languages, diction and how it applies to offending people
This will most likely be another nonsensical post. SO I read this earlier this morning.
http://tinyurl.com/ypjtnw
And overall I agree with what she's saying. There's a big long story arc to this post, but none of it really matters in what I'm concerning this with.
"And I feel about her the way I feel about new friends who ask questions about my hair or "nationality": I can only respond with weary patience and resolve to show them the error of their ways."
I agree with the point; a lot of people out there simply don't understand that doing shit like that makes them feel like a tourist attraction, or an animal at the zoo. I've a friend who despises the term 'exotic' just for that reason. It's not simply saying that the person is different, it's implying that they're different to the point of not belonging in the culture.
However, I disagree on the "nationality" aspect. I realize that a lot of people get pissed off when someone asks, "So, um, what ethnicity are you." Most times the implication is that the person doesn't belong, but I don't think that's how people should choose to take it. Normally people don't ask me that, as overall I pass for white. But, it's always been one of my biggest curiosities on meeting someone. Cause genetics, like linguistics, fascinates me. And the combinations from random sources and the chain of time really does come together into something beautiful. I'm quite proud of being a mutt, and other people should be as well.
I bring up linguistics because as I learned Russian, I realized that 'what is your nationality' really is one of the first questions people ask. Maybe Russians ask it in order to screen for races, as let's face it, a fair amount of Russian culture is racist. But in its proper form, it's just another stepping stone in enlightening ignorance. Show people how differences can make a whole, and move on from there.
I think what vague point I had, I've made, so I'll bugger off back to work now.
http://tinyurl.com/ypjtnw
And overall I agree with what she's saying. There's a big long story arc to this post, but none of it really matters in what I'm concerning this with.
"And I feel about her the way I feel about new friends who ask questions about my hair or "nationality": I can only respond with weary patience and resolve to show them the error of their ways."
I agree with the point; a lot of people out there simply don't understand that doing shit like that makes them feel like a tourist attraction, or an animal at the zoo. I've a friend who despises the term 'exotic' just for that reason. It's not simply saying that the person is different, it's implying that they're different to the point of not belonging in the culture.
However, I disagree on the "nationality" aspect. I realize that a lot of people get pissed off when someone asks, "So, um, what ethnicity are you." Most times the implication is that the person doesn't belong, but I don't think that's how people should choose to take it. Normally people don't ask me that, as overall I pass for white. But, it's always been one of my biggest curiosities on meeting someone. Cause genetics, like linguistics, fascinates me. And the combinations from random sources and the chain of time really does come together into something beautiful. I'm quite proud of being a mutt, and other people should be as well.
I bring up linguistics because as I learned Russian, I realized that 'what is your nationality' really is one of the first questions people ask. Maybe Russians ask it in order to screen for races, as let's face it, a fair amount of Russian culture is racist. But in its proper form, it's just another stepping stone in enlightening ignorance. Show people how differences can make a whole, and move on from there.
I think what vague point I had, I've made, so I'll bugger off back to work now.