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Racism? - now-locked legacy thread

 
  

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Quantum
12:55 / 07.09.06
And in 1996 we have Mel C (of Spice Girls Fame),
 
 
ONLY NICE THINGS
12:56 / 07.09.06
The jewel of Widnes, as she is known.
 
 
The resistable rise of Reidcourchie
12:59 / 07.09.06

Now, I have spent long hours meditating, drinking nothing but tea and living on locusts, and have found an ocean of inner calm. Do not make me swear in front of the children.

Yaaay! Tolerance! I win! I win!
 
 
Saturn's nod
13:00 / 07.09.06
Dear Christ. I genuinely might kill myself now.

Does this help change your mind at all? I have just written out a ton of stuff that I have been thinking over for a long time, which has to do with racism and sexism and what we can do about them.
 
 
Regrettable Juvenilia
13:02 / 07.09.06
I close my eyes and think of God but he ain't there.

Anyway. Let's try this again.

First of all, p.w., I want you to try not to think of this as anyone "calling you a racist". "Racist" is not an absolute state of being which you or I can either fully escape. It is a word that describes structures that we live within and ways of thinking that we have been brought up surrounded and influenced by, whoever we are. There have been discussions about this on Barbelith before, and I'm sure you were around for some of them.

Next, I'd like you to think about whether anyone has actually mentioned fascism, let alone called you a fascist. You might also want to consider whether reminding someone that Hitler exists, and that you are not Hitler, is a way of proving that you are not a fascist even if and when you are ever called one. This may stop you posting frankly exasperating things like:

And please, try putting "Silly dance" into Google, look at the first link, and tell me whether I'm teh fascist.

...in future.

Thirdly, I'd like you to honestly tell me whether you think that the two posts wonderstarr refers to are an accurate textual representation of your style of speaking in "real life", or whether your standard style of posting is closer to how you normally speak. This way we can get past the issue of people not knowing for sure what demographic [you] belong to, or what accent [you] have.

Your anecdote is both touching and baffling, as Haus has said.

Fourthly, I'd like you to explain what effect you were going for with the original posts, beyond "ambiguity", which tells us very little. Ambiguity between what and what?
 
 
Regrettable Juvenilia
13:10 / 07.09.06
That post did make me feel better - thanks, Saturn's nod!
 
 
paranoidwriter waves hello
13:13 / 07.09.06
Flyboy, once more for good luck:

Try reading my posts VERY carefully before suggesting you know what I think or intend, yeah?

I think "telepathy" has been talked about before on Barbelith as well, hasn't it?
 
 
Our Lady Has Left the Building
13:15 / 07.09.06
Paranoidwriter- It's such a little thing I'm after, but could you please explain why you posted what you did? I read the anecdotes about your friends but they didn't help.
 
 
Regrettable Juvenilia
13:17 / 07.09.06
Try reading my posts VERY carefully before suggesting you know what I think or intend, yeah?

I have read your posts VERY carefully and I have the RETINAL DAMAGE to PROOVE it. Where did I SUGGEST that I KNOW what you THINK or INTEND? Why are you TALKING like VON MISES?
 
 
paranoidwriter waves hello
13:19 / 07.09.06
Our Lady, I thought I'd already done that (i.e. in this thread and t'other).

However, I need to pop off for a few hours now or it'll be another day before I can eat; but I'll work on something even more detailed later if I think it's necessary and you still feel the need for one.

In the meantime, may I suggest you try to look at context and intent and see if you can work out my meaning for yourself? (no snark, promise)

Your sincerely,

p.w

xxx
 
 
paranoidwriter waves hello
13:21 / 07.09.06
Flyboy, an example for you:

First of all, p.w., I want you to try not to think of this as anyone "calling you a racist".


What do you think I'm trying or not trying to think, again? Have I said you are all calling me a racist, or have I asked whether or not you are?

I'm gonna be late. Damn it.
 
 
ONLY NICE THINGS
13:25 / 07.09.06
I am one with the universe, I am one with the universe, I am one with the universe....

PW, could you go through this:

close my eyes and think of God but he ain't there.

Anyway. Let's try this again.

First of all, p.w., I want you to try not to think of this as anyone "calling you a racist". "Racist" is not an absolute state of being which you or I can either fully escape. It is a word that describes structures that we live within and ways of thinking that we have been brought up surrounded and influenced by, whoever we are. There have been discussions about this on Barbelith before, and I'm sure you were around for some of them.

