Drudge supporters response to a black columnist, Donna Britt

[kwassa]

This is an excerpt from a Washington Post article that discusses assumptions about people based on their appearance. It is actually mostly about the response that young black classical musicians get to their profession.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A51934-2005Feb24?language=printer

When Life's Music Is Heard Only In Stereotype
By Donna Britt
Friday, February 25, 2005; Page B01

excerpt:

There's nothing more frustrating than people who think they know who you are.

Some are certain of what you "must" be thinking based on your gender. Others "know" your opinions and preferences in everything from music to politics to movies based on your age, color, income or Zip code.

(jump)

But we love categories. Squeezing folks into them -- whether or not they fit -- gives us a false sense of security, control, even superiority.

But it's awful for those who get squeezed, as I was reminded recently after taking Internet commentator Matt Drudge to task for trying to scuttle comedian Chris Rock's appearance as host of Sunday's Oscars.

E-mail responses were almost perfectly divided between "You go, girl" Rock supporters and appalled, Rock-belongsunder-a-Rock Drudge fans, many of whom blithely -- and wrongly -- informed me of my political history, hidden motivations and feelings about dozens of unrelated issues.

Based solely on one column and a photo.

Several missives pronounced me misguided, hypocritical or merely, well, black. One sweet-natured respondent wrote that though Rock and Drudge matter, I was "an obscure nothing" who has a column "only due to skin color." My favorite -- "you are the local news ho" -- was followed closely by those suggesting that I challenged Drudge only so I would be posted on his site.

[kwassa]

1. kicking it up!

[kk897]

2. dear god! "local news ho"?!

That racism is still deeply embedded in the American psyche should not be in doubt, as evidenced by this latest outrage.

[kwassa]

3. the way people behave when they think they are anonymous can be very

telling about those inner thoughts and feelings that they stifle in publc places. Things that they would never say to your face they will say online or in email.

[mark414]

7. hmm...

sounds like DU...

[Karenina]

10. Tee-heee....

naaaaahhh... :evilgrin:
(pssst, mark, dem folks dunno WHAT dey be eatin...)

[mark414]

4. kick

people need to read this

[fortyfeetunder]

6. kick it again

:kick:

and check out the africlassical.com website. Good stuff there.

[Blue_Tires]

5. Britt is one of the good ones...

shame on the so-called drudge 'supporters'

[oasis]

8. "Why can't Donna be more like Condi and Colin? She's so uppity."

Thus spake the Drudgebot dimwits.

[Karenina]

9. TOYIN!!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

If I die before we have a chance to meet face-to-face my spirit will surround you and support ALL GOOD THINGS to you before fading away!!!
You GO GIRL!!!!

THANK YOU, DONNA for knowing what's REALLY going on out there and getting it out there!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[mark414]

11. kick

[Karenina]

12. Mighty quiet around here.

Isn't "Drudge" in the title? ;-)

:freak: :shrug: :freak:

[hector459]

13. Donna is Pulitzer material. Read the archives of her articles.

I have been reading her for years. I wish there would be a book made of her articles...she is the greatest. Ignorant Freepers would not be able to understand her writing even if they could read.

[Crankie Avalon]

14. Very thoughtful article. Certainly far more thoughtful...

...than ANYTHING Matt Drudge has ever written (if I can even call what he does "writing"--"typing" might be more apt).

I mean, here I am, tempted to think that virtually all Republicans are racists (if the response of Drudge readers to Ms. Britt is any indication, for example), but I will try to take her message to heart and keep a more open mind about them.

Not sure how long it will last, though (I'm only human and so many of them seem so inhuman, after all).

[Karenina]

15. WHERE are all our

progressive friends???

[hector459]

16. Maybe Drudge's post will give her the notoriety she deserves.

Here's hoping!