California Mayor's 'Watermelon White House' email

[Peikko 1,575]

Bad taste is bad taste.

At least the guy had the sense to apologise for it.

Yep... too bad some still don't get it that bad taste is not good.

So, you are not a fan of popular humor, I take it? Monty Python? Saturday Night Live? Fox News? Morning Joe?

Some comedy has good taste... and some has bad taste.

You need to think more and react less.

Racism is what it is.

So you want that discussion? How we deal with racism? Didn't your mommy ever tell you what to say, when the kid down the block called you a name, "Stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?"

No. You should perhaps focus on what is a stupid remark borne out of bad taste versus something your mommy should have taught you, yet apparently didn't, X number of years ago. Attitudes become entrenched with age, what can I say?

So then why does HBO have black comedians do racist skits and jokes about blacks? I watched one HBO special where this black guy (can't remember the guy's name) got up on stage and told a whole laundry list of old racist jokes about blacks. The whites in the audience were laughing their azzes off. So...should they all be summarily shot or just deprived of their livelyhood as punishment? Should HBO be required to pay reparations? Should the black comedian go through a Stalinist public show trial where he admits to his guilt and then summarily shot afterward as atonement?

Yes...I wonder how attitudes become entrenched with age. Stalin sure knew how to adjust attitudes. Eh, comrade?

You should watch bedazzled, that might answer your question.

What is your obsession with Stalin by the way? It's true, we can't legislate against people finding bigoted images funny, and I don't see anyone trying to be quite honest. What I do see is people trying to establish what is inherently funny about an image of watermelons growing on the White House lawn now that Obama is president and agreeing that for a man in pubilc office to do such a thing is outrageous.

The 'sticks and stones' argument is pure nonsense. I can call you a ####### and that's absolutely fine because I am not generalizing I am being 'you' specific. No other poster is going to think, well, you just offended all Texans, or Americans because ####### has no specific association with any group.

If you can honestly say that if the image had, for example shown a lawn growing strawberries, you would have found that equally funny, then more power to you. However, to blithely suggest that it's perfectly ok to laugh at this particular image and that to find it racist is just being too sensitive or PC, then I suggest that you are for some reason blind to how poweful a message that sends to a whole community.

I am really disgusted that so many are so eager to defend this, or dismiss it. It really shows a total lack of understanding of what racism is.

[Peikko 1,575]

Bill's got to be old enough to know the racial implications of watermelons associated with blacks.

For anyone who is too young or is unaware...here's some history.

(Disclaimer: These offensive images were published a long time ago.)

from what i recall in the book "roots" (read about 2 decades ago, so if my memory is incorrect, sue me) watermelon allegedly resembled in taste a fruit from africa, hence why the newly arrived slaves liked it so much.

Oh well, that's ok then, watermelons made African slaves feel "right at home". I suppose this is an example of the 'rationalization' of why it's perfectly ok to find this image humerous. Jeezus, this is ignorance at its worst.

[Ban Hammer 13,360]

Bill's got to be old enough to know the racial implications of watermelons associated with blacks.

For anyone who is too young or is unaware...here's some history.

(Disclaimer: These offensive images were published a long time ago.)

from what i recall in the book "roots" (read about 2 decades ago, so if my memory is incorrect, sue me) watermelon allegedly resembled in taste a fruit from africa, hence why the newly arrived slaves liked it so much.

Oh well, that's ok then, watermelons made African slaves feel "right at home". I suppose this is an example of the 'rationalization' of why it's perfectly ok to find this image humerous. Jeezus, this is ignorance at its worst.

i didn't insinuate nor say anywhere in this thread that it is ok to find this thread humorous. you trying to win the duh award for the day?

[Heracles 417]

Los Alamitos Mayor Dean Grose is finding himself in hot water after sending out this fake photo of watermelons on President Barack Obama's White House front lawn.

Grose's email included the heading, "No Easter Egg hunt this year."

"

In reality thought how black is Obama. His birth mother is white. For the majority of his life he was raised by his white family.

Edited February 26, 2009 by Aficionado

[Peikko 1,575]

Bill's got to be old enough to know the racial implications of watermelons associated with blacks.

For anyone who is too young or is unaware...here's some history.

(Disclaimer: These offensive images were published a long time ago.)

from what i recall in the book "roots" (read about 2 decades ago, so if my memory is incorrect, sue me) watermelon allegedly resembled in taste a fruit from africa, hence why the newly arrived slaves liked it so much.

