Nice Stereotypes

I still can’t respond to Blogger postings …. ChaliceChick asks, Is it Racist that I think Jews are Cool? I thought that was an interesting question, because I used to think Jews were cool, too. I don’t know where that came from; maybe because as a group they’ve been persecuted and oppressed quite a bit and therefore I could relate to them as a descendant of American slaves; or because they’ve produced an astonishing number of musical maestros, movie producers, comedians and social thinkers. I have no idea what the actual statistics are - and am doubtful there are any - but it seemed like per capita, they were contributing quite a bit to the world.

But at some point, my thinking on Jews being especially cool just sort of evaporated. Again, I don’t know why. Maybe it was Jerry Seinfeld, or the Hasidim in Crown Heights, or the State of Israel or just a shift to realizing the contributions of my own “peoples.” So this question isn’t really an issue for me any more.

Is it racist to attribute positive qualities to a people? I don’t know … how important a question that is. I think what matters most is how one’s expectations color the way one relates to another person. For example, many years ago the DH’s grandmother said to his other grandmother, “I thought you people were supposed to be smart!”

Hey, that doesn’t sound so bad. Asians = Smart - where’s the harm in that? Except that she followed it up by asking, “Well if you’re so smart, why are you so poor?!”

The bottom line is that while some people revel in what they perceive as positive stereotypes - and even claim them -they are ultimately objectifying. I bristle every time someone comments that I must be able to dance well or be really “spicy” because of my ethnicity. What does that even mean? Anyone expecting me to be a great dancer or super sexy and hot tempered obviously has no clue of who I am.

But worst of all, it often leads to me wondering, “If this person thinks I have this quality - what else do they think about me - that’s not so nice?” Unfortunately, those are the types of thoughts that can make it hard to build trusting relationships.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Mar

6

What is Conservative?

Filed Under politics | 5 Comments

I am curious about something in Joel Monka’s recent post, A Conservative in a Liberal Faith. In one paragraph he describes conservatism (note: PP stands for Principles & Purposes):

None of the general principles of a classic (not a religious right) conservative, things like fiscal responsibility, personal responsibility and personal action, that rights reside within the citizen and are only loaned to the government, not vice-versa, least government possible, and even that as local as possible, etc., are in conflict with the PPs- with one possible exception: Conservatives recognize that government is rarely the right vehicle to address the basic issues, that either the marketplace or other citizen organizations (like churches) are far more effective in issues where hearts and minds must be changed. This is in direct opposition to the current mindset of the majority of the UUA, who seem to believe that social justice comes only from the pages of a sternly-worded fax to a congressman.

The thing is, I can agree with all of those statements, and yet I’m not a conservative. And I don’t think I’m deluding myself; I can’t think of any other person who would call me conservative, either.

Surely, there’s got to be something more to being a conservative than is mentioned here? Is it a difference of values - or one of methods? I have a hard time even calling myself “a liberal.” While I’m “liberal” at times, I have a hard time accepting that label when it’s used to describe someone like John Kerry. We’re not even in the same book, never mind on the same page. (For Bush, I’d have to say we’re in two completely different libraries.)

Isn’t the nature of conservatism defined as resistance to change? I associate it with the supporting of the status quo. Is this inaccurate?

Some time ago the DH and I were having a conversation about power in our society. The DH posited that there are three major powers in the US: government; private industry; and the people. I’m interested in ways that the power of the people can be expressed and fulfilled. I feel as though conservatives are interested in bolstering the power of industry, and liberals want to increase the power of the government. (Noam Chomsky points out that it’s in the best interest of industry that the people distrust their government, because the government is the only force powerful enough to restrict industry).

So I’m left with the question of … who is interested in increasing the power of the people? At every turn I see private corporations encroaching on the rights and freedoms of people - whether it’s Clear Channel suing cities for allowing public murals (citing them as “unfair competition” with billboard ads), or the very current issue of Net Neutrality. And government is dominated by a fairly homogenous group of people who are constantly being pressured by private interests (and in some cases, being run by high profile representatives of private interests).

Any advice on the subject would be much appreciated.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Mar

4

Can’t Comment, So Here are Comments

Filed Under blogging itself, uu culture | 2 Comments

For some reason - I don’t have time to investigate this right now - I’m unable to comment on the blogs of other Bloggers because the anti spam verification code isn’t visible to me; I can’t even get the audio to work.

So here are a few comments I intended to post, but haven’t been able to …

Oh, but first — thanks to all the kind words re my engagement. I hadn’t thought about a GA wedding at all, but that would have been clever with enough notice! The wedding will be in summer of 2008, however. I want my youngest brother to be present and he won’t be available until then.

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Lizard Eater responds to Peacebang’s post, Theological Reflection on Fat, Skinny, and Image - and asks, “how do we get folks out of their ruts, and persuade them to not save nice attire for weddings and funerals? Encourage them to dress up for parties and — dare I propose it? — church?”

My comment: The best way to encourage folks to dress up is to dress up, too. When the DH had a meeting in Seattle with representatives of a well known, European company, I insisted he wear a suit and tie. He obliged willingly. When he returned I asked him if he’d worn the suit; he said that he had - and was grossly overdressed. Even the reps from the corporation were in polo shirts and tees. He was teased a little, and came off looking kind of stuffy and/or a little clueless. In this case, wearing a suit didn’t impress anyone, and he drew unwanted attention to himself. Had there been several other guys there in suits, his clothing choice probably would have been a non-event.

Most people dress according to what is considered acceptable and normal in whatever circles they travel in. When people plan their outfits for parties or what-have-you, they usually ask themselves, “What is everyone else going to be wearing?” Most aren’t going for the fanciest outfit award. But … if they can trust that so-and-so will be looking great in a suit and tie, or a sequined dress, they might be willing to take a few chances.

I dress however I please, wherever I am, regardless of the weather or situation. But I get a LOT of feedback about it, and one has to be willing to accept that if you’re going to depart from the norm.

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Will Shetterly writes about a pathetic practice of Best Buy in his post capitalism promotes innovation.

My comment: Best Buy sucks!

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Stentor Danielson offers his thoughts on How Whites Shaped Black-Indian Relations; one result being the Cherokee vote to determine whether black descendants of the “freedmen” (slaves owned by Cherokee) will continue to be considered members of the Cherokee nation.

My comment: Thank you, thank you, thank you. I sent your post to a lot of folks who asked me what I thought of this issue!

Popularity: 32% [?]

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