40 acres and a mule thinking

[Steve Bildermann]

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?fl20030413a2.htm

Silly article, pretending to be social commentary on Japan but actually racial discrimination by a black guy with a chip on his shoulder.

I couldn't help asking him: "Say, have you ever heard of Malcolm X?" I was referring, of course, to the black political activist memorialized in the Spike Lee movie and easily the most influential figure in modern black America after Martin Luther King, Jr.

Oh for goodness sake - Malcolm X as the most influential figure in modern black America after Martin Luther King, Jr. - That statement alone makes me want to weep for the demise of higher education.

Why on earth should the kid have to take black social history awareness lessons just to wear baggy pants?

I felt this Shibuya guy had appropriated part of my culture without showing even the slightest awareness of its roots

So fucking what...the top golfer in the world is black and the top rapper is white but you don't see protesters out in the street saying how unjust this cultural cross over is.

I'm sure Eric is trying to make the point that he objects to Japanese yoots adopting black fashion trends and looking like inner city hoodlums without *actually* being from south central LA.

Well brudda - have I got news for you! Fashion in Japan is just like everywhere else - shallow, mercurial and without too many socially redeeming factors but hey nobody every said it should have.

...except ERIC PRIDEAUX esteemed staff writer for the Japan times

[jingai]

I think it's fair game for an African-American to question the way Japanese appropriate aspects of their culture. Don't tell me you never wondered about the value of their use of Engrish in daily life. The writer doesn't come off saying "these symbols are mine and you can't have them," but rather "these symbols were mine- what happened to them?"
What Eric Prideaux actually concluded was

Other spot interviews, however, gave me a deeper perspective: The Japanese, I discovered, were getting more in tune with black America.

One person, for example, described a Japanese magazine article about slave women being raped by their white owners. Another volume he'd found gave pointers on cooking soul food.

In the end, though, such evidence of deeper awareness was rare. But one interview did reveal how Japanese were at least making hip-hop a serious form of self-expression of their own.
Yuri, 17, told me that, partly because of hip-hop, young Japanese have become more interested in human rights and other world issues.

Speaking of a chip on one's shoulder:

So fucking what...the top golfer in the world is black and the top rapper is white but you don't see protesters out in the street saying how unjust this cultural cross over is.

The best critical analysis of Japanese hip-hop I've seen is courtesy of Professor Ian Condry over at MIT. He turned me onto King Gidora, who is mentioned in the article. http://web.mit.edu/condry/www/jhh/ and the articles at http://www.iancondry.com/#publications

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

Have to agree with Bilderman on this one. Actually, it sounds like the writer himself is a bigot. What, should only black people wear baggy jeans and rap. Or, if you're not black, do you have to pass one of his black history tests to get the bye.

Furthermore, doesn't the writer know that Malcom X, WEB Dubois and Louis Farrakan are mulatto. These guys were/are filled with white blood.

[tokyojoe]

I think the writer`s main point is that these kids are imitating the fashion but missing the underlying message and world portrayed by black, urban music. While a valid point how much of that music carries any meaningful social message anymore? I doubt that many listeners in the US black or otherwise know or care about any `message`. They`re just grooving to the beat and having a good time.

[American Oyaji]

I thought it was a well written and insightful article.

In the African American community, invariably the name Malcom X follows Martin Luther King. The are indeed the top 2 in black American popular culture.

In the article, he never criticized. Only questioned and pointed out and let the reader come to his own conclusion. He never stated something was wrong. He imparted his feelings and as an African American myself, I have also had such thoughts and talked to my friends about how these kids don't know what they are representing.

Indeed these days hip-hop fashion is just that. Fashion. But back in the day, the fashion was a statement of one's station in life.

And as far caring about a message. Those looking for messages have left hip hop and rap for the most part and are listening to other things since rap has become so majorly commercial.

[Andocrates]

Having been a recording engineer on about a bazillion rap projects I would like to declare this guy full of s*it. The average American black kid has as much social awareness as the average Tokyo kid.

