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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWHITE PRIVILEGE - On Bill Maher, the N-Word, and the Myth of the 'Pass' - by Toure'
WHITE PRIVILEGE
On Bill Maher, the N-Word, and the Myth of the Pass
During their heated Real Time confrontation, Ice Cube got to the heart of the outspoken comedians racial transgressions.
TOURÉ
06.11.17 2:55 AM ET
In the long history of Bill Maher on TV there has never been a more real time moment on Real Time than last Fridays episode. I struggle to think of another major TV host who responded to a national firestorm by allowing people to come on his show and beat him up over his own transgressions. Its like Maher went to the town square, locked himself in the pillory, and let people have at him for an hour. But strangely, the courage to have Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Ice Cube and Symone Sanders take him to the woodshed did not lead to the best version of Maher. He was contriteat least early on in the showbut he was also defensive, excuse-heavy, mentioned the omnipresence of the n-word in culture (as hes done before), Kathy Griffin, a litany of Americas historical atrocities (groan), and the fact that were all evolving. What?
Mahers conversation with Dyson was weird; at times, it seemed like they were speaking different languages. My friend Dr. Dyson missed the mark by over-intellectualizing in a moment of painDyson surrounded some solid questions to Maher with so much verbal cogitation that the comedian was able to avoid really answering them. On the other hand, Ice Cube was direct, emotional, and powerfully plain-spoken. He forced the conversation to its true center as Maher grew grumpy. But Cube is right: the problem is that Maher thinks he has a pass.
By a pass I mean he feels that he can do things that other white people cantthings that are culturally reserved for Blacks. The pass is both Im unique among whites and I get special privilege from Blacks. Many of us have known someone who thinks they have a pass. That guy who dates only Black women, or has lots of Black friends, or really, really loves hip-hop, or mastered some Black cultural skill (dancing, hooping, rhyming, whatever) and thinks that means hes an honorary Black person. Cube alluded to this right off the bat: theres a lot of guys out there who cross the line because they a little too familiar
Guys that, you know, might have a black girlfriend or two that made them Kool-Aid every now and then, and they think they can cross the line. And they cant.
Cubes talking about bad ally behavior. Mahers sin may be rooted in loving Blackness too much but it is still a cultural sin because there is no such thing as a pass. Theres nothing that a white person can accomplish that makes them become Black. The notion of a passof over-identifying with Blacknessis so problematic and so painful because it objectifies Blackness. It posits Blackness as akin to something one can learn their way into. Blackness cannot be earned like a Boy Scout badge. And people who think they have a pass use it only to access the fun and joyful side of Black culture. They want Fun Blackness: The parties, the style, the rhythm of mama Africa. They dont want to grapple with the fact that Blackness also comes with a whole lot of pain.
more
http://www.thedailybeast.com/on-bill-maher-the-n-word-and-the-myth-of-the-pass
LexVegas
(6,095 posts)Squinch
(51,014 posts)You seem to agree with me that there is no defending Ice Cube's slurs against women.
Do you agree with me that there is no defending Maher's slurs against black people?
LexVegas
(6,095 posts)Squinch
(51,014 posts)if someone takes umbrage at Ice Cube's sexism, and uses that sexism as an excuse to refute his argument against racism, isn't that the same brand of hypocrisy?
LexVegas
(6,095 posts)is laughable.
GaYellowDawg
(4,449 posts)were invalidated by the person who spoke them.
I will completely agree that the same scrutiny turned on racism should be turned on sexism.
Dustlawyer
(10,497 posts)with what Bill did. It points out a problem with both sides. Being married to a black woman I have been guilty of this a few times. It is hard being sympathetic to what is happening, but still being on the outside of a group of people that you love and care about. I can never be black which is not a problem, I am comfortable in my own skin. The hard part is not saying something that will be misinterpreted by others who may not know me as well. What is ok to say and what is not? I am not talking about the N word, I think it should be jettisoned by all cultures until the only ones saying it are people with no class, racists. I am talking about being able to discuss white/black relations objectively. I cannot be critical of any elements of black culture with some of our friends because I am white.
I had a crash course in black culture when I was sent to an almost all black middle school. My name became "White Boy." I was attacked for the color of my skin, constantly harassed. I could have become very racist from this experience, but I knew it was no different than what a black boy would experience in a mostly white school in my community. I realized just how wrong and unfair racism can be at an early age and it made quite an impression on me.
What many whites either don't know or refuse to take into account is how much racism goes on everyday in this country. After sitting with my elderly in-laws and hearing of life in the Jim Crow South I wondered how they could be as loving and accepting of me as they are. Their stories are full of horrible cruelty and injustice that occurred daily. It makes me sad and ashamed that my race could harbor people so evil. My in-laws learned long ago to not judge anyone by the color of their skin, but they still have to be on guard just in case.
Many white people are "tired" of hearing about race. They complain that black people focus on race too much and see it everywhere. The problem is that the white people don't see or experience it everyday like black people are forced to do. They don't understand just how prevalent it is, how demoralizing and unfair. From crappier public schools to not getting the job because some white man got his unqualified nephew the job instead. Many whites have been brainwashed by the Right to believe that black people just want more "Free Stuff" and special treatment. Our media and our politics have exacerbated racial tensions.
Having Obama as President was a demonstration of just how much racism has been just below the surface. Sure he was elected twice, but there is still a large number of whites who showed just how racist we still are. Chief Justice John Roberts stated there is no more racism in this country. Bull shit! He knows that is not true. I know that in the circles he runs in he hears much worse than what Mahar had to say a little over a week ago. He knew what would and did happen the minute SCOTUS overturned key portions of the Voting Rights Act.
We need to have more frank discussions on race. We need to keep hearing about the types and methods of discrimination and call it out for what it is. That means white people too! We also need to make it so the the N word is not acceptable for anyone to use! If it is an offensive word if one person says it, it should be offensive for another. It is an ugly word for sure!
BeyondGeography
(39,380 posts)Last edited Sun Jun 11, 2017, 06:02 PM - Edit history (1)
Wise and heartfelt. Thank you.