Journal Entry:
Thu Oct 25, 2012, 11:56 PM
Before anything, I would like to clarify: I'm Scandinavian; born with blue eyes, blond hair and light skin. Not that pretty, but relatively tall, just the type Hitler would have liked. I was raised in a lovely neighbourhood with the unfortunate tag 'ghetto' (no, not 'American ghetto', nor the ghetto type from WWII), where about 40% of the people I met on a daily basis were either from other countries or children of those – mostly from central Europe to the Middle East, but we also have quite many Vietnamese. It has never bothered me; thanks to that place and those people, that exact upbringing by my parents who welcomed any child I brought home into our house, I have never once thought of another person to be less than me based on skin color or nationality. The only ones I truly have problems with are religious and/or political fanatics who shove their beliefs down my throat, or the 'ungrateful type' (more about that later), but in general I respect and accept everyone who respects and accepts me in return. Doesn't matter if you got curly red hair, honey-brown eyes or pitch-black skin; yes, I might have a certain expectation of how you will be, but I don't let that blind me – I'm going to like or dislike you because of who you are and not what you are. Actually, I like being with people from other cultures so much that I waited more than half a year, so I could attend the international class of my current school, rather than the Danish class. Much more fun and benefitting.
So far, do I sound like a racist? No?
And yet I find myself writing a journal questioning exactly that. Allow me to continue:
Racism has been around forever, but was truly strong during the slave period. Once they were freed, it became a highly discussed debate that got into an increasing social issue, to the point where people like MLK had to step up and get killed in order to set an example, so that race equality could become a reality. I shall be careful and say, we have come far since those days. Thank goodness!
But, as race and gender equality increased, and globalization has grown rapidly, a rather unexpected and unfortunate side effect has appeared. And it's something I suffer from; suppression and racism against 'pig-coloured'.
Now, I know a great deal of you will probably disagree – "racism against white people doesn't exist!" "Suffering? Suppression? You know nothing, you ghost girl!" and so on. But aha! You yourselves have just proven my point.
This kind of racism and suppression is neither as clear nor as acknowledged as those of the various 'minorities', oh no, but I have become more aware of it as I have grown up. As those groups have gotten more power and higher status, the previous rulers ('pig-coloured') have lost some of theirs, naturally. And at one point, the balance has shifted.
We have been shamed to watch our mouths, our every step, pressured by centuries of previous cruelty. Justified, you might say. Or, is it really? Is it okay, for example, that the German youth today still have to pay for the misconduct of their grandparents and great-grandparents, getting called 'Nazis'? I'm included in that group, actually, because my grandfather – due some unfortunate circumstances – had to fight for Germany. God knows what misdeeds he did, he refused to tell his family. Should his granddaughter, born years after his death, do I have to bear the burden that was forced upon his shoulders? Am I not allowed to proudly say, 'yes I have German roots'? You might say yes, but actions have shown that the answer is the opposite. Then, what about my Danish roots who helped the Jews escape? Does this make me of good honour? As you can see, it's hard to judge a person based on family and national background. (And just for the record, even though I never had the opportunity to meet my grandfather, I think he was a decent man, that I would have liked him.)
Moving on: words and terms related to races. This is especially where I have seen a difference over the years. A good example would be the Danish word 'neger', which directly translated means 'nigga'. However! And this is where things go astray; the Danish version of this word does not bear the same cultural meaning as its American counterpart. Frankly, I have always used 'neger' to describe a person with a certain level of dark skin. But unlike 'nigga', it does not associate with negativity, rather the opposite, for me at least. Because, other than dark-skinned people, I also connect it with 'negerkys' ['nigga kiss'], a nickname for 'flødebolle', a form of cream bun we Danes love.
For me, 'neger' is no different in politeness than 'Asian'. Honestly, I prefer calling a dark-skinned 'neger' more than 'African', because it softens it up. And much rather 'neger' than 'black'; I despise the use of colors; 'white', 'black', 'brown', 'yellow'; to describe people, thus the joke 'pig-coloured'. Maybe it's because I occasionally have heard some call others for 'fejlfarvet' ['wrong-coloured']; I mean, how can a colour be wrong?
Actually, if you look in the Danish dictionary, 'neger' is still listed as non-racist, and both earlier generations and mine use it without any shame. However, my sister (who's five years younger than me) gets shocked whenever we use it and leans towards calling us racists, so most recently there must have been a change – my guess will be the spreading of 'nigga' to Europe – that makes the teens today more careful of using it.
