Hipster Racism Strikes Again

Happy Monday! You might be thinking, gah there she goes again with the heavy hitting (depressing) stories about racism and I haven't even had my coffee yet. Oh well....grab a muffin and dig in!

The writers at the very excellent blog Racialicious began using that term to describe amongst other things, "ideas, speech, and action meant to denigrate another’s person race or ethnicity under the guise of being urbane, witty (meaning “ironic” nowadays), educated, liberal, and/or trendy". Really it's describing the less blatant, non-KKK cross burning but still just as ignorant racism and exercise of privilege amongst a younger generation of non-people of color (i.e. whites). Though there's often a few colluders of color in the mix.

Samhita M.A. wrote a post about her experience at Burning Man and it practically started a flame war. Her piece was rather mild and non-confrontational in its tone to be honest. The overreaching responses are from those who wish to keep their privilege status intact and unexamined. You should read the comments attached at the bottom of the linked post based on passages like this - which was the hardest hitting portion I thought:

The search for making a culture of their own, the majority white constituency of BM have created a culture of dramatic appropriation, elitism, consumption and lack of inclusion all within the guise of freedom.

Now having lived in San Francisco since 2001 I am very familiar with Burning Man but have never felt this burning desire to attend. The main reason why I've had no interest in attending is I don't do drugs and couldn't imagine being stuck in the desert in some makeshift community as being a relaxing experience. If you're not high or that into trance what are you gonna do for a week? Did I mention it's in the desert i.e. lack of toilets and showers?! I don't even have to mention the lack of participation from enough people of color do I? As Samhita so aptly wrote, the space created seems so overwhelmingly geared for the pleasure and comfort of whites, I know I'd be pissed about it. The rest of my life has to be navigated within a white construct that I don't want to have to integrate 24/7. Yes I know if a white person said that it would generate some raised eyebrows and a bit more probably, but when you are part of a minority population you deserve a space reserved for yourself. 

Coachella is about all the desert I can take because I am just not an outdoors, woodsy type gal. I don't like extreme weather conditions be it heat or cold. The cost of attending was also something I didn't wish to partake in, not to mention taking time off from work to do so. I'd rather travel outside the United States and broaden my horizons than hang out with a group of strangers trying to "escape it all". By the way I'm still not sure what people are escaping from.

The East Bay Express has covered a burner party with racist overtones in the article, "Burners Torched Over Native Party". I know there's supposed to be some irony in the title but I even found some elements of a condescending attitude in the way it was written. 

More than fifty Bay Area Native American rights activists converged on the historic East Oakland property at 9:30 p.m. to ensure the shutdown of popular Burning Man group Visionary Village's "Go Native!" party. The fired-up Hopis, Kiowas and other tribal members spent more than four hours lecturing the handful of white, college-class Burners about cultural sensitivity until some of them simply broke down crying.

You won't find Blacks throwing a "Going Native" party - sorry. First of all I believe we'd think it was pretty stupid, secondly since so many Blacks like to claim Native heritage (or have it) that would be pretty redundant. A bring your light-skinned or white girlfriend party - yes - but that's another kind of discrimination.

So some burners decide to throw a party with offensive themes and don't want to back down. Crying ensues when directly confronted with their racism. Crocodile tears for sure! There are also some who claim Native heritage who are in agreement with the racists. That's called "approval of white supremacy hoping you'll get to be the exception". 

Here's one such comment which typifies hipster racism and the rejection of the rights of the offended party: 

Reading these comments I keep seeing "these people..." and divisions into sides of these issues. I'm not reading that there is validity in both sides (which there is). No there isn't! Yes, it's perfectly understandable that any indigenous people who have had their land and lives upended, stolen, etc. by another group will feel once again abused when the very fabric of their culture, once attempted to be eliminated is now being appropriated. Completely understandable and anyone who doesn't understand that is wrapped up in their own desires.

But it's also understandable that some kids are throwing a party and choose a theme that may allow for some exploration they haven't felt and that they are not the most capable of thinking past their own fun - they're kids after all. See how the use of "kids" absolves them of their responsibility? It's understandable that in a culture that has gone astray they are looking elsewhere for inspiration and ways of being that help them to see something more than money and fame as ideals. And anyone who doesn't empathize is too caught up in THEIR own issues as well.

