White people

[underpants]

I think that is pretty funny-I GET IT.

And the Freepers respond (in many ways-to be fair)here are two:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1317134/posts

This one already has DU figured out

Just wait, this cartoon will be seen from an entirely different perspective on DUh...
This is racist against black people because:

1) The White boy is obviously running away from the black children.

2) The privileged White devil is dressed in the latest style for jogging clothes. His attire includes a $95 Izod Running Shirt with matching $65 shorts, the latest $300 Adidas Cross Trainer shoes and a matching headband, sweatband and sock ensamble by the late Gianni Versace. Meanwhile the black children are relegated to the pickings from the salvation army featuring jackets purchased from Walmart and "Keds". The White devil's propensity to cling to materialism and put it on such blatant display is an obvious affront to all people, who are summarily represented by these two small children.

3) The White boy is obviously moving freely, while he passed and left the black children frozen immobile in the snow. It obviously alludes to the precarious situation that all blacks find themselves in a white man's world. Frozen in poverty, with no means to move themselves ahead. The white boy probably didn't even notice them in their need...

Hey, take it for what it's worth. In McGruder's world I'm probably spot-on.

Here in reality in my world, however, maybe we're not all joined hand in hand singing "Kumbaya", but my world is a fair site more open minded as to give people a chance to prove themselves.

McGruder seems like a man with little internal peace. Here's to hoping he'll come to terms with the hatred he has for his fellow man.


42 posted on 01/09/2005 8:06:19 AM PST by Caipirabob (Democrats.. Socialists..Commies..Traitors...Who can tell the difference?)

Check out their hehehe artwork


Now is it offensive?


32 posted on 01/09/2005 7:57:00 AM PST by humblegunner

[sniffa]

1. very good

:D

i Like this quote:

"Here in reality in my world, however, maybe we're not all joined hand in hand singing "Kumbaya", but my world is a fair site more open minded as to give people a chance to prove themselves."

[SnowGoose]

20. Our freeper friend is happy to show us just how "open minded"

he or she is in the sig line:

42 posted on 01/09/2005 8:06:19 AM PST by Caipirabob (Democrats.. Socialists..Commies..Traitors...Who can tell the difference?)

Riiiiiiiight. So Democrats are traitors. Damn, that explains so much! I wonder if Freep would be willing to look the Democratic soldiers fighting and dying in Iraq right in the eye and tell them (open-mindedly, of course) that they are traitors?

I'd kinda like to see what happens about 1.5 seconds after that.

[izzybeans]

111. Neo-racists have a very comical

way of confusing themselves with progressive language. "In my world its equal (progressive clause), but fuck off anyway (coupled with the Klansmen's mantra)." this is basically what this handjob freeper is saying when he says "in my world its equal as long as you prove your worth" or whatever.

Dave Chappelle summed this ideology up with his skit utilizing his appearance on the Donohue show about Affirmative Action. Some angry freeper sat there and said "You see its not about race, its about being forced to include people. <with a growing red face and low growl> There is only so much I can be forced" this stuff is always good for a laugh, but is also very scary considering this very neo-racist run the senate and house.

[King Coal]

2. I don't get the first cartoon.

[underpants]

5. It just points out the differences in cultures/societies

and that yes "they" do look at us as odd creatures at least sometimes.

That is my take on it.

[sniffa]

22. "why do white peopLe refuse

to wear socks - even in the winter!"

i remember that from my younger days.

[HootieMcBoob]

43. I'm white and I never don't wear socks

even in the summer.

[tjwash]

85. I blame that all on Don Johnson.

He started that on Miami Vice.

[itzamirakul]

109. On a very cold day when people are generally bundled up

against the cold, there are often (a few) "white people" who wear "summer clothing" and go out excercising. (Not to mention those who belong to the Polar Bear Club and go swimming on extremely cold days.)

It is a cultural reference that means the jogger's clothing and behavior is something the black kids think of as "foolish" on a cold day. It points out how we often do not understand each other on even the most simplistic actions and behaviors.

I think that is what it means since I don't recall ever seeing any black person dress in shorts and a t-shirt and go out jogging on a cold snowy day. Not to mention not EVER seeing a black person take part in the Polar Bear Club's activities.

[mattclearing]

110. Anyone who jogs will tell you if you wear warm clothes and run...

You will sweat your ass off and overheat yourself...even in freezing temps.

Once the blood gets pumping (after about five minutes or so) your body won't feel the cold anymore.

[itzamirakul]

113. I think you and I might have a cultural "misunderstanding"

My post tried to point out that it was possibly because most black people do not jog in mid-winter, they find the wearing of such unprotective gear strange. I doubt that anyone thinks about the fact that if you jog while bundled up you will overheat. IMO, it is merely the idea that anyone would choose to go jogging in the snow anyway.

