tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post7355491713565655314..comments2024-03-06T08:29:13.333-08:00Comments on stuff white people do: displace non-white peoples and put their cultures on display in zoosmacon dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795547197817128339noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-31964652040004991982010-10-12T23:02:57.301-07:002010-10-12T23:02:57.301-07:00This rancor for the African race, manifest itself ...This rancor for the African race, manifest itself by this ignominious bigotry. It will remain a serious embarrassment and an open wound in the annals of New York City.<br />The Black clergy and some Caucasian registered their protests to the NYC Democrat Mayor from 1904-1909, George Brinton McClellan, Jr. He failed to take corrective action.<br />During the 1900's many Caucasian Academicians believed that Africans are subhumans; anyone who want to understand the dynamic of race relations during the first few decades before and after 1900,I highly recommend to read the following books: Outcasts from Evolution by John S. Haller, Jr.; Essay on the Inequality of Human Races by Arthur de Gobineau.<br />Refers also to: http://www.ukapologetics.net/09/otabenga.htmUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04040083290358008106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-36639115664289513972010-07-30T15:44:45.392-07:002010-07-30T15:44:45.392-07:00Please continue to send emails to the Zoo expressi...Please continue to send emails to the Zoo expressing your disdain for the exhibit. I am working on this matter, and have managed to get a point of contact with the Zoo.<br /><br />Thanks!plastiknoisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10462183018399794429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-85718869945470012792010-05-24T18:13:55.709-07:002010-05-24T18:13:55.709-07:00@ Heval,
Yeah...he made me twitch.@ Heval,<br /><br />Yeah...he made me twitch.Alliyah Gallowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11043902720307040762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-21470470137187281922010-05-22T21:02:28.873-07:002010-05-22T21:02:28.873-07:00Brian Hill was clearly hired for his unparalleled ...Brian Hill was clearly hired for his unparalleled ability to cut and paste corporate platitudes.<br /><br />Dare I say there's no one better!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-42422248465724005892010-05-22T20:45:47.247-07:002010-05-22T20:45:47.247-07:00*clears throat and begins reading*
"Dear Ank...*clears throat and begins reading*<br /><br />"Dear Ankhesen Mié,<br /><br />Thank you for your e-mail. Allow me to address your concerns regarding the Houston Zoo’s African Forest. <br /><br />Zoos today provide fully integrated programs involving education, conservation, and community outreach about animals and people. Modern zoos have a responsibility to address the interdependence of people and wildlife. <br /><br />The Houston Zoo does not encourage, support or participate in the oppression or mistreatment of any peoples of the world. Our conservation program is active in Central America, Africa and Borneo. Our conservation program adheres to the belief that the most successful programs work with local communities to create long-term, sustainable livelihoods and to preserve their lifestyles, cultures, heritage and language while advancing the conservation of wildlife. <br /><br />The African Forest was never intended to present a monolithic image of Africa. We believe our guests are intelligent and well aware that there are many lifestyles throughout the African continent, from urban settings to rural villages. The intent of the African Forest is to present wildlife and wildlife habitat of western central Africa. The representation is drawn from the personal experiences of Houston Zoo staff that have lived and worked in Africa and from their direct contact and interaction with the people who live there. <br /><br />The Houston Zoo has been researching and planning the African Forest for over six years. We have consulted with both local and international conservation experts to accurately depict a little known wilderness region of the world. The Houston Zoo has always been and will continue to be extremely sensitive to both cultural and ethical issues. Our goal is to enlighten and inspire people about a destination that most of them will never have the opportunity to visit, but can support through our conservation connections.<br /><br />Brian Hill<br /><br />Director of Public Affairs<br />Houston Zoo<br />1513 Cambridge (formerly N. MacGregor)<br />Houston, Tx. 77030<br />713.533.6531-Office"Alliyah Gallowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11043902720307040762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-7418282712770611722010-05-19T08:27:47.191-07:002010-05-19T08:27:47.191-07:00The Zoo lists its major donors here. You could at...The Zoo lists its major donors <a href="http://www.houstonzoo.org/donors/" rel="nofollow">here</a>. You could attempt writing letters to the boards of some of these organizations--occasionally in the past I have had good luck with this, hitting upon a random charity staffer who had no clue what a particular organization (to which zir charity donated $$$) was actually up to. <i>These</i> are the people with pull at the Zoo. You probably won't get far with, say, Target or Shell Oil (ha!), but some of the foundations might be better potential targets.<br /><br />Also, there is a bit of an edit war going on on Wikipedia. We can all be vigilant about making sure the criticism of the exhibit stays on the Houston Zoo's wiki page.Willownoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-40053666584757786012010-05-19T06:46:38.863-07:002010-05-19T06:46:38.863-07:00Godheval,
Your response rocks.
