Note: This post is MY OPINION.
I am getting on my soap box because it is my duty as a social worker to speak out about injustices and racism and oppression and all the other ugly pieces that make up our society. Earlier, I discovered this article regarding racism over the black characters in The Hunger Games movie. For those who are not in the know, Cinna, Rue and Thresh are played by black/African-American (not sure of proper term to use) actors/actresses. Perfectly friggin cast, in my opinion. In other’s opinion, not so much. However, it had nothing to do with their acting ability. These people focused on their skin color. SKIN. COLOR. Obviously, they learned nothing from the message of this book series!
After reading this article, I was the girl on fire! Just call me Smash Attack FI-YAH! I am absolutely appalled and enraged by the ignorant commentary people shared with the world. Now granted, I share stupid thoughts daily on social media and this blog, but I never, ever spout off the level of ignorance seen in that article. And if I do, please let me know so I can quickly correct my wrongdoing. Because this perspective, outlook, mindset, whatever you want to paint, is just not. ok. It is 2012. Not 1950. The world has come a hell of a long way in terms of racism, discrimination and oppression, but it is obvious that our society is still immature and I am saddened and disgusted that my future children will continue to be surrounded by such nonsense.
And yes, I am a white woman. I do not know firsthand the experiences that the oppressed races have had. I do know how it feels, however. I have been discriminated due to my gender. I have been sexually harassed in the workplace because of my gender. My current job takes me to poor neighborhoods of mostly non-white populations where I am stared at and laughed at and pointed at and talked about daily. It ain’t fun times, people! But do I turn around and make a snide comment about the “insert racist word here* person on the corner? No. Do I let my adolescent clients make racist comments during sessions? Hells to the No. I take the moment and do my best to EDUCATE them, because at the end of the day, that is my most important mission as a social worker.
I don’t agree with the treatment of certain populations of people and don’t blame any of them for their anger. What I wish could happen, however, is for the world to move. the. fuck. on. We could learn a lot from the healing process of the South African Apartheid and Rwandan Genocide called restorative justice. And just as children grow and mature due to life experiences, why can’t society GROW AND MATURE? Why do we continue to focus on race, skin color, age, sex, gender, disability, twelve toes, three nipples. WHATEVER? Why do we still feel some of us are superior? It should be damn obvious by now that we all have the ability to succeed and offer something useful to the world.
Now, as a social worker, I do not judge people on their beliefs. Yes, I am damn angry about the ridiculous banter by said tweeters, but I am not pointing fingers. The real core of this issue is that racism is learned, and not just at the mezzo (family/community) level. Racism is EVERYWHERE. In books, movies, music, video games, and of course, the internet. It can be found in jokes, on LOLcats, where the hell ever you look. WE, all of us, are perpetuating racism every time we laugh at a racist joke or repost a funny image with a racist caption. I am guilty of doing this. We all are, in some form or another. It might seem like a harmless thing, but it is affecting the future of our society: the children. We have to be good role models for them. We have to stop the nonsense.
Can we just all put our big girl panties on now? Or big boy briefs (yes, I like men in boxer briefs).
Sorry if this is a big piece of rambled mess. Call me a passionate woman…
Please, share your thoughts. And let’s keep it civilized.
© 2012, Smash Attack Reads. All rights reserved.
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It’s truly sad but racism is all over the place in EVERY community.
It is so acceptable and a few well meaning ppl will NOT change it with a few insightful speeches.
If they don’t hear it in home, they hear it at school, or on the playground or wherever.
There has to be a total war against racism waged. From birth to death and every where in between.
We have immerse ourselves in sensitivity training & have DAILY seminars in schools on racism and dealing with anger and feelings in other ways than lashing out at skin color.
Ok, a lot of ppl are NOT this bad, but it is under the surface, simmering like a soup about to boil over.
All of that tension, misunderstanding, stereotypes, misplaced anger, etc. have nowhere to go.
How do we take something so ingrained in a society, all over the world, and change it?
This is NOTHING to many ppl, kids play.
Whats so shocking to many is like a joke to just as many others.
It’s cruel and ugly and getting worse.
We each do our part the best we can. Each one Teach one.
How do we make a GLOBAL impact?
Tackle each incident head on. No matter how small it may seem it WILL boil and fester and turn very ugly, very fast.
I wish many were of similar mindset but sadly a few racist comments tossed about carelessly is not at the top of ppls priorities lists.