Disclaimer: I do not propose to speak for all black people. Just MY take on what the cartoon implies. :)

[mattclearing]

114. It's not a misunderstanding.

I understand that most black people think we're crazy for running in the cold. I'm just saying, if you bundle up, running is impossible.

[telamachus]

3. What do you "get" about this cartoon??

Enlighten us...please.

There seems to be different ways to interpret it based on one's own experiences.

[underpants]

7. See above

and spunky's post below.

[telamachus]

17. I see..and agree

that it is an innocent commentary on cultural differences but I can't help wondering if it were a scene of 'blacks' doing something and 'whites' making a comment that it would be seen a racist by some 'liberals'.

[underpants]

19. Probably it would

I am curious as to how this thread will go. I am not trying to egg anyone on so I might just stop posting on it and sit back and watch what happens.

Yes it probably would.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

44. It might be prejudicial but it wouldn't be racist

Again, racism is a belief in the superiority of one's race..

When Spike Lee wrote "We Heil..right in de fuhrer's face", he was not demonstrating REVERSE racism against nazi's..he was mocking their self proclaimed superiority.

[BiggJawn]

71. Uh, that was Spike JONES....

Creator of "Novelty songs" back in the bad old days of "records" made from SHELLAC...

Spike Lee is the film-maker....

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

73. correct...my error

[BiggJawn]

74. I used to have a copy of that record...

Unfortunately, shellac 78's are NOT "unbreakable" like the first vinyls were trumpeted to be....:-(

FWIW, I don't "get" the first cartoon either. I could see it happening, but I think my comment would be more like "Moron..Doesn't he know his knees are freezing-up?"

I wear tights or leg warmers when I ride on a 60 degree day. Snow on the ground? I don't ride. I HATE cold weather!

[ultraist]

86. BWHAHAHAHAHA!!! white people

[nolabels]

104. In world of color blind brain washed people, my color is PINK

It matters to me not. Where, how and what piece of thumb somebody is putting down should be all that matters. I have yet to meet any group of people that are not biased to their own kind. Did you ever notice that the group of people who habbitate around the oval office have the same type of views? Lots there also have the same shit eaten grin.

[spunky]

4. Pft. That's not racist

I remember reading that one and laughing, I love Boondocks.

I'm white and I think that people who jog in shorts in the snow are insane. And you DON'T see too many black people jogging in the snow in shorts. Why do people have to make such a big deal of things? Its just a comment on cultural differences. Why must people be so quick to toss around the word racist?

[skypilot]

6. The three interpretations...

...that he attributes to us DUhers are the stupidest things I've ever heard. This is what happens when a Freeper tries to think. I saw that strips a few weeks ago and thought it was funny as hell for the simple fact that it is something that I see sometimes and am baffled by. I hate the cold but I do occassionally see a white person in shorts in some of the coldest weather. It's one of those "it's funny 'cause it's true" things. Nothing more.

[underpants]

10. That's my take on it too

I work in a predominantly AA organization and I have heard the same time of comments about several things in the news.

"Oh that's whitesh*t"

I thought it was very funny too when I first saw it. I run too but not in shorts I thought it was more about running in the snow (which I don't do) over all.

[fob]

42. "It is something I see and am baffled by" Exactly. I think the cartoon

could have to white kids saying the same thing or a white kid with Huey and the white kid says the line and that would be even funnier.

Regarding the fweeps and their comments/commentary, all I can say is;

"Dumb People"

[sui generis]

8. I thought #1 was funny, #2 is offensive

In number one as a WP I have to laugh at the image, which is laughing at myself. Yes it's a stereotype to both the object and subject, but it doesn't really hurt me or anyone else.

In #2 it's not poking gentle fun at a stereotypical cultural difference, it's playing on a hurtful stereotype, and it is clearly targeted and racist.

Fortunately, freepers lack any ability to understand subtlety, or to laugh at themselves, so this entire response is beyond their comprehension. No great loss there.

[underpants]

14. I have to admit I didn't read them all (224 in total)

They seem to have very long discussions about one little article (read the original article on that thread).

Freepers

[bobbobbins]

9. I actually have a dumb ass friend that jogs in the cold like that

what a loon...hes white by the way.

[baldguy]

11. McGruder is right. White people are weird.

But the freepers are pigs.

[MercutioATC]

12. Offensive? Not to me. Does it reinforce stereotypes? Absolutely.

If the cartoon showed two white businessmen watching black people play basketball on a hot day and the caption read "Black people", would that be O.K.?

I'm not particulary offended by it, but this cartoon IS reinforcing stereotypes for a cheap smile, IMHO.

[Tomee450]

31. But there's nothing

wrong with playing basketball on a hot day. It is rather odd, I believe, to run in shorts in very freezing weather. You'd never see anybody I know doing that.

[MercutioATC]

33. It's as odd for a white businessman to exert himself on a hot day

as it is for a black person to run on a snowy day (or so this cartoon seems to imply).


