Selective Racism

Everyone loves a good stereotype.

Admit it you do.

Scots get jiggy with sheep. Women can't drive. The Irish can drink. Euros don't shower very often.

Poking a little fun at yourself and other groups of people can be a fun lighthearted way to acknowledge our history and small differences in an ever shrinking world. My biggest problem with stereotypes is the selective filter North American media puts on stereotypes.

Yesterday Dallas Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells referred to some sneaky trick plays his assistants have been using as "Jap plays". This obviously refers to the "Japs" sneak attack on Pearl Harbour. He also said that he didn't want to offend "Orientals" in saying it. Listening to American sports talk radio all day as I do, most of the callers and host didn't seem to think that the statement was that bad. Regardless of how racist the statement was I wonder what the reaction would be if he called his plays involving gangs of players "nigger plays" or his cheap plays "Jew plays". The North American media would crucify Parcells for saying such things as they did John Rocker and Fuzzy Zoeler. If a black stereotype is bad why is a Asian one okay? I believe it is largely to do with guilt and advertising. The plight of the Jews and the African-Americans is well documented. Every person knows of slavery and the holocaust and at some level feels guilty or ashamed that North America didn't do more to help. Like Oscar Schindler after VE day we believe more could have been done. I wonder how many North Americans know of the prison camps we set up for Japanese during WWII. Or the Chinese immigrants that were promised a better life only to be killed by the thousand building our railroads. Or the British immigrants that were sent home by the Canadian government when they found out the Brits were actually Sikhs from India.

So what's my point? Well I don't really know, but I think we all need to be a little more open about our heritage. Not talking about race, colour, and creed only heightens racial separation and tension. I think this selective racism the media and society in general confuses people and scares them to mention colour because they will be viewed as a racist. North America is becoming more multi-ethnic we can no longer see people of colour as foreigners. How can we call someone brother and countryman if we don't really know them or their heritage. So learning a little history, heritage, and, yes, even the little stereotype and idiosyncrasies can lead to better cultural understanding.

Kurt

PS: Flames suck. Go Canucks.