I was called a racist today because I said that Roots is untrue....

[Vesayen]

The author himself admited most of it was made up when he was confronted about it...

[LoneWolf]

I'm not disagreeing, I'm just wondering.

[MrFun]

Re: I was called a racist today because I said that Roots is untrue....

Originally posted by Vesayen
I was talking to several people today who were African American after an English class. We were talking about Roots, which I had read a few years ago and really enjoyed.

When I mentioned that I was pissed when I found out it was untrue, all hell broke loose.......

APPARENTLY Roots isnt fictional, even though its been proven to be untrue by dozens of credible sources-and im a racist for mentioning that it is.

Now I have 4 people who want my blood because I am accused of being a racist.... *sigh*.

The ironic part is, as some apolytonites may know, i'm half Ethiopian(though I look completley white)......

It's a great piece of historical fiction that accurately portrays the slavery system in general, but it certainly is not a TRUE story in terms of the individuals involved.

[Az]

some people are just stupid, Vesayen. don't bother.

[Pekka]

Vesayen,YOU RACIST PIG! I WANT YOUR BLOOOOOOOD!

[Elok]

Why? Does he have a naturally high BAC?

[Whaleboy]

What are roots?

[GePap]

While I never read or watched roots, I also never assumed it to be a true story, or even particularly historically correct, just from the little clips of it I saw...

Why are you pissed that it is not 100% factual? Does that really make a difference when it comes down to why the book and the mini-series were made?

I say, explain to these individuals, the ones that will listen, that you find the fact some of the detils eing inaccurate to be gauling, but that you at no point question tyhe general reality of the inhumanity of the slave system.

[Pekka]

GePap, I think that's a bad idea. It's like saying 'all nazis weren't evil'. While that might be true, it's not something you should say outloud. And even if you thought that way, you should realize it's not relevant, since the balance of baddies and goodies were baddies 99% I guess. So that makes you look like a butthole, even if you're talking about facts.

I'd say just try to forget about it, don't take it any deeper, these people who call you racist they don't hear what you say, they only want to see you as a racist from now on. Just kick their butts if they bring it. Hit them in the nose.

[Pekka]

you see, these people are on the move now. The fist mistake you can do is put on a defensive. They want you to be defensive, so you look more guilty. You can talk to people who listen, but no need to make this a bigger issue it really is. Because there is no problem, some people are making it a problem. So don't appear to be on defensive, even if you are.

I was once called a racist too when I called some asian dude an *******, so that's not really a racist remark, but he was cutting the line and I told him to get back and he pretended not to hear me and I said it louder 'get back in the line' and he gave me a stupid face and didn't move so I called him an *******. His girlfriend (caucaisian) teenager annyoing little ***** started calling me a racist outloud, making a scene. I mean really making a scene about it like she was dying or something. Annoying teenage style. So, was I a racist in that situation? I don't think so. But the asian descent guy, he didn't call me a racist so it's not his fault, it was his ugly annoying girlfriend who wanted to be righteous, carry the torch of justice alone in the dungeons of racism and unfairness.

Then the security guard came in and asked what happened and I said they cut the line and the girl said something stupid, and the guard put them back in the line . So that's that!

[Pekka]

So my final advice is, don't bite the racism-trap. Because what you said don't make you one.

Explain your position in very simple way, and that you are sorry if someone misunderstood you and that you didn't mean anything like that by it. And that it doesn't make you a racist. And that you're sorry if someone misunderstood you, and that you realize it was not the smartest thing to say.

And if someone still has a problem with you, then beat them down with in a flurry of fists, kicks and strangles.

It's like a situation where someone calls you a woman beater. It doesn't matter if you have touched anyone. The point is everyone goes crazy and are ready to beat you. And if you appear to be too sorry, they think you did it no matter what you said or did. Or if you're too aggressive, they think you did it anyway. So they don't listen reason. So, be simple, not too sorry and on defensive, and ready to rumbleeeeeeeee!!!!!!! Just make sure you win.

[GePap]

Originally posted by Pekka
GePap, I think that's a bad idea. It's like saying 'all nazis weren't evil'. While that might be true, it's not something you should say outloud. And even if you thought that way, you should realize it's not relevant, since the balance of baddies and goodies were baddies 99% I guess. So that makes you look like a butthole, even if you're talking about facts.

That is not a good analogy. I would have no problem saying : in the miniseries "Holocaust" (another hugely popular 1970's miniseries) there are many factual mistakes. That si no saying the Holocaust dd not happen, just questioning the dramatic license taken. Vesayen should explain that that is his issue.

I'd say just try to forget about it, don't take it any deeper, these people who call you racist they don't hear what you say, they only want to see you as a racist from now on. Just kick their butts if they bring it. Hit them in the nose.

Perhaps they said what they said becuase they misunderstood his intentions? Categorizing them as they categorized him is a different side of the same coin. Vesayen should explain to those willing to listen that his problem was with dramatic license, not the slave system. If after that they refuse to change their view, fine.

[Pekka]

I know that analogy was horrible .

They didn't necessarily misunderstood him. There are people who really are racist, and there are people who hear the word racist and that's enough for them to hear, they want some blood. They are as bad as racist, they don't care about if they have the right guy or not.
This goes for every race and nation. These people are really there. So you better be ready to counter because they will attack you. You should try explain the situation but some of them don't want to hear it, they already made up their minds. Only thing you can now do is figure out how to not get down if they decide to attack you. So you should be surprising, and not traditional waiting for the attack to come and go down easily. Hit them in the genitalia, gauge their eyes, things like that will teach few lessons about being blind butthead. And if they bring weapons, remember to outgun them at all times. But I figure this is not the case with Vesayen, hopefully.

[GePap]

The things is pekka that you have no clue why they did why they did, and have no more (probalby less) information to base your catogorizing of them as something than they did when they did it to Vesayen.

Also, why do you keep talking about how to fight someone? Ves is in highschool..I do not place too much stock in the one day opinion of highschool kids, and No, this will not turn into a fight whatsoever, so giving advice on how to gauge at eyes is advice thrown at the wind.

So I say to Ves: if you care to reclaim these people as friends, find them an explain exactly what your issue with the book and series is. That simple. If they won't listen, their probem then.

[Pekka]

Well, if what Vesayen said makes them turn against him and say he's a racist, I'd say they're pretty blind. Blind or just plain stupid. If they were reasonable folks, they'd understand Vesayen is not a real racist. Clearly they have some concepts mixed up.

And I didn't tell him to fight them. I said if someone attacks you, kick their nuts in. I think that's reasonable.

But I have another idea. Challenge the ones calling you a racist in argument duel. Say them 'your accusations are very serious. You are ruining my reputation with this, so I say you prove I'm a racist, and the things I said makes me a racist. We argue this thing with the rules of proper arguments and have few extra people to judge it. If after the argument duel they find me racist, then fine. But if they don't find me racist, then you are wrong and falsely accused me.' They'd prolly laugh at you, but everytime this thing comes up, jsut say 'why don't you take the challenge, are you afraid you'll lose???'. And that's YOUR trap. YOu get them by the nuts!