So what. I’ve lived in the “racist” South and the “enlightened” North East. The reality is that everyone is to some degree racist. If you prefer someone with a tan without a tan with blonde hair with black hair or whatever, the fact that certain races have certain characteristics dictates that your choice on what you find attractive requires that you be a racists to some degree. That is a simple fact so let’s get that out of the way now.
That said I prefer honest expression of peoples views and beliefs. In the South you know where people stand because of how they talk. In the North East the PC police have done such a good job that the most racist bigoted people remain hidden under the PC façade. Would you rather know your neighbors hates you for who you are or be greeted each day with a fake smile and mechanical wave? You could live life either way, but the reality is you would be in a much better position knowing how your neighbor felt than simply having the false sense of his/her good character. Imagine you find yourself needing help, you might think you can get help from the fake neighbor only to be blown out of the water in that critical time of need. With the openly bigoted neighbor you know where you stand you don’t expect anything from him/her and you’re in a better position.
Does it bother me when an actor like Michael Richards rants about blacks or Mel Gibson rants about Jews? Not as much as it bothers me to know that most of Hollywood is prejudiced against certain groups but too cowardly to admit it. Each time someone rants about one group or another, the public goes “oooohh”, and the public relations wizards jump in to sanitize the comments. Let these people be who they are. I don’t care if the movie or TV show I’m watching is made by or has actors that are members of the Klan, the black panthers or any other group. I watch those shows for what is on the screen not what is in the actor or director’s head and heart.
Moments like these are disturbing, not because the actor has shown himself to be one step removed from a white sheet, but because they show a complete disconnect with what should matter to the American public. We shouldn’t care what someone whom we will very likely never meet says or does when it does not affect us. Care about your neighbors and those that are actually going to come into contact with your family.
So what. I’ve lived in the “racist” South and the “enlightened” North East. The reality is that everyone is to some degree racist. If you prefer someone with a tan without a tan with blonde hair with black hair or whatever, the fact that certain races have certain characteristics dictates that your choice on what you find attractive requires that you be a racists to some degree. That is a simple fact so let’s get that out of the way now.
That said I prefer honest expression of peoples views and beliefs. In the South you know where people stand because of how they talk. In the North East the PC police have done such a good job that the most racist bigoted people remain hidden under the PC façade. Would you rather know your neighbors hates you for who you are or be greeted each day with a fake smile and mechanical wave? You could live life either way, but the reality is you would be in a much better position knowing how your neighbor felt than simply having the false sense of his/her good character. Imagine you find yourself needing help, you might think you can get help from the fake neighbor only to be blown out of the water in that critical time of need. With the openly bigoted neighbor you know where you stand you don’t expect anything from him/her and you’re in a better position.
Does it bother me when an actor like Michael Richards rants about blacks or Mel Gibson rants about Jews? Not as much as it bothers me to know that most of Hollywood is prejudiced against certain groups but too cowardly to admit it. Each time someone rants about one group or another, the public goes “oooohh”, and the public relations wizards jump in to sanitize the comments. Let these people be who they are. I don’t care if the movie or TV show I’m watching is made by or has actors that are members of the Klan, the black panthers or any other group. I watch those shows for what is on the screen not what is in the actor or director’s head and heart.
Moments like these are disturbing, not because the actor has shown himself to be one step removed from a white sheet, but because they show a complete disconnect with what should matter to the American public. We shouldn’t care what someone whom we will very likely never meet says or does when it does not affect us. Care about your neighbors and those that are actually going to come into contact with your family.