I Would Like To Know...But First.....

[RJDiogenes]

It's the historical significance of the comparison.

It's very simple actually: There's a long history of racist depictions of African people as, and even equation with, apes - chimps, gorillas, orang-utans, whatever. That makes any such comparison of a man with African heritage incurably racist, regardless of how cute Curious George is. There's no such connotation with white men.
Comparing pictures of Bush with a chimp can be funny (or not, humour isn't always objective), it's certainly insulting, but it isn't racist. Comparing Obama to a monkey is.

Well into the 50's and 60's, black people were referred to as monkeys. "Porch monkey" and "jungle monkey", and they were used casually in many social circles. So the stigma is still there. To use such a phrase is to validate the hundreds of years that black people were oppressed in this country, and it's something that will not heal for a long time. To use it now is foolish, and I believe the creators of the Curious George/Obama dolls are absolutely bigots, no doubt in my mind.

These are the correct answers.

So what about the whole "race is a social concept" argument? Apparently that holds no water.

The fact that race is a social concept is irrelevant. Social concepts have a big effect on people; that's why they call them social concepts.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Oh this won't end well ...

You seem to be incorrect. Perhaps you might consider contributing something of substance to the topic.

 

[JNG]

So once there's a long enough history associated with comparing white men to chimps, it will no longer be okay? Dynamite. I'm glad I'm here to pick up these rules so I know when it's acceptable to compare elected officials to primates. I'd have been in the "it's always asinine and pointless" category, but I guess now I know better.

 

[Hoser]

Oh this won't end well ...

You seem to be incorrect. Perhaps you might consider contributing something of substance to the topic.

Well, it was quite a loaded question (and a racist pic!)

So once there's a long enough history associated with comparing white men to chimps, it will no longer be okay?

No, once white men are on the business end of clubs, chains, guns, and burning crosses for 200+ years whilst being compared to chimps, it will not be okay.

One is childish humour, the other is a racist stereotype.

 

[LaxScrutiny]

Damn. Now I'm sorry I even launched this thread...

Don't be sorry, stick to your guns. If it was a genuine question, you have receives several thoughtful explanations.

Wow, what a disgusting display of bigotry and mental deficiency from a supposedly civilized group of people.


J.

Wait, you're talking about football fans.

So what about the whole "race is a social concept" argument? Apparently that holds no water.

The fact that race is a social concept is irrelevant. Social concepts have a big effect on people; that's why they call them social concepts.

Maybe a clearer way of expressing it is that there is a distinction here between "race" and "racism".

"Race" is a social concept, which is why we should not judge people according to, we should not be "racist" because there is nothing intrinsic to race to justify slotting someone in a category. This idea is basicly saying "race" doesn't exist, we make it up.

"Racism" on the other hand does exist. It exists partially because many people do not believe it is just a social construct, but that there really is race, it really does make a difference, therefore they pass judgement according to it. It also exists because many have found a way to raise their status and improve their opportunities by preventing a "level playing field" and maintaining a situation where their class holds an intrinsic advantage.

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^ Very well said.

Oh this won't end well ...

You seem to be incorrect. Perhaps you might consider contributing something of substance to the topic.

Well, it was quite a loaded question (and a racist pic!)

And our Misc Posters have responded very maturely and eloquently, for the most part. Trying to get the Thread closed with drive-by Spam, especially as a first response, is not exactly helpful.