How dare we the oft-marginalized group demand equality, a set of standards and repercussions for violating them? We're supposed to understand how hard it is out there for (insert your dominating group) and let them have their way!! Doesn't this remind you of something? If you were reading my blog back in November you may recall the posts I did on Princeton Theological Students publishing racist and sexist writings in their newsletters - specifically attacking Dr. Yolanda Pierce. There's still work to be done and your participation is welcome.

Boy my blog hits jumped as the guilty parties checked sometimes as much as 50 times a day to see what information I'd post or who had responded. I still have your IP addresses!! They whined, denied and protested the exposure of that little ditty all the while ignoring the last few times Princeton students have published racist writings in numerous newsletters/papers. They also pretended to be sympathetic but were secretly trying to gain my trust and get information to give back to their friends. But because some non-whites participated in the hate mongering it was supposed to be okay (i.e. not racist). Yeah right! If a woman leads another woman into a situation where she's raped, wouldn't that woman be in collusion with the person who carried out the act and just as responsible? Legally isn't that referred to as "conspiracy to commit"?

Plus the idea that the mostly Middle Class white participants get to do this with little police interference speaks volumes. Last time I checked the drugs du jour that people bring to the party are illegal. Of course not everyone does drugs who attends. Before somebody accuses me of being a prude or worse a McCarthy wannabe let's flip the script. Do you know of any annual events where a majority group of Asian, Black, Latino or Native populations go off to throw a week-long party that would NOT be raided by the police or investigated? I've yet to hear of any busts going on or any difficulty in obtaining licenses for such an event when it has a majority white population participating. It smacks of class and race privilege that people even get to have these types of events and remain unscathed by law enforcement. 

So those people who complain about having to be responsible for their actions and acknowledging their privilege are typical closed doors to progress in my opinion. Their discomfort is in being confronted - not about struggling through a growing self-awareness. They'd rather deny and lie than face the truth of the situation. Even after confronted they don't want to face any repercussions or make amends. They'd rather just blow off the learning opportunity. With their race or class privilege still intact they don't have to.

By the way we're still wondering what the Princeton administrators are doing about those students. Well..not really...we know they've been mostly been let off the hook. The fight is far from over though. Perhaps it's time to reapply some public pressure. I couldn't help but notice the deafening silence from the typical feminist brigade on this as well.

Exposing Not So Secret Evil at Princeton Theological Seminary

We are still continuing our anti-racist activism against the Princeton Perps who wrote hate speech in the Foreskin newsletter and continue to be aided and abetted by other students and an Administration that wishes this would all go away quietly. Have you called or emailed the school to demand they take action against those violators and do something that results in real change? Or better yet approach those that give endowments to let them know your disgust at the ongoing atmosphere of hatred that has been allowed to flourish unabated? In case anyone needs reminding: thoughts become words and words become actions! See my first post for details.

We will continue to push back on the snake-like (but obvious) behavior of the perps and their protectors. I am not surprised or impressed by the Theological Seminary forming an Action Plan Committee so they can talk themselves in circles and measure hand-wringing instead of applying a righteous and swift action against immoral behavior and injustice. You know, since they're supposed to be training people in religious precepts. You can't teach what you don't know when your moral compass is non-existent! 

This is akin to the Roman Catholic Church allowing known child molesters to remain under cover of the cloth, shielded by the Pope, with payoffs shrouded in secrecy with money used from tithes. I can't help but wonder what God would have to say about an institution that allows fraudulent and corrupt activity to take place while invoking God's name. Oh wait, I think S/HE did:

Per Matthew 21:13 And He said to them, "It is written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER'; but you are making it a ROBBERS' DEN."  New American Standard

Do We Create or Regurgitate News As Bloggers?