Question: why is it that people with light skin are not allowed to say that word, when it's okay for dark-skinned to do so? For me, I see it as nothing else but double-standard and a way to suppress 'pig-coloured' with shaming.
Funny side story, now that we are at it: a word I would never call another person is 'perker' ['Paki'] which probably sounds about as bad here as 'nigga' in America; but a few years ago, there was this incident where some cops were caught on camera, saying that exact word to some citizens. Drama! The court and everything got pulled into it, and in the end, the defending lawyer tried to ease it with this – that the cops had actually said 'perler' ['pearls'], not 'perker', and that the police uses it as slang. That explanation was so hilariously bad that everyone began saying that to each other, 'du er sådan en perle!' ['you are such a pearl!'], no one could take it serious. I don't remember what happened to the cops, probably fired, though I doubt they got jailed, but that's the one time racism turned out fun for everyone, including those targeted by it.
Another thing that gets looked down upon, but I feel no shame of having done: portraying other cultures – Native Americans, Indians, you name it. I'm sorry, but why? Why is it wrong to portray those? Yes, they are stereotypes, but here at least, we have always done it as a tribute to that specific culture. Playing cowboys and Indians, that was honestly funnier and taught me more than playing robbers and cops. I love wearing Japanese clothes, is that wrong? To like another part of the world, to be so fascinated by a culture to the point where I copy and carry out my own version of it. Is that racist? Here and there, I have read how people are 'disgusted' by this. Even if it's they themselves who as kids dressed up for carnivals. Sorry, but I don't get this. So am I a racist, because even today the thought of acting as cultural stereotypes doesn't bother me at all?
When you travel to foreign countries that differ much from yours, there will be a certain level of culture shock, but as a visitor you will in most cases be welcomed. But once people settle down in another country than the one they are born in, this is typically when cultural differences can turn into a problem. I told you above, I'm from a neighbourhood with quite a variety of nationalities, so I have experienced this myself from early age. I'm trying hard not to point fingers and generalize people, but that would probably be hard in this case: the immigrants who cause most trouble are the Muslims. At least here in Denmark, there's a constant battle for balance between the Danes and immigrants – most clearly the recent gang wars between Muslims and Danish rockers, something previously unheard of. I'm not sure why exactly it is the Muslims; and actually, it's the children born here that are troublesome, rather than their parents. It's as if they are failing more than other immigrants to combine Danish culture with their parents', the results can be horrifying – drunk young men who think women are lower beings and that democracy is shit, the Sharia law should rule! In reality, they are terribly spoilt; they have no idea what kind of reality their parents fled from, yet they loudly announce that DK is shit and that they will 'be moving back home'. For my sake, they can go ahead, just don't except the gate to be wide open for them if they try to return… Does this opinion make me racist?
I agree that we should help victims of war and so on, but DK is a small country, there's only that much we can do, (in my opinion, I think we are already too involved some places), and if there are people selfish enough to spit on the safety we have worked hard on creating, if they are not satisfied and want to get rid off the Danish culture, then I shall gladly drive them to the nearest border or airport and see them off. Harsh maybe. And for being so nationalistic, it's not hard to believe that Danes get called racist, is it? Especially by children of immigrants. But people have to understand, Denmark is Denmark, it's the oldest still-existing kingdom in the world, we are among the top of the list over peaceful countries; you don't think we would want to change and lose that, do you?
That turned into quite a long rant with no clear point, so let me do a different approach. I'm against that the Danish government has to pay for a mosque to be built. No, it's not because I'm against Islam. It's because I believe in the separation of religion and the state. Yes, I'm part of the Christian church, but that's more due to habit and convenient (example, having a secured spot at cemeteries) than due to desire. Yet, the Muslims are quick to curse at us and call us unwilling racists. If you have earned the money and building rights for a mosque, then go ahead – and I hate to say it, DK is still a Christian country, that's why the government (and thereby all of us) still pays the church. Tough luck.
Another point: last week, there has been talk about adding 'wallah' and 'habibi' to the Danish dictionary. I'm against this, not because it's Arabic(?), but because about 90% of the Danish citizens – especially the older generations – don't use it nor have any idea what it means. It's fine if kids in the bigger cities or ghettos use it as a slang, but with that many who doesn't acknowledge it as part of Danish culture, I'm afraid the time for those terms to be added officially is not yet here.