Next, I'd like you to think about whether anyone has actually mentioned fascism, let alone called you a fascist. You might also want to consider whether reminding someone that Hitler exists, and that you are not Hitler, is a way of proving that you are not a fascist even if and when you are ever called one. This may stop you posting frankly exasperating things like:

And please, try putting "Silly dance" into Google, look at the first link, and tell me whether I'm teh fascist.

...in future.

Thirdly, I'd like you to honestly tell me whether you think that the two posts wonderstarr refers to are an accurate textual representation of your style of speaking in "real life", or whether your standard style of posting is closer to how you normally speak. This way we can get past the issue of people not knowing for sure what demographic [you] belong to, or what accent [you] have.

Your anecdote is both touching and baffling, as Haus has said.

Fourthly, I'd like you to explain what effect you were going for with the original posts, beyond "ambiguity", which tells us very little. Ambiguity between what and what?


And tell me where Flyboy once suggests that he knows what you think or intend? I think the theme emerging here is that it is almost impossible to have the foggiest idea of what you think or intend. He asks you not to think (a), to think about (b), to consider (c), honestly to tell him whether (d), and to explain (e). Not a hint, as far as I can see, of a suggestion that he thinks he knows what you think or intend.

Oh, and have a read of SN's post. I think one would have to work quite hard not to emerge from it less wise than one was at the start.
 
 
The resistable rise of Reidcourchie
13:29 / 07.09.06
I am one with the universe, I am one with the universe, I am one with the universe....

I'm proud of you Haus.

I'll stop this now.
 
 
ONLY NICE THINGS
13:33 / 07.09.06
I am the uncurled forefinger of a higher power. I am the lipstick traces of the universe's kiss.

PW, earlier you asked:

Are you saying I'm a racist?

As such, I think that it is not unreasonable to suppose that the question of whether or not people were saying that you were a racist was somewhere in your mind. As such, the advice:

First of all, p.w., I want you to try not to think of this as anyone "calling you a racist".

Seems perfectly clearly that: advice. It at no point presumes to know what you think or intend. It cautions you against a possible approach. Since you also said:

Think about this for a while, before you start suggesting more "isms", yeah?

And indeed asked of Miss Wonderstarr whether your post, read in a Brummie accent, was:

Still racist?

It does not seem a leap to speculate that this advice is pertinent.
 
 
paranoidwriter waves hello
13:39 / 07.09.06
Oh....dear....

Tell you what, try putting the following link in context of this whole long repetitive discussion some of us have been trying to keep positive and honest. I'll give you a clue: my intent is one of annoyance and to show that this is all a distraction from the main issue, which is that a few days ago Flyboy and Triplets both blatantly offended and attacked another poster (respectively) and their only apology has been to the board. But let's just forget about that, shall we......


"Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush"


Here's another cultural reference to ponder and Google at:


"What you give is what you get"


So, Flyboy, from now on, I'm going to do what you have done, I'll attack posters because I don't like them, and I'll skilfully avoid this thread and others and pass no further valuable comment on all this (and I think what I've said has been positive, on the whole, and helpful; some may disagree, of course)

I'm off for a bath, and then I've got to get some money from somewhere and eat. How terribly Middle-class of me, eh?...

*miffed*
 
 
ONLY NICE THINGS
13:55 / 07.09.06
I'll give you a clue: my intent is one of annoyance and to show that this is all a distraction from the main issue, which is that a few days ago Flyboy and Triplets both blatantly offended and attacked another poster (respectively) and their only apology has been to the board. But let's just forget about that, shall we......

If that was your intention, you went about it, in my humble opinion, very badly indeed. However, let's forget about that, yes, because it isn't relevant. What is relevant is what Miss Wonderstarr, who has not to my knowledge offended and attacked another poster, was confused by your sudden adoption of a funny accent, your reasons for which adoption remain obscure. However, your intent notwithstanding, you are still demanding that Flyboy stop doing something that he has not actually done. Hence my confusion.

However, if you feel that there are more important things to talk about, then let's move on. I was blatantly offended and attacked by Dead Megatron, as explained here. I am a little heartbroken that you have chosen not to take up my case. Is it because I is Welsh?
 
 
Sniv
14:12 / 07.09.06
Toys out of the pram a bit there, pw?