Geneva,
That's...Godheval,<br />Your response rocks.<br /><br />Geneva,<br />That's really disappointing, although not terribly surprising.<br /><br />Does anyone have good ideas for next steps?Julia/the other Juliahttp://nobody-asked-you.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-55790821302229805832010-05-18T22:12:15.525-07:002010-05-18T22:12:15.525-07:00I got a word-for-word carbon-copy of Godheval'...I got a word-for-word carbon-copy of Godheval's response from the Houston Zoo. I'm assuming they just used the exact same message for every one of us who acted in kind.Genevahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11089208459716563319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-42493139768881814532010-05-18T17:58:56.581-07:002010-05-18T17:58:56.581-07:00I responded to Mr. Hill, but the e-mail is too lon...I responded to Mr. Hill, but the e-mail is too long to post as a comment here.<br /><br />So I'll just post some highlights.<br /><br />------------------<br /><br />You say in your email:<br /><br /><i>"The Houston Zoo does not encourage, support or participate in the oppression or mistreatment of any peoples of the world."</i><br /><br />However, in that your donors are Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and Shell, you are implicitly endorsing their mistreatment of peoples around the world and their destruction of the natural environment.<br /><br />[...]<br /><br />You mention:<br /><br />"The representation is drawn from the personal experiences of Houston Zoo staff that have lived and worked in Africa and from their direct contact and interaction with the people who live there."<br /><br />In response, I would ask the following questions:<br /><br />1) Is any of the "representation" drawn from the experiences of the people in the region themselves, that is first-hand, rather than filtered through a Western interpretation?<br /><br />2) Are any Pygmies or other indigenous peoples of the regions you're "representing" on your Board of Directors, or have any of them served in any advisory capacity in the creation of the exhibit?<br /><br />3) Would they be accepting of an exhibit that represents the very efforts in their own lands to displace them? <br /><br />4) Would they be comfortable knowing that the exhibit is funded by the same companies that have been actively displacing them?<br /><br />5) How does the "African Forest" exhibit help to preserve the "lifestyles" of the peoples in Western Central Africa, whose cultures the exhibit will put on display for profit? <br /><br />In "conservation" projects elsewhere, when peoples are displaced, they are often left with little choice but to work for the companies that displaced them, in bottom-rung service positions, while managerial duties are assigned to Western employees. This is ironic given that people native to a given region verily know more about preserving the natural environment than anyone. The message sent by such conservation projects is "We will take your land, and show you how to manage it." That would seem to be in opposition to your assertion that:<br /><br /><i>"Our conservation program adheres to the belief that the most successful programs work with local communities to create long-term, sustainable livelihoods and to preserve their lifestyles, cultures, heritage and language..."</i><br /><br />Displacement, Mr. Hill, is the exact opposite of "preserving the lifestyles" of "local communities".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-14405379661753947702010-05-18T13:33:03.504-07:002010-05-18T13:33:03.504-07:00Well, at least you got a response, although it'...Well, at least you got a response, although it's a pretty disappointing one. <br /><br />Maybe you should start that petition? I'll sign.Julia/the other Juliahttp://nobody-asked-you.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-53318937668955476832010-05-18T12:22:54.778-07:002010-05-18T12:22:54.778-07:00Here is the zoo's response to my letter (that ...Here is the zoo's response to my letter (that sure didn't take long!):<br /><br /><i><br />Dear Godheval,<br /> <br />Thank you for your e-mail. Allow me to address your concerns regarding the Houston Zoo’s African Forest. <br /> <br />Zoos today provide fully integrated programs involving education, conservation, and community outreach about animals and people. Modern zoos have a responsibility to address the interdependence of people and wildlife. <br /> <br />The Houston Zoo does not encourage, support or participate in the oppression or mistreatment of any peoples of the world. Our conservation program is active in Central America, Africa and Borneo. Our conservation program adheres to the belief that the most successful programs work with local communities to create long-term, sustainable livelihoods and to preserve their lifestyles, cultures, heritage and language while advancing the conservation of wildlife. <br /> <br />The African Forest was never intended to present a monolithic image of Africa. We believe our guests are intelligent and well aware that there are many lifestyles throughout the African continent, from urban settings to rural villages. The intent of the African Forest is to present wildlife and wildlife habitat of western central Africa. The representation is drawn from the personal experiences of Houston Zoo staff that have lived and worked in Africa and from their direct contact and interaction with the people who live there. <br /> <br />The Houston Zoo has been researching and planning the African Forest for over six years. We have consulted with both local and international conservation experts to accurately depict a little known wilderness region of the world. The Houston Zoo has always been and will continue to be extremely sensitive to both cultural and ethical issues. Our goal is to enlighten and inspire people about a destination that most of them will never have the opportunity to visit, but can support through our conservation connections.<br /> <br />Sincerely,<br /> <br />Brian Hill<br />Director of Public Affairs<br /></i>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-75578363113187953002010-05-18T04:21:05.800-07:002010-05-18T04:21:05.800-07:00I have sent an email to the Houston Zoo.