They rhyme because they want to get rich and get all the stuff that goes with it -the bling and the "ho's", I never once heard one of those kids refer to a black women as anything but a ho. "Yo, dog I'mma hit me a score o nubian princess, high breed African pussy." Where is this rich black culture? If your own people don't get it why should some kids in Japan?

I got so sick of hearing how they were gonna spend their millions once they "hit."

And furthermore what African-American social statement does showing your boxer shorts make? Short pants (below the knee) started out as some poor getto kid wearing highwaters cause he couldn't afford pants that fit. $70.00 Phat Pharm shorts isn't a social statement it's a fashion statement no matter who wears them.

What about the fashion trends White American teens started? Can you think of any? Maybe not because we don't try to attach social statements. But I'll give you a few: The whole Goth thing, raver culture, punk culture, yes, even mullets and tight jeans makes a fashion statement.

Nobody gives a rats ass about Malcom X. He was just an angry young man.

[jim katta]

I think someone is "off" of his meds; And has a chip on his "own" shouder to boot.

So fucking what...the top golfer in the world is black and the top rapper is white but you don't see protesters out in the street saying how unjust this cultural cross over is

This is simplistic reasoning. The writer wasn't saying that japanese hip hop fashion kids should pay homage to Malcolm X flat out, he was wondering out loud if these kids had any idea about the origins of black culture as they immerse themselve within that culture/fashion. I have to say Bildermann, you sound a bit culturally insensitive/out of touch to be so offended by the writer's position. Further, your attitude fosters opinions like those of Andocrates when he says:

Nobody gives a rats ass about Malcom X. He was just an angry young man.

Andocrates, you obviously have no close african-american friends. Otherwise you would never make such a ridiculous statement.

Bildermann, I see the point you may have been "trying" to make, i.e., "hey, it's just fashion, leave the JP kids alone." In the main, I agree with this position. But as an African-American person who has been turned away from the Shibuya HIP HOP CLUB called HARLEM because I wasn't JAPANESE, I think Eric Prideaux's question about Japanese hip hop youth knowing the origins of the culture while immersing themselves within it, is in fact VERY legitimate. This policy that I encountered is standard practice at that particular club.

Personally, I find your title of your own article "40 acres and a mule thinking" offensive, racist, and more silly than that Japan Times article could ever be. Get out of your house, interact with more people of other races, stop thinking like a colonist. Many japanese youth go out of their way to pay respect to and educate themselves about african-american culture. In fact, some of the most historically knowledgeable hip hop fans I know are often japanese. This is also true of many japanese reggae fans. They do their homework, and they pay respect. It inspires me even more to learn more about and pay respect to "their" japanese culture. If Prideaux is guilty of a literary crime, it is that he didn't really represent the many japanese kids who DO know and respect who Malcolm X is, as well as other african-american figures. Bildermann, get off the high horse, emerge from your cave, and pretend that maybe you have some cultural enlightenment. You are not a colonist, you are just a fucked gaijin like the rest of us who should know better than trying to play the race card on an otherwise harmless intellectual speculation buried in an article. Dude, double up on those meds, you need them.

[jim katta]

For those of you from Japan, or not from American, you might wonder why I found Bildermann's title "40 acres and mule thinking" deeply culturally insensitive. It deals with a part of American history between blacks and whites:

African-American slavery as a legal institution lasted for about 250 years up until the Emancipation Proclamation of 1865 and for another 100 years, African Americans were subjected to Jim Crow laws of which they were not seen as legally equal until 1965. Initially, reparations were to be paid by giving freed slaves 40 acres of land and a mule, but the bill was vetoed by President Andrew Johnson in 1869 after having passed in Congress. However, the issue was far from being put to rest...

Suddenly, Bildermann sounds like the kind of person/conqueror/colonist who also thinks the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki aren't due any special consideration either. Please, keep your white racist attitudes confined to America (where they flourish), don't export them to Japan.

