The World Won't Listen

[xfifthcolumnx]

so i finally wrote down some of the articles i want to do for thsi zine i've had in my head for literally three (or more) years.

The World Won't Listenaka: using Smiths imagery to discuss political messages. all of the articles will be linked to either a song title or lyrics from a Smiths/ Morrissey song. so far i've decided on

Comments

[firefight]

To quote Harjit from Scourge (who is South Asian), "In what context would those quotes be ok?"

The very nature of a rigid National culture being something of affinity is racist.

White kids love their Moz.

[xfifthcolumnx]

umm, a lot of non-white kids love their Moz too. don't try to dismiss my ideas by trying to write it off as some racist / classist bs. its pretty condescending and i expect more.

is one not allowed to have a sense of nostalgia for things past? i don't think there is anything inherently wrong with that.

i also don't think there is anything inherently wrong with people maintaining their cultural identity, which is pretty popular with a lot of immigrant populations, and i think its a great thing. why is this only ok for immigrant populations and not others?

does it make me racist to admit that immigration in the US causes some big problems? not at all, does it mean i'm against immigration? nope. is it ok for people in communities that go through a drastic change in a short period of time to reminisce about how things were or to feel nostalgic about those days? i don't think so, whether they are immigrants or not.

[xfifthcolumnx]

should say:

"is it [not] ok for people in communities that go through a drastic change in a short period of time to reminisce about how things were or to feel nostalgic about those days? i don't think so, whether they are immigrants or not."

[firefight]

Nostalgia of things past whether it be Mayberry, USA or some "quaint" notion of Britainia points to a mythical time when things were better.

"does it make me racist to admit that immigration in the US causes some big problems?"
Simply the phrasing of that sentence pre-supposes that immigration causes problems.
What problems might those be? Because I can't think of ONE SINGLE PROBLEM that exists because of immigration. I can however think of many problems that exist because of capitalism which force populations to relocate (and the myriad of issues surrounding the subjegation of such populations).

[xfifthcolumnx]

immigration causes lots of problems in small communities, from language/cultural barriers to an influx of often unskilled/ low income workers that severely strain the resources of a community

[ryansmithxvx]

this kinda makes me laugh. i love harjit. he's a friend of mine. however, attempting to cite him as a quotable authority is silly, since he's definitely not a recognized authority on this subject matter. just being from a geographical area does not make one the spokesperson on ideas related to that area/its inhabitants.

it just seems like you were trying to spruce up what you said by quoting someone who is non-white and thought you could get bonus points for him being in a hardcore band. that doesn't really add cred to a statement; sorry.

[firefight]

"attempting to cite him as a quotable authority is silly, since he's definitely not a recognized authority on this subject matter."

Recognized by who?
I referenced Harjit because he is a radical person of color (specifically of an ethnic group that makes up a large portion of English immigration).

I find when discussing oppression, the best insight is usually gained from listening to the oppressed. Not the oppressor... even if he makes clever songs.

And I only mentioned Harjit's band to make sure Kurt knew which Harjit I was talking about.

[xfifthcolumnx]

"I find when discussing oppression, the best insight is usually gained from listening to the oppressed. Not the oppressor... even if he makes clever songs."

jesus dude, if you think of Morrissey as "the oppressor" then i think thats an issue in and of itself.

[ryansmithxvx]

harjit has a master's degree in social sciences - if you want to quote him on this, at least allude to that. furthermore, i say he's not a recognized authority because he hasn't published anything on this topic. he may have some good insights, but that doesn't make him an objectively recognized authority. furthermore, there are often people of minority status who support the oppressive positions of their oppressors (the proverbial uncle toms, if you will). just because someone is a minority doesn't always make her/his inputs super insightful.

i think harjit is a smart guy, but you're citing him for all the wrong reasons. that's why i think it's silly.