Even sadder yet the kids making these comments are KIDS.
Just wow.
Kids are learning it from all the adults and media outlets. Until adults get their act together, we will continue to breed ignorance and fear.
Great post! Way to stand up for your beliefs, Smash on Fire. I totally agree that racism is all around us. We can do our best to examine our beliefs and behaviors, and challenge unfairness around us, but we’re inevitably affected by racism in very negative ways. I can’t wait to see the movie (on Thursday with my book club) and I refuse to let some uneducated comments ruin the awesomeness.
Smash on Fire! ♥
YOU WILL LOVE THE MOVIE! It truly is one of the best book-to-movie adaptations I’ve ever seen.
The funny thing is that Rue and Thresh were described as having dark skin. I pretty much assumed that meant either black or Hispanic. Why in the world would they be white? It just doesn’t make sense. As far as Cinna, yeah I pictured him being white, but I think Lenny did a stellar job. Besides, what is the big deal either way? I actually ranted about these peoples ignorance to my husband earlier, and even he agreed it was ridiculous despite his predjudiced upbringing. I just think these people need to get over themselves. I’m embarrassed for them.
Yes, they mention their skin color in the article and how these people obviously didn’t read it or really were just being plain ole idiots.
YAY YOU!!!!! Living in the south it’s much more prevalant than you think, unfortunately. We do our best to educate but some people just don’t listen. Didn’t I understand you and the good doctor are moving down here soon? Brace yourselves….. And if this is your stance about a movie, can’t wait to hear your take on the whole Sanford, Florida incident.
As for Cinna, I actually pictured him Hispanic but do NOT have a problem with Lenny on the big screen, thank you very much!
I will say I took offence to the whole third nipple comment – they’re called “witch’s tits” and I know this because yes, they run in families…..LMAO!!!
Chic, I live in Miami and grew up in Tampa. LOL. I’ve been in the south (though true Southerners would never include FL as the south..lol) my entire life. Now, GA is entirely different story and I might get my ass shot…
Don’t get me started on ALL the shit that happens in FL. We are like a magnet for ignorance. Ugh.
And AMEN for Lenny! I was pretty much drooling through his scenes. What a beautiful man!
I am sorry I offended you with the 3rd nipple reference. I did not mean it as such, but simply stated it because I know a kid with 3 nipples and he gets teased for it. At the end of the day, who cares? The bottom line is we are afraid of those who are different than ourselves…it’s silly. We should embrace uniqueness.
Great post. I was shocked and disgusted when I heard about the comments – I seriously can’t believe that people think like that, in this day and age. It sickens and saddens me.
*shocked and disgusted.
It will carry on throughout man’s rule on earth. Sad, but we will never be fully united as the HUMAN race.
That was actually going on as soon as they were cast. It’s STUPID! They were described as such! Did they distribute amended copies of THG in their towns, where all the characters were white?! No..they’re just ignorant assholes.
Ugh. Just uggggggh. Me no likey! *shakes fist*
I don’t know what I could add to this Ashley. You’ve pretty much said everything I feel and then some. I think what bothers me most (other than the obvious) is that the statements made totally go against one of the core messages of the Hunger Games. Ramble away girl!
Exactly. They learned nothing.
This was an excellent post and I commend you for not being afraid to say what you feel…especially when all of it is dead-on accurate!!
Truth is that everything that’s been said about racism still being so prevalent in this world is sad but true! We will never get passed it because people won’t let it go. And of course, add fucktards like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton in the mix who like to get people riled up. Instead of uniting people, they do the exact opposite and ignorant people eat that shit up!
We’ve all been discriminated and teased for one thing or another, whether it’s gender, color, weight *ahem*…it all hurts but people forget that!
People get angry over the STUPIDEST SHIT!! Get angry over the issues with Kony, get angry over the genocide in Darfur…THIS is not worth the energy! It’s a movie, meant to be enjoyed and not over-analyzed.
I hate to say it but I truly believe that tolerance is an illusion. This will never be a utopia because while there are LOTS of good people in this world *cough* YOU*cough* there are also a lot of other who can’t let go of the past and who encourage hate, negativity and prejudice! Sad day, America!
Meanwhile, I’m going to buy a Lotto ticket so I can buy my own damn island, lol.
♥♥♥
I am coming to the island WITH you, whether you like it or not.
