Disqus - Latest Comments for j9

Re: How to make the mailto: protocol work with the gmail tool instead of Outlook | Windows | Tech-Recipes

j9 — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 08:48:09 -0000

Hi,
I cant seem to find Tools>folder options (what program?) I use Win XP...
Thanks

Re: Sourdough Waffles with Strawberries: Food Storage Recipes

j9 — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:55:00 -0000

Help! I grew up with Sourdough waffles and my mom gave me a starter years ago, but we had to dump it when we moved across country. I know that you are supposed to save a small amount each time you make a batch, but I didn't see you taking any out. Do you not have to save some of the starter for the next time?

Re: The Skookie!: Whole Wheat Food Storage Recipes

j9 — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:17:00 -0000

Your link to the raffle isn't working. Please update it because I am very interested!

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/no-child-left-behind.html

j9 — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:47:00 -0000

everyone has know this for a while. at least i have, this was an issue in the 04 election. no body cares though, at least not enough to really do anything about it. as always

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/black-people-v-rape-victims.html

j9 — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 01:14:00 -0000

sorry not trying to be negative.
this subject is touchy for me and it became extra touchy/negative after I saw the way the black community responded to the whole RKelly business.

I reacted that way bc this situation reminded me of that one

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/black-people-v-rape-victims.html

j9 — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:50:00 -0000

the black community doesnt support rape victims end of story

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/danny-glover-at-world-social-forum.html

j9 — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:57:00 -0000

big up! danny

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/professional-black-woman-problem.html

j9 — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 01:26:00 -0000

I think the whole "assimilate into american society" bit is hilarious! Its so stupid is funny.
Last time I checked Black people period are pretty fuckin assimilated into this society. Last time I checked Black men on a whole (not all) arent checkin for a girl who doesnt wear weave all down her back and have a perm. Last time I checked a whole hell of a lot of Black guys (not all) are checkin for women of other races. If thats not assimilation I dont know what is.
Black women have been pressured to assimilate into white society (with our hair, skin, dress) BY Black men.
The lesbian thing is just silly. I want to see some hard core numbers on this "phenomenon".
Sorry but this editorial was rediculous.

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/blacks-latinos-in-la.html

j9 — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:54:00 -0000

its very sad because these are two groups that can really benefit from working together. Its too bad that white supremacist racism has prevailed in the divide and conquer category again.

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/blacks-latinos-in-la.html

j9 — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 01:32:00 -0000

I read a way better article on this. It did a good job of talking about the deeply institutionalized colorism that is prevalent all throughout latin america. The majority (90%) of Africans brought in this hemisphere are living in Latin America, and because of years of colonialism, the "white is right" belief is still very very much present in latin society. And isnt being challenged by any kind of civil rights/social movement.

Latin people have very negative prejudice toward blacks. Its sad but true because so many black people consider Latin people to be there closest allies in this country. That attitude doesnt go both ways, not even close.

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/what-is-womanism.html

j9 — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:38:00 -0000

Anonymous,

I would be very interested in reading those ladies, I'll look them up.

Womanism grew out of discontent with the Feminist movement and the Civil Rights Movement. 1st wave womanist writers and thinkers spent most of their time deconstructing mainstream feminism and how it not only oppresses but doesnt address the needs of poor women and women of color. I dont know if youve ever read Black feminist theory or not, but what I have read has been very eye opening for me in terms of the struggle for black female equality.
I understand what you are saying about the roots of feminism, thankfully 2nd wave black feminism has tended to move past obsessing over white women and focused more on ourselves and our solidarity with third world/global south women all over the world. Thats what I'm personally interested in, mental decolonization and creating solidarity internationally.

I think that all women around the world have interconnected oppressions, and that those similarities can build bridges between us. I see more in common with global women than I see differences, no matter what economic class or color. White women and women of color in America have a lot to work on as far as understanding (mostly white women need to step out of there little boxes) but I also do think that we have somewhat of a common ground to build on. But like I said I'm not going to spend my time or energy concerned about white women.

