{ today I am feeling "that my icon is appropriate" because "WEIRD ASS DREAM." With thanks! M. }

[delga]

LOLZ. xkcd.com for the win.

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Eventually I will have to go to the library to drop off those books I ended up hating. Also: must check The Mother's phone to see if xanitia texted back. (She's in D! Admittedly, working, but: in D!)

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I HAD THE ODDEST DREAM. Claire Forlani was living in a cabin with MARK HARMON of all people. Except Jeffrey Dean Morgan WANTED HER and would walk past the end of her plot of land and look at her LONGINGLY. And then they'd exchange conversations using their own bastardised form of sign language, and Harmon would be JEALOUS and ASSERT HIS MANLINESS by trying to drag Forlani away. AND THEN SHE INVITES JDM TO EAT IN THE CABIN AND IT IS VERY TENSE. Eventually, though, she chooses Harmon over JDM, sends the latter packing (because, um, it's open season?) and tells Harmon to "take [her] back to the city".

GUYS. WHAT THE FUCK. Some sort of weird soap opera that infiltrated my brain last night, obvs.

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The Indians are here; they're quite nice, as I remember, but I still don't have much to say to them. And my Gujarati is weak, yo. I feel shamed. Every time I go to open my mouth, horrible, misshapen sounds come out. It's painful and made of woe.

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Relatedly (kinda), it's International Blog About Racism Week. Believe you me, I have opinions on EVERYTHING but I'm also reluctant to make my opinions known. I'm pretty certain everybody gets that racism=not cool, but I think people get confused as to which way racism runs, and the issues of defending majorities against minorities, as much as the other way around. So, I don't worry about that too much, and I avoid it when the topic comes up in fandom - hello, Doctor Who - even though my recent interrogation of Ziva David suggests some worrying ideas regarding power, gender and culture. This isn't entirely on the up and up, I should talk more about race as it pertains to the world I live in (and less as it pertains to my particular case, but we speak from a source of experience, right?), but I'm reluctant to get into it, the same way that I'm reluctant to get into gender/sex issues outside of an academic context. Some of this is due to a personal lethargy when speaking about these subjects; some of its to do with knowing that my lethargy is shared. But we should be talking. Discussion has greater merits, says the hypocrite.

So here's what I think: don't use language that you know is racist, even if that's the comfortable thing to do in your community of people. The hardest thing, I think, is when you're talking about national stereotypes - certain peoples being better at making cars, or better academically. Question stereotypes as presented in the media, de-code your news broadcasts. Remember that poll I was so annoyed about? That's what I'm talking about. Institutionalised racism, careless use of language; selling stories on sensationalised, niche data. You don't have to know what you're saying in order for it to be a racist thing to say. I also think being aware of your own preferences is pretty key. I've said many, many times before, if there are two characters in a show, blonde and brunette, I'm probably going to favour the brunette. If there's an Asian character in the show, I feel an affinity with that character, same if there's a British character. But I take that into account when I talk about them, and when I talk about the fandom as a whole.

Mostly, I think people need to think about their language, their behaviour, their attitudes. We need to be aware of how we perceive the world, and how we use language. My biggest pet peeve is how 'terrorism'/'acts of terrorism' are phrases that have become connected to the Middle East, and how much of that language was transported to England, not only after 9/11, but especially after 7/7, as though the British hadn't been dealing with acts of terrorism from the IRA for decades before that. Think about what you are reading, hearing, saying. Think about the language you use. Think about things like White privilege, the reasons for politically correct language, and why PC is being derrided by society at large.

And now a link that may be useful to you: Terms, definitions, and disclaimers. I hope other people participate because I know that they are more articulate, and more sensible than I am.

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The Dad just called. I'm working tonight from 6pm-10pm. No clue who I'm working with, or what I'll be doing, or if there'll be a wage at the end of it. I'm not terribly annoyed or anything, just a little irritated by instructions voiced as enquiries &c. Say what you mean, or don't say it.

Comments

[noorie.livejournal.com]

so not touching these issues again, i noticed people have vastly differing definitions of "racism", "discussion", and "open mind". *sigh* BUT! i have read the post and i appreciate your thoughtfulness and the points you raise.

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

For what it's worth, I read your post and it sounded like common sense. I didn't comment, though, because as noted above, I tend to shy away from the subject.

