Why Intersectionality Matters

[crafting_change]

The show This American Life describes the segment behind the LJ cut below as:
A hot dog stand in Chicago, The Wiener's Circle, has this gimmick that you occasionally see in restaurants: the staff acts rudely, in sort of a playful way, and cracks jokes about the customers. Except at The Wiener's Circle, late at night, the gimmick becomes more than

Comments

[bridgegirl]

Wow, that is really messed up. I've often heard white people accuse black people of "bring race into situations" where supposedly (according to the white people) race isn't the issue. I think that's really ridiculous considering that, when given a situation where it's "OK" to be rude, the white people in this video used it as an excuse to be racist. It reminds me of the section on craigslist called "rants and raves." In my city (New Orleans) at least, rants and raves is full of racist shit about black people, written by white people. How exactly does "rudeness" or "ranting" immediately translate in these white people's minds as an excuse to be racist?

[crafting_change]

I've seen the same issue on Craigslist in my area as well (DC/surrounding suburbs).
Dominant white culture has not sought out to erradicate racism (or any other racism) but rather to teach those thoughts as 'rude' - akin to placing your fork on the wrong side of the plate. I have seen racism discussed *as* a class issue with more 'cultured folks' holding the same exact racist thoughts as anyone else - but holding it in thinking that it is uncouth to share such thoughts. Again, not that it is wrong-headed to hold the theories - just that they should not be shared in 'polite company'

[kayunderscore]

[maenads_dance]

...god, that just about shot my nerves, given that I'm returning to a fastfood job in three days.

[aria_muse]

This is a good post. Thank you.

[violachic]

Wow. That place isn't too far from where I live, and I've driven past it a thousand times. I had no idea it was that fucked up there. I wonder what kind of action can be taken?

[lavendersparkle]

I'd be weary about taking any action which might close the place down or reduce business. The women who work there need the money. Closing it down would really hurt them and wouldn't stop the customers being racist dickheads.

[violachic]

That's not what I meant. I meant against the frat boys and trixies.

[crafting_change]

trixies?
frat guys?

While the clientele are arguably something that should be addressed - the root causes: culture & institutionalized racism are what have to be addressed.

[blackwinterbyrd]

I'm from chicago. I guess I better take a look at what hypersegregation has done for me.

also, its only a matter of time before something truly irrevocable happens. I'm suprised it hasn't happened already.

Talking about race is impolite? Isn't that a favorite silencing method these days? 'Oh those uncouth POC, always playing the race card, always bringing THAT up, don't they know how impolite that is?'
I'm learning that it is white privelege to be able to not bring it up.

[crafting_change]

white privelege to be able to not bring it up.
exactly!

this is not what my city is all about

[liminalia]

I'm from Chicago too, and I hate that this video is tagged "This is what Chicago is all about."

No, it's not. Does Chicago have a huge racist streak running through it? Oh you'd better believe it! But dammit...I really hope people from elsewhere don't watch this video and think this will happen to them in any restaurant they might visit in the city.

Re: this is not what my city is all about

[crafting_change]

Did you see the segment about how utterly segregated the city is?

While I understand not wanting Chicago, or any city, to be viewed in such a way - I think that saying 'this is what Chicago is all about' isn't saying you go to a restaurant and this will happen, but rather 'the racism is huge and on the edge of every moment.