Thursday, May 28, 2009
I Thought We All Understood the Rules of This Game
How shall we put this?
Delicately, of course.
Republicans “of color” aren’t really members of a protected class of minorities. They’re more like honorary white guys sporting great tans; regardless of ethnicity or origin, regardless of their personal tragedies and triumphs, hell, regardless of merit, they don’t much count as having “wonderful American stories.” That spot is reserved for minorities who buy into the idea that ethnicity defines political affiliation. Respectable minorities simply don’t vote GOP.
I prefer the Condi Rice view: “I found a party that sees me as an individual, not as part of a group.” Though, since I actually am a white male, my opinions on subjects concerning race and gender are immediately discounted. No such requirement of experience has stopped numerous folks of explaining to me just how privileged I am to be white (and quite particularly male) in the USA.
Or to put it simply, and as an example: I’m not allowed to speak with any authority on the black experience in America because I haven’t lived that experience and don’t have the proper frames of reference. Neither am I allowed to speak with authority on the white experience in America precisely because I’ve lived it and I cannot be objective. I’m guessing that if I had the right opinions, though, I might be granted a waiver.
I’d be nicer about it all, but I’m suffering an empathy deficit right now. Seems to be clouding my judgement.
Is it just me or does the post-racial America seem at least as screwed up and dishonest as it ever did before? Perhaps more so because we seem so tremendously focused on racial issues instead of matters of merit.
But what the hell do I know? I’m just a white guy who has lived a sheltered, shallow life not given to the formation of any great wisdom.
Comments & Trackbacks
Wanna know the best part? Even if you HAD lived that experience, you still wouldn’t be allowed to speak to it. I lived it, I lived it more than most black people I know ever could imagine living it, and yet I can’t speak to it simply because I am white.
Pasty white, in fact. But it looks good on you.
Racist
Transparent, I’d say. Which is really hot. To vampires.
Only some Republican persons of color are considered in that class.
However, your story only shows that the Democrats wanted to be contrary.
Americans just love stories.
BTW, I do not have a sharecropper story.
You’ve seen Mr. Lady in pasties?
Transparent pasties?
/me -> bunk
Oh, were we talking about “post-racial” America? Hey, let me know when that happens, mmmmmmm-kay? Because that’ll mean the end of affirmative action programs.
For political purposes, I’ll take the rich intellectual experience of a certain group of dead white guys, anyday.
So, returning to the frottage thing I missed out on a while back, isn’t it time? Billlllll and I were talking about Blondie’s Firehouse, though we have yet to make a reconaissance trip.
No sharecropper story for me, either. More like a stupid suburban childhood spiked with occasionally moments of international hilarity.
Jed, I’m out of the partying business until August--unless it’s just a friendly little gathering requiring no more effort than actually showing up. I’m tired. And poor.
Hey, ZB, those are the best kind, IMHO. Neither Billlll nor I are exactly flush. Can’t speak for Billll, but I can sympathize with the tired part too. More like exhausted, actually. I’ll bug Billllllll again. Blondie’s is in Englewood, near 285 / Santa Fe.
Then it sounds like my kind of gig. Let me know when you guys are thinking about getting together.
If I am broke, can I come along too?
Absolutely. In fact, we prefer poor folk because they don’t make us feel jealous.
I’m speaking only for myself, of course.
I’m poor. Can I join in?
I have duly e-mailed Billlll, who proposed Blondie’s in the first place.
http://www.blondiesfirehouse.com/
He mentioned something about a banquet room. We were going to do a recon trip—hasn’t happened yet.
BTW, I’m wondering how long it’ll be (already happened?) before caucasian males will comprise less than 50% of the population. Cuz I wanna be in a privileged class too. Maybe all us poor bloggers should form an auto manufacturing company or something, so we can get a bailout. Just brainstorming here, because I think I should have a 37” Sharp LCD 1080p TV. And a newer, less decrepit Volvo.
The US Census reports that “White (non-Hispanic/Latino)” comprises appoximately 69% of the population. Males comprise approximately 49% of the population. Thus, approximately 34% of the population is Caucasian male (assuming a fairly common definition of “Caucasian").
You are now, and always have been, in the minority in the country.
I have and always will be a minority of one. I am my own special interest group.
And, OC, as far as I’m concerned, you’re welcome to join us.
I took a quick peek into Blondies last week, and the place has been rearranged several times since I was there last. It sounds like a “Poor Boys Reconnaissance and Pub Crawl” might be fun, especially if some advance recon was done so the scouting patrol didn’t get (too) lost.
Well, if we’re all claiming poverty, perhaps a better solution would be a BYO Backyard Blogger Barbeque. If it weren’t for the other tenants, my apt. would be great. Alas, I can’t gag them all. Too bad the gub’mint has banned alcohol in the parks. Or is it just glass? Maybe I’m thinking of someplace else.
The BYOBBB sounds like a good idea. I’d be willing to volunteer my townhome (I’ve got a good-sized smoker grill available) as long as I have enough warning to get the place tidied up. Parking might be a bit of a problem, though.
June 13th?
That’s a date that would work for me--I’ll be happy to bring some booze and food, too.
If that works for everyone else, let me know and give me some hints as to what I can bring.
God damn you assholes, I want to come. Don’t you know you’re not supposed to have FUN while I’m gone? SHEESH.
Privileged white male jerks.
While the cat’s away, I guess.
Would you like me to bring the entertainment center:
http://billllsidlemind.blogspot.com/2009/05/pedal-gun-fun.html
If it’s going to be at my place, there’s no room for it.
Well, if it’s going to be at your place, then by all means pick a day / time. Except not Independence Day, cuz I’ll likely be heading for Johnstown.
Just kidding. That thing is only fun if you’re at war with the neighbors, or being over run by squirrels.