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

I think someone is "off" of his meds] So fucking what...the top golfer in the world is black and the top rapper is white but you don't see protesters out in the street saying how unjust this cultural cross over is

This is simplistic reasoning. [/quote]

Listen, Jim, you don't see whitey complaining about the kids dressed up like Elvis do you? Whitey doesn't leap to the conclusion that Japanese kids should have any understanding of the white, youthful post WW2 angst that manifested itself in Rock 'n Roll do you? Well, maybe that is because whitey isn't self-absorbed.

The writer wasn't saying that japanese hip hop fashion kids should pay homage to Malcolm X flat out, he was wondering out loud if these kids had any idea about the origins of black culture as they immerse themselve within that culture/fashion. I have to say Bildermann, you sound a bit culturally insensitive/out of touch to be so offended by the writer's position.

As I read further I find that it is really you with the stack of cordwood on your shoulder.

Further, your attitude fosters opinions like those of Andocrates when he says:

Nobody gives a rats ass about Malcom X. He was just an angry young man.

Andocrates, you obviously have no close african-american friends. Otherwise you would never make such a ridiculous statement.

Actually, Andocrates is more right than wrong. I have black friends, I lived in a black neighborhood in Brooklyn. I didn't see a whole lot of pontificating going down on DeKalb Avenue. Although there was a lot of shit going down there. Let's face it, what is going on in the ghettoes of America is horrifying. Thank God the Japanese don't know anything about it. It would imply that they have some reason to understand indolence, drug abuse, wanton lawlessness and disease.

Bildermann, I see the point you may have been "trying" to make, i.e., "hey, it's just fashion, leave the JP kids alone." In the main, I agree with this position. But as an African-American person who has been turned away from the Shibuya HIP HOP CLUB called HARLEM because I wasn't JAPANESE, I think Eric Prideaux's question about Japanese hip hop youth knowing the origins of the culture while immersing themselves within it, is in fact VERY legitimate. This policy that I encountered is standard practice at that particular club.

Jim, why don't you educate the rest of us dumb honkeys about the rest of the story. There were so many problems with angry young men in that club that management had to do what it could to keep the place free of violence. Guess what. It's violence free now. Maybe instead of getting angry at management, you should get angry at your own community. When was the last time you told a brutha he was making your life difficult?

Yeah, right, that was insensitive too wasn't it. Well, listen, no amount of "understanding" Malcolm X will take the violence out of that club. It is indeed ironic that the most violent cities in America tend to be named after Martin Luther King.

Personally, I find your title of your own article "40 acres and a mule thinking" offensive, racist, and more silly than that Japan Times article could ever be. Get out of your house, interact with more people of other races, stop thinking like a colonist. Many japanese youth go out of their way to pay respect to and educate themselves about african-american culture. In fact, some of the most historically knowledgeable hip hop fans I know are often japanese. This is also true of many japanese reggae fans. They do their homework, and they pay respect. It inspires me even more to learn more about and pay respect to "their" japanese culture. If Prideaux is guilty of a literary crime, it is that he didn't really represent the many japanese kids who DO know and respect who Malcolm X is, as well as other african-american figures. Bildermann, get off the high horse, emerge from your cave, and pretend that maybe you have some cultural enlightenment. You are not a colonist, you are just a fucked gaijin like the rest of us who should know better than trying to play the race card on an otherwise harmless intellectual speculation buried in an article. Dude, double up on those meds, you need them.

Utter nonsense Jim. Why does anyone have to go out of their way to understand your culture or my culture. You got your ass out of Brooklyn and of your own free will settled in Japan so quit your crying about how bad it is. What next? Are you going to claim that you were brought there against your will? Were you put on a ship and hauled over there? No, and furthermore, you weren't put on a ship and hauled anywhere. It's called responsibility and self-determination and is what separates the achievers from the parasites.

