NYU Apologizes For Insensitive Black History Month Menu Featuring Kool-Aid

[SummerMadness]

https://www.nap.edu/read/11879/chapter/12

They're talking about the use of a fruit in other countries, not its usage by African Americans. But that is still besides the point as it has been long used as a stereotype to deride African Americans.

 

[Nithavela]

They're talking about the use of a fruit in other countries, not its usage by African Americans. But that is still besides the point as it has been long used as a stereotype to deride African Americans.

Which is a sad thing. At first, the watermelon was a symbol of african american freedom, with the slaves starting their own watermelon farms. But then their enemies co-opted the symbol for their use, and now people get mad because of watermelons.

 

[SummerMadness]

Which is a sad thing. At first, the watermelon was a symbol of african american freedom, with the slaves starting their own watermelon farms. But then their enemies co-opted the symbol for their use, and now people get mad because of watermelons.

It may be time for the in-group tonretake the symbol, of course that still means that the out-group is not free to "help."

 

[Aldebaran]

It may be time for the in-group tonretake the symbol, of course that still means that the out-group is not free to "help."

The "in group". What's that dog whistle for?
If you don't like the "out group" (white people) to help, maybe it's time to stop asking for white people to recognize BLM's hashtag movements, to stop recognizing your race-based days observations, your race-based entertainment venues, and stop tip-toeing around trying to figure out which words and phrases and foods we can use without worrying about what might offend a race-based political group who's only purpose seems to be about what new things they can be offended about.

 

[Ana the Ist]

The "in group". What's that dog whistle for?
If you don't like the "out group" (white people) to help, maybe it's time to stop asking for white people to recognize BLM's hashtag movements, to stop recognizing your race-based days observations, your race-based entertainment venues, and stop tip-toeing around trying to figure out which words and phrases and foods we can use without worrying about what might offend a race-based political group who's only purpose seems to be about what new things they can be offended about.

Personally, I think the mentality of "we don't need white people to get this done" is a big reason why Trump got elected. Social media has expanded the ideological bubbles that people view the world through and has greatly distorted the perception of support these fringe groups believe they have.

 

[Nithavela]

Personally, I think the mentality of "we don't need white people to get this done" is a big reason why Trump got elected. Social media has expanded the ideological bubbles that people view the world through and has greatly distorted the perception of support these fringe groups believe they have.

I think that what Summermadness meant was that such a change of the view of watermelons must come from inside the black community and can't be ordered to happen from outside. If white people started telling black people "no, you should feel proud about liking watermelons because they are an awesome food and have nothing to do with being morally bankrupt and lazy", that would only come across as patronizing.

 

[Ana the Ist]

I think that what Summermadness meant was that such a change of the view of watermelons must come from inside the black community and can't be ordered to happen from outside. If white people started telling black people "no, you should feel proud about liking watermelons because they are an awesome food and have nothing to do with being morally bankrupt and lazy", that would only come across as patronizing.

I honestly never knew black people held such negative beliefs about watermelons.

 

[Nithavela]

I honestly never knew black people held such negative beliefs about watermelons.

Are you playing ignorant or have you really never heard about the watermelon stereotype? It's older than television.

Watermelon stereotype - Wikipedia

 

[Ana the Ist]

Are you playing ignorant or have you really never heard about the watermelon stereotype? It's older than television.

Watermelon stereotype - Wikipedia

I honestly thought it was a stereotype that non-blacks held (the stereotype being that blacks like watermelon...that's all)...I had no idea blacks related it to poverty or morality or anything else.

 

[SummerMadness]

I think that what Summermadness meant was that such a change of the view of watermelons must come from inside the black community and can't be ordered to happen from outside. If white people started telling black people "no, you should feel proud about liking watermelons because they are an awesome food and have nothing to do with being morally bankrupt and lazy", that would only come across as patronizing.

I thought what I wrote was plain as day, I don't think an explanation was needed unless you simply ignore the words. Like you can call your sibling ugly, but if I call your sibling ugly, I might get punched. Same with watermelon, if there is going to be a change in the attitude about watermelon, it will come from black people, not from someone else.

I saw an interview with Ryan Coogler the other day and he was talking about how he went to South Africa to work on Black Panther. He mentioned talking to a man that had been working all day and he was happy to have watermelon after all that work. When he asked the South African man about the watermelon, he said, "It hydrates you and fills you up, it's a great fruit." After Coogler explained how watermelon was used as a racist symbol toward African Americans, the South African man was astonished. But the salient point was that racism in US turned the farming of watermelon by the former enslaved into something negative. There is nothing negative about about watermelon by itself, but those in power sought to degrade people, so the only way that image changes is for black people to change it themselves. I think part of that is understanding the racist history, but also understanding the longer history of the fruit's origin in Africa. If there is something others can do it would be to no play the racist apologism game every time a knuckle dragger emerges.