Oh well, that's ok then, watermelons made African slaves feel "right at home". I suppose this is an example of the 'rationalization' of why it's perfectly ok to find this image humerous. Jeezus, this is ignorance at its worst.

i didn't insinuate nor say anywhere in this thread that it is ok to find this thread humorous. you trying to win the duh award for the day?

I have no problem anyone finding this thread humerous - although the humour is somewhat hollow in parts. So, are you saying you are just throwing us a tid bid of information as to why, presumably there is some association with slaves and watermelons per se?

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Unbelievable

Saludos,

Caro

[Peikko 1,575]

Los Alamitos Mayor Dean Grose is finding himself in hot water after sending out this fake photo of watermelons on President Barack Obama's White House front lawn.

Grose's email included the heading, "No Easter Egg hunt this year."

"

In reality thought how black is Obama. His birth mother is white. For the majority of his life he was raised by his white family.

So, what associations is playing in your mind? Being Australian, I can't imagine but please feel free to explain it that would be enlightening.

As for how 'black' is Obama? - well, let's just use the 'skin tint' test and find out, shall we?

[Heracles 417]

I have no problem anyone finding this thread humerous - although the humour is somewhat hollow in parts. So, are you saying you are just throwing us a tid bid of information as to why, presumably there is some association with slaves and watermelons per se?

Get a new argument already. Gezzz.

Less than 3% of Americans owned slaves yet everyone white is supposed to be guilty by default.

Lets ban watermelons because they may be racist.

Edited February 26, 2009 by Aficionado

[Peikko 1,575]

This is almost as bad as Justashooter and Obama is arabian because he has a Semitic name.

I have no problem anyone finding this thread humerous - although the humour is somewhat hollow in parts. So, are you saying you are just throwing us a tid bid of information as to why, presumably there is some association with slaves and watermelons per se?

Get a new argument already. Gezzz.

Less than 3% of Americans owned slaves yet everyone white is supposed to be guilty by default.

Er, no, try to stay on topic, for once.

[Heracles 417]

Er, no, try to stay on topic, for once.

Er you are full of #######.

[Peikko 1,575]

No one is suggesting watermelons be banned, you can go and buy one in your grocery store at any time they are in season. However, please, tell me, why do watermelons growing on the White house lawn strike you as funny? Would strawberries be as funny, or funnier? How about tomatos? Are they humerous?

Er, no, try to stay on topic, for once.

Er you are full of #######.

That may be true, but at least my ####### isn't bigoted.

[Heracles 417]

No one is suggesting watermelons be banned, you can go and buy one in your grocery store at any time they are in season. However, please, tell me, why do watermelons growing on the White house lawn strike you as funny? Would strawberries be as funny, or funnier? How about tomatos? Are they humerous?

Er, no, try to stay on topic, for once.

Er you are full of #######.

That may be true, but at least my ####### isn't bigoted.

Of course that would be funny too. Yes, even if it was field of tomatoes. Or are they racist too because slaves once picked them and used them to cook meals for the 3% (statistically insignificant) number of Americans who actually owned slaves.

But this situation like many others just I stated in before.

Over the last few years of being here I constantly see that we are bombarded with the first black this and first black that. Over the last few weeks it has been the first black president. Now it's 'Black history' month. In this scenario it's okay to differentiate based on skill color, genetics, race and culture. When it comes to sport then it's okay to say African males are more likely to be better at sport. When it comes to successful black Americans, black entrepreneur magazines, black entertainment channels then we are all for it and call it diversity. Which I don't have a problem with. It is great to see a particular demographic doing well and being part of the American dream, as everyone rightfully should be. Therefore one cay say when it comes to stating a positive achievement about black Americans, in particular, then this is not only endorsed but also encouraged.

What I do have a problem with is the second you say something negative about this one race, then all hell breaks loose and you are a racist. No ifs or butts about it. Now if this is not the joke of the century I don't know what is. Where different rules apply depending on the situation, circumstances and context.

Specifically identify black American success=

Specifically identify black American culture (in a positive way) =

Specifically identify black American athletes success =

Specifically identify black American actors success =

Specifically identify black American singers success =

Specifically identify black American entrepreneur success =

Specifically identify black American leaders =

Specifically joke "once you go black you never go back"=

Mention black Americans are more likely to be incarcerated = ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans are more likely to live in ghettos that are a direct result of the way they took care of the area= ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans are more likely to be involved in crime = ignorant racist pig!