The only thing I can say to you is that if you can read, Patricia Hill Collins "Black Feminist Thought" and not get some level of comfort and acknowledgement of your struggle out of that text, then our struggles as black women are not the same. Its all good if thats the case, everyone is different.

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/what-is-womanism.html

j9 — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:29:00 -0000

a movement is any group of like minded people who are coming together to work towards change.
a movement can be anything. If your fighting against racism your apart of a movement.

conversations only turn into arguments with close minded people.
truly progressive movements and people all have common goals.
so it hasnt been a problem in my experience.

some people are open minded and willing to learn about the experiences and realities of people who's lives are different and probably challenging to their own way of life. Some people arent.
some white people are open to understanding white privilege, some are not. Its understandable it means completely changing the way they function and interact with the world. Thats not easy, but thats also not an excuse to be ignorant
in the same way some men are open to understanding patriarchy and some are not.
its the same exact thing

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/connection-between-transgender-and.html

j9 — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:09:00 -0000

Nate,

My definition of homophobia: a strong fear or hatred of someone who practices an alternative sexual lifestyle. I agree with you that some folks are homophobic because they are closeted. Some people are homophobic because their religion or preacher tells them to be.
ex. I knew a girl who did not consider herself to be homophobic but in the same breath would state the she couldnt/didnt want to have any lesbian friends because she assumed that any and all lesbians are going to hit on her. Its not cool to think that way.

Brian,

I'm not sure what you mean by saying that challenging homophobia would not allow for open minded and critical discussion. If anything I think that the act of challenging mainstream thought leads to exactly that.
I feel you as far as understanding the circumstances leading to more and better solutions. The problem is that you cant march and protest to build tolerance. Thats why I feel like it has to happen person to person, in our own circles and friends. A racist isnt going to change there views by watching a march and being told no to think that way. Its the same thing when it comes to homophobia. Its a social illness like you said.

Every city that has this problem has to commit to helping this community. People would have to understand when and at what time of night/day these murders are happening. There are alot of things that can happen to keep them safe, but there has to be monetary support to set up these programs. I was thinking something like a ride program, for people who are leaving clubs late at night and possibly dont have cars. It could be a carpool. I was thinking it would be good to set it up at certian clubs that cater to queers of color. People would work with the club owners to get the word out, and support the program.

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/connection-between-transgender-and.html

j9 — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 01:54:00 -0000

91% doesnt scare you?

It sickens me. I'm not really interested in finding out under what circumstances (ie. sexual deception or not) these people were murdered. You agreed that going to the point of violence is wrong. Its a no brainer that if someone is decived they are going to be pissed. The circumstances that these people were brutally murdered shouldnt matter. What matters is that they were violently killed, and the overwhelming majority of them were people of color.

I think unfortunately the majority of homophobia in our communities comes from the church's interpretation of the bible. People that use their faith to justify hate have to internally reconcile that.

What I think we can do (those of us that are against homophobia) is challenge it whenever and wherever you hear it or see it. Dont tolerate it. Along with challenging homophobia, its also important to challenge gender roles. Traditional ideas of masculinity and feminity are part of the problem.
I dont have friends who are homophobic, and if they show me that they are were going to have a serious talk about it and we probably wont continue to be friends.
Challenging these attitudes is not just something that I work on here and there, its the way I live my life. I hate the fact that my gay friends have to worry about their safty on the daily.

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/connection-between-transgender-and.html

j9 — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:38:00 -0000

the most interesting and scary stat in this article was that 91% of trasngender people to die under violent circumstances were transgender people of color.

Homophobia in our communities needs to be addressed. It needs to be a serious priority.

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/white-privilege.html

j9 — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 15:22:00 -0000

You can be condescending to me all you want. But you need to learn how to have a conversation with people who dont agree with you. Do you even read my posts?
You think "I'm a few steps behind" because you dont really understand what I'm saying.

