The Sphere

General Garbage => Tropical Paradise of Hard Shelled Fruits => Topic started by: Wickedly Yours E on Mar 30, 2007, 06:56:21 PM

Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Wickedly Yours E on Mar 30, 2007, 06:56:21 PM
Because of this. (http://media.www.solanotempest.net/media/storage/paper1109/news/2007/03/21/Opinion/Pull-Up.Your.Blasted.Pants-2772940.shtml)

Yeah, I wrote it. I knew I'd get slammed on it too. It's one of the lowest brow articles I've written, I'm not terribly proud of it, and it has made me decide never again to write something on a whim even if we have a deadline and filler for an opinion piece.
Still, further reflection upon it makes me think I could've done it better, more articulated...I need to get rid of the base program installed in my head by high school to treat readers like idiots.

SO. Am I a racist? No, and that's not what's bothering me so much. It's something else entirely.
Besides the racist consensus of the current black community at campus (Such as it is), we received two letters to the editor about the article that worries me. They both essentially called me a low-brow student with less writing capability than that of a ninth grader...and this article? Supports that arguement. According to the structure, the setup, even the premise of the article in question, I am inferior in my writing skills. This is a direct contradiction to what I know; that I'm an excellent writer.
This is what concerns me the most.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Mar 30, 2007, 08:28:48 PM
Well you directed the article towards the audience instead of on the subject-matter and then you combined it with a lot of name-calling: "stupid", "Cro-magnon fool", "meathead", "fool", "stupid" and call some women "fat".  Were you angry when you wrote that?

Not that I disagree with anything you're saying because I find men that dress that way soooo unattractive (they look like giant children!), but you could've done without the names and sarcastically educating them on what a belt is.  And the women.  Yikes!  Well anyone who knows the stats knows this is a fat city, but lots of girls don't dress like it.  Now, I don't neccessarily want to see those who've "got it" to "flaunt it" but those that don't got it really need to put it away.  Merla and I are always talking about the freaks we see around the campus with butts on their stomachs, three stomachs, four tits, back tits, two asses, two fanny packs.  She's termed them "sausages" because they squeeze into their clothes and look like, well I don't need to say.  *pukes*  And a lot of them would be greatly improved wearing clothes that are the right size.

Now I'm gonna be racist and say that them using the race card is sadly stereotypical and expected.  The "trend" moved beyond any root in the black community years ago, just like rock 'n roll, jazz, hip-hop, and rap.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Derrick on Mar 30, 2007, 09:35:26 PM
YOU NIGGER!

O_O;

Er, joking!

It's really funny when you see a 40-50 year old man dressing that way. I see about 1-2 a week workin in my near ghetto store. It's despicable.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Mar 30, 2007, 10:31:13 PM
I see men dressed that way too but from the looks of things they're actually disheveled in comparison to the youngins that do it on purpose.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Derrick on Mar 30, 2007, 10:54:16 PM
I wonder if Michael Richards has ever puffed out his boxers.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Mar 31, 2007, 12:26:32 AM
That whole Michael Richards thing was stupid.  Weren't they heckling him first?  He's a comic on stage, he has, like, comic's honor and shit to defend.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Rodent of Unusual Size on Mar 31, 2007, 12:29:59 AM
Assuming you'd appreciate serious advice on an irrational fury post...NEVER preface a blog post basically saying, "this may offend".  You automatically create a negative opinion of what the reader has yet to read.  

I realize you may have largely intended it to come across the way it did (not that it's bad...frankly, it looks like something I might post on mine), but if it was meant in any way to be a persuasive article, it wasn't very constructive.  If it was meant to be humorous, it wasn't very entertaining.

You can rectify this by applying what you've learned in your next post that bitches about guys who wear jogging pants with one of the pants legs pulled up to the knee.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Mar 31, 2007, 12:34:14 AM
I haven't seen that one before.  Is that a Missississippi thing?  I think his next article should be the frightfulness that is black socks with shorts... or socks with sandals.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Rodent of Unusual Size on Mar 31, 2007, 01:35:06 AM
I don't know what kind of thing it is other than retarded.  
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Mar 31, 2007, 01:36:40 AM
Well as long as he doesn't have JUICY written on his butt it's not as bad as it potentially could be.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Rama on Mar 31, 2007, 01:58:57 AM
Well...it's not your best work. But you said it was rushed, it does show a little. With some polish it could been better, but you already said you didn't have time for that. This is why I would never write any sort of weekly thing, and I'm not a fan of Non-fiction. The approaching deadline will put the crunch on and you'll rush stuff. .  

I think you got in trouble when you said "This isn't directed at any particular race." at lot of people will latch on to that and think that you were directing it at a race and are covering your ass by saying that. In fact most of the disclaimers look like you are trying  to do that.