If stereotyping by race is wrong, it's wrong. If it's not a big deal, it's not a big deal. I don't have a problem with the cartoon as long as readers wouldn't be offended by racial stereotypes of other groups.

[Tomee450]

37. But I doubt if you

would hear a black person commenting on a white person playing basketball on a hot day as playing basketball in hot weather is a common practice. Why would a white person even make a comment about blacks playing basketball on a hot summer day? Blacks would probably think he was stupid, not racist, to make it. On the other hand, someone running in shorts in very freezing weather is rather odd and you would seldom see a black person doing that. At least in summer, one can strip down. But shorts in freezing weather?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

46. at the risk of repeating myself

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3043656#3044929

[hector459]

13. My take: Eventhough his ass is freezing and he'll probably die with

pneumonia, the white man will stick to his plan,no matter how ridiculous, cloaked in the "bling" of his privilege while the rest of (represented by the blacks warmly dressed but resentful) stand by cloaked in the necessities to sustain a drab life.

Sharpton: "Rich people "play" in America, we "live" in America."

[sendero]

24. That is ..

... what I got from the cartoon also.

A lack of balance, a rigid "I must jog no matter what" mindset.

Yes, it is pretty white, and yes, I'm white white white :)

I don't find the cartoon racist or offensive, I find it "insightful".

[LostinVA]

15. I admit it: I am one of those people

If it's not windy and above about 38 degrees, I run in shorts, although I keep my upper body and hands nice and warm. Your body heats up an awful lot if you run more than two miles, and a 40 degree day will feel like a 65-70 degree day by the time you finish. And, the guy in the cartoon is soooo not a serious runner. Long shorts? Cross trainers? WTF???

However, it does look nuts and I once laughed at those idiots, too. Now, I AM one of those idiots! OMG!!!

[skypilot]

18. You're not one of "those people".

Above 38 degrees? I've seen people out in shorts when it is in the 20's outside. What's up with THOSE PEOPLE?

[LostinVA]

23. Those People ARE Crazy

I put tights on my semi-flabby bod when it's that cold. I see them, too... they ARE crazy... running in the snow is fun, though...

[bunkerbuster1]

98. Well, I'm a runner, but what's really crazy is...

you got all that snow, and you're running?

Screw that. get out the XC skis and enjoy.

Otherwise, I'm with you, LostinVA--down to around 38-40°F, particularly in the sun without too much wind, shorts and a T shirt are fine. Below that, a long sleeved shirt, and soon after comes something on my legs.

I've got some gear that keeps me reasonably comfortable down to the single digits. Same stuff I'll wear when cross-country skiing.

[LostinVA]

106. Not enough snow to XC ski

BUT, about an inch of fresh white today that made my five mile run nice and cushiony and sweet on the knees. And, to make it even crazier: it was about 37, no wind, and it felt GREAT running in the snow in my shorts.

OMG!!! I MAY BE ONE OF THEM!!!!

[bunkerbuster1]

108. crazy white people! run away!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

16. What my boyfriend says....

White people are crazy. You'll never see a black man running in 20 degree weather, freezing his ass off. We exercise inside, where it's warm...;)

[CatWoman]

21. Sounds like those idiots have been reading

Charles Krauthammer's "Pyschiatry for Dummies".

They are so off base, it's frightening.

How stupid can people be? They read all that crap into something so completely obvious?

There's folks here at work who run in shorts no matter what the weather. And yes, they are white. You don't see Blacks running in sub freezing temps wearing little bitty shorts. You just don't.

Just like you don't see any blacks participating with those loons who go swimming every New Years in the freezing water. I forget their names, Polar Bears or something? Those fuckers need help.

[Logansquare]

58. Our race developed in northern climes

A little cold doesn't faze us. :)

[Tomee450]

63. Most black people

I know don't like cold weather. You don't find too many of us in Vermont, New Hampshire or Maine. I think Vermont is a beautiful state but I'd never live there.

[CatWoman]

66. Which is why you don't see many blacks playing hockey

:D

[MileHiStealth]

25. Reminds me of that Eddie Murphy routine .....

where's he's talking about the movie Poltergheist...
How when voices come out of the walls, saying
"GET THE FUCK OUT !!!!" white people stick around
and investigate while black people can't get out
fast enough ...

[NuttyFluffers]

107. haha, almost peed. reminds me of Scary Movie.

remember that scene where all the newscasters are on campus doing interviews about the murders? when it came to (iirc) BET tv the news caster said, "white people are dying', we're gettin' the fuck outta here!" *everyone of the crew rushes into the van and peel out and drive off*

classic, absolutely classic.

