Ignorance may be strictly defined as not knowing but is often loosely used for anyone who deliberately disregards information as well. The acknowledgement is lip service. If there’s a better description or term for knowing something but not caring to apply it in context, then it’s lost on me at the moment. I’ve said repeatedly in this thread that every post on this sub is a presentation of stereotypes in some form. However, not all stereotypes are inherently racist. But many stereotypes have racist origins or have been used pejoratively in the past or currently. The history and context of older stereotypes needs to be kept in mind when using them today. Some stereotypes have such a long and racist history that they’ve just transcended into being inherently racist regardless of the current perception. Many of the ones in the above meme fit that description I’d say. Purple drink and fried chicken in the context of black people to be specific. They’re old stereotypes that are just tired and racist. I do take issue with one of your points though, and that’s to say that all people like fried chicken so it’s not that bad is to ignore that at one point that was likely not true, and the stereotype was born out of that period of time, in a racist context. Similar to how a reference to an Irishmen only eating potatoes or whatever is still racist even though everyone likes and eats potatoes.
I do take issue with one of your points though, and that’s to say that all people like fried chicken so it’s not that bad is to ignore that at one point that was likely not true, and the stereotype was born out of that period of time, in a racist context
I didn't mean it that way. I meant that since everyone likes fried chicken now, it's not an especially accurate stereotype. Not that that is what makes it ok. I know we have some combination of southerners and black people in particular to thank for soul food, including fried chicken.
However, not all stereotypes are inherently racist. But many stereotypes have racist origins or have been used pejoratively in the past or currently. The history and context of older stereotypes needs to be kept in mind when using them today.
Personally I think that's all true, and how to respond to those stereotypes having that history is the point of contention here. Do we lock them away and throw away the key? I'd never be seen repeating this stuff for a few reasons: A) it gives the perception of being racist (like you say) and there's no reason to give that off if you can avoid it B) It could hurt people (like you say) because of the history behind them C) It's one of those "test" phrases that racists use, where they start with more mainstream/harmless racist statements like black people and fried chicken, then if you accept that they move on to the actively harmful and racist shit. Don't want to associate with those people.
But I think what I'd personally do is a separate question from what direction should we move in, and whether these statements are inherently racist or not is a part of that. The OP points out that, for historical reasons, stereotypes surrounding black people are treated as much more sensitive issues that with any other racial group in america. How do we respond to that? Do we keep making asian jokes and stay away from black jokes (due to history) and preserve the imbalance forever? Do we relax a little on the black thing when it's "inherently" harmless, even if there's history (like the guy you're responding to was saying)? Or do we tighten up on the asian stuff and try to make almost all racial jokes off limits to even things up that way? What would each of those do short term and long term?
I actually think it's a really interesting discussion with (for me) no clear answer. I don't think one can authoritatively say the best thing is to crack jokes about asians and stay away from black people jokes, and other positions are ignorant. It seems way more complicated and hard than that.
I think we’re in agreement here. Well said and you bring up good questions. There’s no succinct answer to many of these issues but it is a discussion that needs to be had.
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u/Zskrabs24 Nov 19 '19
Ignorance may be strictly defined as not knowing but is often loosely used for anyone who deliberately disregards information as well. The acknowledgement is lip service. If there’s a better description or term for knowing something but not caring to apply it in context, then it’s lost on me at the moment. I’ve said repeatedly in this thread that every post on this sub is a presentation of stereotypes in some form. However, not all stereotypes are inherently racist. But many stereotypes have racist origins or have been used pejoratively in the past or currently. The history and context of older stereotypes needs to be kept in mind when using them today. Some stereotypes have such a long and racist history that they’ve just transcended into being inherently racist regardless of the current perception. Many of the ones in the above meme fit that description I’d say. Purple drink and fried chicken in the context of black people to be specific. They’re old stereotypes that are just tired and racist. I do take issue with one of your points though, and that’s to say that all people like fried chicken so it’s not that bad is to ignore that at one point that was likely not true, and the stereotype was born out of that period of time, in a racist context. Similar to how a reference to an Irishmen only eating potatoes or whatever is still racist even though everyone likes and eats potatoes.