Also: hi :)

[noorie.livejournal.com]

oh, i totally get that. was defriended by a few people though. the sad thing is, i'm probably more open minded than most people who have knee-jerk reactions about certain issues. *coughs* hello, by the way! thought of you yesterday when i saw a post about your thandie @ONTD.

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

That's a shame, especially considered how respectful and cautious your language was.

Haha, ONTD is addictive!

[asemic.livejournal.com]

My biggest pet peeve is how 'terrorism'/'acts of terrorism' are phrases that have become connected to the Middle East...

From an American's context, I often ask my family if they remember the days when terrorists were White individuals who were afraid of governmental control or ecological destruction in the name of capitalist expansion. It is interesting to note how swiftly these individuals are no longer deemed a threat when compared to a specific group. Othering is wonderful like that.

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

the days when terrorists were White individuals who were afraid of governmental control or ecological destruction in the name of capitalist expansion
Exactly. I'll give the Bush Administration this: it introduced a new lexicon. And I do mean new because the language it adopted and changed has radically different connotations now than what it did before. The ultimate Pavlovian response - issuing a word to conjure an image - and diluting it across the West. A language that encourages fear and division. And it's not just in America, it's everywhere. Which is why being aware of what we say, the way we act is so important.

[pretty-cynical.livejournal.com]

your dream made me giggle.

[noorie.livejournal.com]

well i'm glad you thought so, at least. speaking of ONTD, did you see the new rich cronin post from last night? OMG epic.

[rv-icons.livejournal.com]

oh, the dream is cute, although when you said a 'dream' dream. i immediatley thought of harmo and jdm having it off ^^

my dream was weird nightmare last night, it was like the future in a dictatorship run britain, and my mum and i were escaping with a body guard from my house cause she bought too much washing powder (apparently a death penatly offence ^^), and my sister dad and carl were away somewhere we didnt know, and then i lost my mum somewhere like a meeting place for refugees, and then a big evil army came, and a girl and i got into these guerilla rocket cars which were driven by ex-navy pilots, and mine and this girls' was steve hewitson (thats his name right) ... weird ass freaky dream ^^



but still doesnt beat harmon and jdm totally shagging ^^

[rv-icons.livejournal.com]

Think about things like White privilege, the reasons for politically correct language

im not sure i agree with this, but i understand fully how annoying it must be, but as a british middle class average person, i really have no special consideration concerning governmetal decrees and rights, i think pc is more to protect and in the governments interests to keep immigrants happy, and to be honest i am pc becuase i am afraid of what i am allowed to say in a multiracial society, without being called racist just because i am white and have an opinion.

furthermore racism againt white poeple isnt reported becuase it is likely to offend. If white poeple had their own radio tv station such as the black community have in this country and US we would just be called racist, and if someone called me a honkey i would really be offended, its never considered the other way around, im a tolerant person and hardly in bnp (bastarding nick griffin cunt!) lolz, but i value you and your sis and family as my friends and am happy to have you as my friends, but unfortunatley there are people; white, asian or otherwise who are prepared to make a bad name for a race and fuck everythying up for the people who have no problem whatsoever with a multiracial society. (ie: bastarding nick griffin and actually fucking george galloway)

NB: however, if anyone wants to help me torch the BNP hq, please leave your name address and specified weapon of choice :) lolz!

part 1/2 because I am yappy :)

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

I think there's a stigma against PC these days because common sense isn't taken into account when administering it. But I also think that when it first emerged as part of the lexicon, it was damn important. Language determines how people think about things. If you can start to curb/adjust the language, you can start to adjust the way we think about issues of race. Whilst changing the lyrics to "baa baa black sheep" is blatantly ridiculous - and I mean, complete bollocks (it completely misses the point of that nursery rhyme) - removing words like n*gger and paki from the general lexicon is good because those words were used with intentionally negative connotations.

furthermore racism againt white poeple isnt reported becuase it is likely to offend.
Quoting from my own post, I think people get confused as to which way racism runs, and the issues of defending majorities against minorities, as much as the other way around.

Look, basically, I know you're a good person. I know that I'm a good person. I know that sometimes we say things between ourselves, in our communities, which are not entirely kosher, but we don't mean them - we say them because the culture we live in makes these things socially acceptable. But they shouldn't be socially acceptable, do you see what I mean? You and I might make an offhand comment saying something like, "those damn ______" being completely ironic/sarcastic/not serious, but there's still something in that statement that perpetuates stereotype, that perpetuates racism.

part 2/2 because I am yappy :)

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

Don't forget, too, that there's a difference between being racist and being racially aware, and that there are such things as 'positive prejudice' (although I personally am smooked on that one).

