The Republican Thread

[southsider2k5]

Oh hey you're right. It went Carter then Reagan, so in my head I saw an Old White Guy and assumed H.W.

 

And it's all OLD white guys that look alike.

[StrangeSox]

lol

[Jenksismyhero]

Just admit this was an insane overreaction due solely to the fact that Obama is black. One of the guys involved said they've used masks of other Presidents before. And guess what, no outrage. The whole idea is to show a "dummy" looking silly being chased down by a bull (i.e., like a clown). How is that racist anymore than the actors in Point Break using Reagan/Carter/etc masks being ageist?

 

Seriously, explain what i'm missing here. The fact that you claimed the mask had big lips (even though i'm pretty sure that's the same mask found in stores, but maybe i'm wrong) just proves you're inserting a racial component into this story that simply doesn't exist. You're presuming this clown must be racist because he dared to make fun of Obamajesus.

[StrangeSox]

The "insane overreaction" came from a wide range of people, including Missouri Republicans. I don't think they're known for being big Obama fans.

 

edit: Blackface is incredibly offensive because of its history and its usage to make caricatures out of black people. You can argue that wearing the mask isn't the same as painting your face black, but many people perceive it as little different and still offensive. That will never apply to somebody of any race wearing a white mask specifically because the historical context is not there. That doesn't mean anyone who isn't black who wears an Obama mask is racist or engaging in blackface (as least as far as I'd argue), but when it's being done literally to clown and caricature him, it's not exactly hard to see why people have a problem with this.

 

It's not that the mask had big lips (I'm sure it was a regular mask) but that another rodeo clown came up and bobbled the lips. African Americans have frequently been caricatured with big lips, and this was seen in that light.

 

I'm not presuming this guy must be racist because he dared to make fun of Obama. I'm interpreting his actions as racist because they utilized historically problematic elements and outright racist caricatures.

Edited August 15, 2013 by StrangeSox

[pettie4sox]

As a black man, I personally didn't have a problem with it. When you're a well known person, you're going to be scrutinized and made fun of. There are a ton of black actors who impersonate Obama. As a matter of fact, there were ton of actors who impersonated all the other presidents too. George W. Bush had his own show where they made an absolute mockery of him.

 

I think people are personally making a mountain out of a mole hill.

 

Also, both Republicans and Democrats suck. I just felt the need to say that.

Edited August 15, 2013 by pettie4sox

[StrangeSox]

So moving past whether or not it was racist, is it appropriate for a state-funded event to engage in politicking like that?

[southsider2k5]

So moving past whether or not it was racist, is it appropriate for a state-funded event to engage in politicking like that?

 

How many state funded events have you been too? Every one I have ever been to has the governors name on it somewhere.

[Jenksismyhero]

The "insane overreaction" came from a wide range of people, including Missouri Republicans. I don't think they're known for being big Obama fans.

 

edit: Blackface is incredibly offensive because of its history and its usage to make caricatures out of black people. You can argue that wearing the mask isn't the same as painting your face black, but many people perceive it as little different and still offensive. That will never apply to somebody of any race wearing a white mask specifically because the historical context is not there. That doesn't mean anyone who isn't black who wears an Obama mask is racist or engaging in blackface (as least as far as I'd argue), but when it's being done literally to clown and caricature him, it's not exactly hard to see why people have a problem with this.

 

It's not that the mask had big lips (I'm sure it was a regular mask) but that another rodeo clown came up and bobbled the lips. African Americans have frequently been caricatured with big lips, and this was seen in that light.

 

I'm not presuming this guy must be racist because he dared to make fun of Obama. I'm interpreting his actions as racist because they utilized historically problematic elements and outright racist caricatures.

 

He's a white guy trying to look/act like a black guy. That's the only historically problematic element here.

[StrangeSox]

How many state funded events have you been too? Every one I have ever been to has the governors name on it somewhere.

Well, sure, they're the head executive of the state. That's different from someone otherwise irrelevant to the event being lampooned as a part of it.

[StrangeSox]

He's a white guy trying to look/act like a black guy. That's the only historically problematic element here.

yes, white guys caricaturing black guys is really historically problematic, which is why people have an issue with this.

[Jenksismyhero]

yes, white guys caricaturing black guys is really historically problematic, which is why people white people full of white guilt have an issue with this.

 

Agreed.