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

For those of you from Japan, or not from American, you might wonder why I found Bildermann's title "40 acres and mule thinking" deeply culturally insensitive. It deals with a part of American history between blacks and whites:

African-American slavery as a legal institution lasted for about 250 years up until the Emancipation Proclamation of 1865 and for another 100 years, African Americans were subjected to Jim Crow laws of which they were not seen as legally equal until 1965. Initially, reparations were to be paid by giving freed slaves 40 acres of land and a mule, but the bill was vetoed by President Andrew Johnson in 1869 after having passed in Congress. However, the issue was far from being put to rest...

Suddenly, Bildermann sounds like the kind of person/conqueror/colonist who also thinks the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki aren't due any special consideration either. Please, keep your white racist attitudes confined to America (where they flourish), don't export them to Japan.

Jim Katta, from the bottom of my heart take your black rascist bullshit and stick it up your filthy ass. Nobody gives a shit. People of all races, creeds and colors have committed all kinds of inhuman acts against each other and the blacks are no different you pompous fucking dumbass from Crooklyn. How dare you call someone a rascist for saying that moron from the Japan Times needs to get a grip. He does and you do too chief.

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

For those of you from Japan, or not from American, you might wonder why I found Bildermann's title "40 acres and mule thinking" deeply culturally insensitive. It deals with a part of American history between blacks and whites:

African-American slavery as a legal institution lasted for about 250 years up until the Emancipation Proclamation of 1865 and for another 100 years, African Americans were subjected to Jim Crow laws of which they were not seen as legally equal until 1965. Initially, reparations were to be paid by giving freed slaves 40 acres of land and a mule, but the bill was vetoed by President Andrew Johnson in 1869 after having passed in Congress. However, the issue was far from being put to rest...

Suddenly, Bildermann sounds like the kind of person/conqueror/colonist who also thinks the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki aren't due any special consideration either. Please, keep your white racist attitudes confined to America (where they flourish), don't export them to Japan.

Furthermore, what is so absolutely atrocious about Katta's comment is that he wildly states that bigotry is more practiced in the US than Japan. Excuse me, playa, but if you are black in Japan and running around to places like Club Harlem methinks the kettle is literally calling the kettle black. You, after all, have no problem when some 18/19 hip hop wannabe little girl wants to get to know you because you're black right? No, of course not. Well, did you ever stop to think that is your race that is helping you and that if you were Chinese or Korean or Southeast Asian that the girl smiling at you wouldn't give you the time of day. Please, Katta, get a grip. Japan is one of the most racially preoccupied country's going. Thanks for the laugh.

[wreddock]

Jim Katta. You assume so much and obviously know so little. I agree with everything Steve and the others wrote. What Steve wrote was succinct and to the point.

You're just pissed because he hit you where it hurt and now you're trying on the tired old 'whitey is a bigot' guilt trip thing that when out about 10 years ago.

The Japan Times thing was bullshit and obviously written to fill up space and justify whatever salary Eric gets. Take off you're 'poor old black me' glasses and read it again.

There are plenty more forums that will listen to your whiney ass but FG isn't one of them. Nobody cares about how hurt you're feeling are. Grow up or just get lost. In fact forget the grow up, just get lost.

[jim katta]

Gaisaradatsuraku,
Wow, where to begin. First, why are you upping the racial talk by referring to white people as "honky" and "whitey"? Those words are just as offensive to me as any other racial slurs.

Second, there are so many things in your posts that give voice to your inherent racism, it would take too long to elucidate them all. I'll just name a few.

1) I'm not from Brooklyn. or "Crooklyn" for that matter. Sorry to bust your ghetto stereotype bubble.

2)

Thank God the Japanese don't know anything about it. It would imply that they have some reason to understand indolence, drug abuse, wanton lawlessness and disease.

Yeah, I guess that "is" all african-american culture is about after all, isn't it?

3)

It is indeed ironic that the most violent cities in America tend to be named after Martin Luther King.

Well, at least we know you get your african-american history from The Chris Rock Show. What a scholar.

