coComments related to sylviasrevenge

I agree; I hope my post doesn'

2007-06-11T04:18:22.750+02:00

I agree; I hope my post doesn't come off sounding as if the situations and conditions affecting black males are "Black Problems." I was concerned when I wrote this about furthering the idea of some black male pathology. I'm mainly asking what sorts of community solutions could arise so that the impact of faulty structures in the American systems don't have as devastating an impact on African-Americans. Whether that comes in the form of deeper involvement, holding people accountable, or creating systems within these structures to ameliorate the effects that make the most negative impact.

Winslie, of course! I only to

2007-06-09T01:34:20.688+02:00

Winslie, of course! I only took the American scope because the study was narrowly tailored to African-American males, and I didn't want to lose that demographic thread as I tried to open up the discussion. But all input -- American or otherwise -- is definitely welcome. Brandon, I agree with you about expectation being an important priority. We have to keep clearly defined standards high and reinforce them so they seem commonplace. It has to seem like when people do well with their lives, it's the way things are supposed to be and not call for a cookie or a merit badge. Hathor, I'm getting a big vibe from you that authority figures in education and community effort in guiding expectations -- outside the parental paradigm -- are huge priorities in your opinion for addressing the problems with instilling values and raising expectations for children. So how do we implement this model while keeping the unions and teachers' interests in mind?

That's one chilled out bunny.

2007-05-09T14:28:01.377+02:00

That's one chilled out bunny. :) So cute!

I can dig it! ;)

2007-04-21T07:20:32.538+02:00

I can dig it! ;)

Here's what I sent (it's wordy

2007-04-08T03:06:23.112+02:00

Here's what I sent (it's wordy and long, as is my way): While browsing through your catalog items, I came across a rather disturbing pair of cactus planters your company advertised. The figurines were designed to resemble indigenous Americans, and the female figurine had two round cacti near her chest, as if to simulate breasts. The male figurine held his pants open to support a phallic-shaped cactus plant. I have noticed a disturbing trend in consumerism to hypersexualize and to ridicule minority populations through similar types of products and marketing. These figurines are particularly demeaning because it makes caricatures out of indigenous American people, transforming them into a functional object. Never mind the painful history of indigenous Americans; these figurines reduce them to nothing more than beings who bear plants. It's degrading. The planters then add insult to injury by crudely hypersexualizing those caricatures. I sincerely question the reason of anyone who would proudly display such figurines in a home, and I question the morality of a company that would sell a line of products with blatantly racist and crude imagery as if such portrayals should be commonplace.As more minority populations are wielding ever-increasing spending power in the American marketplace, I'd advise your company to hold a microscope to its products and to make sure you don't alienate large bases of potential buyers to support disgracefully racist and sexist figurines.

Bye, Philip! waves Oh, spo

2007-04-07T15:28:46.300+02:00

Bye, Philip! *waves* Oh, spotted elephant. First you post a Bumble-filled Monday Manifesto for Bunny Care, and now you post this everyday racism post that's very on point. Mmmhmm. You want me to link you, don't you?! 'Cause I'm so gonna! And you can't do anything about it!! I looked at those figurines, and the first thing I wondered was "why is that man holding his pants open like OH MY GOD WHAT THE--" Great ideas from you and Aradhana posting contact information.

Looking at these c

2007-04-04T20:26:29.445+02:00

Looking at these commercials and how very (detailed? accurate? historically-minded?) they are, I have to wonder if the advertisers are being racist or if they’re making a point about how far we have and haven’t come in terms of race relations and the media. Are they sending out a veiled message that people should stop being so damn sensitive about racism (or sexism or queerism or whatever) in commercials and making fun of people that are? Are they being subversive? Or are they just a bunch of people who are too stupid to understand the message they’re sending and just think it’s a funny, funny joke?

I have the same evaluative problems with that campaign. I laughed at them, but when I thought about it, I found myself laughing because I related to the frustrations of the caveman.

Ah, Wikipedia; always covering

2007-03-11T18:13:38.359+01:00

Ah, Wikipedia; always covering (or uncovering) the issues of import. ...The video and song scare me shitless.

All I have to say is wonderful

2007-02-24T23:18:29.061+01:00

All I have to say is wonderful. Thank you.

Lady, you brought chocolate to

2007-02-15T12:18:46.879+01:00

Lady, you brought chocolate to Wordpress, so you know I sniffed and ran my way here! :p Welcome to you and Bumble! I wish you many fulfilling days of blogging. And while you may hate writing, you write with the best of 'em. :)

What if...what if she photosho

2007-02-04T16:56:08.454+01:00

What if...what if she photoshops herself in an article punching a white woman? Wikipedia would fall apart! Some people need to hit that little power button on their CPUs and familiarize themselves with natural sunlight.