For Goodness Sake, Don't Use the "R" Word.
So, here's another word banned from our collective English vocabulary. Thanks in large part to that great uniter, Jesse Jackson, the word "refugee," which by definition means "one who seeks refuge," is now a racial slur.
That is one of the most ridiculous things I've heard in a long time and now everyone from the media to the President is buying into it. Frankly, I'm a bit confused as to how those not involved in the hurricane's aftermath can be using a racial slur when referring to those who had to escape from their homes in order to seek refuge...uh...safe-haven (is "safe-haven" ok??), when there were people of all colors trying to escape. Or is Mr. Jackson so concerned about African-Americans only that he has no concern for those other races who were in distress? Makes one wonder whether or not Jesse would be as concerned about his "fellow Americans in distress" if they were predominately white? I wonder how the other seekers of higher ground who are not African-American feel about Jackson's assumption.
I grew up with racism all around me in Mississippi. I know what it looks like all too well and I don't like it anywhere I see it and that is exactly what we're hearing come from the mouth of Jesse Jackson. It is just as ugly when it comes from his mouth as it does from any whiteman person (have to be p.c. here, you know). It is unnecessary and it is wrong. We are being suckered into continued hyper-sensitivity by those who should be bringing healing but are, instead, insisting on making divisions where divisions need not have been made.
It is a bit disingenuous for those who continue to complain about racial divisions to habitually segment us along racial divides in
every circumstance. Are we all Americans in this together or aren't we? One very ignorant and perhaps bigotted journalist makes an inane remark about a black man "looting" and a white man "looking for food" and that is taken to be the attitude of a nation. Most Americans don't see things that way and that shouldn't be projected upon us. Most of us saw many different colors of faces on the news cast of people trying to seek refuge. They are all important and worthy of rescuing.
There are many racist slurs that have rightly been socially banned from common usage. I am thankful for that. "Refugee" isn't one of them. It may be a lot of things based on what we've seen of "refugee camps" around the world, but the word is absolutely NOT racist. If people don't like it because they feel they are being marginalized for some reason, fine. But, for goodness sake, don't allow someone who has a record of creating strife to make it racial.
By the way, while we're at it, what is it saying of all of the precious people forced from their homes in other parts of the world when we insist that we're not refugees (i.e. we're not like them), we're Americans! Turns out the moral high ground ain't quite so high, after all.
I've said it before and I still mean it: This does not have to be a racial divide unless we choose to continue following the lead of people who insist that every instance be so. Unfortunately, it won't stop because people like the "Reverend" Jackson makes his living off of racism.
For similar sentiment, see also Tim Ellsworth's post on the subject.
It is racist to call American citizens refugees," the Rev. Jesse Jackson said, visiting the Houston Astrodome on Monday. Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have expressed similar sentiments.
That is one of the most ridiculous things I've heard in a long time and now everyone from the media to the President is buying into it. Frankly, I'm a bit confused as to how those not involved in the hurricane's aftermath can be using a racial slur when referring to those who had to escape from their homes in order to seek I grew up with racism all around me in Mississippi. I know what it looks like all too well and I don't like it anywhere I see it and that is exactly what we're hearing come from the mouth of Jesse Jackson. It is just as ugly when it comes from his mouth as it does from any white
It is a bit disingenuous for those who continue to complain about racial divisions to habitually segment us along racial divides in
every circumstance. Are we all Americans in this together or aren't we? One very ignorant and perhaps bigotted journalist makes an inane remark about a black man "looting" and a white man "looking for food" and that is taken to be the attitude of a nation. Most Americans don't see things that way and that shouldn't be projected upon us. Most of us saw many different colors of faces on the news cast of people trying to seek refuge. They are all important and worthy of rescuing. There are many racist slurs that have rightly been socially banned from common usage. I am thankful for that. "Refugee" isn't one of them. It may be a lot of things based on what we've seen of "refugee camps" around the world, but the word is absolutely NOT racist. If people don't like it because they feel they are being marginalized for some reason, fine. But, for goodness sake, don't allow someone who has a record of creating strife to make it racial.
