As with everything in the US which might in any way be percieved as race related, I've learned there's a LOT of historical context us foreigners have no idea about - which makes it very hard to understand why and how people react to whatever is the story of the day. Thankfully, TFA actually mentions it:
Trump is intentionally or inadvertently quoting former Miami Police Chief Walter Headley. In December 1967, months before riots broke out during the (Nixon) Republican National Convention, Headley said
I didn't until right now. This kind of "fossil record" argument is exactly why I roll my eyes whenever I hear about a new phrase that's "becoming a racist dog whistle," because the vast majority of people who start saying it don't know or care about that context at all, which means it isn't meaningfully present.
He would have been ~21 at the time, and the quote was widely disseminated. It was Nixon's convention after all, a period of time that was formative to Trump's experience as a young adult.
It's extremely probable that this is a significant memory to Trump. Those are the kind of moments that entire generations use as shibboleths.
Those are the kind of moments that entire generations use as shibboleths.
This is so true! He couldn't memorize the quote if he tried. But he's internalized the cultural perspective that it came from, so he can easily say the exact same thing thinking it was an original idea. He could never fake it, but he can easily say it.
I didn't until right now. This kind of "fossil record" argument is exactly why I roll my eyes whenever I hear about a new phrase that's "becoming a racist dog whistle," because the vast majority of people who start saying it don't know or care about that context at all, which means it isn't meaningfully present.
It's not so much whether the people who say these things do so knowing full well the historical context that matters, as whether the people who hear it do. Because it's that aspect which will determine the reaction.
It's not so much whether the people who say these things do so knowing full well the historical context that matters, as whether the people who hear it do. Because it's that aspect which will determine the reaction.
If they say it didn't know it was being said 50 years ago, or the outcomes, that's just as damning. It isn't that it was said that matters, it is that it was shocking 50 years ago, and it should still be shocking now. It was horrid then, and they want to repeat it without even knowing what it is. Because they're just as horrible as the people in the past were.
People know something is a "dog whistle" and they want an excuse to say it anyway; that's called a racist.
Seriously? And this is +5. I didn't know or understand this quote. But do you think a single black person who heard Nixon say this ever forgot it? And that fact that white people *don't* know that the Nixon said this is a damning indictment of us all.
And a primer on proper human behavior. If you inadvertently say something offensive due to your own ignorance and it gets pointed out, don't threaten the person (or organization) who was nice enough to tell you about the error of your ways. Sincerely apologize to all involved.
If DT has said "I'm so sorry, I didn't understand that reference. I'm ashamed for speaking so intemperately" this would be much of a non-story. The doubling-down indicates that he is only sorry he got called out.
There's no reason to feel ashamed. The person taking offense should consider that others don't have ill intent... Indeed, giving the benefit of the doubt on niche half century old references seems only fitting.
If DT has said "I'm so sorry, I didn't understand that reference. I'm ashamed for speaking so intemperately" this would be much of a non-story.
Are you kidding? If DT offered an apology that self deprecating and direct, I could imagine lots of car accidents and dropped dishes as people squinted, turned their heads sideways, and uttered confused and somewhat fearful "whaaaat is happening?"s.
I didn't know it either, but that might be because I wasn't even born at the time that statement was originally made. Donald Trump was 20 or 21 at the time and there are many other people that are alive today that are able to remember when that statement was made, so it likely holds a fuck-ton of context for those people. Just because you personally aren't offended by something doesn't mean that someone of a different age and different background is unjustified if they are offended by that comment. I rea
The more data I punch in this card, the lighter it becomes, and the
lower the mailing cost.
-- S. Kelly-Bootle, "The Devil's DP Dictionary"
Context, please (Score:5, Informative)
As with everything in the US which might in any way be percieved as race related, I've learned there's a LOT of historical context us foreigners have no idea about - which makes it very hard to understand why and how people react to whatever is the story of the day. Thankfully, TFA actually mentions it:
Trump is intentionally or inadvertently quoting former Miami Police Chief Walter Headley. In December 1967, months before riots broke out during the (Nixon) Republican National Convention, Headley said
Re: (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Context, please (Score:5, Insightful)
I didn't until right now. This kind of "fossil record" argument is exactly why I roll my eyes whenever I hear about a new phrase that's "becoming a racist dog whistle," because the vast majority of people who start saying it don't know or care about that context at all, which means it isn't meaningfully present.
Re: (Score:2)
He would have been ~21 at the time, and the quote was widely disseminated. It was Nixon's convention after all, a period of time that was formative to Trump's experience as a young adult.
It's extremely probable that this is a significant memory to Trump. Those are the kind of moments that entire generations use as shibboleths.
Re: (Score:2)
Those are the kind of moments that entire generations use as shibboleths.
This is so true!
He couldn't memorize the quote if he tried. But he's internalized the cultural perspective that it came from, so he can easily say the exact same thing thinking it was an original idea. He could never fake it, but he can easily say it.
Definitely a shibboleth.
Re: (Score:2)
I didn't until right now. This kind of "fossil record" argument is exactly why I roll my eyes whenever I hear about a new phrase that's "becoming a racist dog whistle," because the vast majority of people who start saying it don't know or care about that context at all, which means it isn't meaningfully present.
It's not so much whether the people who say these things do so knowing full well the historical context that matters, as whether the people who hear it do. Because it's that aspect which will determine the reaction.
Re:Context, please (Score:5, Insightful)
It's not so much whether the people who say these things do so knowing full well the historical context that matters, as whether the people who hear it do. Because it's that aspect which will determine the reaction.
If they say it didn't know it was being said 50 years ago, or the outcomes, that's just as damning. It isn't that it was said that matters, it is that it was shocking 50 years ago, and it should still be shocking now. It was horrid then, and they want to repeat it without even knowing what it is. Because they're just as horrible as the people in the past were.
People know something is a "dog whistle" and they want an excuse to say it anyway; that's called a racist.
Do if you use a Dog Whistle once it's cute (Score:1)
Now, Imagine if you used a Dog Whistle for 2-4 hours a day on your dog. Every day. For 4 years.
What would be the mental state of your Dog at that point? Would that be a Dog it's safe to get near?
Re: (Score:2)
is exactly why I roll my eyes whenever I hear about a new phrase that's "becoming a racist dog whistle,"
No, those feelings just mean you're a racist.
Re:Context, please (Score:5, Insightful)
And a primer on proper human behavior. If you inadvertently say something offensive due to your own ignorance and it gets pointed out, don't threaten the person (or organization) who was nice enough to tell you about the error of your ways. Sincerely apologize to all involved.
If DT has said "I'm so sorry, I didn't understand that reference. I'm ashamed for speaking so intemperately" this would be much of a non-story. The doubling-down indicates that he is only sorry he got called out.
Ladies, and Gentleman, (Score:2)
"the Nixon"!
I genuinely laughed, that one was good. Typo maybe, but it was funny as fuck.
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Re: (Score:1)
If DT has said "I'm so sorry, I didn't understand that reference. I'm ashamed for speaking so intemperately" this would be much of a non-story.
Are you kidding? If DT offered an apology that self deprecating and direct, I could imagine lots of car accidents and dropped dishes as people squinted, turned their heads sideways, and uttered confused and somewhat fearful "whaaaat is happening?"s.
Re: (Score:2)
Captain Obvious, of course, but if Trump were to say he were ashamed of anything, that would be the world news story of the year.
Re: (Score:2)