But. And I've only come to this conclusion very, very recently. White privilege exists. I, as an English-born Asian, can make use of it because I understand the social codes, so I benefit from it too. But think about things like how my name is a marker regarding possibilities connected to my cultural heritage. People ask me where I'm from, and that's just - they're obviously asking me about my ethnicity, about my skin tone, but what they're implying is that because I'm not White, I couldn't have been born in the UK. (I always answer, dude, I'm from the borough massif, naturally. lolz. No, I just say, "Peterborough" and deal with it.) Also: plasters are supposed to be 'flesh-coloured'. Whatever. It's not overt, it's not meant to offend, sure, I get that, and I'm not walking around feeling oppressed (actually, more by my ethnic culture than my British heritage), and trust me when I say I see both sides of the racial 'divide' (I spend a lot of time comparing it to feminist positions, and positions of sexuality because essentially, this is what we're talking about: the assertions of privilege of one group over another) BUT, it's there. I live in a community where my name, my skin-tone, my ethnic history impacts how I am received. I can pass for English born&bred, but I cannot pass as white no matter what I do because whilst I can adopt a 'white mentality', I can't get other people to see me that way, can I?

You made excellent points, and I think you've thought about it carefully. I agree with you (i am pc becuase i am afraid of what i am allowed to say in a multiracial society, without being called racist just because i am white and have an opinion) that this is a problem, the way it is for men to have a rebuttal against the extreme ends of the feminist polemic, and heterosexuals against the same of the gay/bi/lesbian polemic. I'm not talking about not voicing opinions, or being worried about how you're perceived in those contexts. I'm talking about thinking before you speak. I'm talking about recognising that language has power, that language has consequence. I'm talking about understanding that you and I are liberally-minded so we likely define feminism as equality for both sexes, not one over the other; we define gay rights as equality for people who are gay/lesbian/bisexual alongside heterosexual people; we define race rights as equality for people of colour and white people because we don't want people to ignore racism against white people, or people of colour. But the way we speak influences the way others speak. I don't let people in my house call other people pakis, chinks &c. and I call my racist uncles on their language, too. I call my parents on their prejudices. I am vigilant. And that's what I'm talking about - being vigilant. Fighting to be equal.

(On a tangent: DUDE. Be careful what you say in an unlocked post! I know you're not being totally serious with that last part of your comment, but other people have been hurt worse by offhand comments! Also: you know I love you - and if you didn't, I just told you - and I treasure your friendship. And I know that you and I don't judge each other like, "oh, she's my white/asian friend" because it does not work that way, does it? So. Um, I forgot my point. But: I love you, so, I don't want you to take this post or this comment as slagging your opinions. Just asserting my right to mine.)

[delgaserasca.livejournal.com]

LOL. That should not be hot. And yet! *uses one of the gorgeous icons you made me*

Your dream = nightmare = not cool. My latest dream = not cool. I was being dragged around by a prison inmate who wanted to sexually assault me. Dear Brain, wtf? No love, M.

LOL, I can't believe you dreamed about Stephen! I met his younger bro for the first time the other night - they look just the same, lol.

Re: part 2/2 because I am yappy :)

[russianvelvet.livejournal.com]

lolz, i love you too we should so debate more often! but yeah i totally agree with you, I call my parents on their prejudices. I am vigilant. And that's what I'm talking about - being vigilant. Fighting to be equal., thats so true and its a shame not everyone is the same, its what i am about too, also i quite frequently stood up for islam/hinduism/judaism etc etc in re classes about 3 years ago, defending the right to opinion...i was ultra socialist then like maybe even a teenyyy bit com. but im more socialist now, and coupled with my #1 guy apart from my daddy and poppa...oh and dean winchester (jesus) - i can be tolerant and teach other to be, because to be honest society is a rampant leg humping dog which loves to ejaculate on your sunday best, and i say lets tame this MF to as much as a degree as we can.

oh yes guys, I DIDNT MEAN LETS ACTUALLY KILL NICK GRIFFIN, *boo hiss* because we all know that would be wrong and against social harmony. lolz.

oh ps. lolz i actually think 'w/affl' sounds better than 'bffl', plus it looks like waffle :) HOW COOL IS THAT!!!

me go comment new delga post

:)