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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

It seems like I'm not doing much blogging lately and when I do it's usually about something that has pissed me off.


Today's rant is brought to you by this bumper sticker.


Who would put this on their car??
Are we going backwards in race relations?
Hell, I'm not black and I'm offended.
How is this supposed to be taken?

According to Paula Smith the owner of the site where you could (I say could because she's taken it off the site) purchase this says it's not racist. Smith says, "I do find it amazing and entertaining that one of our stickers has become a racist thing". She goes on to say that, "Obama's not even black but rather a mixture of race". Who cares! You've inferred the word nigger. Of course it's just a word but one that has polarized people in this country. Just the sound of it isn't nice. Growing up I don't think I ever heard that word uttered in our house. Today if someone of another race uses that word all hell breaks loose but here in lies the problem; many black people use it in their vernacular when speaking to each other. That word will never die until it's taboo for everyone. I don't get how it's okay for blacks to call each other that.

But back to Ms Smith.

Does she think we're all stupid and buy into her cry of "it's not racist"? First of all if she meant to use the word renege she would have spelled it the right way. Dictionary.com defines the word renege as to go back on one's word: He has reneged on his promise.

Webster's defines it as: to go back on a promise or commitment

What other way could she have meant this bumper sticker to mean by spelling it re-nig? Honestly who would find this acceptable? Uneducated red necks? Or maybe the far right AM radio talk show hosts? Now in defense of Ms. Smith I don't know if she created the bumper sticker or just decided to sell it on her site but I can't help but feel by doing so puts her view out there. I guess never argue with an idiot; they'll win by experience.

I swear sometimes civilization as we know it is crumbling. People need to get along, treat each other with due respect and realize that unless you come from a galaxy far, far away, we're all one race; the Human Race.

I agree with the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights:

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I wish people everywhere had this freedom, we're very lucky in this country.

But just because you have the freedom to say something doesn't always mean you should say it.

Stay classy Paula Smith.

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