Carolyn Birden <cmcb007@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I have noticed that many African Americans use racial terms to mask class
differences and educational differences. So when I hear one Black person
maligning the other as "not really Black" or "Oreo" or some such term, I look
at the class differences, the linguistic differences, the ethnic origins of the
people involved, the educational differences, and finally (being female) take
into account good, old fashioned jealousy and envy. ...
The above (and what followed) is a perfect example of intellectually and
culturally biased, academic-snobbish bull-shit.
...made in america
Carolyn Birden <cmcb007@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I have noticed that many African Americans use racial terms to mask class
differences and educational differences. So when I hear one Black person
maligning the other as "not really Black" or "Oreo" or some such term, I look
at the class differences, the linguistic differences, the ethnic origins of the
people involved, the educational differences, and finally (being female) take
into account good, old fashioned jealousy and envy. Much of the internecine
battles at WBAI, I believe, were based on class differences, which got
expressed in terms of color but, considering the sources of the abusive terms,
were really exhibitions of simple envy, class hatred, and ultimately power
relationships. And then there is what Armand DeMele calls "wealthism" (coined
on the model of sexism and racism), the hatred and jealousy of people with
wealth. Examine the "he's not one of us" remarks aimed at Bill Cosby, Barack
Obama, Cory Booker, and so on - all of the above seem to apply. I
suspect that people of every ethnic group can look at the class differences
within their own ethnicity and see a parallel phenomenon. Most groups have
slang terms for people who have risen above the ordinary achievement level of
their group, and I'm sure we can all recite some of them. So what else is new?
Carolyn
At 4:40 PM -0500 2/18/08, Robert Knight wrote:
First of all, I did not "misquote" you.
In the English language, ellipses are used to indicate the omission of a word
or phrase (three periods ...), or a sequence including a full sentence (four
periods ....). If you actually read my citation of your claims, you will find
the elisions accurately reflected your odd and antagonistic statement.
Second, I omitted Mr. Obama's well-known "African" (actually, Kenyan) roots in
order to draw attention to your curious, unsubstantiated and possibly erroneous
claims of his "Caribbean" and "South American" heritage.
Please, Mr. Doe, give us proof of your claims of Mr. Obama's
1. "Caribbean" roots; and
2. "South American" roots.
Please explain these unsubstantiated claims!
Furthermore, I am troubled by your invidious characterization of Mr. Obama as
an "Oreo cookie." What wisdom gives you the insight to so malign a black man
of considerable accomplishment with such a racist term as "Oreo" -- which
presumes that black success is necessarily white behavior?
What makes you wiser than the overwhelming (and sometimes nearly unanimous)
approval for his candidacy by black voters across the country? They clearly do
not consider Mr. Obama to be an "Oreo" or "Uncle Tom," or whatever else your
enlightened, antagonistic wisdom may consider him to be.
-RK
__.
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? It?s Good For What Ails Ya!?
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