[MileHiStealth]

26. Also,"Why Cops really hate you "

An allied phenomenon is the “my isn’t this amusing behavior” exhibited, usually by Yuppies or other members of high
society, at some emergency scenes. For example, a group of trendy types will be strolling down the street when a
squad car with its lights flashing and siren on screeches up to a building. They’ll watch the cops yank out their guns
and run up to the door, flatten themselves against a wall, and peep into the place cautiously. Now, if you think about
it, something serious could be happening here. Cops usually don’t pull their revolvers to get a cup of coffee. Any
five-year-old ghetto kid can tell you these cops are ready to cap somebody. But do our society friends perceive
this? Do they stay out of the cops way? Of course not! They think it’s vastly amusing. And, of course, since they’re
not involved in the funny little game the cops are playing, they think nothing can happen to them!

While the ghetto kid is hiding behind a car for the shooting to start, Muffy, Chip and Biffy are continuing their
stroll, right up to the officers, tittering among themselves about how silly the cops look, all scrunched up against the
wall, trying to look in through the door without stopping bullets with their foreheads.
What the cops are hoping at that point is for a homicidal holdup man to come busting out the door with a sawed off
shotgun. They’re hoping he has it loaded with elephant shot, and that he immediately identifies our socialites as
serious threats to his personal well being. They’re hoping he has just enough ammunition to blast the shit out of the
gigglers, but not enough to return fire when the cops open up on him.

http://www.lawenforcer.net/whycops/whycops.htm

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tomee450]

34. You certainly

have all the racial stereotypes down pat. Black sexuality, militancy etc. Sad. Why talk about black sexuality. Brittany Spears, Desperate Housewifes, Sex in the City, Madonna. All white entertainers. Do you think it's only black people who buy all that porn? The most popular rap artist in the country is white. This country's problems cannot be pinned on black people. And I certainly don't see this militancy among blacks that you speak of.

[skypilot]

35. Strange post.

Very strange post. In so many ways.

[wadestock]

38. It's all extremely strange...and it's bound to get a lot stranger...

The cartoon is extremely strange when you think about it. We can easily laugh at what appears to be an idle "Charlie Brown" like "good grief" comment on white people. But in this case, it's the blacks that have the "convention wisdom"...not the whites.

But in a global sense I think it also says, "it's not so cool to be white". I find it extremely interest that this sort of cartoon and possibly a much wider range of similar knocks on whites would be so widely acceptable and actually funny today, so I attempted to theorize why. The theory is simply that we have grown to identify in strange ways with blacks....probably more so than any other time in history.

What's wrong with that theory mofo (sorry). What I see is a strange crossing over of cultures in many respects. You mix the 2 cultures together, throw in a bit of capitalistic insanity, tension, etc....and that's what you get....a very strange combination, with some weird cross influences.

Do you think there are certain influences in our society that have fostered this cross culture influence? My theory is that there are certain black cultural isms that are not only popular in today's society but have come to be for the simple fact that they are a natural reaction to this screwed up world.

[skypilot]

41. I think that your theory is needlessly complicated...

...as it relates to this comic strip,even going so far as to see this in a "global sense". There is nothing new about what is expressed in this comic. Blacks as far back as Richard Pryor have gotten a laugh by contrasting blacks' behavior and whites'. In fact, that kind of humor is kind of lame and dated now. There was an episode of "The Simpsons" where the writers briefly fixed their ironic little eyes on this issue. Homer is watching a black stand-up comic demonstrating the "cool" way in which black people drive as opposed to the "uncool" way that white people drive. Homer laughs and slaps his knee while saying, "It's true. We're so lame. We're so lame." What's funny to me about the "Boondocks" strip is NOT some kind of black=cool vs. white=uncool comparison. It is funny because it is something I have witnessed myself and, to be quite honest, I've actually thought to myself, "White people" when I've seen this--not because I think it is such an "uncool" white thing but because it strikes me as remarkable and bizarre. If there are white people who can bear running around in freezing weather with snow on the ground, more power to them. But it is something that gets your attention. It's not about cool vs.uncool. It's funny in the same way that it can be funny when you find out that someone feels the same way about a particular thing as you do or that they have a particular habit or way of thinking that you thought only you had. It's just the humor in that moment of recognition. I myself have stood slack-jawed in the dead of winter as a white person walked or jogged past me in shorts. I simply saw my own reaction in the strip. "White people" in this context is simply short for, "That is something that only white people would do". There is nothing wrong or repugnant or uncool about it. It's just something that some white people do. Like I said, more power to them.

[wadestock]

78. You have needlessly complicated your own personal interpretation

Yes humor works in such ways, such personal connections...so you have imagined yourself looking at a white person running in the cold and thought that this was ridiculous....thus you made the connection.

So what. Do your really think the cold scene is essential to the humor of this and that your interpretation is the only one possible? You have simply made a connection, not necessarily the only interpretation. I believe you are purposely trying to avoid a bigger point of this....which did strike me right off the bat....it has a message in it because it is black people making the observation....AND....making a distinct assessment in their remark "white people".

