re not happy with this being published, let me know and I’ll take it down). 

There are many things I have against vegans, namely most of the core tenets of the vegan belief system (I’m talking about those beliefs that go beyond mere dietary choices). I’m rather exhausted tonight, so I’m just going to briefly explain the main problems I have, and then link to a few other places in my blog instead of going over it all again. If there’s still anything that’s unclear just let me know. 

Racism: believing that all cultures and races should adhere to a value system that completely erases their beliefs, practices and needs; trivialising PoC’s history by using terms like slavery to describe farming or eating meat (the people who do this are usually the same people who evoke rape or Holocaust comparisons) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9).

Classism: ignorance of the difficulties lower socio-economic groups face when sourcing food; perpetuating bullshit tropes like “beans are cheap, you can live on beans”; failing to recognise that food deserts exist (1) (2) (3).

Ableism: refusing to understand the reasons many people cannot maintain a vegan diet (eating disorders, autistic/OCD textural aversion, digestive or gastric issues, etc) (1) (2) (3).

Hypocrisy: valuing animals over people and perpetuating the falsehood that vegan diets are “cruelty free” (when they are only “animal cruelty free” and even then it’s arguable they aren’t because of things like deforestation) (1).

PETA: this should be self-explanatory (1). 

Self-righteousness: same as above (1). 

To summarise: I’m not shaming someone’s choice to abstain. I’m shaming the choice vegans make to shame those who aren’t vegan, who don’t want to become vegan or can’t become vegan. 

Here is another excellent summary.

And to pre-empt someone derailing this with “but not all vegans are like that” let me say: I know that. And if you aren’t like the vegans described above, then I’m not talking about you and we’re cool. My issue with vegans is as a group, not on an individual basis.

If anyone has the energy or patience to contribute other links or commentary, please do.