I don't think anyone is calling you a racist (I know I wouldn't), I think you need to be the calm, intelliggent and bigger man that we've all seen you be elsewhere and just draw a line in this. It seems that you may have caused others to tut a bit by what you've said, not necessarily offended them, but twitched some nerves. Take it on the chin, say sorry and move on, it's easier, and that way you don't have to engage flyboy any more that is strictly necessary (ie, not at all if you can help it).

It doesn't really matter what you are in meatspace or who you friends are, as it really doesn't apply here. Do I have a mixed race muslim gay friend with a cleft palette? No, but I could say anything to win an arguement, and that's how anecdotes from meatspace are usually iterpreted (I should know, I tried it once and it got me fuck all). (nb, the above is used for illustrative purposes only and is not intend to be taken seriously or as an attack on any minority...)

You know the rules, pretty much anything that is racially dodgy and posted here will be interrogated thoroughly, so is it not just easier to not do it? You can talk in patois to your mates as much as you want but it doesn't really translate to a message board that is a) intollerant of 'unexamined' views and b) mostly caucasian (shoot me down if I'm wrong) and therefore is likely to interpret 'impressions' of other non-white cultures in less than great humour. It's just the way it works though, isn't it?

C'mon, you can do it. I've seen you working with other posters that have glued their feet in their mouths, you know how to play the game.
 
 
ONLY NICE THINGS
14:17 / 07.09.06
When I printed out John's post and showed it to my mother, she broke down and told me she was sorry she'd ever hurt me.
 
 
The resistable rise of Reidcourchie
14:18 / 07.09.06
Has anybody ever upset PW before?
 
 
Sniv
14:21 / 07.09.06
Exactly mousey, exactly.
 
 
ONLY NICE THINGS
14:23 / 07.09.06
Actually, hang on. We're wandering soooo far off the point, here. Which is, if there is a point... hmmm. Possibly whether it's OK either to do odd accents which may or may not have racially-significant reference points, or to feel confused by the appearance of same.

And I guess that we've concluded, if anything, that people have different levels of sensitivity to stimuli, and also that different people have different levels of sensitivity to other people, and so on. And that we live in societies permeated by racism, and so that to have our own attitudes questioned and opened to examination is something that we should be glad of. Saturn's Nod has written wisely and well on this, and a worthwhile direction for this thread might be the application adn discussion of her thoughts in terms of the management of Barbelith. We might want to quietly abandon the accents question, since from ambiguity through brummies to the Spenser Davies Group, PW seems to be having trouble explaining what on Earth he was aiming for, and we may just have to live with that.
 
 
Quantum
14:25 / 07.09.06
You're not underdog enough Haus. Be more Welsh, or perhaps join the Widnes protection programme.
 
 
paranoidwriter waves hello
18:53 / 07.09.06
Haus: We might want to quietly abandon the accents question, since from ambiguity through brummies to the Spenser Davies Group, PW seems to be having trouble explaining what on Earth he was aiming for, and we may just have to live with that.


Therefore, for the record; another loooong post:


I've been thinking, again, a lot. Sorry. And I realise that I should try, just once more, to explain my perspective, my intent, my context, and therefore my meanings of late. And honestly, if you haven't already got me on ignore, I genuinely hope this doesn't make you click that particular button. (Personally, I still endeavour to keep up my own "no-one on ignore" policy, but I know how hard this can prove to be...)

Like I said, one of my main intentions for my earlier (seemingly controversial) post in the 'Bullying' thread, which has since been discussed in this 'Racism?' thread, was to use ambiguity against ambiguity to highlight a lot of general absurdity coming from members from all sides (but granted I'm not particularly talented, so... My sincerest apologies for my clumsy execution, methodology, and style).

It has also looooong been my primary goal to get different people on opposing sides of this ongoing multi-thread argument to apologise to each other properly for their respective parts in this ongoing saga; so that hopefully Barbelith can breath a sigh of relief, learn whatever lessons we each need to learn, and maybe play nice again without any nasty repeats. Without these apologies I fear this whole situation will only just keep popping up like a tricksy turd in a toilet. I have said as much since the beginning of this debacle.

Of course, recently, at times I have lost my patience and been more forceful, rude, clever, and (once, I believe) harsher/ nastier than I should / could have been. But I assure you, I have consistently been pretty honest and well intended, openly declaring my emotions and intentions clearly on the board as soon as I've realised them and / or seen that they have got in the way or that an explanation is needed.