Perfect Example
"white privilege is the short term manifestation. it's a small fry. it's the type of shit you'll see being discussed in Newsweek because it's non-threatening to the foundational assumptions of this society"

This statement really shows that you dont understand the depth to which white privilege IS institutionalized, and IS the foundation of this society. To say its non-threatening is rediculous.

Nate,

I totally agree with you that white privilege isnt going to disappear because someone recognizes it.

I guess I was aiming my question more at the internal experience of identity.

True, that it makes since for white people to work toward changing the title to Euro American, its a nice idea,more accurate, but I dont think it matters in any big way. Whether or not White people call themselves white or Euro isnt going to change or challenge the realities of white privilege or white supremacist racism. Call yourself white or Euro your still white, and benefit from white privilege. The question isnt changing the name, its changing the system and thought processes of white privilege.

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/white-privilege.html

j9 — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 13:52:00 -0000

Can white identity be separated from white privilege?

keep in mind white privilege and white supremacist racism are not the same thing.
-White supremacist racism is an attitude, ideology, and intstitutionalized system of oppression.
-White privilege is a set of benefits only bestowed upon/and attainable by white people, as a result of this system of oppression.

I really want to get to this question so I'm reposting it

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/white-privilege.html

j9 — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 13:45:00 -0000

"the point is that white identity was created as a symbol for a superiority complex. so how are you going to get rid of the superiority complex without also getting rid of the symbol?"

This is where we are missing each other. I dont agree that white identity was created as a symbol for a superiority complex.

the reason I dont agree: I dont think white identity was "created" in a certian place and time. White identity has been formed throughout European history. I dont think any identity is simply "created", I think identity is very dynamic, everchanging, and extremely personal.

I also think that white identity really developed in America, white supremacist racism has been around alot longer than America has. White identity and white supremacist racism are definitely connected. I'll leave it at that

"so even if white people try and change the meaning of whiteness by burying the history of its negative origins, once someone realized where the words come from the negative energy pops right back up."

I have to say white identity, whiteness is such a BAD term to use in this discussion. If were trying to have an intelligent discussion, you really have to use a different term than that to describe what you are saying. Its way to vauge and can be interpreted/misinterpreted/defined in so many different ways.

We need to agree on terms here. We cant have a discussion if were defining things differently.

When you say change the meaning of whiteness, do you mean change the meaning of white identity?
If so what do you think the "meaning" of white identity is?

I think that an anthropologist or biologist will also tell you that there is no such thing as race at all. Your right there is no white race, just the same as there is no black race, or asian race or any race. On a biological level we are all the same. Race is all a social construct meant to keep people separated.

"if a white person has a white identity without buying into the superiority complex at all, even historically, i'd like to hear some examples."

Every single white person I associate with doesnt buy into the white superiority complex/white supremacist racism. I dont associate with a hell of a lot of white people because its not easy to meet white people that understand white supremacist racism, but they do exist. And I think Jon Brown would be a good historical example.

"something that moves them towards a critique of whiteness, such as punk rock, skateboarding, etc (countercultures that try and reject their whiteness or at least voice the frustrations of being "white".)"

I totally disagree with this, your giving these countercutures WAY too much credit. (I'm not sure why you mentioned skatebording, its not even political) Speaking as a person who has been involved and still has quite a few punk friends. Punk Rock has NEVER critiqued Race on any real level. Sure there are groups of punk kids who understand racism and alot of punk kids say they are against racism. The reality in the punk scene is that most punk kids come from white, middle class backgrounds, leading most of these kids to begin and end the discussion on race with "theres no black or white dude, were all just human" which not only cuts off any important conversation on race and racism, it meshes all punk kids into this illusion of similar experiences ("were all the same") when it comes to race. Virtually rendering a person of color who experiences race and racism invisible in the punk scene.

You did an article on AfroPunk, did you watch the movie? Its all about this issue of Black kids in the punk scene being invisible and exotified by white kids. Punk kids are voicing their frustrations of being privileged on a cultural/economic/social level, but they typically stop there. I think your confusing a cultural critique with a critique of racism. Punk is a cultural critique, I definitly will say that but it ends with culture, critique of race doesnt have a place in the punk scene yet, punk kids of color are trying to change that. And James' movie brought alot of those kids together.