4)

What next? Are you going to claim that you were brought there against your will? Were you put on a ship and hauled over there? No, and furthermore, you weren't put on a ship and hauled anywhere. It's called responsibility and self-determination and is what separates the achievers from the parasites.

Now you are just chanting the hard right Republican rant, these notions have nothing to do with anything anyone has posted. Your true colors are showing, the hood has been removed.

5)

Excuse me, playa, but if you are black in Japan and running around to places like Club Harlem methinks the kettle is literally calling the kettle black.

"Playa"? Do you speak English, or is this just Tarzan's attempt to "talk in the language of the jungle animals"? As for running around to clubs, I actually prefer a good English pub and a pint of Guinness; Club Harlem was a one time thing. As for violence, between you and I, I think anyone reading these posts can easily surmise that "you" have a far more violent disposition than I do. I suspect you've had nothing but bad dealings with brown skinned people (regardless of their specific race), hence your violent attitude. Relax, you ivory tower is safe and secure. The brown people are not coming to get you, Japan is still safe for you.

wreddock,
You sound really defensive for some strange reason. It turns out that most of my friends are white, so your phrase 'whitey is a bigot' is not something that would ever enter my mind. In fact, your racial term 'whitey' is offensive and hints at a passion/anger regarding race relations you probably haven't come to grips with. One may make a singular observation without indicting an entire race.

wreddock said:

Take off you're 'poor old black me' glasses...

Yeah, my white friends hate it when I get out the trusty old 'poor old black me' glasses, they just stand out so much and clash so harshly with my 'can't wait for my welfare' check jogging suit.

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

Wow, where to begin. First, why are you upping the racial talk by referring to white people as "honky" and "whitey"? Those words are just as offensive to me as any other racial slurs.

Second, there are so many things in your posts that give voice to your inherent racism, it would take too long to elucidate them all. I'll just name a few.

1) I'm not from Brooklyn. or "Crooklyn" for that matter. Sorry to bust your ghetto stereotype bubble.

then you are a fucking liar. In your other wonderful postings to our forum you said you were from Brooklyn. Also, I saw your post to my "Eat Shit and Die" thread and you stated you have been posting for years on this forum. No, this forum has been around for one year you lying sack of bigotry.

2)

Thank God the Japanese don't know anything about it. It would imply that they have some reason to understand indolence, drug abuse, wanton lawlessness and disease.

Yeah, I guess that "is" all african-american culture is about after all, isn't it?

Well, why don't ya elufudate fo me? Or, in the words of Al Sharpton, "would that be a canard?"

3)

It is indeed ironic that the most violent cities in America tend to be named after Martin Luther King.

Well, at least we know you get your african-american history from The Chris Rock Show. What a scholar.

Chris Rock is almost as good as my favorite Jewish comic, Colt Forty Feinberg.

4)

What next? Are you going to claim that you were brought there against your will? Were you put on a ship and hauled over there? No, and furthermore, you weren't put on a ship and hauled anywhere. It's called responsibility and self-determination and is what separates the achievers from the parasites.

Now you are just chanting the hard right Republican rant, these notions have nothing to do with anything anyone has posted. Your true colors are showing, the hood has been removed.

Kiss my ass. Wait let me get my Martin Luther King tapes on the TV so I can feel suitably guilty for all of my Black friends. Oh, yeah, now I know what I am supposed to say. Yeah, it was a white only inspired tragedy. Do you feel better now?

5)

Excuse me, playa, but if you are black in Japan and running around to places like Club Harlem methinks the kettle is literally calling the kettle black.

"Playa"? Do you speak English, or is this just Tarzan's attempt to "talk in the language of the jungle animals"? As for running around to clubs, I actually prefer a good English pub and a pint of Guinness]

Well, maybe my violence has something to do with having so many black friends. Say aren't you the bigot who has the Black Tokyo site? But I am glad you enjoy a guiness and like to live up to the stereotype of educated negro. Well done, sir. Actually, most of my best friends have been non-white. In fact, my closest human connections have been forged with non-whites. How about you. Got any honkey friends you feel close too. Do they commiserate with you about all the injustices we have committed.