I have also consistently apologised for any slips in decorum, both to those who suffered from them, and to those who have indicated that they think I've been adding negativity or encouraging confusion (even if this is something which "they" might had misread from any of my posts, and may not ultimately be my fault).

However, it has been a while since I directed a personal scathing attack on a poster's character. And I think each time I've ever done this, I have always apologised to these people, properly. True / false?


Thus, for my own reputation and sanity, and to try to be even more transparent; to re-calibrate and hopefuly explain my position further:


As far as I could and can still see, ALL this mess started with bad relationships between DM and Flyboy, and DM and Haus, which then (eventually) moved onto some relatively playful goading towards two specific members (that should probably never have happened), and then kicked off big-time with some blatant specific "in your face" attacks of someone's character from two members (based on little but a growing sense of dislike) against one particular member. Then, other people responded with a certain amount of outrage (me included) and asked for different actions to be taken.

What happened afterwards (IMO) was that a very broad and increasing rhizome-like branching discussion about the original events, all the posters involved, the actions taken and those which have yet to be taken, took off across the fora.

But at some point during ALL this, everything went [insert my latest annoying personal key word] Mega-Meta, and Time and Perspective began to spiral both out of and into relativity -- as I also tried to indicate and address in my earlier, exceedingly long post in the Bullying thread.

This rather ambiguous Meta-force then grew and grew and has taken hold of a lot of threads, posts, and posters like a Mega Black Meta-hole; on both sides of which, there is much that has been learned and much still to wait for. I think I first saw this happening about three or five days ago now, and I think others did too; although I can't be sure who did and to what extent.

It's also interesting, for example, to put some parts of this mutli-thread discussion through your browser's "speak text"-type function, and then sit back and listen to different member's posts. I've done it myself. The technology is a bit clunky, and words can jump and slur with these electronic voice-thingymies; but rather like people with tonal aphasia, when using this technology one can only hear a flat unemotional voice, and therefore one only has the text itself to use for clues as to everyone's emotions, intentions, and meanings. Try it, please; it's actually fun and interesting; in a psycholinguistics type of way, anyway...


Haus, I don't want to fight with you or anyone else, really (e.g. I'm still waiting for that love letter...).

I very much think that I've already apologised properly and adequately for my own primary attack at Flyboy and Triplets; in the 'Bullying' thread, three and a half days ago. (By the way, Triplets and Flyboy, what do you think of this apology of mine? Was / is my apology to your satisfaction? Can you forgive me? Should you forgive me? Feel free to send a [polite] PM, if you like. i.e. threadrot risk.


In respect of wider policy issues, I think I've also consistently argued against third party deletion, for more openness and honesty in everything (including moderation), and have tried to keep us all on a single, focused track regarding this topical members' politics issue.

Quantum has already asked in the 'Bullying' thread about why and how you (Haus) felt attacked by DM. So I'm staying well clear of that discussion. However, Haus, if you number me among your attackers as well, which i don't think you actually do (I don't know though), then please let me know where, why, when and how, (maybe in a PM) and we can try and sort it out, if you like. i.e. threadrot risk.

Similarly, if anyone else has actually been personally offended by anything else I've said these past days, let me know where, why, when, and how, and I will consider your concerns respectfully; and if I feel you have been offended, I will apologise forthwith. Feel free to also do this by PM, should you prefer. i.e. threadrot risk.

But, henceforth: I am now going to try REALLY HARD to stay out of others' personal disputes on this board in future (a lesson for us all, perhaps?), and I will hopefully try to remain focused on subjects that are more specific and easier to resolve from now on.

Touch wood.

I am also very sorry, Barbelith, for my part in this horrible, horrible stink. I hope this post is well timed, well placed (i.e. in which thread should this go?), and well received. At the very least, I believe it is certainly well intended.

One love.

(Oh, and apologies to any scientists out there for my crap use and distortion of astrophysics and other sciences, above. Hopefully you will get what I meant though [?] )
 
 
Haus of Mystery
20:45 / 07.09.06
Losing...will to live...stuck in Barbelith..perpetual argument machine..
 
