He's diving at another swimmer.
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"Super racist" pool safety poster prompts Red Cross apology
- Thread starter Guevara
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He's diving at another swimmer.
TheOohChild
Member
People are really going to bat for some shitty poster? The messaging on the poster is confusing, and the art is pretty unfortunate.
That real racism you are talking about doesn't happen out of nowhere though. A poster, a tv show or a song may also subconciously strenghten the idea/feeling in one's mind.
These topics always serve to remind me that so many privileged people only see racism as purely black and white. That is to say, either something is overtly over the top, old Warner Bros. Cartoons racism, or it's not racism at all.
There is literally no middle ground and variances of racism. It's not racist if you aren't overtly being called something racist. And that's fucking silly and untrue.
Here's a brief history lesson about racism in America:
Racism in this country used to be overt. Like, burning crosses on the front porches of black homes, or hanging black men from trees, or putting Asian Immigrants in "internment camps."
Eventually, blacks and other minorities got tired of being treated like fucking shit, and fought for their rights as citizens of the United States, and, reluctantly, the white majority acquiesced. Key word being "reluctantly."
The Civil Rights movement never actually ended. It just reached a point where black people and other minorities had to cut their losses and take what they could get. Not getting lynched, being allowed to attend the same schools as white people, and being allowed to look at a white woman or man with the intent to get to "know them" if you catch my drift, was pretty much a win for us.
The thing is, the bigots and racists of America didn't just vanish come 1975. Most of them held fucking grudges, and continued to treat minorities like third class citizens whenever the opportunity arose. Some of them even got into the business of being in command of legislation that intentionally targets minorities in ways to limit their upward mobility, from the Drug War, to Racial Profiling, and legislation that even attempts to curb minorities rights to vote.
The point I'm trying to make is that racism mostly went underground. Racists were no longer able to just call someone a "nigger" or a "spic" or a "chink," and have everyone just nod in agreement and smile. That infuriates racists. The fact that they can no longer spout their ignorance and hatred, and have people pat them on the back and call them a "good ol' boy." Obviously, not everyone in this country is racist, but there are quite a few million non-minorities in this country that are benefiting from the racism of their forefathers. Benefiting from institutional racism that continues to marginalize and oppress minorities in this country.
So sure, a poster like this may not mean much to someone who's never had to walk on egg shells because of the color of their skin. It may not mean much to someone who's never had to justify why they were walking down the street at a certain time of night, or had to explain "where they're REALLY from," or every time you turn on the television, you see someone like Donald Trump frothy mouthed raving about how much you don't belong in this country, because you're an animal and inhuman. Imagine growing up in a country that actively hates you. That's all you can do, is imagine, while millions of us live with the reality every fucking day.
So yeah, a fucking poster that is endemic of the racial biases prevalent in this country is something worthy of discussion, even if it's not something you, in your privileged bubble, find comfortable to hear. Welcome to the real world. It's full of assholes. Just be happy you were born one of the lucky ones that don't have to consider other people's perspectives on things like a Red Cross poster because your people have never been considered less than civil. Less than trustworthy. Less than human. Lucky you. The rest of us will continue to try and change things. Not to bring you down into the shit that we wallow in daily, but to elevate our own worth as human beings living in this country. Just because we aren't swinging from trees anymore doesn't mean that America is a welcoming place for blacks and other minorities.
And maybe, just maybe, the marginalized groups that bring up these topics know just a little bit more about living in a marginalized group than the privileged majority. Just saying.
There is literally no middle ground and variances of racism. It's not racist if you aren't overtly being called something racist. And that's fucking silly and untrue.
Here's a brief history lesson about racism in America:
Racism in this country used to be overt. Like, burning crosses on the front porches of black homes, or hanging black men from trees, or putting Asian Immigrants in "internment camps."
Eventually, blacks and other minorities got tired of being treated like fucking shit, and fought for their rights as citizens of the United States, and, reluctantly, the white majority acquiesced. Key word being "reluctantly."
The Civil Rights movement never actually ended. It just reached a point where black people and other minorities had to cut their losses and take what they could get. Not getting lynched, being allowed to attend the same schools as white people, and being allowed to look at a white woman or man with the intent to get to "know them" if you catch my drift, was pretty much a win for us.