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/white-privilege.html

j9 — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 02:36:00 -0000

brian,

We keep going back and forth about this same point: my opinion is that white identity/whiteness is not ALWAYS connected to a superiority complex in the individual. Your saying that the origin of white identity/whiteness is inextricably linked to the origin of white supremacist racism, so therefore the two cannot be disconnected am I right? I'm not sure if I buy into that because I give the individual more credit for being intelligent enough to critique white supremacist racism and reject it.

Maybe we need to look at the origins of white supremacist racism in order to get to an answer.

I also dont think its possible to write off the identity of an entire race and say find a new one this one's tainted. Nate probably has his own white identity/whiteness with out buying into the superiority complex/white supremacist racism. Do you think that because white supremacist racism exists that white people as a race have nothing in their history to be positive about?

Is it that you think white identity/whiteness and white supremacist racism are the same thing? Nate and I both seem to disagree with you. I'm not missing your point, I just dont agree with it.

Question:Are we just arguing over semantics?

Nate,

You can get that book if your willing to go to a new bookstore. Kramerbooks its independent, and the book is around 14 dollars. oh that only counts if you live in DC.

Question: What IS white culture?
I really cant figure it out. I think in my mind white americans spend so much time appropriating I really cant identify what is originally "white" anymore.

Why would white identity have a positive of negative label connected to it? I feel like saying one identity or another is positive or negative is an extremely value loaded statement. Identity is an extremely personal understanding of history, culture, family. I dont feel like ones identity should be judged as negative and another judged as positive. (disclaimer: the only reason I can ask this question is because I feel that white supremacist racism isnt always connected to white identity. It totally depends on the attitude of the white person. So this question only asks about a person who's white identity is not corrupted by white supremacist racism. )

Question for both of you: Can white identity be separated from white privilege?

keep in mind white privilege and white supremacist racism are not the same thing.
-White supremacist racism is an attitude, ideology, and intstitutionalized system of oppression.
-White privilege is a set of benefits only bestowed upon/and attainable by white people, as a result of this system of oppression.

(is this question what we've been trying to get at the whole time? and we just gummed it up with semantics talk?)

i swear i never mean to write such long posts, but then my mind keeps going. at the end I feel like I should have just written a paper or something.hehe

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/white-privilege.html

j9 — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 02:51:00 -0000

Brian,

"if american culture is to be redefined, i would think that whiteness has to be eliminated as a source of identity"

I really dont think white identity is the source of the problem unless it is connected to a superiority complex. White people are never going to stop identifying as a group. I also dont expect Asians, Africans, Arabs, or Latin Americans to stop identifying as groups. I think white privilege is what has to end. White identity is just incidental. It means nothing. I see no hinderance in white people identifying as one huge group of Europeans vs. identifying with their ethnic groups. I dont see it as any difference in the way Japanese might identify as Asian OR identify as Japanese, or the way Ethiopians might identify as Africans OR as Ethiopians. White Identity isnt the crucial problem. White privilege is the program that the world has been forced to live by, shutting off that program is the most crucial step.

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/white-privilege.html

j9 — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 02:36:00 -0000

ok one last thing.
I would have to strongly disagree with the statement that "white culture is American culture"

I think white people have spent so much time appropriating/copying Black culture and claiming these things as their own, that I am hard pressed to find one cultural identifier that is exclusively "white" in this country. Just my observation

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/white-privilege.html

j9 — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 02:24:00 -0000

Nate,

to answer you question of Whether or not there can be a positive white identity?