This ongoing investigation regarding the racist attacks against Dr. Yolanda Pierce at Princeton Seminary begs the question how blogs - especially those hosted by female bloggers with empowerment themes - have evaluated their processes for generating posts and in discussing this. What do we consider newsworthy? Who do we use as sources for stories? Why do some bloggers base their posts on things they read in the newspaper or watch on the television almost exclusively? Why are those sources considered "credible" when we know the information we get is tainted and controlled by conglomerates with an agenda? What others sources are we reviewing for inclusion as a story idea generator? Do we even need to do so as "non-professionals" and push any limitations? After all, I heard a failed Vice Presidential candidate say that bloggers are 'liars' who live in their mother's basement.

Prosecutors have tried murder cases on circumstantial evidence or even without a body when they believe a crime has been committed. In a local case Hans Reiser eventually took a plea deal after such a conviction in exchange for revealing the location of his mudered wife's remains. He had claimed his innocence the entire investigation and trial. People don't demand "proof" from children who tell an adult they've been sexually abused. They are questioned of course, but the general consensus is that they are credible witnesses to their own abuse and telling the truth. Why should someone who claims a racial attack against a Black woman has occurred have to jump through hoops to establish their claim beyond a shadow of a doubt to those that would deny them no matter what? Why does someone need conditions met when a distinguished witness first brought it to the blogosphere's attention before believing such a claim and/or taking action? Are we less likely to take someone's word if they are non-white and female? 

Some of those in the blogosphere consider themselves activists against social injustices, while others want to strictly report on celebrity happenings. Blog posts can be very personal.  Others talk politics and choose to focus on local or national issues. Still more just want a catalog of their personal journeys through life or swap recipes and baby pictures. Each blog has its own voice, can capture a particular audience and encourages active participation from a variety of readers. They can also face the scorn of those that oppose their voice and will argue with them ad nauseum. 

It can certainly be productive to hear many sides to an issue but the boundaries have to be drawn somewhere. People tend to forget these are public forums and can lose all methods of decorum when they post anonymously or with a nickname. A fly in the soup can derail a conversation quickly if the blog administrator doesn't control who they allow in their space or set the rules for engagement.

I find many so-called progressive blogs (kos, Open Left, etc) just as caustic an environment as the staunchest of right-wing sites because I feel the same level of intolerance, sense of entitlement and exclusionary attitudes from those that claim to be on opposite sides of the political spectrum and stick to their viewpoint. The readers easily fall into group-think and try to police out dissent - even if it's coming from those who offer constructive criticism.

Running a blog requires that you put a bit of yourself out for public consumption - that is if you are to have any impact or level of authenticity. The purpose and intent behind starting a blog of course has as many reasons as there are people running them. Not everyone who blogs is a so-called journalist and those with prior media careers have steadily switched to blogging in addition to their traditional work. There are many excellent writers who've used this form of technology to bypass the gatekeeper walls of exclusion. Corporate media has seen a 15% decrease in non-white journalists just this year alone when they were already underrepresented to begin with.

The only caveat with blogging is that anyone can start a blog. That is the great equalizer but there are certain skills those trained in journalism/writing use to investigate stories and produce content. They're also paid to do it. For most of us blogging is a side gig and labor of love. As Web 2.0 continues to offer new technology and people gain access to and comfort with the internet we need to look at ways of combining our collective voices into sustainable ways and increase our audience - and influence over the narrative. 

We need to start looking outside the 'mainstream' white middle class Americuh for Americans corporate media where George Bush is just misunderstood and the United States never does anything wrong. Depending on the impact of media coverage that day I can go to several blogs for their perspective on the same news story. Now that perspective may certainly be vital and interesting but it isn't exclusive - especially if you're like me and you read several blogs more than once per day. Telling lesser known stories certainly has value and can positively shed light on issues ignored by corporate media. We just need to decide if we - as bloggers and readers of blogs - will continue to wait for others to deem them worthy before we do.

White Racism Continues to Hit the Wall

So I am continuing this conversation I started with my post Excusers, Deniers Enablers and Accomplices Pt. 1.  This post was about the students who published racist writings in the "Foreskin" newsletter at Princeton University targeting President Elect Obama and Professor Yolanda Pierce amongst other acts of racial arson. I was 'asked' by a Princeton student how I determined whether what was written was racist and whether I'd actually 'read' it. With rolled eyes I replied I am not under any obligation to 'explain' myself to them or anyone else, particularly when I could tell the person had not even bothered to read my post and they wanted to make excuses for their 'friend' who wrote some of it. 