Again, we have been quick to be called racists, despite the fact that several Danish dialect words are not written in there. The only real reason why all this gets debated this much lately, as I see it, is less about the fact that the Danish government wants to expand the culture and more because they are afraid. Afraid, pressured, getting suppressed by one word: racist. They are terrified, as people of a 'pig-coloured' country, of being called out as narrow-minded racists. Don't believe me? You don't have to, as no one has said it like this, but 'minorities' have greater power over democratic governments than any wants to admit. Of course, absolutely, minorities have to be listened to, but the government shouldn't shiver in fear of them and completely forget what the majority is for. Racist thought? No, it's more an expression of worry.
Wherever I go, whatever I say, I have to watch what I say and do. Obviously, we all have to be aware of each other, respect and accept, try to understand. But it has gotten to the point, where I – a white person (GASP! Racist!) – have to hold back more than others. By the smallest slipup, I'm immediately branded as a racist. I'm getting suppressed, my right for free speech is suffering. Why? Because of the simple reason, my skin colour is lighter than others. That it's widely believed, though maybe not recognized, that light skin equals lower morals when it comes to talks about races. Calling someone with light skin for racist because of the skin colour alone, is that not racism? Go ahead, look it up.
So, tell me, am I racist? Because of my skin colour? My nationality? Because of my family background? My childhood? Because of terms with other meanings than you are used to? Because I love my country as it is? Because I don't want to be walked all over, because I voice up about what I believe is an issue?
If you said yes to any of these, then go ahead – call me a white racist bastard. But you know what? Does that make you any better?
And with that, I shall end this journal. I hope I gave you something to consider. Maybe reconsider?
At the very least, hopefully you will spare all this a thought.
#denmark
#written-from-within
#No-More-Ignorance
#Writers--club
#Stop-the-Hate-Group
#FFRFonDA
#Art-With-A-Message
#The-Free-Pens
`anmari has been spreading her infectious positivity throughout our community for over 6 years. Throughout this time Ana has been at the core of all things devious, passionately developing an eclectic gallery, helping organise devmeets, participating in chat events and also recently completed dedicating her time as a Community Volunteer. We are absolutely delighted to bestow the Deviousness Award for May 2013 to `anmari, congratulations! Read More
Sta.sh
**This blog is courtesy of `GrimFace242 concerning the novel phenomenon that is NaNoWriMo. TDW has huge respect for NaNoWriMo and so we are happy to promote the article. `GrimFace242 has acknowledged the following users as thanks in making this article possible and deserves a huge pat on the back for his work so can everyone give him a friendly dragon's breath of fire in appreciation: *TarienCole, ~WTFgirl, ~AzeeraTheNinja, *kittykittyhunter, ~forbiddenhero, ~Thy-Robocop, ~damina, ~AeternusVotum, ~TMCanada, *MeganLawler94, =Loza-Muse, `thorns, =TheSkaBoss, *SkysongMA, `PinkyMcCoversong, ~Nekolai, ~ozzla, =BloodrainFireDawn, *The-Monoblos and ~AspiredWriter. Thankyou to all and here are the do's of NaNo.**
another valid point you made, is that of cultural clashes between first generation immigrants and second generation immigrants. (the ones that immigrated, as opposed to those who were born here) --- it is often that first generation immigrants want to preserve some degree of their culture after immigration, whereas second degree immigrants want to fully fit in, or vice-versa. Sometimes it gets ugly, and conflicts arise, but my theory is that the upbringing of the people in these cases are a huge factor. For instance, a hispanic family recently immigrating to the states (I keep bringing up the US, because that is my area of expertise, and can give concrete examples- however, I imagine it is the same for the rest of the world --- ps: i'm from Europe too) would find ways to integrate in the hispanic community of the city they live in, in a way that they don't even need to learn the language until they are forced to venture out of their comfort zone; whether it is in search of a better job, or a better school for their children, etc; the children of those type of people usually are desperate to shed their heritage and completely fit in as Americans. In return, a first generation family that has fully integrated and became Americanized, their children will want to hold on to their heritage. Whether it is by holding on to their accent, or trying not to venture too far from the community, etc.
also, I think I remembered reading something about the situation in the US in your journal entry, and I remember wanting to say something about the so-called double standards when it comes to certain adjectives, like nigger and others. it’s been my job for a long time to make fun of the most frivolous aspects of society – namely, sports, television, and celebrity culture.