I believe you are very purposefully removing any potential racial connotation to this. Way too politically correct for my tastes and possibly contrived in your own mind.

You and possibly others are overly sensitive and potentially blind to the fact that we ARE living in a torn culture, with a number of weird cross cultural things going on. I have observed this....not judged any of it. My observations are valid. And I'm mature enough to laugh at it...not necessarily get offended by it.

My original post was even removed by the moderator, and had no racial slurs or anything which could be interpreted as offensive in it....when I was speaking the truth....nothing contrived....just the truth. I have my kids acting like blacks day in and day out, they're listening to black music, I see the country finding blackisms more and more cool, and I spoke my interpretation. I started out by saying it was funny because of these strange twists. Because of my background and MY history....my take was "it ain't cool to be white"....and I have no problem with that...I understand that....and I even think it's funny.

But what exactly is it that's not cool? Perhaps more to the point....your best point is that this should be viewed on a casual superficial level because it's "nothing new". Perhaps there I could more effectively make my point. I'm over 50 and seen this type of humor from day one. This cartoon did strike me immediately as a black person's comment on what was iconed as a white person trying to show off. The cold scene is a clever way to hide a bit of the edge to this....I'll give you that....but it could easily have worked merely showing two kids looking at a girl adorned with iPod, etc. What's the big difference there. Do you see that as having no comedy potential?????

Thus I can't simply buy into your "it's stupid to run in the cold" interpretation....and the honest point is this....I didn't necessarily get it just your way and I bet many others wouldn't either. A fundamental part of this is easily interpreted as "she's showing off"..or.... "that just ain't cool". Globally, it's effectively saying....white people do very uncool things.

[skypilot]

80. purposely removing any potential racial connotation????

I've done no such thing. I specifically said that "White people" is short for "That is something that only white people would do".

No, I don't think my interpretation is the only one. I just think that you are trying to make this a more volatile issue than it needs to be; all that business about it being "not so cool" to be white or however you put it. In fact, YOU are the one who keeps repeating this "not cool" business. If my "it's stupid to run in the cold" interpretation is not enough for you then I don't know what else to say. You are hung up on this "white people do uncool things" business and the notion that there is something inherently "uncool" about whiteness. I realize that that has been a staple in some black humor but like I said it is lame and dated now. There are cool white people, uncool white people, boring white people, etc. and the same goes for black people. And I don't for the life of me know why a white girl with an iPod would attract the same kind of attention as a white person running in freezing weather while wearing shorts. You just seem to think that WE think that EVERYTHING that white people do is uncool.

Your original post was deleted because it was full of tactless racial language and stereotypes. "Blackisms" and that business about blacks being more overtly sexual. And on this note about "blackisms", there's no such thing as a blackism. What there IS is black youth culture just like there is white youth culture, and some aspects of the youth culture of whatever race tends to rub some people the wrong way.

[wadestock]

81. If you and/or the moderator....believes it was tactless and stereotyping

I have to laugh at that...sincerely.

Ironically, you've both made the very point you are arguing....and that I never ended to make in the first place.

[skypilot]

82. Observing that running in the cold...

...is something that white people are more likely than anyone else to do is tactless and stereotyping?? Like I said in an earlier post, there is nothing wrong or repugnant about running in the cold. It is just odd. But you seem to think that any observation one makes about white people entails observing their "uncoolness". Observing that some white people like to run in the cold is nowhere near as tactless and stereotyping as talking about how much more overtly sexual black people are.

[wadestock]

90. I've tried to articulate my interpretation of the cartoon....

This was a thread to make comments on the cartoon....at least that's what I thought it was.

This cartoon could easily be interpreted as a racial slur...but I didn't even go there!!

You can drop the attempt to lie about what I said and try to mischaracterize who I am. I made observations, grounded in experience, and didn't step on anyone personally. What I said would offend no black. I showed this to my wife when I got home..and my original comment. Her comment was ...looks like it was white people your were offending!@#@! Man is that a freeking laugh.

Our culture has, without a doubt, been pushed to the brink culturally. Because it has been pushed to the brink and because a majoritiy of Americans will soon fall into a largely poor neighborhood with low paying jobs and no benefits, it WILL emulate much of the inner city. That inner city culture and its dynamics are going to become a part of our lives.

Like I said, I do fostering, we are the only family in North Jersey that even takes teenagers...let alone black or white. I go down to the group homes and hang out in the hood. I got the rap music pounding from one end of the house to the other. I said I can laugh at the whole thing.

Actually, it ain't so cool to be white sometimes....you've proved that point pretty conclusively.

[skypilot]

96. I don't feel like dragging this out any longer...

...because I feel that you and I are talking in circles, but I must know: exactly HOW did I personally prove "conclusively" that "it ain't so cool to be white sometimes". As far as I'm concerned that is YOUR hangup.