See, I'm calling for academic censure and expulsion wouldn't be going too far in my opinion. If you aren't taught values and consequences for your actions how would you ever be a responsible citizen of the world? None of this BS fake "diversity training" where you watch a tape for an hour or two and answer multiple choice questions either. It's especially galling coming from theology students. We've all heard of circumstances that allow for people with money or connections getting away with murder - literally. Particularly when you have white skin. So I really have zero tolerance for willful ignorance.

I'm continuing my reading on the efforts to ignore all Black people gay or straight by the Gay Rights Industrial Complex so they can push their marriage agenda without us - well they're gonna try. Try and fail, but that's another fight for another day. Eventually they'll wear themselves out enough to realize they need allies and they have to be an ally first. They have to acknowledge the Black and Puerto Rican drag queens that were marching and staging protests that lead to and continued after Stonewall. They have to engage people as people on their own turf and stop being condescending and trying to have everything at their time and at their convenience. Does this sound eerily familiar? 

So I found this very great comment from Jim Toevs that I thought was appropo to this situation and thought I'd copy it over here (emphasis mine):

I am a 67 year old White American gay male, whose Privilege in our culture is exceeded only by that of White American Heterosexual males. Most of us white folks don't have a clue concerning how our "whiteness" impacts our privilege, behavior and attitudes: not only towards people of color but life in general.

To most of us white folks, "white" is "just the way things are" and life would be so much easier and less complicated if everything and everyone were simply "white". (This may be subconscious, but it is reality for most white people, none the less.)

People of Color confront their POCness every day of their lives. White folks seldom, if ever, consider their "Whiteness"; again, because white is simply the way things are.

The first step in becoming a White Anti-Racist Ally is for a white person to acknowledge and come to grips with their Whiteness.

Step two is to understand that while we may not harbor any personal racism, we unknowingly often collaborate with institutional and cultural racism.

Step three is LISTENING. No "yes, buts"! Listen, and take it in. Consider what is being said with an open heart and mind. At this point, there is no need to respond except with two words, "Thank you."

There is lots more that we white folks need to do, but the above three steps are a good start.

Anyone wishing to personally pursue this subject further is welcome to contact me off list.

So there you have it. I made my effort, when I DID NOT NEED TO! I threw down the gauntlet. Now what are you gonna do "Chris"? NO MORE EXCUSES!

h/t Pam's House Blend

Excusers, Deniers, Enablers and Accomplices Pt. 1

It's time for Black women who get it and our allies to start drawing a definitive line in the sand. On November 20th students at Princeton University published what can only be described as racist, sexist, hateful material in the "Foreskin" newsletter where they trashed President Elect Obama. To add further insult to injury they targeted Dr. Yolanda Pierce, a Black woman who's an Associate Professor at Princeton Theological Seminary. 

Yes, let me repeat that: the attack was generated by students against a Black woman. So false religiosity trumps racism, common sense and actual MORALITY yet again. So far Princeton has done nothing but issue a punk ass blurb about how they're going to 'hold a committee' to discuss this. Oh really? Here's what will happen unless we take action:

Well we know they misspoke about a few things and were maybe a bit over the top, but they're good kids. Things just got a little out of hand. Why can't you rise above this? You're just overreacting. After all, your people know a little something about facing obstacles. Everybody deserves a second chance. Why do YOU want to punish some kids for a little ol' prank?

This sounds like a cross between the rape defense of blaming the victim and trying to excuse attempted murder by reason of mental defect. The perps know the difference between right and wrong. The end! Prosecutors are trying to charge 12 year olds as adults so what's their excuse? How many other times have these perps gotten away with inappropriate behavior growing up? Their sense of entitlement to privilege must be addressed. Princeton must take responsibility for fostering an environment where racism flourishes.

Why is it when Black people are attacked we are expected to take a breath and let someone else evaluate the situation and tell us how we should feel? Where is the outrage that harm has been caused to an esteemed Black woman and the community at large? You'd better believe if this was a white professor being attacked somebody would have been expelled already no investigation or conversation necessary. I'd also like to know what action - if any - Dr. Cornel West will take on this matter. He just loves to pontificate to hear the sound of his voice - does it extend to a fellow colleague? 