Perhaps ...I have sent an email to the Houston Zoo.<br /><br />Perhaps we should start a petition on Change.org, too?<br /><br />http://www.change.org/start-a-petition<br /><br />I thought to do it myself, but I figured the author of this post would be better suited.<br /><br />My email stated the following:<br /><br /><i>I am writing to voice my opposition to the forthcoming "African Forest" exhibit, due to begin in December 2010.<br /><br />This exhibit looks to equate the lives, cultures, traditions, and peoples of Africa to animals and wildlife - indeed it is a HUMAN zoo.<br /><br />Not only does it dehumanize the peoples of an entire many countries, but it fails to represent the incredible social/cultural/ethnic diversity therein - reducing it to Western stereotypes of a "savage land" or "dark continent".<br /><br />It has been brought to my attention that at least 3 oil companies - Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and Shell - with heinous reputations for destroying the environment and displacing indigenous peoples from their land are involved either in funding or directing the exhibit.<br /><br />If this exhibit is constructed, I intend to get the word out to as many people as possible to boycott not only the exhibit, but the Houston Zoo as a whole.<br /><br />Alone I may not be able to do much, but I will encourage every person I contact to in turn contact just as many others. If my actions lose the exhibit even one price of admission, then it will be worth my efforts.<br /><br />But I am certain that I will not be alone in my opposition to the exhibit. In addition to those that I inspire to act, there are those who inspired me - even to write this letter.<br /><br />I hope that I will not even need to resort to such actions, and that the Houston Zoo will reconsider the enormous social and political implications of the exhibit. <br /><br />Human zoos may have been in fashion in the early 20th century, but as we move towards a global society, as our understanding of the world and its people grow, and as we become more connected across vast social and geographic distances, such cultural vandalism and explicit racism will not be tolerated.<br /><br />I hope that the Zoo's Board of Directors, if only for the sake of profit, will see the African Forest exhibit for the inevitable public relations disaster that it is certain to generate.<br /><br />I look forward to your response - hopefully in the form of a restructuring our outright cancellation of the exhibit.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Godheval<br /></i>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-91563212314119344612010-05-16T19:00:03.166-07:002010-05-16T19:00:03.166-07:00Look, y'all, we can go in circles about system...Look, y'all, we can go in circles about systemic versus individual, but it boils down to this:<br /><br />We use the definition "racism = prejudice + power" <i>to keep the focus on white oppression of POC</i>. Otherwise anti-racism discussion devolve into white people yelling at Black people for being anti-Asian and at Asian people for being anti-Black; furthermore, this prevents obnoxious and pointless derailments into "but the one Black kid in my daughter's class got into Harvard; that's racist."<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, there's a theoretical background here and I have previously attempted to explain it, but for *practical* purposes...<i>the point is to allow us to focus on white oppression of POC!</i><br /><br />And @kevin...it's nice that you're so concerned about white people's feelings. Have you thought about POC's feelings? The entire history of race relations is white people demanding that POC care about our feelings, while we disregard their feelings entirely. The first task of every WP who gets involved in anti-racist discussions is learning that the world does not actually revolve around us and our precious self-esteem.<br /><br />In short, white people offended by being called racist: cry me a river, build a bridge, and <i>get the fuck over it</i>.Willownoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-40436596348606195582010-05-16T18:07:46.573-07:002010-05-16T18:07:46.573-07:00@kevinrp
I think you have it backwards. The fact ...@kevinrp<br />I think you have it backwards. The fact that racism has been delineated over the years has more to do with WP seeking ways to dilute the negative connotation of racism than POC looking to promote white guilt. The reflexive, knee jerk reaction that most WP express whenever they hear the word "racism" has caused many academics over the years to try to "intellectualize" the concept by tagging it in such ways. <br /><br />But consider what you said, specifically:<br /><br /><i>"it can be very offensive to WP who did not have such an upbringing and only know that to be a 'racist' is a bad thing."</i> <br /><br />Have you ever stopped to wonder WHY this is? Why are so many WP taught such an extreme framing of racism that most think themselves completely incapable of such undesirable behavior or else feel guilty when they DO acknowledge such? <br /><br />It seems to me that most white kids are taught to see racists (and therefore racism) as an all-or-nothing embodiment, which, as you've noted, makes it difficult to get WP to acknowledge ANY racist behavior without being associated with the controlling image WP themselves CREATED. <br /><br />In making <b>The Racist</b> akin to some type of subhuman monster, WP have effectively created a means in which to disassociate themselves from such behavior. After all, who wants to see themselves as a monster? IMO, THAT is what fosters the sense of guilt so many speak of, this total "othering" that many WP engage in for simply acknowledging an instance of behavior.