Last weekend, we went to the zoo. Big whoop, I know, but I wanted to put a picture (that I actually took) in this post. I’m still loving the new camera!
Today’s the day before Martin Luther King Day. I’m sure I’m not the only one just amazed at how cool it is that MLK Day and the inauguration are right next to each other. I find myself ditching my cynicism every now and then and actually feeling excited and hopeful about Obama. Then I check myself. I can’t imagine things changing much with the stronghold the corporations (and China, etc.) have on this country. Still. It’s nice to see my students not be apathetic for a change.
So I totally pissed off a couple of people at work when I was telling them that Greg said I should decorate my inauguration cupcakes with Oreos in honor of Obama. I thought it was funny. I don’t see why people can’t laugh at that stuff. But a couple of people got offended, which I decided to let be their problem. Only one of them was black. The other person was one of those white people who happily take the blame for every crappy thing a white person ever did in this country. (Jeez, I sound like I’m from East Texas…)
The thing is, the term Oreo was created by black people as a derogatory term for other black people who acted “too white,” which really seems to mean, “too middle class.” So at its heart it’s dissing white people but I can’t say it. Anyway, I was saying that someone else said it. I did think it was funny though. All of the mixed race kids I know, including my own child, who are raised by white parents, identify as white. Obama identifies as black. Whatever. It works for him. Many black people would and have called him an Oreo.
I guess I shouldn’t think a derogatory term is funny, but I’m irreverent (or rude or whatever) that way. I wish people didn’t have to walk on eggshells. I really don’t like to hurt people’s feelings. On the other hand, I think a thick skin can be good. I don’t get offended when people call me “Mexican by injection.” (Figure it out…) Then again, I’m not part of an oppressed class.
Thinking about this stuff is giving me a headache. And it’s probably the most inappropriate post ever for MLK day, which is when some of you guys will see it. MLK was cool. I wish more people were like him, including myself.
On a brighter note, we just went to Wendy’s and all three tables were racially integrated. One of them was ours, because my Sage’s best friend is black. Maybe things aren’t so bad after all. At least if you don’t say the word Oreo and Obama in the same sentence.
I love zoos! I also agree with you that walking on eggshells is tiresome; I never know WHAT could possibly offend people. It makes me uncomfortable when I would rather be funny and off the wall. That said, one of our SS teachers got FIRED for using the word oreo in class. Can you believe that?
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Oh for crying out loud. Unless she was calling a student that, which I doubt.
I think the problem is that racism is ultimately internal. Words and actions are all we have to judge people by, and it’s easy for a good person to blurt out a bad word and get in trouble, while someone firing non-white employees for seemingly legitimate reasons will get away with it for as long as they keep their trap shut.
Oreos. HA! Funny stuff. I wanted to order the Obama commemorative coin but was worried I might get an IOU with all the spending and debt he’s promised:)
I’m guessing race relations in the US are a way more sticky subject than in some other places, but I do kind of wonder why we can’t all just live and let be and not get so hot under the collar about this stuff.
I recently started dating a Japanese guy who keeps make jokes based on racially slurs about Japanese, small eyes, being monkeys etc and then turns to me and says ‘you’re so racist’. He’s totally joking but I guess can only make jokes like that because we both respect racial difference. But I’ve had a few raised eyebrows from white colleagues (mainly American I’m sorry to say) that as a white woman I’d date a Japanese guy.
Anyway, not sure exactly what I’m getting at. I’m not really familiar with the term Oreo, but I guess personally I’d rather stay away from terms like that just cause I hate labels based on someone else’s idea of what people ought or ought not to act like. But I do think the intention behind using those kind of term is way more important than the term itself.
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Ahhh… the politically correct Gestapo strike again! If people would just stop worrying about imagined ethnic slights, take the broomsticks out of their rears, and have a relaxed laugh for a change it would probably add years to their lives and increase their enjoyable moments.
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