TheGeniusArcana
Member
Like yeah it super is, but I can't tell if they're cool with that or not...
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"Racism is as American as Baseball" -
- Thread starter FallingEdge
- Start date
Whompa02
Member
Can you explain the meaning to this? Little lost here tbh
17 Seconds
Banned
i don't see how the message is unclear at all
It's anti racism. Real racists are, bafflingly enough, terrified of the "R" word. They don't call themselves racists, they use candy coded sugar words and constantly ask how the explicitly racist thing they believe is racist. Racists are too cowardly to own up to how vile they are usually.
There's racism everywhere, of course.
I live in Oregon and I see people with trucks that fly a Confederate flag out the back, Trump bumper stickers, don't tread on me, et cetera.
What other possible reason for waving a Confederate flag around would there be, in a state that's nowhere near where the Confederacy actually was? Southern pride, in a northwest coast state?
EDIT: Also, Boston has a unique history with it, yes.
17 Seconds
Banned
wooooooosh
it's a statement. you just read it and realise shit is fucked up.
exactly, even if its pro-racism, it's still fucking true. If it's anti-racism, it's still fucking true.
Skellig Gra
Member
I don't think anyone is arguing the truthfulness of the message.
You really think a racist person is going to look at that sign and get the same message you did? I'd bet they'd see it as something that bolsters their beliefs as xenophobic, racist*, hyper-nationalists.
Lazy vs Crazy
Member
We are talking about it so it seems like it worked.
A lot of people like to pretend some of the recent stuff is a minor fringe movement, or a new thing. I've seen a lot of "right thinking" people express shock that stuff like Charlottesville could happen here and now.
To this, many POC and other activists have pointed out that racism has always been here, entwined in American culture, and though it might not have been on the surface as much until recently, that doesn't mean it didn't exist.
Hence the slogan - think of it as "racism is an American tradition" - essentially saying it's not new, it shouldn't be surprising, and we need to deal with it as an integral part of our society that needs to be reformed, not a fringe group we can ignore and they'll go away.
Whompa02
Member
I can see that but I'm just asking for the meaning, or intended meaning, behind it.
I just don't get the comparison being made in the statement.
Thank you. I assumed that's where it was coming from, but connecting it to the term, "American" really doesn't make sense within the context. It just seems like it's worded poorly.
I totally agree that racism is terrible and prevalent in America, but saying it's American, is kinda dumb.
fredrancour
Member
In hindsight I guess this is less ambiguous than I thought.
"Just as baseball is considered a fundamental part of American culture, racism has been part of the country for its whole existence. Trump isn't novel."
Nearly zero racists own up to the r-word because they don't view their hate as unjustified.
"Just as baseball is considered a fundamental part of American culture, racism has been part of the country for its whole existence. Trump isn't novel."
All I'm saying is I don't get racist. Big reason I don't get my father.
Both are American pastimes, both are intertwined in American culture.
Forcing people to confront their own racism is one of the most difficult tasks facing anyone interested in civil rights.
People will go to the ends of the earth to deny their own racism. It's so ingrained in this country and so insidious that people have built up their entire world view to obstruct it and also obstruct progress.
Admitting we have a problem would go a far way to realizing some sort of success.
Skellig Gra
Member
You guys are very sure of yourselves but you don't know these people who displayed the banner. You can say that all racists hate being labeled as such but I haven't found that to be true in many cases. There are plenty of hardcore racists who wear that label proudly because they firmly believe in white supremacy.
Having said that, the popular interpretation in this thread could easily be true as well. It was boo'ed at the game and he police were called so I'm not sure that aligns with the popular theory.
Having said that, the popular interpretation in this thread could easily be true as well. It was boo'ed at the game and he police were called so I'm not sure that aligns with the popular theory.
it also implies that it doesn't matter which way the individuals swing. The idea is now out there, plainly stated during america's favorite (former) past time.
Exactly, racism is not a topic relevant to racists. What value would a statement like this even hold to a racist?