<br /><br />In reality, it's another example of white privilege, the ability to "own" knowledge, and thus, determine what words and concepts like "racism" <i>mean.</i> Which is why, IMO, power cannot be stripped from the equation, because just as WP have the power to create the controlling image of The Racist, they, as the dominant group, also have the power to dismantle images and clarify meanings. <br /><br />Or else, WP can just keep educating themselves about race in ways that inevitably lead many to (a) reflexively, vehemently deny themselves even <i>capable</i> of racism, (b) embrace such behavior like the "proud" racist you noted, or (c) see the desire to address and correct such behavior as stemming from some notion of guilt.trufizzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10399929948020983917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-71380867254898265222010-05-16T17:38:37.723-07:002010-05-16T17:38:37.723-07:00OMG, another reason why I know we aren't getti...OMG, another reason why I know we aren't getting anywhere in this country.<br /><br />Peace, Love and Chocolate<br />TiffanyTiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00095653554788017373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-55590884840439688082010-05-16T10:39:09.440-07:002010-05-16T10:39:09.440-07:00@all discussing systemtic racism and individual ra...@all discussing systemtic racism and individual racism. <br /><br />I'm an MWP whose family is transracial through marriage, birth, and adoption.<br /><br />From my limited reading (Judith Katz and Joseph Barndt) I feel the systematic angle is tainted by its rooting in racism itself. The model seems to strive for being able to convince WP they are inherently racist (white illness for Katz, orginal white sin for Barndt). Once accomplished the goal seems to be to feed off their white guilt.<br /><br />While this may be reassuring to those who grew up in racist families and who struggle daily with the resulting fall out from that upbringing, it can be very offensive to WP who did not have such an upbringing and only know that to be a 'racist' is a bad thing. They may well shut down and walk away. The white guilt crowd stay to work to atone for the sins of their fathers but always seem to act odd around POC. The latter has been experienced by my wife.<br /><br />Also in many cases the "system" can become God-like and out of the control of mere mortals. Individual action (as suggested in posts above) can appear to be meaningless and inconsequential. One's behavior can again be defended by race. I've heard a WP once say "Hey, what can I say I'm a racist." as if it was normal and should be fully accepted. He didn't bother to say what lens he was using in his self evaluation. I was glad my kids (who had dinner with him an hour before) were not there to hear it.<br /><br />I think we need to move to a frame that begins with and holds tightly to the worth, dignity, power and glory of the individual and build from there. When we discuss power, it should be situational. We should acknowledge that some approaches to combat racism have themselves been racist and have in fact hurt some WP (see Color of Our Skin by Steinhorn and Diggs-Brown). Look for the exceptions that prove the rule and discuss them rather than letting people use them to undermine the discussion.<br /><br />OK time for me and my boys to head to the grocery store. It has been great reading all your posts and I appreciate having an opportunity to enter the discussion.sdfghjkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05972656187679125494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-71039342945511408052010-05-15T01:18:49.697-07:002010-05-15T01:18:49.697-07:00Thank you for letting us all know about this. I si...Thank you for letting us all know about this. I sickly want the exhibition to happen because I could take the class I am supposed to teach on PRIMITIVISM to see it so they could learn to critique this framing.<br /><br />Of course I will try to stop it but if I fail I will teach about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-91017661941878401062010-05-14T19:58:51.749-07:002010-05-14T19:58:51.749-07:00@ Marissa,
