progress2k12nbynd (192 posts)
News shows and sites already citing Gabby Douglas's race.
The kid is 16 yo. Said she hadn't even thought about it (being the first African-American to win it), it's not important to her. Only thought about being an American from the United States and winning it all. Now her headlines are going to be more focused on the fact that her skin is a little darker than that her talent was light years ahead.
If we as people of color don't care about this stuff, why is the media obsessing over it? Make it about the EVENTS. About the determination. About the SPORT. The media is so obsessed with finding the controversy or "drama-filled" aspect of something instead of just giving us the ****ING NEWS.
Rant off.
DCKit (17,285 posts)
1. Sheesh, I never even though of it in those terms.
She's one of us, what else should matter?
I guess that makes this a teaching moment - for those of us who take it for granted, as well as those who think it should be a big deal.
TreasonousBastard (19,364 posts)
4. Well, while her race isn't nearly as important as Jesse Owens' was...
I suspect much of the media hype is intended to be positive about the achievements of said race and not to start controversy. Such things are not always done wisely or elegantly.
Speaking of controversy, WTF is it with people complaining about her hair? Is that a big deal? A phony deal? A blown-up deal?
progress2k12nbynd (192 posts)
5. I respect and understand their point..
but has the media ever asked our community whether we view it as positive or negative that every little accomplishment gets a headline that someone is the "first black person to do this" or only the 2nd black female to get this position."
They may be trying to make it a positive, but, I can only speak for myself, I frankly think it's insulting. We don't need cheerleaders anymore than our fellow non-colored citizens do.
They're either ignorantly thinking that pointing out race every time is going to be a blessing to that person, OR they're doing it as a pat on the back to themselves.
"our community"
I like what he's saying in general but that phrase alone proves how much he has self-segregated because he's bought in to the very thing he denpounces.
TreasonousBastard (19,364 posts)
6. I suspect they never asked...
(after all, who asks...) and even if they did they got answers all over the board. What community isn't diverse in its opinions once you get past the basics? So, they do what they want until the ratings get hit.
You're right. At a some point it does become insulting when the old battles are won and everyone should be moving on. And it's not just your group-- I tend cringe a little when excessive mention is made of nationality, race, gender, religion, or any other such thing not directly related to the accomplishment. At this point in time such things are really not important if the goal is to be color and etc. blind and have every group fully integrated into society. Why bring up the irrelevant differences?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021066704Next up on DU: Why do conservatives oppose Obama? Is it because:
A) he's not white
B) he's black
C) they're racist
D) they refuse to accept people who don't look like them
E) their jewish masters told them to