Along the way, I’ve learned that there are a lot of people out there on the Internet who don’t agree with my sense of humor. Like, A LOT. These are the people who, if you’re lucky, make “Two and a Half Men” the #1 sitcom in America and who find Dane Cook’s humor “too edgy.” If you’re unlucky, they’re the people who take perverse delight in being offended by some jerk with a blog. I know this because they leave comments and write angry emails.
Don't get me wrong. I love people, and I am not a racist in any way-- I have black friends, and I address them with "nigger" all the time. I think it is who you're talking to that is more important than others. You have to understand, not so long ago, the word "Nigger" was designed to be used as a slur, as an insult for people that were deemed 'inferior' because of their skin color. Indeed, slavery is now abolished, and the wounds are no longer gushing with blood, but the scars still remain, and in some cultures of the world, as well as for certain people, certain words are more wisely to be avoided.
-- I was talking earlier about my blog, and how certain words tick off my readers -or rather used to, when I used to write satire. I don't anymore, basically because I have better things to do than to read never ending streams of slurs.
anyway;
here are some of the top surefire ways that I managed to tick people off: (attempting to add a little humor to the gravity of this discussion)
Unwittingly open the door for a heated discussion about domestic violence. Joke about one of the following: cancer/rape/the Holocaust. We can all agree that cancer is a terrible, terrible sickness. (According to a cursory Internet search I conducted, it’s the third-leading cause of death in America, after heart disease and pissing off Chuck Norris.) Likewise, rape is an unconscionably cruel and evil crime, an act that’s conceivably worse than murder for the mental damage it inflicts on the victim. And the Holocaust? Well, it’s the single most horrific attempt at genocide in human history.
So why would I or anyone else joke about something so awful? Well, stop lecturing me over email for a second and I’ll tell you.
People joke about cancer not because it’s inherently funny, but because it’s inherently terrible. For many of us, laughter is a coping mechanism that takes the teeth out of something awful. Soldiers laugh about death in combat because the immensity of the horrors would otherwise be too great. So before you tell me all about your mother who died of cancer, why don’t you go over to Afghanistan and tell our servicemen what they should and shouldn’t laugh at, you America-hating terrorist.
Humor is not absolute; it is an individual taste, and every individual has a line that, once crossed, creates nausea rather than laughter. Humor is, at its purest essence, the misfortune of someone else. The difference between comedy and tragedy is whether or not you know or feel sympathy for that someone else. And you know what? Choosing indignance over laughter doesn’t make you a better person; it just gets you a better grade in your Women’s Studies class.
Get a detail about the world of Star Trek/Star Wars/Avatar wrong. “Um, hello? The tauntaun’s sole appearance in the Star Wars franchise was in The Empire Strikes Back, not Return of the Jedi as you erroneously claim.”
“In your misguided attempt to pillory the Na’avi language, you neglected to take into account that they lack both the word for ‘murder’ and the pluperfect subjunctive tense.” --- really. I shit you not, these comments exist in an archived document on my laptop.
Use the word “fag.”
and this is a south park video I just find hilarious. You might want to watch it. Just for laughs. Oh, and it's also right, not just funny. [link]
While “South Park’s” episode about this subject wasn’t the show’s sharpest cultural critique, it did raise some important points, specifically: (1) language is in a constant state of flux, and (2) the word “f–got” has had a particularly malleable history. Moreover, it’s an epithet that’s unique to America; ask for a “fag” in the U.K. and someone will give you a cigarette. But you wanted gay sex!
Chris Rock also addressed the change in the word’s meaning in his 2008 stand-up special Kill the Messenger:
"You don’t have to be gay to act like a f–got. You don’t even have to be a man to act like a f–got. Anybody can act like a f–got.Let me give you an example: I love Gwen Stefani. I think No Doubt is one of the best groups in the world; I keep a No Doubt CD in my car… Now, if I’m drivin’ my car, and I’m at the light, and you in the car behind me, and the light’s red, and I’m just sittin’ there blasting some Gwen Stefani… and you in the car behind me and the light’s red–cool.
But then the light turns green. And I don’t see it, because I’m in Gwen Stefani heaven. And I’m just goin’ “Ain’t no hollaback girl! Ain’t no hollaback!” Now the light starts f*ckin’ blinking! It’s gettin’ ready to turn red again, and I *still* don’t see it, and I’m in my car going “This sh*t is bananas! B-A-N-A-N-A-S!” … Now if you in the car behind me, and that light’s gettin’ ready to turn red, and I’m going “this sh*t is bananas! B-A-N-A-N-A-S!” If you in the car behind me, you have the right to go “HEY, F–GOT! The light’s about to change!” Sh*t, even Elton John would call me a faggot at that moment.
