Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyrone Slothrop
I hear you and agree with what you say here. Before, you were talking about the efforts you make to understand those people. I guess I was just saying that there is no point in making that investment when it's a news story about a public figure, like the one you posted, because people will just say whatever in that context -- it's a variety of public shaming ritual where people play their assigned parts. When I say your bar story is interesting, I mean that you're more likely to get some insight into what makes people tick out of it.
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Fair enough. But are you saying there is no value in trying to understand the completely disconnected response that these people throw out as a way to absolve themselves of their racism? Why do they choose this response? Who is it aimed at convincing? Is the fact that they say, "I'm not a racist; it's just not who I am or how I act," something that resonates with other white people? If it does, is it because so many white people think and say racist shit but don't consider themselves to be racist? Because that's what I'm trying to understand. Maybe they think that black people will be convinced? Maybe they don't care and are only looking to the white people who may judge them?
In my mind, the responses in both scenarios are the same. I find it fascinating. If you think she's just reading from a script (and "The word, 'nigger' isn't even in my vocabulary even though I drop it in casual conversation,' is surely a new addition to that script, no?), have you thought about why the script is crafted that way?
TM
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