Mention black American mothers are more likely to be single parents= ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans are less likely to pursue higher education = ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans are less likely to work with their community to assist one another = ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans can be just as racist as whites = ignorant racist pig!

[Peikko 1,575]

No one is suggesting watermelons be banned, you can go and buy one in your grocery store at any time they are in season. However, please, tell me, why do watermelons growing on the White house lawn strike you as funny? Would strawberries be as funny, or funnier? How about tomatos? Are they humerous?

Er, no, try to stay on topic, for once.

Er you are full of #######.

That may be true, but at least my ####### isn't bigoted.

Of course that would be funny too. Yes, even if it was field of tomatoes. Or are they racist too because slaves once picked them and used them to cook meals for the 3% (statistically insignificant) number of Americans who actually owned slaves.

But this situation like many others just I stated in before.

Over the last few years of being here I constantly see that we are bombarded with the first black this and first black that. Over the last few weeks it has been the first black president. Now it's 'Black history' month. In this scenario it's okay to differentiate based on skill color, genetics, race and culture. When it comes to sport then it's okay to say African males are more likely to be better at sport. When it comes to successful black Americans, black entrepreneur magazines, black entertainment channels then we are all for it and call it diversity. Which I don't have a problem with. It is great to see a particular demographic doing well and being part of the American dream, as everyone rightfully should be. Therefore one cay say when it comes to stating a positive achievement about black Americans, in particular, then this is not only endorsed but also encouraged.

What I do have a problem with is the second you say something negative about this one race, then all hell breaks loose and you are a racist. No ifs or butts about it. Now if this is not the joke of the century I don't know what is. Where different rules apply depending on the situation, circumstances and context.

Specifically identify black American success=

Specifically identify black American culture (in a positive way) =

Specifically identify black American athletes success =

Specifically identify black American actors success =

Specifically identify black American singers success =

Specifically identify black American entrepreneur success =

Specifically identify black American leaders =

Specifically joke "once you go black you never go back"=

Mention black Americans are more likely to be incarcerated = ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans are more likely to live in ghettos that are a direct result of the way they took care of the area= ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans are more likely to be involved in crime = ignorant racist pig!

Mention black American mothers are more likely to be single parents= ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans are less likely to pursue higher education = ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans are less likely to work with their community to assist one another = ignorant racist pig!

Mention black Americans can be just as racist as whites = ignorant racist pig!

Why would it be funny? Please I am dying to understand the humour.

Personally, I have never considered a president turning the White House lawn into a produce farm hilarious but let it be noted that is simply because there is nothing funny about it, not because the notion of a president turning the White House lawn into a produce farm is racist because of some nefarious association with produce picking and slaves.

[Ban Hammer 13,360]

Bill's got to be old enough to know the racial implications of watermelons associated with blacks.

For anyone who is too young or is unaware...here's some history.

(Disclaimer: These offensive images were published a long time ago.)

from what i recall in the book "roots" (read about 2 decades ago, so if my memory is incorrect, sue me) watermelon allegedly resembled in taste a fruit from africa, hence why the newly arrived slaves liked it so much.

Oh well, that's ok then, watermelons made African slaves feel "right at home". I suppose this is an example of the 'rationalization' of why it's perfectly ok to find this image humerous. Jeezus, this is ignorance at its worst.

i didn't insinuate nor say anywhere in this thread that it is ok to find this thread humorous. you trying to win the duh award for the day?

I have no problem anyone finding this thread humerous - although the humour is somewhat hollow in parts. So, are you saying you are just throwing us a tid bid of information as to why, presumably there is some association with slaves and watermelons per se?

it was an add on to what steven said, nothing more, nothing less. the only funny thing i see in this thread so far is you trying to take offense to something that wasn't even intended to be offensive.

[Heracles 417]

Why would it be funny? Please I am dying to understand the humour.

Personally, I have never considered a president turning the White House lawn into a produce farm hilarious but let it be noted that is simply because there is nothing funny about it, not because the notion of a president turning the White House lawn into a produce farm is racist because of some nefarious association with produce picking and slaves.

Maybe he was suggesting Obama should setup a Micro-farm, with the picture only showing watermelons. Watermelons being one of many vegetables and fruits.

http://www.microecofarming.com/

Edited February 26, 2009 by Aficionado