One good thing is that I bet your readership goes up after this. Cause now all those people that were offended will watch you like a hawk and will read whatever you put up so they can try to pull that apart as well. So my advice is to make the next thing you put up, one of the best things you've ever written. Cause a lot more people will be watching you.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Mar 31, 2007, 02:04:21 AM
Or you could make it about the rise of crime in some Southerns cities due to the influx of Katrina refugees and really watch the shit hit the fan.  It worked for Stats class apparently.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Wickedly Yours E on Mar 31, 2007, 10:54:50 AM
Done.

Human Evolution: Cultural Responsibility.
These last few years I've found myself contemplating the nature of humanity and it's evolution. Truthfully, I can thank Professor Warren and his philosophy class for this, right along with Neil Postman and his book "Amusing Ourselves to Death", for starting me down this introspective path. At our beginnings, we were simple hunters doing what was necessary for survival with little regard to right and wrong. From that we have made a genesis to a complicated global culture with materialistic trappings with a core belief in basic values.
I believe it's not just the “good” beliefs we hold that make us human, because the amount of different beliefs are astounding. One man's murder is another man's justice, and it is our own belief that makes us judge the morality of an action, and morality's viewpoint is subjective at the very least due to the singular nature! What truly defins us as "human", as anything other than bipedal flesh-toned animals with opposable thumbs, is the ability to stand by what actions we do, the decisions we make. I believe in the idea of taking responsibility and accepting reactions to what I say, write, and do. The people I care about know me, and I think they understand this. The idea is a universal concept in every major theology and can be universally accepted to be "good".
So then, why does Humanity, at the evolutionary state it's currently in, not follow this idea wholesale?
We choose instead to lay blame left and right on others for our actions, be it because of other people forcing their hand or God made them do it, or predestination, or the government, or anything and everything under the sun. People blame Bush for many faults, but we forget the fact we, as a people, voted him into powet; we chose him. People claim to kill in the name of God, that He is guiding their hands; this is a misnomer. We choose to "listen" to Him, then, and choose to kill for his glory. Parents blame television and pop culture for the degradation of today's youth, but the truth is the youth chose his way of life; you can't force someone to make a life decision if they aren't willing to do it.
The writers of the Declaration of Independence, those great men seeking the freedom of America, chose to put down a clause in that document to endorse future revolutions should our government become oppressive. They chose to put that in with great logic and great foresight.
Choice. It all boils down to choice upon closer inspection, so the logical conclusion is that somewhere in our past, we chose to disregard the notion of responsibility as a culture, knowingly or not.  If this is the case, then two likely outcomes are probable for Humanity as a culture: Self destruction, or realization.
We will destroy ourselves through the bickering and violence that go hand-in-hand without responsibility and accountability for our actions. From that self destruction, however, we can hope that enough of us will be left to realize the error and begin anew with a better understanding of ourselves as a race.
The second outcome is one that I genuflect upon constantly. Humanity will realize the error of our choices and realize how grievously close we came to an Apocalypse, and then we will rise above our differences, our bickering, and take responsibility firmly back into our cultural lives. We will prosper, we will thrive, and we will reach a new epoch in our evolution that may well be its culmination.
There are only two factors that will affect this outcome: time and people. I hope we don’t run out of either before we realize the grievous condition of our currently irresponsible culture.
 
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Chopper Face 69 on Apr 01, 2007, 03:45:20 PM
I'm pretty certain the belt was not invented in the 1800s.  It sounds like one of those simple concepts that predates agriculture.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Rodent of Unusual Size on Apr 02, 2007, 12:26:40 AM
You can't "genuflect upon" an abstract thought unless it's the object of worship.  You prostrate yourself before the concept of a decimated humanity coming to grips with itself?  
 
Point being, it sounds goofy.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Wickedly Yours E on Apr 02, 2007, 08:43:40 AM
Hrm. One of the definitions of Genuflect came up with kneeling as in prayer, that's what I meant...
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Apr 02, 2007, 05:11:03 PM
I don't think it sounds quite right either.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Wickedly Yours E on Apr 02, 2007, 10:35:33 PM
Meh I changed it.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Apr 02, 2007, 11:23:48 PM
Prince Ali! Fabulous he!
Ali Ababwa
Genuflect, show some respect
Down on one knee!
Now, try your best to stay calm
Brush up your sunday salaam
Then come and meet his spectacular coterie
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Wickedly Yours E on Apr 03, 2007, 08:14:54 AM
....That's a little creepy.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Apr 03, 2007, 11:46:21 AM
For the last time, he wasn't telling teenagers to take off their clothes!
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Bernie AKA on Apr 03, 2007, 07:22:04 PM
Do a similar diatribe on giant floppy he-boobies and I will name our next cat in your honor.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Apr 03, 2007, 08:47:23 PM
Do it, Sir Park!  Do not let your readership down!
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Wickedly Yours E on Apr 03, 2007, 10:48:40 PM
Ah...No. Too disgusting for my tastes.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: jonhammstein on Apr 03, 2007, 11:21:34 PM
'Fabulous he'?

