two things...

[whipman]

First thing:  I  was noticing that this weeks "Bones" was set in a sci-fi convention.  I was terribly excited to see this and it occured to me that at least two of my favorite shows now had con episodes.  The other obviously being "C.S.I." with the furry episode.  So I wanted to do a dvd disc of my favorite shows with sci-fi con episoed or related

Comments

[t_rex]

I thought of an analogy on the way into work to explain my thoughts about bringing up examples of racism, either current or past, intentional or accidental. But I'm supposed to be *working* now! (hello!) So I can't elaborate much.

The gist is this. If we think of American society as having a collective consciousness, and it does to a certain extent, then we can think of past racist policies, such as slavery, as trauma. And we can think of current racism that is built into our system, and largely invisible, as the aftermath of this trauma. There are analogies for PTSD and coping mechanisms as well, but I can't flesh them out at the moment.

Anyway, we can continue to function by ignoring the past trauma, and allowing it to remain subconscious. However, we will never function as well as we are able to if we do this. We need therapy. We need to bring it out into the light and discuss it, or else we will continue to "act out" inappropriately as a nation.

Now there will come a time when talking about it becomes counterproductive, just like people who go into therapy and go in circles rather than making progress. However, we are no where near that point yet.

The problem is that we don't have a national "therapist" who is capable of guiding us through this. We have to do it on our own, piecemeal, sometimes in constructive ways and sometimes not. But we have to get it out, somehow.

I hope this makes sense.

*Smooch*
I love you!

[whipman]

actually I love the concept of a post traumatic stress nation and it is fitting in so many ways. The thing is, much like I understand how a person commits a crime because of his upbringing (child molestation or abuse being a prime example) I also think that as an adult you are responsable for your actions no matter what has transpired to cause this ongoing problem. This nation was built on slavery and the rights of men over women but we need to move past this and escape the circle of pain that comes about when this does not occur. I sympathise when a hear that a serial killer was brutalized by his mother and in turn kills women when he reaches adulthood but this in no way excuses his actions. He is an adult with a mind of his own and the responsability to exorcise good judgement and willpower over his vices. Many women have been raped in this world and find a way to carry on, have relationships/lovers/husbands. These women have every reasonto act out against a system that failed them and brought them such pain but they exorcise logic and strength in moving forward rather than dwelling on the past horrors. The past will always be there in the back of their heads but they push forward in search of peace and a new life.

The argument that Slavery is at the root of this nation and we can never forget it is valid. The stance that racism is existing still today is plainly obvious to any thinking person. The point is we need to call it out when it is a legitimate event and not cry wolf whenever it suits our political or personal gain. This cartoon is a bit of fluff and the actions of those trying to 'read between the lines' are damaging to the real problems of racism. The loss of crediblilty to those people is a loss to the movement that would otherwise bring true problems to light. If you cry racism every time it suits your political agenda when it clearly is not, at what point do you start being your own worst enemy. I believe that Al Sharpton has reached this point in particular and is now ineffective when a real problem comes up. This is the true damage to any cause.

On a side note, I feel the same way about femanists who use the terms 'herstory' or 'wymen'. You have a legitimate beef with the country ladies, don't destroy your points by becoming a joke. This was an old beef of mine when I was in the GLBT group in college... not that they truly considered bi people to be a part of them anyway, just confused straights or gays.

still a little bitter about that.

[t_rex]

I probably shouldn't comment because I am falling asleep here. I probably won't be as eloquent as I would like.

We talked about it on the way to your house, but I'll mention it again here so other folks can follow the conversation. I think the cartoon served as a trigger. It isn't racism, but it looks enough like racism to produce an instant, visceral reaction in a lot of people. Even if no harm was intended, harm was done. And the reaction is understandable when you put it into the context of all that has come before.

[whipman]

I totally agree with that gut reaction but at the same time, common sense has to come into play with a little thought. I understand how a trigger effect came into play with this cartoon but a few minutes of reflection on the average person should have nulled that with common sense. It is fine to have a gut reaction but if you live in that moment even when all signs point in the other direction, then you are self promoting your fears for no reason other than it feels familiar and comforting.