GOP Group Depicts Obama with Watermelon, Ribs
What's the deal with Breitbart?
CBS News...."Feed The Children" .....scam?
Band gives racist fruit basket to rivals
Students Face Impeachment, Probation, for attending tequilla-themed party
Detroit firefighter fired for bringing watermelon to station

 

[Nithavela]

I thought what I wrote was plain as day, I don't think an explanation was needed unless you simply ignore the words. Like you can call your sibling ugly, but if I call your sibling ugly, I might get punched. Same with watermelon, if there is going to be a change in the attitude about watermelon, it will come from black people, not from someone else.

I saw an interview with Ryan Coogler the other day and he was talking about how he went to South Africa to work on Black Panther. He mentioned talking to a man that had been working all day and he was happy to have watermelon after all that work. When he asked the South African man about the watermelon, he said, "It hydrates you and fills you up, it's a great fruit." After Coogler explained how watermelon was used as a racist symbol toward African Americans, the South African man was astonished. But the salient point was that racism in US turned the farming of watermelon by the former enslaved into something negative. There is nothing negative about about watermelon by itself, but those in power sought to degrade people, so the only way that image changes is for black people to change it themselves. I think part of that is understanding the racist history, but also understanding the longer history of the fruit's origin in Africa. If there is something others can do it would be to no play the racist apologism game every time a knuckle dragger emerges.

GOP Group Depicts Obama with Watermelon, Ribs
What's the deal with Breitbart?
CBS News...."Feed The Children" .....scam?
Band gives racist fruit basket to rivals
Students Face Impeachment, Probation, for attending tequilla-themed party
Detroit firefighter fired for bringing watermelon to station

I'll eat a watermelon to that.. once they get back in season in a few months.

 

[Aldebaran]

I honestly thought it was a stereotype that non-blacks held (the stereotype being that blacks like watermelon...that's all)...I had no idea blacks related it to poverty or morality or anything else.

I wonder if they'd also be offended by clothing made of cotton. After all, slaves used to work in the cotton fields. Should they be offended by clothing made of the material that kept slaves working under the hot sun and the whip of the white man? I'm almost afraid to hear the answer. I might have just given them a new idea.

 

[Phil 1:21]

Well, that's it. Now we're offended by food.

 

[TerranceL]

Pretty good idea where they got the idea to sell Watermelon water.

Forget lemonade, Beyoncé is investing in watermelon

The superstar has invested in fast-growing, cold-pressed watermelon water startup called WTRMLN WTR. Her involvement with the brand is the latest business move by the savvy star, which generated headlines late last month when she unveiled a line of casual athletic wear called Ivy Park.

“I invested in WTRMLN WTR because it’s the future of clean, natural hydration; as partners, we share a simple mission to deliver accessible wellness to the world,” Beyonce said in a prepared statement. “This is more than an investment in a brand, it’s an investment in female leaders, fitness, American farmers, and the health of people and our planet.”

They should have written, "endorsed by Beyonce" on the bottles and the hipsters would have eaten this right up.

As a poor southerner watermelon was always a treat, so bizarre to see what people choose to get offended by.

 

[Phil 1:21]

Pretty good idea where they got the idea to sell Watermelon water.

Forget lemonade, Beyoncé is investing in watermelon



They should have written, "endorsed by Beyonce" on the bottles and the hipsters would have eaten this right up.

As a poor southerner watermelon was always a treat, so bizarre to see what people choose to get offended by.

Clearly Beyonce is a racist against black people. Then again, I have Kool-Aid packets in my kitchen so obviously I'm about three seconds from burning a cross in someone's front yard.

 

[SummerMadness]

Clearly Beyonce is a racist against black people. Then again, I have Kool-Aid packets in my kitchen so obviously I'm about three seconds from burning a cross in someone's front yard.

Apologism for racism is certainly an issue when people continue to make excuses.

 

[Phil 1:21]

Apologism for racism is certainly an issue when people continue to make excuses.

Yes, and so is not being able to get out of bed in the morning without finding some reason to be offended. Yet we persevere.

 

[Aldebaran]

Apologism for racism is certainly an issue when people continue to make excuses.

Well, who are we to question the judge of what racism is?

 

[Rion]

Well, who are we to question the judge of what racism is?

@SummerMadness still hasn't explained to me how white people are not allowed to decide what is racist against black people, but him using white and whiteness as pejoratives is allowed.

 

[Aldebaran]

@SummerMadness still hasn't explained to me how white people are not allowed to decide what is racist against black people, but him using white and whiteness as pejoratives is allowed.

That's where his self-righteousness comes in. That keeps him locked into a loop of the type of thinking that if he believes something to be true, then it is, and everyone else is wrong. The only way out of that loop is to be open to the idea that he may actually be wrong about something.