Tolerance is good but at the end of the day, Acceptance is the much better option. We have neither and it reminds me of how neanderthal society still is…
Fear breeds ignorance. It’s all about fearing those different than you, which means society is full of cowards.
You are totes welcome on Isa’s Private Island…charters with approved passes only
You’re absolutely right. I used the word “tolerance” because it’s bandied around like it’s the political holy grail we all seek *pfft* but ACCEPTANCE is what this world needs. Accept that we are not all meant to be the same and move the fuck on!
I HATE hate. It is weak.
Amen, sista.
Great post. I’ve been off the ‘net for several days, and when I heard about this “conflict” I was like, ummm…huh? This is just such ridiculousness!!!
What a GREAT post! It’s infuriating when people say things with so little regard to those they are talking about! I’m right there with you. I may not know specifically what oppressed races have gone through, but as a gay man, we are inundated DAILY with idiotic bigotry. Stares, whispers and just the other day, when we were leaving The Hunger Games showing we went to, a young guy shouted, “Homo!” at my boyfriend and I (even thought we were walking 20 feet apart, giving no indication that we were gay). I enjoyed turning around when he called and smiling at him and keeping eye contact until he grew uncomfortable and turned around. People are happy being ignorant, and ignorance leads to hatred.
I hate living here in Arizona because, while there are many great people here, those in positions of power are part of the ignorant crowd. They’re passing laws right and left that are infringing on our rights as private citizens acting out their own personal struggles or traumas on the public. I find that those who so readily use such hate-filled words are often afraid. They are afraid of the feelings they are feeling themselves, so in a method of attempting to distract others from them, they persecute those that have accepted those same issues about themselves.
I’ve come to the point where I’ve stopped wishing for a world where racism and bigotry didn’t exist and have decided to actually start doing something about it. I’ve started writing a book with a gay protagonist set in a world much like ours, but there is a hidden community of advanced beings that have never understood the purpose of discrimination and therefore have learned to advance leaps and bounds further than us and more quickly. It’s time we, as a society grow the fuck up and keep our stupidity to ourselves.
Long overdue, is the day when actors, musicians and politicians can openly be gay, or non-white, or non-male without society flipping a gigantic lid about it. It’s not a big deal. We are all people and we ALL have value to add to life.
I didn’t even know about this article. That’s sp crazy. how can they spout off about all that crap when they’ve read the book? Did they just skim parts? I mean seriously. Wow. There really aren’t any words to explain this stupidity and ignorance. It angers me and it breaks my heart.
Granted I wasn’t a big fan of the book because I found it overall depressing. But Rue was actually one of my favorite characters. No shyte she was black. Duh!! I paid attention when I was reading. Didn’t anybody else? How does that happen? Jeez…I don’t even….I can’t even fathom this bs. That’s what it is….bs.
I have been cogitating on this since you tweeted me the link to the Jezebel article, and the thing that I keep coming back to is this: I’m reading responses that amplify the issue. In no way do I condone the racist comments that those tweeters let loose on the world–I honestly don’t think that any thinking person can or would–but neither do I think that the Jezebel article was insightful. Yes, those people were careless, thoughtless, bigoted…the list could go on…but instead of turning the whole thing into a thoughtful discussion about racism–and, yes, pointing out the wrongness of such sentiments–the author chose to point fingers.
Maybe I’m wrong–and maybe I’m entirely missing the point–but I don’t feel like that article did anything except stir up more resentment. I’m not sure I know what the “right” response to racism would be, but inciting more hatred (whether intentionally or unintentionally) cannot be it.
That right there is one of the main reason I don’t watch any news stations. I can’t deal with people’s ignorance. We’re surrounded Ash and it scares the buhjeezus out of me.
I know we already had a conversation about this on Twitter, but I had to drop in and say kudos for posting this! I’m frequently shocked (and appalled) by the extent that racism still exists today.
I don’t even know what to say….. I CANNOT believe that we are still, in the 21st Century, forced to deal with such blatant bigotry, hatred, and ignorance. It makes me incredibly sad.
I am pretty sure it will always be a factor, due to social learning from families and such. And just plain ignorance.
I heard about this right after the movie came out and was shocked. It is really sad that people are still like this. It is all horrible but especially to call that little girl that plays Rue those horrible names. I was just appalled.
Ignorance is not bliss…
[...] spouted off about my disgust and outrage over the comments about Rue from The Hunger Games movie. [...]