[wadestock]

105. I got no hangups whatsoever pal

meanwhile....you talk like Bush

[Rapcw]

28. lolz freeps are dumb n/t

[tom_paine]

29. They are as nutty as any Totalitarian Followers

Yeh, that's EXACTLY what we were thinking.

:silly: :crazy:

I think it's mildly funny, but maybe a better illustration would be if they were watching those Polar Bear types who leap into the frigid waters.

Either way, it's OK as a punchline as it is, but not one of his laugh out loud funny ones.

[Tomee450]

30. I'm black and I

think it's saying..... "It's a white thing. You wouldn't catch a black man running in shorts in this snowy, freezing weather."

[ChairOne]

89. Exactly. Duh - dunno wut all this other blabber is about....

lol - must be a lotta white folks in this thread...

[wadestock]

93. Really, I work on an Army base and they do it all the time....

if we have a war in cold weather....what happens?

I personally play basketball with a t-shirt on outside....with a number of teenagers, black and white, that have no problem with cold weather.

I think this is a really amazing rationalization on the part of many of the posters here.

[Straight Shooter]

32. I never noticed what kind of weather any white or person of color jogs in

Heh. Guess I'm just not observant enough.

I would probably look at that runner and say, "Boys." What is it with boys, all macho by not wearing their coats in frigid weather?

The second toon is clearly racist, though. I guess it didn't take them too long to think of that punch line. Racists all think alike. And I'm being generous by attributing the process of thinking to them.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

36. .

[DS1]

39. I can honestly say I've never seen a black person shopping at WalMart

FWIW

( in response to Freeper argument )

[Ravy]

40. I wanna know why the black kids dress like Cheney at Auschwitz. nt

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

45. whaaaa?

[Ravy]

50. Look at the one on the right. I could swear it is the same jacket...

Cheney is wearing in the pictures from the Holocost memorial.

I could be mistaken.

:eyes:

[CatWoman]

69. that's just Kenny

[DalvaThree]

47. I'm white and I've often said exactly that to myself

I live in the Rocky Mountains and when I see people climbing up and down cliffs for no good reason at all I often say 'only a white person would be stupid.'

[Terran]

48. It's not just about cultural differences

My partner of 19 years is African-American, and I've heard this very thing from his lips so many times. It may be necessary to know that it is normally uttered with an inflection that implies both bewilderment and a slight sense of contempt. Whether we whites want to admit it or not, many if not all of us have a tendency to go around doing things in the belief, consciously or not, that we're invincible. I think it's an aspect of white privilege. Running in the snow is a mild example. A lot of Black folks can't believe how foolhardy whites sometimes seem: sky diving, bungee jumping, "extreme sports", jogging in Central Park at night--you name it, we do it. And by doing these things, we demonstrate a lack of good sense. In fact, the full version of this cartoon would be, traditionally, "White people ain't got good sense."

I think it all stems from the original relationship between master and slave, superior and inferior, owner and property. Whites, perhaps not in general but for those in power, have always had the luxury of acting capriciously and without forethought. Africans in America have never, traditionally, had such luxury. During and after slavery they have had to act cautiously, sometimes inconspicuously, in order to preserve themselves. This is obvious, I think; but I also have the example of my partner's ancestor, circa 1900, Forest City, Arkansas, who caused a riot and was lynched because he dared to run for Postmaster.

This is why some aspects of African-American culture, such as sexuality and religion, are quite conservative, even though Black Americans mostly ally politically with liberalism. But personal behavior, where personal risk is concerned, is also traditionally conservative.

Another corollary to this whole thing is that African-Americans often see white behavior as dirty--not sexually dirty, necessarily, but actually dirty--unclean. Which is ironic considering that most racists are firmly convinced of the opposite.

I dislike speaking for large groups of people, but these are observations and things I've been taught over the last 19 years by an astute observor of his own culture.

Dirk

[underpants]

51. Very interesting

As a white man I can identify with everything you say about white people and have had many of the same observations myself.

[wadestock]

94. I have to laugh....

My original post was deleted and this was allowed...

In fact, the full version of this cartoon would be, traditionally, "White people ain't got good sense."

I was saying fundamentally, "white people ain't cool".

Big difference I guess.

We're all in for some long cold weather.

[Terran]

115. I don't know what you wrote that got your post deleted

but all I was saying was that the full subtext of the cartoon consists of that idea: white people don't have good sense. By itself, it's a stereotype, yes; but clearly there's truth to it, also. My post attempted to explain how Black people arrived at that observation. I don't know what your post attempted to do; if you feel a moderator made an error, you should contact the admins.

[DrWeird]

49. Boondocks is coming to television.

Adult Swim, on the Cartoon Network, later this year.

Thought you all would like to know.

:smoke:

[underpants]

52. Cool

:thumbsup:

[Huckebein the Raven]

54. Can't wait...n/t

[DistantWind88]

53. I get it too, it's still sterotypical trash

That is somehow still funny.