I am inclinded to say yes of course. In all honesty I think white kids are coddled into a positive understanding of their history all throughout life. My best example would be high school where the only history we learned/glorified was European history. The only philosophy we learned was western philosophy. According to history books and my teachers, other cultures had nothing to add to modern history, religion, philosophy, science. So for me to hear that white people dont have a positive white identity is sort of laughable, considering the fact that I spent my entire formative years trying to fight to find a way to cultivate a positive black identity in a society inundated with white knowledge, beauty standards, values and history.

I think your friend is referring to more of a white guilt in being unable to feel positive about being white. History is history, you have to deal with it. The truth is that white folks have done a lot of shitty things to every other race and I really dont have time for white kids who are complaining about people bringing it up because it makes them feel guilty. they should feel guilty because at the end of the day they still benefit from the crimes committed.

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/white-privilege.html

j9 — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:24:00 -0000

Nate,

Very interesting topic your friend brought up. Its difficult and complicated to understand, and I'm an outsider looking in (to white identity).
I think first we have to understand that "white" is exclusively a product of the American psyche. To the best of my knowledge the term white as an identity didnt exist until Europeans fled Europe to come to America. The original British colonists still considered themselves British for a long time. I think white as an identity (being a conglomoration of all different European ethnic groups) came into being when Europeans started interacting with other races in this country and needed to differentiate themselves. I think it was somewhat of a reactionary move, I think out of fear of the other.

With the repression and genocide of Native Americans, along with the Atlantic Slave Trade bringing Aficans to this continent, Europeans were the minority in the 13 colonies for a while, it made since to engulf all these different European ethnic groups into one "white" identity because there is strength in numbers. It made since because even thought they were from different countries in Europe they still shared a common moral and religious way of life, so they did have a certian amount of culture in common.

I feel like Black identity as a kind of vague all encompassing "African Diasporic" Identity makes since for Black people on this side of the world because we dont have specific countries in Africa to identify with. Now with genetic testing that is changing which is really exciting.

this is probably jumbled and difficult to read. forgive im in a hurry write more later
oh and forgive spelling and typos

Re: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2007/01/white-privilege.html

j9 — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 20:25:00 -0000

I think you guys had an interesting and good discussion. I think that the term you guys used "whiteness" seems interchangable with white identity. And the idea of deconstructing whiteness doesnt really make since because it is and identity just as much as blackness is an identity. Whether or not whiteness as an identity is flawed is another question. An identity connected to an ethnic group is never a bad thing but I think the question you guys were addressing is the white identity that in some eyes is connected to superiority. Its that superiority complex that needs to be deconstructed, not white identity.

I think what needs to be deconstructed and challenged is White Privilege. White privilege isnt just about being able to walk into a store and not be suspected of stealing, or not having to fear for your life when a cop pulls you over. White privilege is also about the way we speak (white=normal,regular,the default, the comparison), the way we look at the world (white accomplishments are looked at something that everyone should aspire to), the way we analyze knowledge (western philosophy, and all the values that accompany it, is considered the pinnacle of genius and human endevor).

One of the most striking things I remember from reading about white privilege was when an author made a point about the way we speak. When people are speaking about a person, if they are white they ususally will not designate the persons race. If they are speaking about someone who is not white they will always designate their race (that black guy, my indain friend). White is considered the defalt/normal so in turn its not important to designate what race they are. Thats just one example of the way we speak.
White privilege is displayed constantly in the way all people in this country live their lives. The first step is addressing these patterns when you hear of see them.

Just saying to an unconscious white person "hey why was it important to designate this persons race and not that persons race in what you just said?". I think it goes a long way towards starting a discussion.

Nate,
have you read Jerry Manders "Four arguments for the elimination of television" That book is off the hook! I didnt know he had written other books, I'll look for that one.

I think when white people are really starting to become the minority in this country they will lose their minds! I think they will inact something similar to an apartheid regime or they will succeed from the union before they lose power, and create their own country. In the apartheid scenario, I think they will try to put the latinos in a middle of the road position much like Indians in S.Africa. With Blacks at the bottom. What will this mean for Black people? Unfortunately not very much will change as far as the position of Black people.
If people of color unite then thats a different story, but I dont see that happening.