Did you see the Naming Opportunities p...@ Marissa,<br /><br />Did you see the <a href="http://www.houstonzoo.org/naming-opportunities/" rel="nofollow">Naming Opportunities</a> page? The exhibit also features something called--really--"Tunnel of Mysteries". I wouldn't be surprised if it led to Bedrock. :/ Oh, and I e-mailed to ask, and unfortunately even if I had the asked-for $1.5 million, they would not let me name the "African-Themed Restaurant" (really; that's what it says) "The 'Actually, Africa Is a Rather Large Continent With MANY Vibrant and Unique Cultures' Restaurant."<br /><br />@ dersk and BiteMe (I'm attempting to respond to both of you at once, as there's a lot of overlap),<br /><br />Oh, absolutely it's not <i>just</i> systemic. Or more to the point, individual acts of racism are racist *because* they take place within a racist system. (If you look at my earlier replies you'll see I said stuff like "systemic oppression, sometimes displayed through the acts of individuals" or some such.)<br /><br />When we say <i>systemic</i>, it's not just institutions, but also how those institutions, and even just stuff Floating In The System, affect our actions. "Systemic" and "individual" are not necessarily opposites. HOWEVER. White people tend to define racism <i>solely</i> in terms of individual acts <i>because this allows us to pretend we are not complicit in racism</i>. It quickly becomes clear that the way to fight this position is to point out the systemic nature of racism.<br /><br />That means both understanding "institutional racism" (which is what I think you are meaning by 'systemic') but also <i>why</i> individual racist acts are racist.<br /><br />BiteMe, unfortunately the strategy you suggested tends to lead to WP protesting affirmative action...<i>unless</i> they have a basic understanding that racism is systemic and historical, not just in the individual act of not getting a job or some such. They just say, "Wow, what a shame <i>that particular HR dude</i> was A Racist...this Black lady didn't give me a job, reverse racism!"<br /><br />dersk...yeah, we're on the same wavelength. Just keep in mind that definitions are tools, not chains.Willownoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-35911736213191294872010-05-14T19:34:19.254-07:002010-05-14T19:34:19.254-07:00@Tal:
"Given their success at putting "o...@Tal:<br />"Given their success at putting "other" people on display, such as in the Epcot world showcase, it's interesting that displays / zoos like the one mentioned in the OP haven't cropped up more frequently over the years. Though Disney did throw in a few European displays that help to deflect such charges."<br /><br />When I last went to Epcot, most of the countries on display were European: UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Italy... they threw China, Japan, and Mexico in, too. Canada and some colonial-era version of the United States could be seen as well. I noticed while walking through it that we passed through a place that was "African" in nature, but it was not indicated on the map. It kind of made me uncomfortable - this mysterious, nameless "African" place didn't even show up on the map or have a restaurant like the others; it was just a bunch of shops.<br /><br />Later, when we passed by the gift store, I found this little thing that had currency from all the countries in the World exhibit. I noticed there what the mysterious missing African country was: Mali. I'm guessing they once had Mali as one of their countries but then removed it or tried to downplay it? I wonder how accurate the Mali display was. Perhaps it was downtoned due to accusations of inaccuracy or racism?<br /><br />I'm really curious about that. I noticed that they had, of course, European countries (because each and every European country is ~special~ and ~different~), two Asian countries (at least they didn't merge China and Japan), three American countries, but nothing from Africa (except that weird phantom Mali display)... but would having an African country on there be good anyway? It's odd.Holly Steelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-14418357099751005602010-05-14T17:50:18.183-07:002010-05-14T17:50:18.183-07:00@Willow,
I tend to think that employing the argum...@Willow,<br /><br />I tend to think that employing the argument that racism is bound to a system or structure very easily allows people to avoid considering their part in it's perpetuation. Those words are abstractions and they don't really mean much outside of the fact the there are actual individuals within that system that make a decision to support or participate in that system's continuance (the system itself needs to be defined in personal terms). For instance, we often hear something like "it's the government's job to fix that" or "it's the government's fault this happened" But what does that really mean? At some level, someone, somewhere made a decision....it's always individuals, whether they're part of a government or system or whatever. Using these terms, especially systemic and institutional, which are nebulous and difficult to embrace, allows that fact to be obscured and individuals to never see themselves as participants. In the case of white culture stating that "institutional racism is wrong and needs to be rectified" won't get much traction for the reasons stated above in addition to reactionary defensiveness. But possibly trying a "How would you feel if?" approach could make a difference get people thinking. Envision a media campaign where a poc simply relates some of their experiences: "I go for a job and I know I'm not wanted instantly" or "I feel like I don't fit in and my contribution isn't respected" Not to elicit pity or sympathy, but empathy. The realization that "this isn't right" and "I wouldn't like to be treated that way" I think could begin to resonate.<br /><br />Is that too pie-in-the-sky?BiteMenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-58415042490124439102010-05-14T17:19:39.720-07:002010-05-14T17:19:39.720-07:00@truffiz
Again, an excellent response.