[JackRiddler]

55. I think it's also about the gear

I like the comments here. Very interesting. I agree the cartoon is about being confounded by cultural difference, and about the "sticking to plan" attitude of the jogger as against the "practical (and semiresentful) living with the cold" of the boys, but I see an additional dimension: the jogger so determined to be invulnerable to snow is wearing all this gear and fashion normally promoted by black stars, and possibly striving for a coolness ideal that has the internal image of an idealized black athlete, while running past the joe-normal black boys. It's like, he wants to be Michael Jordan.

[UdoKier]

56. Way to take a cute, innocuous 'toon and turn it into a phony screed

As someone who is NOT very fond of PC, I will say that DU is not THAT around the bend, okay?

I think it's cute. The two black kids are laughing at:

A. White people's tendency to make exercise into a form of self-torture done in silly togs.

B. The fact that the guy is running in the snow.


There was nothing ugly about it.

[Rockerdem]

57. Racism is racism, whether its "cute" or not

The cartoonist had writers block that day and stooped to a lame stereotype. It makes me wince for him.

[Tomee450]

62. I disagree

One sees what he wishes. No racism involved at all. I'm no racist and it's hard for me to understand why someone would don shorts and run in such cold weather. It would be quite unusual to see an African American doing that.

[Rockerdem]

100. The very definition of racism says it is

Racism is using skin color/ethnicity to form different judgments about classes of people. Or worse, to base ones response. Its insidious, even where it seems harmless. No two people are alike, not even my identical nieces. The sooner people stop accepting such vile nonsense, the better.

[K-W]

68. Nope, just a stereotype, not racism. EOM

[Karenina]

59. Y'all jes' SOOO don't get it...

This is SUCH good-natured humor to the initiated, but it's kinda like trying to explain a joke that uses wordplay in another language.

Mom just L-O-V-E-D my charming prince of a German boyfriend. He was outside playing with the kids. She went to check out the goings-on in the backyard and suddenly screamed, (in a voice my child self remembered all too well), "Carl Ludwig, you come up here RIGHT NOW." Of course, he complied IMMEDIATELY. She handed him a tube of sunscreen, Dressed him down about his red skin, supervised its application, then gave him her permission to go back out. My sister and I, almost BLUE from holding our breath wondering what she was ON about, FELL OUT LAUGHING after she'd chased him out the door saying, "Harrumph! WHITE PEOPLE!"

[txaslftist]

60. Neither toon is funny, the second one is offensive.

What is silly is the amount of time -including mine- devoted to analyzing it. You never see that much ink on a Calvin & Hobbes piece, and they are invariably much funnier.

[Bouncy Ball]

61. Wow the freepers are dumb.

They don't even GET the cartoon, do they? LOL!

[hfojvt]

65. If you look for a sinister message

you can usually find one, or manufacture it in anything.
It is funny to me how that person on Free Republic makes a half-baked analysis without, apparently, knowing anything about Boondocks.
Maybe I am missing something - are the shoes obviously adidas, are the kids' coats clearly cheap and out of style.
He/she does bring one thing to my attention. The kind of person who matches their shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, and headband is kinda bizarre to my eyes in any weather.

[AgadorSparticus]

64. this reminds of that joke from one of chris rock's standup shows on

hbo. he said that blacks dominate just about every sport. and when they make a heated ice rink, blacks will take hockey too. lol

this isn't about racism. it's about cultural differences and laughing at them. if some people still don't get it, let me put it bluntly. in cold weather, most black people would be inside sipping hot chocolate or bundle up like it's the next ice age. only white people could be outside ENJOYING the cold weather. kind of like, "you so craaaazy!"

it's a joke. and quite frankly, i'd rather laugh at the differences than get all persnickety and rascist about it.

[Carolinian]

79. if it offends, it isn't a joke

[Swamp Rat]

67. ... got no reason to... white people got no reason to live...

dum, dum-dum dum... :D

:thumbsup: McGruder!

[kwassa]

70. White people need to lighten up .... Boondocks satirizes blacks, too

I think Aaron MacGruder does a great job dealing with the cultural divide between blacks and whites, and usually spends most of his time satirizing the black community.

White people often don't see that MacGruder has his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, and take the deadpan delivery the wrong way, missing the sarcasm implicit in the cartoon.

The character in this comic, Huey, is a little black militant prone to racial interpretations of ridiculous situations, and usually gets his come-uppence from his grandfather.

That said, my wife also says "White people" about the same phenomena, white people putting themselves at risk for no apparently sensible reason.

[jdj]

75. It's kind of like Hothead Paisan by Diane DiMassa

Hothead watches way too much tv, that's why she's a homocidal lesbian terrorist.

I read recently that MacGruder doesn't even draw the strips any more, all he does is fill in the character's speech.