The thing is, the bigots and racists of America didn't just vanish come 1975. Most of them held fucking grudges, and continued to treat minorities like third class citizens whenever the opportunity arose. Some of them even got into the business of being in command of legislation that intentionally targets minorities in ways to limit their upward mobility, from the Drug War, to Racial Profiling, and legislation that even attempts to curb minorities rights to vote.
The point I'm trying to make is that racism mostly went underground. Racists were no longer able to just call someone a "nigger" or a "spic" or a "chink," and have everyone just nod in agreement and smile. That infuriates racists. The fact that they can no longer spout their ignorance and hatred, and have people pat them on the back and call them a "good ol' boy." Obviously, not everyone in this country is racist, but there are quite a few million non-minorities in this country that are benefiting from the racism of their forefathers. Benefiting from institutional racism that continues to marginalize and oppress minorities in this country.
So sure, a poster like this may not mean much to someone who's never had to walk on egg shells because of the color of their skin. It may not mean much to someone who's never had to justify why they were walking down the street at a certain time of night, or had to explain "where they're REALLY from," or every time you turn on the television, you see someone like Donald Trump frothy mouthed raving about how much you don't belong in this country, because you're an animal and inhuman. Imagine growing up in a country that actively hates you. That's all you can do, is imagine, while millions of us live with the reality every fucking day.
So yeah, a fucking poster that is endemic of the racial biases prevalent in this country is something worthy of discussion, even if it's not something you, in your privileged bubble, find comfortable to hear. Welcome to the real world. It's full of assholes. Just be happy you were born one of the lucky ones that don't have to consider other people's perspectives on things like a Red Cross poster because your people have never been considered less than civil. Less than trustworthy. Less than human. Lucky you. The rest of us will continue to try and change things. Not to bring you down into the shit that we wallow in daily, but to elevate our own worth as human beings living in this country. Just because we aren't swinging from trees anymore doesn't mean that America is a welcoming place for blacks and other minorities.
And maybe, just maybe, the marginalized groups that bring up these topics know just a little bit more about living in a marginalized group than the privileged majority. Just saying.
Gallant is a douchebag.
Barrel Cannon
Member
O lol I'm just saying they should expect the backlash. I actually believe there was no mal-intent but given how vocal people are these days about racial topics I feel like they should have just been more careful when making the sign
Trigonometrize.
Member
You remind me of a younger me that thought it didn't matter that in Mario Kart 8 there's little diversity because it's "just Mario Kart 8." Hopefully you'll come to realize that being "just a poster" makes no difference.It's even a poster designed for kids who don't have as sharp of feelers for subtle racism.
Mango The Magician
Banned
Not Cool
-diving into the pool while someone is right in front of you in the water.
-running around the pool.
-bringing liquids from outside the pool into the pool, especially if they're in a glass container.
-Pushing people into the pool.
-Dunking someone.
Cool
-waiting for people to move before diving into the pool.
-helping support others who can't swim well.
...How is this complicated?
-diving into the pool while someone is right in front of you in the water.
-running around the pool.
-bringing liquids from outside the pool into the pool, especially if they're in a glass container.
-Pushing people into the pool.
-Dunking someone.
Cool
-waiting for people to move before diving into the pool.
-helping support others who can't swim well.
...How is this complicated?
Christopher
BDE (Big Dad Energy)
Reaching for the fucking stars now
Zoe
Member
You're allowed to dive, but you're supposed to wait until the previous person gets to the ladder first.
Rabbi_Vole
Banned
I'm confused. What makes cool not cool beer guy Asian?
Trigonometrize.
Member
Which stars? My point wasn't even that outlandish. I doubt this poster was even intentionally racist and it's not the worst thing in the world either. Being "just a poster" is not excuse was my only point.
What is most dissapoinnting to me, is that the Red Cross, is spending assets on swimming pool safety tips.
I have always thought of them as a great place to contribute charity money. Really my go to when it comes to charity. I did not know that safety tips at public swimming pools was a part of their agenda.
I have always thought of them as a great place to contribute charity money. Really my go to when it comes to charity. I did not know that safety tips at public swimming pools was a part of their agenda.
HawksWinStanley
Member
I think they're giving him shit for having a glass bottle by the pool.
Zoe
Member
They usually run the swimming lesson programs for cities. It's almost entirely volunteer based.
BlackGhost
Banned
For those that care, actually just check my email and got a apologie addressed to volunteers
Lol this gaffer is always in threads to remind people there is no racism.
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