Wednesday, 29 November 2006 05:29 pm
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deckardcanineI take interest whenever I hear of evidence of a continuing trend in racism, sexism, or a similar ism. In a way, knowing about them gives me a perverse kind of pleasure, like I can use it as a comeback for those who seem to think we've advanced enough socially.
Many of the trends that I've heard about in the last couple years have connections to show business, which is hardly surprising when you consider that certain roles pretty much require a given racial appearance, etc. The "Hollywood White-Out" may have declined -- at least, I haven't heard about it since 2000 -- but there are still many movies with a Magic Negro, a flawless, pastless Black character who exists chiefly to help a White character with self-realization (Peter Jackson's King Kong, anyone?). These days, a non-White actor who doesn't request otherwise typically is given a costar of a different race in order to tell the audience that it's not just a "Black film" or whatnot. Black men (but not women) almost never get sex scenes, presumably because White men feel threatened by a show of that kind of power, or else they just think it's gross. There's a coolest man in the world most of the time (presently George Clooney), but women always have to settle for being the hottest at best. The masses are largely to blame for these iniquities; producers just go along with them.
I bring this up now because I'm not sure what to make of what I saw in the Express two days ago. The article is called "Love Can Reeeeally Hurt," subtitled "Your handy guide to getting it on without permanent injuries." (No, I am not opposed to such articles being buried in a free family newspaper.) The accompanying photo shows a dark brown man's chest and abs with a fair-skinned hand clutching them. Are they using diversity for maximum demographic appeal? Was it the sexiest male torso with the sexiest feminine hand they could find? Or is it a subtle suggestion that a Black man having sex with a White woman is a recipe for disaster? That is traditionally the most despised pairing, is it not? Think back a few weeks to the notorious attack ad on Harold Ford....
Eh, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. So far, there haven't been any letters to the editor on anything connected with the article.
Many of the trends that I've heard about in the last couple years have connections to show business, which is hardly surprising when you consider that certain roles pretty much require a given racial appearance, etc. The "Hollywood White-Out" may have declined -- at least, I haven't heard about it since 2000 -- but there are still many movies with a Magic Negro, a flawless, pastless Black character who exists chiefly to help a White character with self-realization (Peter Jackson's King Kong, anyone?). These days, a non-White actor who doesn't request otherwise typically is given a costar of a different race in order to tell the audience that it's not just a "Black film" or whatnot. Black men (but not women) almost never get sex scenes, presumably because White men feel threatened by a show of that kind of power, or else they just think it's gross. There's a coolest man in the world most of the time (presently George Clooney), but women always have to settle for being the hottest at best. The masses are largely to blame for these iniquities; producers just go along with them.
I bring this up now because I'm not sure what to make of what I saw in the Express two days ago. The article is called "Love Can Reeeeally Hurt," subtitled "Your handy guide to getting it on without permanent injuries." (No, I am not opposed to such articles being buried in a free family newspaper.) The accompanying photo shows a dark brown man's chest and abs with a fair-skinned hand clutching them. Are they using diversity for maximum demographic appeal? Was it the sexiest male torso with the sexiest feminine hand they could find? Or is it a subtle suggestion that a Black man having sex with a White woman is a recipe for disaster? That is traditionally the most despised pairing, is it not? Think back a few weeks to the notorious attack ad on Harold Ford....
Eh, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. So far, there haven't been any letters to the editor on anything connected with the article.
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*chuckle*
I didn't realize until you said that that this wasn't. I hope DecardCanine, our mutual host, will forgive the side conversation.
And, of course, you're still welcome. ];-)
I imagine that the folks on my friends-list with the "Little Professor" syndrome are already known to you.
The nickname is wryly amusing, as it was applied to me when I was very young. At least I'm no longer "little". And I've never been diagnosed with that problem, which I know can be very challenging. I wish you success in your interactions with society -- and it sounds like you're already doing well in that arena.
===|==============/ Level Head
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