[ultraist]

87. That background info helps to put it in perspective

My first reaction was what several have essentially said, that it's a satire on a cultural difference. I think it's harmless and I got a little chuckle out of it. I don't think it's particularly funny nor do I think it's racist.

There is nothing wrong with laughing at cultural differences or pointing out cultural differences if it's done with good intentions.

It's when stereotypes are used to demean, negatively define or draw a biased conclusion about an entire culture, that it becomes racist. For example, saying, black boys only care if they are good at dancing is the reason why they don't do well academically. That is clearly racist.

The second cartoon is obviously FREEPERIZED.

[lonestarnot]

72. WTF is this?

[retread]

76. Nothing illustrates the insanity of white people more then this last

election.

[CatWoman]

77. LOL!!!!!!

DING!!!

DING!!!

DING!!!

WE HAVE A WINNER, FOLKS!!!!!! :D

[Swamp Rat]

83. I second that!

:D

[poe]

92. Here's a question swamp rat-been wonderin'

of all the torture photos i've seen it's civilized white guys doling out the brutality. i haven't seen all the photos but it just seems like square-jawed, square assed white guys in jackboots and fatigues doing the torturing. maybe there were some non-whites torturing the muslim beasts.

These are hair-trigger times with well-manicured barbarians holding their fingers on the buttons. -Philip Berrigan R.I.P.

[Swamp Rat]

95. I can't answer that because I don't know... maybe.

The photos showing the few torturers that we've seen seem to fit that description, but if we broaden the question to torturers in general, then "torture knows no color." When I was studying in Austria years ago, I went to a small museum somewhere near Innsbruck where I saw a painting depicting torture. The person who was skinning alive a martyr was a Moor, though he was a slave following orders.

That image never left my mind - the horror I saw. Since then, I never assume one "race" is more capable of cruelty than another... actually, I no longer believe in the construct "race." We are all human... 'cept the alien lizards. :D

[NewYorkerfromMass]

102. I'll third it. As a runner

I didn't think much of what the guy is wearing since you get really hot running as noted above, but did, as also pointed out above, think it is crazy to be running in the snow and ICE.

[ulysses]

84. LOL!

My first housemate in Atlanta had the same reaction to yard sales. :D

[Stop_the_War]

88. I'm Irish but I don't consider myself white...

because I don't like to associate myself with those IDIOT rednecks who voted for Bush.

[kwassa]

91. Read up on the Draft Riots of 1863, our first military draft

Comparing the treatment of the Irish and of blacks in America is always a poor and ahistorical idea. For example:

In regards to America's first military draft in New York City in 1863

http://www.civilwarhome.com/draftriots.htm

Perhaps no group was more resentful of these inequities than the Irish immigrants populating the slums of northeastern cities. Poor and more than a little prejudiced against blacks-with whom they were both unfamiliar and forced to compete for the lowest-paying jobs-the Irish in New York objected to fighting on their behalf.
On Sunday, June 12, the names of the draftees drawn the day before by the Provost Marshall were published in newspapers. Within hours, groups of irate citizens, many of them Irish immigrants, banded together across the city. Eventually numbering some 50,000 people, the mob terrorized neighborhoods on the East Side of New York for three days looting scores of stores. Blacks were the targets of most attacks on citizens; several lynchings and beatings occurred. In addition, a black church and orphanage were burned to the ground.

[Liberal Classic]

97. Playing devil's advocate

Is there a double-standard at work here? Let's say some "cultural idiosyncrasy" of African Americans been portrayed, followed by a panel containing the image of a couple of WASPs shaking their heads, saying "black people." What would be the expected result?

[bunkerbuster1]

99. Today? Revulsion. 50 or so years ago?

A chuckle.

Point is, we white folks have over a century's worth of "humor" ridiculing black folks. I'm not going to get all bent out of shape if Aaron pokes a little jab now and again.

You want to, enjoy.

[Liberal Classic]

101. So...

Two wrongs make a right?

For the record, I didn't think anything of this comic, and had forgotten about it until now. However, I am intrigued by the idea that racial equality is furthered by compensatory ridicule.

[bunkerbuster1]

103. Yep, two wrongs make a right.

which is convenient because there's a perfect moral equivalence between a majority culture bashing a minority culture 50 years ago, and vice versa, today.

Furthermore, god didn't make little green apples.
And it don't rain in Indianapolis in the summer time.

[MNBiker]

112. People would be screaming Racist...And sensitivity training is needed

and endless unacceptable apologies. The call for boycotts and reperations...

[Terran]

116. You miss the point

No such cartoon would ever exist because it wouldn't be funny. Therefore asking how people would react to such a cartoon is pointless. Black people *know* their own cultural idiosyncracies very well; white people are blissfully unaware of theirs, for the most part. That's why the cartoon which is the subject of this thread is so funny.

As with "reverse racism," the reverse of this cartoon isn't a functional idea.