PS: Thanks for not responding to my comment about the reverse discrimination that you ENJOY in Japan. It was quite revealing.

[ramchop]

In America, hip-hop is -- or at least until its consumerization was -- a bold social statement.

So why should the Japanese have a deeper understanding, when people with similar fashion statements in America currently don't?

Japan has a huge history and culture, yet the Japanese youth who latch onto the latest fashion trend should be compelled to understand the origins of the fashion?

I'm sure if the reporter asked the youths questions about their own history and culture they might again be sadly lacking in their answers. I find this to be a much greater tragedy.

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

In America, hip-hop is -- or at least until its consumerization was -- a bold social statement.

So why should the Japanese have a deeper understanding, when people with similar fashion statements in America currently don't?

Japan has a huge history and culture, yet the Japanese youth who latch onto the latest fashion trend should be compelled to understand the origins of the fashion?

I'm sure if the reporter asked the youths questions about their own history and culture they might again be sadly lacking in their answers. I find this to be a much greater tragedy.

furthermore, what about those NBA morons with Chinese characters tatooed up and down their arms and necks. Don't they realize how fucking bizarre that looks to a native. It tends to be blacks who do this so why don't Jim Katta and the Japan Times investigate. No, I forgot, only whites are bigots. Hence, no need to investigate (frankly, nobody gives a fuck and that story should never have graced the pages of the Japan Times for similar reaons - i.e.,. it is idiotic).

[jim katta]

Again, whatever posts you are referring to, I'm not from Brooklyn. Sorry to burst your racial stereotype bubble yet again. Such an angry young man.

As for FG being around for only one year, then this proves you are a newbie here, which is probably why you are being so verbally violent. FG "has" been around for more than a year, ask around, oh clueless one.

Just like I don't live in Brooklyn, I don't own or post to a "Black Tokyo site". Again, your stereotypes and assumptions achieve new heights of ignorance. I'm sure you are a "pleasure" to be around once you really get going. Forget "non-white" friends, with your violent attitude I'm pretty sure you don't have many friends of any race.

Finally, the crowning glory of your racist tripe:

Gaisaradatsuraku said, "Well, maybe my violence has something to do with having so many black friends"

Naw, I don't think that's it. It's just you. The violent, angry, race baiting demeanor, that is.

[Dana Weider]

Yeah, my white friends hate it when I get out the trusty old 'poor old black me' glasses, they just stand out so much and clash so harshly with my 'can't wait for my welfare' check jogging suit.

Guess you found out why they call this place the end of the line for gaijin in Japan Jim. Sorry to say but you're coming off like a real cry-baby. If you've read any of Steve's other posts you'll know he is one of the funniest and best contributors to fg. I met him last year and take my word he's a stand up guy who can teach us all a lot about getting along in ol Nippon.

[jim katta]

ramchop said,

So why should the Japanese have a deeper understanding, when people with similar fashion statements in America currently don't?

As I alluded to in my original post, I think you're basically right, wearing a particular fashion doesn't mean you should then study the history of the culture it came from. I was disagreeing with Steve B.'s broad dismissal of the writer even "raising the question" of japanese kids that are into hip hop clothing styles being educated about the culture. I thought the writer's question wasn't as "ridiculous" as Steve's post seemed to suggest. But again, as I said before, I find that the writer is off the mark and that many japanese kids who wear hip hop styles happen to know a lot about the culture. I think the writer didn't dig deep enough. That said, I don't think knowing the cultural history of a particular fashion style is a prerequisite to wearing the clothes. Hell, I wear a yukata, and I definitely couldn't name more than a couple of japanese shoguns or emperors.

[wreddock]

That said, I don't think knowing the cultural history of a particular fashion style is a prerequisite to wearing the clothes. Hell, I wear a yukata, and I definitely couldn't name more than a couple of japanese shoguns or emperors.