By the way, while we're at it, what is it saying of all of the precious people forced from their homes in other parts of the world when we insist that we're not refugees (i.e. we're not like them), we're Americans! Turns out the moral high ground ain't quite so high, after all.
I've said it before and I still mean it: This does not have to be a racial divide unless we choose to continue following the lead of people who insist that every instance be so. Unfortunately, it won't stop because people like the "Reverend" Jackson makes his living off of racism.
For similar sentiment, see also Tim Ellsworth's post on the subject.
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 9/07/2005 03:00:00 PM
|
3 Comments:
David, your comments are spot on as undoubtedly, opportunists will use the Hurricane Katrina relief effort to try to drive the wedge deeper into the so-called "racial divide". The outpouring of aid by American citizens transcends race. There will be millions of people who will freely give, not knowing who will be the beneficiary and certainly not caring about the color of their skin. These same people also will not seek to publicize their giving, unlike Oprah, John Travolta, Sean Penn, etal.
I belong to a multi-ethnic, Southern Baptist Church in Phoenix, AZ. Our "membership" (a topic for another post)of approximately 400 adults includes Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, Native American Indians, and Whites (I am not sure that I am current with the politically correct "categories"). Despite being Labor Day Weekend, attendance for the services were heavy.
We held a meeting this past Sunday night to discuss relief options for Hurricane Katrina victims. Some had already arrived at a nearby coliseum. In addition, to cash, water, food, and clothing, people signed up to provide their homes, transportation, and jobs. Of the 50 adults that attended, none were blacks.
While the predominant question should be "Where were the other 350 adults?", in the Reverend Jesse Jackson's world, a racial divide exists in our church and we sorely need diversity training. No, Mr. Jackson, what the other 350 adults and millions of Americans need to do is to step up to the plate and help their brothers and sisters in a time of crisis.
As for the word "refugee", I am blessed to be one. And, by learning on television that, besides food and water, the Bible was the most requested item by people evacuated into the New Orleans Convention Center, many consider themselves refugees as well. As for Jesse Jackson, I will let him answer for himself.
"...How blessed are all who take refuge in Him." - Psalm 2:12
I would only point out my taking issue with your statement,
"Most Americans don't see things that way and that shouldn't be projected upon us."
Sadly, I wish I could agree with you, but I feel that Americans, like all people of the sincful world, do look at things that way on a regualr basis. I have seen it too often, whether it is race, nationality, gender, sexual preference, political affiliation or something else. we usually look at thos edifferent than us as somehow lesser.
Race is just the most obvious and easy of these things. Sadly, I still hear it. My wife has heard it this week in her co-workers response to the tragedy...
"you know alot of THEM cannot swim very well so of course they drowned."
That is one thing among many.
I could care less about the refugee word. I see pros and cons in usage of the word (none of it racialy based).
Rick,
I think your point is well-made. There is certainly racism still prevalent in our country on both sides of the racial divide and in other parts of society, as well. The racial issue is probably more pronounced in our part of the country than in others, though, leading to more verbal instances that we could convey (though I'm sure you and I know racial prejudice is not isolated to the South from our experiences in New England).
Having said that, to my specific point (and not prejudice, in general...i.e. gender, social status, political affiliation, etc.), I find it hard to believe that a majority of 295+ million people feel the same way that inane reporter felt. I don't think we are that divided on this particular issue. Perhaps I'm wrong on this (I sure hope I'm not), but I think the divide, though very real and worthy of attention, is sometimes exagerated and often exacerbated by people like Jackson, Sharpton and others who think they're doing such good for their race but tend to alienate white people who otherwise feel little or no racisim. It is terribly unfortunate.
Either way, there is too much of it and it needs to be addressed, but not now and not in this way (meaning Jackson has no business making this a racial disaster any more than the politicians who are making it a political disaster). We are taking our eye off of the ball and allowing a greater social disaster to occur than what we were left with after Katrina.
Thanks for commenting, Rick. I think your point about general prejudice is right on and is a remaining consequence of our fallen world. By the way, I hope the job is going well for you.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home