 
Alex's Grandma
21:15 / 07.09.06
I am also very sorry, Barbelith, for my part in this horrible, horrible stink. I hope this post is well timed, well placed (i.e. in which thread should this go?), and well received. At the very least, I believe it is certainly well intended.

One love.


It's touching, but it's a little 'Nelly' also, in't it, me doves?
 
 
miss wonderstarr
21:35 / 07.09.06
PW, I am honestly very confused that you link this issue with any business about DM's supposed tensions with Haus, or Flyboy and/or Triplets' posts on an entirely different thread.

The question has been asked more than once ~ what did you mean by adopting that "funny voice" ~ and I agree with those who suggest that putting on a sustained voice, doing a textual impression, is not the same as incorporating "innit", "I guess" or "outwith" into one's speech. Your only answer to the question, as far as I can see, is that you wanted to make a point about ambiguity... beyond that I think you just suggest that those reading it think about your intent. It would have been easier, I think, to briefly explain your intent than to type out long posts over three pages that don't come close to answering that really simple question.

Anyway I stress again, I didn't once say you were a racist or a fascist, or that you said something racist.

Sorry I have come to this thread late by the way and I have enjoyed the discussion on it... though some of it did make me feel like my head was in some strange torture device.
 
 
ibis the being
21:55 / 07.09.06
PW - If I understand correctly you are saying that you wanted to defuse an increasingly tense situation you draped a "let's make up" post in a dialect that would seem softer, less intellectual (anti-"meta?"), as sort of a gentle jokey cajoling character? This to me is not helping the post to seem not-racist, I fear.
 
 
ONLY NICE THINGS
22:33 / 07.09.06
Miss W's thing is kind of my thing as well. I don't feel attacked by you, PW, particularly, or at least I didn't until I thought that you were quoting "Keep on Running" by the Spenser Davis Group, which it turns out you weren't, although if you were aiming for the Beastie Boys' version of "What You Give is What You Get", I am terrified. My confusion was just what the heck the funny accent was about - and I remain confused abotu that - we had ambiguity, we had imagine what it would sound like in Brummie (spelled differently, I think), and then we had the whole bonkers fascist/racist/Hitler thing, which left me yet more confused. I'm sure it's not a big deal, but I found it confusing and find it confusing still. We could just put it down to some sort of spasm or impulse, but how that would tie into the whole DM/Flyboy/Triplets did I don't quite get, and I'd rather not get told off for not getting, if possible.
 
 
Our Lady Has Left the Building
07:12 / 08.09.06
So it's not just me then. ParanoidWriter, thanks for your post. Perhaps it would help me to understand if you could say what reaction you thought you were going to get to that original posting?
 
 
Olulabelle
07:55 / 08.09.06
Lady, I implore you, please don't make him! I honestly don't think it's gettable. I cannot see how the DM thing and the silly voice thing are linked, but for PW they appear to be one mobius strip of discussion. I personally must be on the other side of the paper, so to speak, because I cannot see how they come together as one.

I think we should just forget it ever happened. It's just making everyone's head implode.
 
 
The resistable rise of Reidcourchie
08:21 / 08.09.06
Lets face it there's so many crossover threads in the Policy and the Conversation at the moment anything's possible.
 
 
Sniv
12:33 / 08.09.06
I think PW's point might have had something to do with some kind of nazi dance. Maybe he was saying - "look, if my carribean-flava'd 'comedy' character can dig ol' Adolf H (doing the propagandist's jig, no less), can we not just get along and do a funny dance?"

It is admittedly an interesting way to live, turning disagreements into shitstorms with the help of racial stereotypes, but perhaps a worthwile experiment in button-pushing if this thread is anything to go by.

I may be wrong though.

(ps, the above may well be a willful attempt to misinterpret this situation, or an honest attempt to reinterpret the situation. It all depends on what kind of humour I'm currently in...)
 
 
Regrettable Juvenilia
12:39 / 08.09.06
paranoidwriter does say here that "I think I might have had or still be having a breakdown". Were you serious, p.w.?
 
 
paranoidwriter waves hello
13:00 / 08.09.06
Are you?
 
 
Regrettable Juvenilia
13:07 / 08.09.06
I'm seriously asking you if you seriously think you have had or are having a breakdown, yes. It would be an explanation of sorts, and you seem either unwilling or unable to offer another (five or six people who are not me have confirmed that what explanation you have tried to offer so far is only baffling them further).
 
  

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