So now the administrators think they can allow a few teachers and students who weren't attacked determine the fate of the perpetrators? Not this time. This will be tried in the court of public opinion. By the way we still don't know who they are because the school has been shielding them. They don't deserve the protection. Let free speech reign  - but you had better be prepared to take full responsibility for the consequences when you throw a Molotov cocktail to start racial arson.  Just ask former Police Chief Johnson of Palo Alto. 

How many times has the word un-American been bandied about since after 9/11 for anyone questioning the effects of our militarism and the ongoing blowback? How many times are Black girls called 'fast', which is a convoluted way of saying they're inherently promiscuous after they've been sexually assaulted and some would try to deny accountability?  

I am tired of hearing twenty ways how a situation is not that situation when it's slapping you upside your head. I have loads of compassion. The gun fired at me is just as lethal whether it comes from a friend or a foe, whether it was intentional or an accident. Somebody might like to offer an apology or an excuse why the gun was discharged but that won't make me any less dead.

Contact the administrators and let them know nothing less than full public disclosure will be acceptable. The perpetrators need solid disciplinary action and make amends in a way satisfactory to those violated. They also need to do community service with populations they usually insulate themselves from to get an idea of what life is really like for the less privileged. I'd say they should be evaluated prior to their graduation, have a permanent note in their student records and still face possible expulsion if they do not meet the requirements set forth. All of this addresses the students but we must focus on cutting the head from the body and follow the money trail of the school. 

I'd also recommend lodging protests with the NAACP as well as the Governor of New Jersey but making sure we don't leave things to the benevolence of others to speak on what's important to us. Princeton gets money from the Federal Gov't and any Civil Rights Violations and racial attacks should be brought before the Feds and the State of NJ. If they're gonna be gangsta and want to harbor racists and spread hate speech they should have all gov't sources of funding and taxpayer money revoked! 

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Future research and continued efforts should include acquiring:

• Lists of endowments
  
• Lists of those serving on Boards
• Alumnae (see my sidebar for new link)
  

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Nancy Lammers Gross
Dean of Student Life
Princeton Theological Seminary
210 Templeton Hall
Princeton, NJ 08542
Email: nancy.gross@ptsem.edu
Phone: 609-497-7880

Iain R. Torrance
President
Princeton Theological Seminary
132 Administration Building
Princeton, NJ 08542
Email: president@ptsem.edu
Phone: 609-497-7800

NAACP Trenton Branch (looks to be the closest)

Phone: (609)392-6772
Fax: (609)392-7742
Address: P.O. Box 1355 Trenton, NJ 08608

New Jersey Governor Jim Corzine

Office of the Governor

PO Box 001

Trenton, NJ 08625

(609)292-6000

New Jersey Dept. of Education

Office of the Commissioner
100 River View Plaza
P.O. Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625
Telephone (609) 292-4450
Fax (609) 777-4099
Lucille E. Davy, Commissioner

Update: We are monitoring the uptick in traffic from New Jersey as well as logging all IP addresses. Those of you monitoring this and other sites for activity are duly noted.

For continued action see my next post: When White Racism Hits the Wall 

Update: Princeton Seminary has a new Diversity Initiative with an email address. Let them know we don't need "healing" we want the gavel of justice with swift action and punishment. Talk is cheap - because people lie to get what they want all the time. In this case the perps want to be let off the hook and Princeton continues to allow hate crime perpetrators to walk around. 

Make no mistake: words have meaning. There is a breath of difference between hate speech and hate violence. One proceeds the other. This is NOT the time for puppy dogs and smiles. This is the time for dismissals, firings and expulsions so people know there are CONSEQUENCES for spreading hate!!!! 

Additional update 12/21 Princeton has previously engaged in allowing their student newspapers to be used for hate speech in attacking people of color - and used other non-whites to do it so they could claim it wasn't racism. They didn't PUNISH THE GUILTY and tried to let it go - and we can see where less than 2 years later the SAME THING happens AGAIN!!!