So actually Steve was right! Gee Jim Katta you sure know how to make friends quick.

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

Again, whatever posts you are referring to, I'm not from Brooklyn. Sorry to burst your racial stereotype bubble yet again. Such an angry young man.

Sorry, I must have mixed you up with that other black dude from Brooklyn. Yeah, there are only a handful. Silly me.

As for FG being around for only one year, then this proves you are a newbie here, which is probably why you are being so verbally violent. FG "has" been around for more than a year, ask around, oh clueless one.

Okay, Ultra. How long has this forum been up?

Just like I don't live in Brooklyn, I don't own or post to a "Black Tokyo site". Again, your stereotypes and assumptions achieve new heights of ignorance. I'm sure you are a "pleasure" to be around once you really get going. Forget "non-white" friends, with your violent attitude I'm pretty sure you don't have many friends of any race.

However many friends I have they are more honest than yours undoubtedly. As you may have noticed I don't suffer fools well and you are one of the more obnoxious foolish posters to show up here. Imagine that Bilderman even thinking that he could question a black reporter about things that whites deal with everyday. The nerve of that guy.

Finally, the crowning glory of your racist tripe:

Gaisaradatsuraku said, "Well, maybe my violence has something to do with having so many black friends"

Naw, I don't think that's it. It's just you. The violent, angry, race baiting demeanor, that is.

[/quote]

The crowning glory of your own massive, public educated funded, bigotry is your even thinking that you could call a reasonable question stated in a reasonable way, rascist. You are a bigot that would put any KKK member to shame. Next time go hug a white person. We're not all bad. Also thanks again for not responding to the reverse discrimination comment. I am sure that your black pride will never allow you to deal with anyone who would talk to you JUST because you are black. Well done again sure. You are truly a man of honor. Keep living up to those high ideals!

[GomiGirl]

This thread was only started so that the troll could cause trouble for his own purile purposes....

"Some of my best friends are *trolls* too!!"

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

This thread was only started so that the troll could cause trouble for his own purile purposes....

"Some of my best friends are *trolls* too!!"

You aren't one of those black Australians are you? As you know I am a terrible bigot and unless you are pearly white I am not going to continue casting my many pearls of wisdom in your general direction.

[GomiGirl]

As you may have noticed I don't suffer fools well

How do you live with yourself???

[jim katta]

Dana said,

If you've read any of Steve's other posts you'll know he is one of the funniest and best contributors to fg.

I happen to agree with you on this. Over time I've come to trust and respect his posts/opinions. Which is why his recent post struck me as so off his usual balanced/tolerant tone. I think, because everyone knows Steve and his situation, there is a rush to defend him passionately on this site in the wake of my harsh critique of his post. I understand that. If his post had been an objective, non-inflammatory post about the story, I would have just posted an opinion without a direct critique on Steve B. But...

Steve wrote,

Silly article, pretending to be social commentary on Japan but actually racial discrimination by a black guy with a chip on his shoulder.

When you post such a strong statement, and don't really back it up, you can expect strong feedback. I also find it funny that gradually, responders here are attempting to align "my position" with the views detailed in Eric Prideaux's article. That's intellectually lazy. He made his arguments in "his" article, many of which I do not agree with. My thoughts/opinions stand on their own in these posts. No mud slings of "crooklyn" or "poor old black me" or even "cry baby" will compel me to lower myself to an unintelligent discourse on this matter. If you don't like what I have to say, that's fine. But an intelligent rebuttal goes much further than juvenile quips riddled with "playa" "brudda" and racist terms like "honky" "whitey" etc.

Dana, if you really think I'm so off the mark, then tell me, why is one of FG's most high profile posters using all these racist "honky" "whitey" terms?

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

ramchop said,

So why should the Japanese have a deeper understanding, when people with similar fashion statements in America currently don't?

