Regardless how this was intended by you or by the creator of the image, enough people misuse this hand gesture as a symbol of "White Power" to make me say this one is "not OK." It's a simple fact of modern times.
I liked this. Sixty years ago, after a particular long checkpoint stop in Burma, my friend upon leaving gave a similar sign which he thought meant "A-Ok" Evidently, in Burma it didn't mean that, but some symbol of lower anatomy...at least that is why we think he fired his gun at us.
2:08 pm here - I’m 48 and grew up in the south and never knew it. Seen more than my share of racism, especially when I was younger but have never seen that hand signal used . I don’t do social media so maybe that’s why? Also, I don’t really have out with racists as a general rule since my wife isn’t white and my kids are mixed.
The Anti Defamation League along with many others added it to the hate symbols as far back as 2019. Interesting history dating back to a meme on 4chan 2017 that changed it from just a harmless gesture to one now that has been co-opted by hate.
OMG, It's just badly dressed guy holding some bulbs- and this has to turn into "racism". That's all I hear all day long and it's too much. Almost NO ONE is racist, people don't hate each other over the tone of one's skin- Lets end it here and now!
What we have here is politics and I hate politics!
You are out of your element. Racism does not equate to race hate. Instead, it refers to prejudice against a race other than your own. This is very common to this day. Again, prejudice does not equate to hate. My parents are lovely people, who I don't believe have hate in their hearts for anyone. However, back in the 1990s, when this kind of sentiment was ubiquitous, at least in our town, they begged me not to date black women. Their rationale was that life would be tough for our mixed race babies but, come on, there was more to it than that. Due to our innate tribalism as human beings, everyone is a bit prejudiced against those who don't look like them.
Another example: my cousin, who gushes all the time on Facebook about how "cute" the little white babies her siblings have had, merely "likes" the posts about her brother's adopted black baby.
That folks, is racism/prejudice. It is not hate. Just because a person does not harbor hate another race, does not mean they aren't racist.
It's a picture of a guy holding an ornament. Please stop with the thought police stuff. It undermines the discrimination argument where it's actually needed, like improving representation in employment. Improving representation changes culture, which is really the end game.
There's probably lots of gestures that mean different things to different people. If you hold one finger (as in #1 gesture) in Europe, they'll bring you 2 beers. Thumbs up gets you 1...but means Gig'Em to Aggies (Texas A & M). To most people, that gesture means okay. Why must you try to read something into what's not there?
Regardless how this was intended by you or by the creator of the image, enough people misuse this hand gesture as a symbol of "White Power" to make me say this one is "not OK." It's a simple fact of modern times.
ReplyDeleteMost don't and have never heard of the "white power" reference.
DeleteI liked this. Sixty years ago, after a particular long checkpoint stop in Burma, my friend upon leaving gave a similar sign which he thought meant "A-Ok" Evidently, in Burma it didn't mean that, but some symbol of lower anatomy...at least that is why we think he fired his gun at us.
ReplyDeleteI never knew it meant anything other than “okay” here in America. I guess maybe because I’m not into the “white power” thing?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThe way he's holding his fingers means OK.
Some people see "white power" danger everywhere even where it does not exist.
Nice to see that denial is everywhere. Must be a bunch of old white guys.
ReplyDelete2:08 pm here - I’m 48 and grew up in the south and never knew it. Seen more than my share of racism, especially when I was younger but have never seen that hand signal used . I don’t do social media so maybe that’s why? Also, I don’t really have out with racists as a general rule since my wife isn’t white and my kids are mixed.
DeleteThe Anti Defamation League along with many others added it to the hate symbols as far back as 2019. Interesting history dating back to a meme on 4chan 2017 that changed it from just a harmless gesture to one now that has been co-opted by hate.
ReplyDeleteOMG, It's just badly dressed guy holding some bulbs- and this has to turn into "racism". That's all I hear all day long and it's too much. Almost NO ONE is racist, people don't hate each other over the tone of one's skin- Lets end it here and now!
ReplyDeleteWhat we have here is politics and I hate politics!
Goodnight!
You are out of your element. Racism does not equate to race hate. Instead, it refers to prejudice against a race other than your own. This is very common to this day. Again, prejudice does not equate to hate. My parents are lovely people, who I don't believe have hate in their hearts for anyone. However, back in the 1990s, when this kind of sentiment was ubiquitous, at least in our town, they begged me not to date black women. Their rationale was that life would be tough for our mixed race babies but, come on, there was more to it than that. Due to our innate tribalism as human beings, everyone is a bit prejudiced against those who don't look like them.
DeleteAnother example: my cousin, who gushes all the time on Facebook about how "cute" the little white babies her siblings have had, merely "likes" the posts about her brother's adopted black baby.
That folks, is racism/prejudice. It is not hate. Just because a person does not harbor hate another race, does not mean they aren't racist.
It's a picture of a guy holding an ornament. Please stop with the thought police stuff. It undermines the discrimination argument where it's actually needed, like improving representation in employment. Improving representation changes culture, which is really the end game.
ReplyDeleteThere's probably lots of gestures that mean different things to different people. If you hold one finger (as in #1 gesture) in Europe, they'll bring you 2 beers. Thumbs up gets you 1...but means Gig'Em to Aggies (Texas A & M).
ReplyDeleteTo most people, that gesture means okay. Why must you try to read something into what's not there?
Apparently dreaming of a White Christmas
ReplyDelete