All these years I thought it was 'Mighty is he'...

Overwhelming disenchantment!
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Apr 03, 2007, 11:57:08 PM
He'th faaaabulouth!
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Wickedly Yours E on Apr 04, 2007, 08:19:00 AM
BLARGH! UNNECESSARY LISPING!
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Apr 04, 2007, 10:22:29 AM
All lisping is neccessary.

Quote
'Fabulous he'?

All these years I thought it was 'Mighty is he'...
I think it changes throughout the song.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Faye Valentine on Apr 08, 2007, 08:05:17 AM
:checks her Aladdin platinum edition dvd:
Insha allah! its true!
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Derrick on Apr 08, 2007, 12:20:48 PM
Does it feature the unedited intro song, or the edited version to appease those wacky Arabs?
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Wickedly Yours E on Apr 08, 2007, 07:41:49 PM
Yar? Political editing?
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Faye Valentine on Apr 08, 2007, 07:57:49 PM
Quote
Does it feature the unedited intro song, or the edited version to appease those wacky Arabs?
Desconozco.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Apr 08, 2007, 10:48:34 PM
What, you mean the whole "cut off your ear thing"?  I think that's been edited out of that movie for good.  Which is a damn shame.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Rama on Apr 09, 2007, 07:27:04 AM
Greedo shot first! That's how it was always suppose to be.  
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Apr 09, 2007, 11:50:38 AM
Fuck a Greedo.  Aladdin shot first before he cut off his ear.  I don't like Greedo's face either, so I would've done that, too.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Rama on Apr 09, 2007, 12:02:11 PM
He was only going to take your ship. No need to be a dick about it.  
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Apr 09, 2007, 02:39:36 PM
I have no need for a ship when I have teh magic carpets!
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Rama on Apr 09, 2007, 03:11:36 PM
Bet it can't make the Kessel run in less then twelve parsecs.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Apr 09, 2007, 05:06:31 PM
Kessel's a dead-end town.  Where's the Target?  WHERE?
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Derrick on Apr 09, 2007, 07:11:03 PM
I love Target. It's the best store ever, and Super Targets are my Mecca. If only Miami had Super Targets, I could sleep soundly in this hispanese city... but alas, there are only normal Targets with their wonderful prices and great stuff.

I don't really buy clothing there, though. Does that make me a snob?
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Faye Valentine on Apr 09, 2007, 07:22:20 PM
who the fuck would buy clothes in Target, or any of those -marts? First of all, are those things called clothes? I think not! more like a sack of potatoes
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Derrick on Apr 09, 2007, 07:30:12 PM
I do like the T-Shirts, but I just buy those, socks and pajama bottoms.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: Rodent of Unusual Size on Apr 10, 2007, 04:10:05 AM
I've poor-mouthed X-mart clothing in the past and haven't seen any reason to quit yet.  Still, they occasionally have something decent for so cheap you can't let it slide.  For instance, I'll sometimes find a knit shirt or something for two bucks.  I've found that it's like renting movies...you wear the shirt until the third washing, at which point it either falls apart, shrinks to a fare-ye-well, fades to a similar degree, or some combination of the above.

However, the old Kmart was the only source I know of for Thom McAn shoes, and they last.  Of course, they've been around a hell of a lot longer than Kmart, but I can't get them anymore since the only Kmart within an hour's drive closed several years back. I've been wanting a new pair since my last was drenched in jet fuel around two years ago, but the smell has finally wafted out of them lately.  But I still can't use them for much more than shit-kickers.
Title: I got called a racist today.
Post by: B E C K on Apr 10, 2007, 12:49:23 PM
Quote
I love Target. It's the best store ever, and Super Targets are my Mecca. If only Miami had Super Targets, I could sleep soundly in this hispanese city... but alas, there are only normal Targets with their wonderful prices and great stuff.

I don't really buy clothing there, though. Does that make me a snob?
They built a Target nearby last year and skipped on the chance to make it a Super Target, which was really stupid IMO because there's a Wal-Mart down the street dying of overflow, and it would've relieved the number of people there for purely groceries and made life more livable.  But alas.

I don't think it makes you a snob.  I like to buy shirts there.  Those Merona t-shirts are a great fit on me.  And every once in a while, I'll see a blouse or a sweater I like.  I've never had any problems with any of that stuff.  The pants, I won't touch.  Nobody that buys pants at Target has hips and an ass apparently.  The jackets I've seen are kinda shitty.