As I alluded to in my original post, I think you're basically right, wearing a particular fashion doesn't mean you should then study the history of the culture it came from. I was disagreeing with Steve B.'s broad dismissal of the writer even "raising the question" of japanese kids that are into hip hop clothing styles being educated about the culture. I thought the writer's question wasn't as "ridiculous" as Steve's post seemed to suggest. But again, as I said before, I find that the writer is off the mark and that many japanese kids who wear hip hop styles happen to know a lot about the culture. I think the writer didn't dig deep enough. That said, I don't think knowing the cultural history of a particular fashion style is a prerequisite to wearing the clothes. Hell, I wear a yukata, and I definitely couldn't name more than a couple of japanese shoguns or emperors.

Yeah, know how you feel. I am always so disappointed with the kids in Japan when they can't engage in any discouse about the black man's plight. Yeah, I know, once in awhile one of the kids makes me feel good when he knows something about how slave masters raped slaves. Yeah, then I know that he is part of the bond of dark skinned folks who understand that the white man is the devil. I also just take it for granted that they won't even think about the daily crimes committed by blacks against whites, or by blacks upon other blacks or the fact that the white slave traders bought their slaves from, EEK, blackmen. I am doubly impressed when the kids show no knowledge about modern day slavery of black men by other black men in Africa. I know then that they have suitably brainwashed into just ignoring these issues.

I am also glad that they don't consider how it has been the white European world that is far more integrated and progressive on racial issues than the continent of Africa or any nation in Asia with perhaps the exception of the city state of Singapore. Much better to perpetuate the myth that the white man is the devil and ignore the fact that so many whites died in the civil war to free the black man. Yes, I like when they know mostly about Malcolm X and his Plymouth Rock fell on me speech. Because, you know, the blacks that remained in Africa have it so much better off and live in the splendor of their native land (except when that devilish white man comes into plunder it like always!_)

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

As you may have noticed I don't suffer fools well

How do you live with yourself???

Why aren't I on your ignore button?

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

No mud slings of "crooklyn" or "poor old black me" or even "cry baby" will compel me to lower myself to an unintelligent discourse on this matter.

Yo, yo, yo. I'm the one representin' Crooklyn you pretender. I wear dem colors wid puride!

If you don't like what I have to say, that's fine. But an intelligent rebuttal goes much further than juvenile quips riddled with "playa" "brudda" and racist terms like "honky" "whitey" etc.

Dude, I'll be honest with you. I tried to give your post a chance but it was the same old cry me a river one sided bullshit. That's all dude. Your post, not Bildy's, was the non-thinking one.

Dana, if you really think I'm so off the mark, then tell me, why is one of FG's most high profile posters using all these racist "honky" "whitey" terms?

OOOhhh, I be high profile!!! Lordy be!

[Gaisaradatsuraku!]

Furthermore, Forty Acres and a Mule Thinking is a perfect title for this thread. It is a way to express the view that the Japan Times reporter clearly has an entitlement mentality. If you're wearing black clothes you must know black culture. And, if you know Black Culture you must agree with my view of Black Culture.

Knowledge of Colt Forty Feinberg's view from DeKalb does not cut it. No blunts or ho's in the world of Malcolm X.

Ironic for an ex pimp. Must have been the white blood in him that sent him down the pimping road.

[jim katta]

Gaisaradatsuraku said,

Much better to perpetuate the myth that the white man is the devil...

Uhm, no, that's just "you" perpetuating that myth. Nice try though. Instead of coming up with intelligent responses, just throw as many racial stereotypes and inflammatory comments out there as you can and see if you can draw out some racial flame war comments from the other side. Interesting, and very old, strategy. Very lame though.

Despite your expert use of Ebonics, I don't believe you are from Crooklyn. I think you must be that "Josh" GhettoCitiesClothing guy they threw off the board a while back. Welcome back enlightened one. Now I know why you got your back up so much about my post, I really tore you a new one back when you where just a guest, huh? Ha, ha, cheers good buddy! Gotcha!