I typic...@truffiz<br /><br />Again, an excellent response. <br /><br />I typically need to engage in a series of "what if's" and "why not's" in order to gain an understanding of something. I believe you're spot on here and my own on-going positive experience with several DOC affirms this.BiteMenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-1081665637251124322010-05-14T15:25:16.342-07:002010-05-14T15:25:16.342-07:00Oh my *facepalm*.
Reading this just makes me sic...Oh my *facepalm*. <br /><br />Reading this just makes me sick to my stomach. I will definitely write to the zoo. <br /><br />Also, I was reading on another blog recently about Miley Cyrus' "Can't Be Tamed" video, which features her dressed like a bird, on display in a cage. I guess that's another expression of white privilege - being able to use metaphors for confinement without acknowledging or even being aware that what's just a metaphor for white people has been an actual experience for others<br /><br /><i>The African Forest adventure begins as guests follow a path through a rock portal...</i><br /><br />WTF? Are they recreating Bedrock?Marissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598310548059926496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-51639349719469538882010-05-14T13:27:18.413-07:002010-05-14T13:27:18.413-07:00I'm surprised Disney World's depiction of ...I'm surprised Disney World's depiction of other "cultures" hasn't been mentioned, other than briefly by TAB. Given their success at putting "other" people on display, such as in the Epcot world showcase, it's interesting that displays / zoos like the one mentioned in the OP haven't cropped up more frequently over the years. Though Disney did throw in a few European displays that help to deflect such charges.Talnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-29859238303081402082010-05-14T13:24:33.816-07:002010-05-14T13:24:33.816-07:00@BiteMe
My only possible point of disagreement wou...@BiteMe<br /><i>My only possible point of disagreement would be: in many instances using the examples cited in my first post how would/could you know for sure that the teacher didn't give you a lower grade on account of race, especially in a course consisting of subjective material? How would/could you know that a doctor/nurse gave you less attention? If it's not blatant and in-your-face, how do you know? At that level, does it even matter if the outcome is not bad enough to warrant objection? I don't know, probably not.</i><br /><br />Well, as to how a person would know, I don't suppose anyone ever DOES if it's not "in-your-face." Still, you're referring to exceptions once again. My point was that there are far fewer incentives for POC to engage in <i>systematic</i> racism. For instance, let's take a closer look at doctors of color (DOC). <br /><br />A study of the history of medicine in this country reveals the difficulties DOC had in gaining professional acceptance not only from (all-white) medical boards responsible for licensing them, but also from a populace conditioned to see POC as inferior. Thus, a DOC unwilling to treat WP would most likely find themselves rejected by other POC as well. Sort of a twist on the "white is right" formula, in that a DOC's "worth" was often determined by the number of WP he counted as patients. Conversely, the lack of white patients often invited the suspicion (<i>by</i> POC) that said DOC was somehow "second-rate." <br /><br />Such hegemonic influences still impact POC communities, although happily, not to such extremes. However, many POC are still conditioned to see the presence of WP in a POC establishment as a "positive" sign. That is why even today there is simply no benefit to be gained by DOC engaging in such behavior because frankly, there just isn't a large enough network of POC willing to support those DOC who <i>do.</i> Not to mention the fact the idea of a DOC willingly foregoing the economic benefit of treating WP will more often result in making POC more likely to believe that WP chose to reject the DOC rather than the other way around. Even today.trufizzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10399929948020983917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-528074983146803930.post-42766088235343453312010-05-14T12:47:17.741-07:002010-05-14T12:47:17.741-07:00@Willow - Again, I'm 90% with you. I'd say...@Willow - Again, I'm 90% with you. I'd say it's both personal and systemic: the systemic racism of white privilege enables / influences people to act in racist ways (e.g., to perhaps even subconsciously devalue resumes with 'black' names, a la the Freakonomics survey). And of course systemic racism is the result of many individuals, so there's a sort of feedback loop between the individuals and systemic racism.<br /><br />I *think* we're actually agreeing with each other here. And I almost actually used the phrase 'normative cultural influences' - I think they'll take away my engineering degree if I don't stop. (:dersknoreply@blogger.com