[StrangeSox]

jesus christ

 

edit: you know what's funny about the whole "white guilt" nonsense deflection is that it doesn't actually say anything about why non-white people might have a problem with something. It just casually dismisses their concerns entirely.

Edited August 15, 2013 by StrangeSox

[farmteam]

Just going off what I'm reading here, seems like he was just wearing an Obama mask, in the same way other presidential masks would be worn. Is it possible that the rodeo clown was happy/agreed with the racial undertones? Yeah. But the bottom line is that there are probably other things worth getting angrier about. Move on.

[StrangeSox]

Just going off what I'm reading here, seems like he was just wearing an Obama mask, in the same way other presidential masks would be worn. Is it possible that the rodeo clown was happy/agreed with the racial undertones? Yeah. But the bottom line is that there are probably other things worth getting angrier about. Move on.

 

Oh absolutely.

[southsider2k5]

Well, sure, they're the head executive of the state. That's different from someone otherwise irrelevant to the event being lampooned as a part of it.

 

Again, any chance to make political points at a state sponsored event, is done. That's why 90% of these things are "state sponsored" in the first place.

[Jenksismyhero]

jesus christ

 

edit: you know what's funny about the whole "white guilt" nonsense deflection is that it doesn't actually say anything about why non-white people might have a problem with something. It just casually dismisses their concerns entirely.

 

No, not really. Me dismissing the opinions of white people full of white guilt doesn't lessen my acknowledgement of TRUE racism as a problem in this country. Unless it's Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton inflaming the situation, I generally tend to take a black person's word when they say something is racist. But that's kind of the problem - the majority of "OMG THAT'S SO RACIST" reactions come from white people. And it's that segment of white people that fall over themselves telling other people - including black people!- what is and is not racist. They go so far as to ARGUE with black people about what racism means. And they do so because they (1) feel awful for what generations past have done and (2) fear being seen as one of those people.

 

[mr_genius]

I will weigh in on the rodeo clown controversy:

 

It is acceptable to wear an Obama mask as a rodeo clown, just as it would be to wear a GW Bush mask. Yes, someone made fun of a president that you like. Oh well. Stop being a baby and move on with your life!

 

 

[DukeNukeEm]

jesus christ

 

edit: you know what's funny about the whole "white guilt" nonsense deflection is that it doesn't actually say anything about why non-white people might have a problem with something. It just casually dismisses their concerns entirely.

I know, its fantastic.

[farmteam]

I know, its fantastic.

I'm trying to find a way to not construe this as unabashedly racist...but I can't.

[DukeNukeEm]

I'm trying to find a way to not construe this as unabashedly racist...but I can't.

I dismiss the idea that racism still exists in this country. One great way of getting rid of people who insist it still does is get really sarcastic and refer to white guilt a lot.

[StrangeSox]

I dismiss the idea that racism still exists in this country.

lol

 

eta: btw it's not that it casually dismisses the concerns of the white person, it's that it dismisses the concerns of the non-white person. The exact same arguments one can respond to "white guilt" with can and are made by non-whites, which goes to show how dumb of a response it is.

Edited August 18, 2013 by StrangeSox

[Y2HH]

lol

 

eta: btw it's not that it casually dismisses the concerns of the white person, it's that it dismisses the concerns of the non-white person. The exact same arguments one can respond to "white guilt" with can and are made by non-whites, which goes to show how dumb of a response it is.

 

As with ANY response, it can be dumb if used in the improper context or used for no actual reason. But to pretend "white guilt" doesn't exist is just as ignorant and dumb. Dismissing any white persons opinions about racism and pointing to white guilt IS ridiculous...but there are times in which it very much applies.

[DukeNukeEm]

http://dailycaller.com/2013/08/21/black-te...-racist-tweets/

 

Meh, I'll let the link speak for itself.

Edited August 21, 2013 by DukeNukeEm

[Reddy]

I dismiss the idea that racism still exists in this country. One great way of getting rid of people who insist it still does is get really sarcastic and refer to white guilt a lot.

god you're so damn entitled. you have no idea what does or doesn't exist in this country

[Reddy]

As with ANY response, it can be dumb if used in the improper context or used for no actual reason. But to pretend "white guilt" doesn't exist is just as ignorant and dumb. Dismissing any white persons opinions about racism and pointing to white guilt IS ridiculous...but there are times in which it very much applies.

of course white guilt exists, but to say that racism is nonexistent is just asinine in the highest, highest order.

 

hey Duke, when's the last time a security guard followed you around a department store?