It’s not the word, it’s the context in which the word is bein’ said!
using the word “retard.” Dear People Who Have a Family Member with Down Syndrome, I am not calling your family member with Down Syndrome retarded. I’m calling NBC’s late-night programming decisions retarded. I’m calling what Glenn Beck said the other night retarded. I’m calling Ashton Kutcher’s fans retarded. You see, your Down syndrome-having family member is NOT a retard. He has special needs, or he’s mentally handicapped, or he’s some other sufficiently sanitized term that doesn’t hurt anyone’s feelings.
Getting back on track to what my point was----
All these words are not like wop or mick or dago or any of the old-school slurs that were designed specifically to be slurs. They're words that used to be acceptable until it was deemed insensitive to a certain group of people, and has since been co-opted for a different use. The English language is in a constant state of flux, and as the 21st century creates heretofore unseen acts of stupidity, so too must the language accommodate new adjectives to describe them. I mean, hello? Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakquel? That’s just retarded.
Think of it as walking around a big city with a lot of neighborhoods. I wouldn’t take my brand of schadenfreude and dick jokes to the New York Times or The Atlantic any sooner than I would try to crash a black-tie fundraiser at the Ritz.
Now, this isn’t a call for the segregation of ideas. By all means, go out and explore the various nooks and crannies of the Web. Just don’t go to Harlem and tell people to stop acting so black. Because the motherf*ckas are still pretty sensitive when it comes to that.
Oh, and another thing. You're not being racist because you oppose your country building churches for others. There has to be a degree of separation between the state and the church, in any country, regardless of its regime. During the neo - communist and communist times, religion was banned all together. I am not suggesting that was better. A person is entitled to his/her belief system. I am just saying that the state has no business in it. Because ultimately, the central ideology ANY religion has at its core, is love. For the God you believe in, for the people close to you, for the rest of humanity. Every religion on the planet preaches love.
Well, maybe except for those that are members of the Westboro Baptist Church. the KKK put a disclaimer on their website that they are in NO way affiliated with them.
you know you're doing hate right when the KKK thinks you're too cooky
sorry for the long-ass ramble. I would have said at least twice as much, but I promised to keep it as short as I can
If I offended anyone with this - I'm sorry, but you know I'm right!
Thank you, again~
shit happened. people need to let go. And you need not heed every word people say. I'm guessing you're old enough to know better.
I'm not a very religious person, but I do have a belief system. That system is spread light and love, and you get light and love. So smile! Before you hit the pillow, take a deep breath and let some positive vibes into the universe. They'll find their way to people who need them.
So now I am extending my arms in a hug for you. Close your eyes, accept my hug, and let go of all the negativity. The only person you're hurting is yourself. Smile. Let yourself be inspired by beautiful things and souls. Stay happy. Keep your chin up, and act like you're the motherfreaking best. Because you are. The Universe loves you.
Blessed Be.
but there's early classes tomorrow, damn!You know, you're absolutely right - always remember, but move on; don't let things hold you back, smile and be happy! I'm converting myself to your belief~ thank you for the huge encouragement!
I really have the attention span of a goldfish.
Good night, and please don't hate me. I'm a nerd hahaha
As for the rest of your rant: I agree. It is immoral for the sins of the father to be passed onto the son. Yes, slavery and genocide were bad things, but just because people within my “race” were responsible for it does not make me in turn responsible. I never owned a slave, and for the most part, neither did my ancestors; so why should my tax money go to slave reparations? Why do I have to face workplace discrimination simply because other people of a different race experienced it? That’s not justice. That’s blind vengeance!
But then again, I really roll my eyes when it comes to “white power” or “white pride” or “white rights” or worse “white genocide” (there is none!). To me, true progress is moving past the antiquated notion of race. There is no black and white. Only human. The most oppressed minority of all is the individual. So it only stands that we should focus on individual rights rather than black rights or white rights.
As for the rest, I agree with you too - it's ridiculous that children, grandchildren and so on have to 'pay' for what their ancestors did; or maybe didn't, they merely just lived during the time when it happened. And I think giving other privileges based on skin colour or religion is wrong; even if they do it to be less 'racist', it actually just leads to more discrimination.
For the very last part, it's plain spot-on!