Skellig Gra
Member
The oldest sport ever some would say.
I'm guessing you've never been to Fenway Park
Whompa02
Member
Thanks for the responses. Makes sense, sorta.
Saying racism is an American pastime doesn't make their message seem so...great? Or rather, doesn't sound like they're trying to say the right thing.
It sounds like they're enjoying a baseball game, telling the world that they're racists lol...
Saying racism is an American pastime doesn't make their message seem so...great? Or rather, doesn't sound like they're trying to say the right thing.
It sounds like they're enjoying a baseball game, telling the world that they're racists lol...
XiaNaphryz
LATIN, MATRIPEDICABUS, DO YOU SPEAK IT
To be clear, the police (or security) would be called and they'd be removed no matter what. You can't hang signs there, no matter how true they are.
As for the boos, people could be misinterpreting it or it could just be that the average baseball game crowd doesn't really like criticisms of America during their entertainment.
I mean, I could be wrong here, but I'm 95% confident this is anti-racist.
It's not a positive message. It's a "take a hard look at the society you live in and it's history" message. It's not something a lot of people are going to like to see.
To the people that have had a hard time parsing this:
http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2017/09/sign_reading_racism_is_as_amer.html
Kitsunebaby
Member
Yes, I most certainly have.
I'm quite sure this was anti racist, but it's bothering me how many of you don't realize there are a plethora of shameless, self-aware racists out there.
Oregon probably has the shittiest history of any state (outside of the old Confederate states) in the union as far as racism goes.
Skellig Gra
Member
I have actually, many times. My point remains that it's not as clear as people want to make it out to be until we hear from the people behind it.
Vinsanity.
Member
Im just trying to figure out how they got a banner that big into the stadium? I mean, even if the banner just said Lets Go Sox! - I would think they wouldnt let you roll in with a 25 x 15 banner...
I hope you're joking.
Skellig Gra
Member
I could be wrong too. Your interpretation is completely valid but I'm not willing to bet anything on which is correct.
Fenway's a pretty old park with a lot of weird entryways. I've known people to sneak through a lot of random shit (mostly booze, of course).
This should help confirm that it was anti-racism.
https://twitter.com/PeteAbe/status/908146979636744193
Edit: oh jeez, beaten by like 8 posts.
https://twitter.com/PeteAbe/status/908146979636744193
Edit: oh jeez, beaten by like 8 posts.
Oregon was planned as a White Utopia where it was illegal to be free and black inside it's borders.
Whompa02
Member
It's supposed to be anti-racist but it's so poorly articulated that I could totally see the miscommunication.
Also yeah to the edit, I can definitely see people being upset. Or so comfortable in their ways that they dismiss the messaging.
Not at all sometimes subtley goes along way. Non violent peaceful statement that is hard to just brush off.
Not really. America's core building blocks in its founding ARE racism/slavery/etc. Racism has been there from the start and is still here today.
Assumed the worst when I saw Red Sox and racism, especially coming of the Jones story earlier in the year. Pleasantly surprised to see that it was some protestors displaying a truth.
I was a bit uncertain about the intentions of the statement, but it seems pretty clearly to be anti racism to me now.
I was a bit uncertain about the intentions of the statement, but it seems pretty clearly to be anti racism to me now.
shnurgleton
Member
American slavery predates baseball
DontBeThatGuy
Member
What? No.
It's a statement about America being racist to it's very core. A side has very much been chosen.
Massive Duck. C.M.
Banned
good catch
It's funny because I saw it, pointed it out to my wife and we both immediately assumed it was anti-racist. Maybe it's because I've seen similar sentiments a lot the past year or so?
Obviously, though, it was not as clear as the creators intended. A lot of people are misinterpreting it.
Dreams-Visions
Member
True, true.
Skellig Gra
Member
I see it now. I'm not sure that's definitive though. Being inspired by BLM could mean they want to do a white version of it as well.