Kid criticised for trying to look like his hero
Discussion
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3759261/It...
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/kids/mu...
Young Australian kid idolises an AFL player (AFL = bizarre marriage of rugby crossed with cricket). Unfortunately the kid has a different skin pigment, so his mother used paint to darken him and gave him a dreadlock wig to replicate the hair. To be fair she seems to have done a good job despite it been for 'book week' (not sure if the player in question has a book?)
This has caused social media outrage and screams of racism. They're probably planning a hashtag assault and street protest as I type.
I don't see the issue though? Surely it would be better to celebrate (if anything needs doing as it is such a non-story) the fact a 'white kid' has a 'black idol'? Or are white people only supposed to look up to other whites now?
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/kids/mu...
Young Australian kid idolises an AFL player (AFL = bizarre marriage of rugby crossed with cricket). Unfortunately the kid has a different skin pigment, so his mother used paint to darken him and gave him a dreadlock wig to replicate the hair. To be fair she seems to have done a good job despite it been for 'book week' (not sure if the player in question has a book?)
This has caused social media outrage and screams of racism. They're probably planning a hashtag assault and street protest as I type.
I don't see the issue though? Surely it would be better to celebrate (if anything needs doing as it is such a non-story) the fact a 'white kid' has a 'black idol'? Or are white people only supposed to look up to other whites now?
Dictionary said:
Racism
noun
- the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.
- prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.
If anything, this is the exact opposite of racism: the kid is idolising someone of a different race, after all, imitation is the highest form of flattery. noun
- the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.
- prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.
sjg said:
If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.
Or you could accept that form of racism is long past and to equate this kid's actions as being similar is neither correct nor helpful in this day and age.sjg said:
If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.
I'm aware of it, but only because of previous outrage against white people "blacking up"Its not a racist statement anymore and hasn't been for a very long time. Just let go. It'll be ok.
Jinx said:
sjg said:
If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.
Or you could accept that form of racism is long past and to equate this kid's actions as being similar is neither correct nor helpful in this day and age.The mere act of putting on black make-up doesn't make you a racist, especially when you're doing it to celebrate your sporting idol.
Edited by youngsyr on Friday 26th August 10:27
StottyEvo said:
sjg said:
If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.
I'm aware of it, but only because of previous outrage against white people "blacking up"Its not a racist statement anymore and hasn't been for a very long time. Just let go. It'll be ok.
SystemParanoia said:
StottyEvo said:
sjg said:
If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.
I'm aware of it, but only because of previous outrage against white people "blacking up"Its not a racist statement anymore and hasn't been for a very long time. Just let go. It'll be ok.
A lot of words have had the strength taken out of them, by being overused or their definitions being stretched.
StottyEvo said:
SystemParanoia said:
StottyEvo said:
sjg said:
If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.
I'm aware of it, but only because of previous outrage against white people "blacking up"Its not a racist statement anymore and hasn't been for a very long time. Just let go. It'll be ok.
A lot of words have had the strength taken out of them, by being overused or their definitions being stretched.
But this dozy bint put it up on social media for the world to see and put their opinions to without having context or the desire for it given the connotations.
case in point: - not put up by himself.. but same result.
SystemParanoia said:
StottyEvo said:
sjg said:
If you genuinely don't know about the history of blackface or why it would cause offence, stop what you're doing on internet forums and go and do some reading.
I'm aware of it, but only because of previous outrage against white people "blacking up"Its not a racist statement anymore and hasn't been for a very long time. Just let go. It'll be ok.
1) Mickey Rooney as the Japanese buffoon mixing his Ls and Rs up in Breakfast at Tiffany's
2) David Carradine as a mixed race Chinese martial artist in Kung Fu.
The first is painful to me; the second I'd happily watch.
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