What is a Macaca? Is it a macaw (a colorful large parrot)? A macaque (monkeys from the genus Macaca)? Or as Virginia’s senator George Allen put it, a MOHAWK and/or a MULLET (particular hairstyles)?
Senator George Allen, who is a Republican (had to throw this in there), started out his speech at a Republican rally in southwest Virginia by saying that he was going to lead a constructive and positive campaign. He then turned to a Democrat, a UVA student who is of Indian descent but an American citizen, and referred to him as a “macaca” two times. Of course, his campaign said that he meant nothing racial by it, but was rather referring to his hairstyle which appears to be a mullet. Allen has also denied that it was a racial slur.
Dear Mr. Allen,
A mullet is not the same as a macaca. Anyone with half a brain would know this, so what does this say about you? I had my doubts about you when I heard you speak at the JMU graduation this year, but you just cleared them now. My conclusion: you are an idiot! We are in 21st-Century America, where we are hoping to eradicate racism (we all know it exists). You, being a Senator of Virginia, are a figurehead and represent the people of Virginia. I am sure many of us are now ashamed to know that you are representing us. Please don’t insult our intelligence by spinning a story of how you did not know what a macaca is and thought you were referring to his mohawk or mullet or any other hairstyle you can think of! We all know you were opposed to having a holiday for Martin Luther King Jr., and had a fondness for Confederate flags when you were younger (how you became a Senator is still beyond me). Do not stroke the flames of hatred and racism, Mr. Allen. Try to rise above it and do something useful for the society.
Sincerely,
A Macaca (I am of Indian descent as well.)
I am sure many will be seriously upset and disappointed if this clown wins again!
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I have to admit that I never heard of the word “macaca” until this whole Allen brouhaha popped up.
That said, I sincerely hope he loses. He is an extremely conservative Republican whose fundamentalist philosophy no longer aligns with Virginia’s rapidly-changing demographics. He represents the worst of the Republican Party.
He needs to lose so he can stop his delusions about running for President in 2008. President George Allen? Ha. Now that’d be even worse than our current president. I’d rather vote for the other presidential contender from Virginia (Mark Warner), even if his smile is larger than all of Loudoun County.
Well, since soon-to-be-fired Sen. Allen have used an insulting word, I’m pretty sure the DNC would use this videotape to smear his name for this year’s election and the Presidential Campaign if he ever dares to set his foot into the group of potential candidates for 2008 Presidential bid.
I never liked him at all.
I found this article interesting.
http://washingtontimes.com/met.....-4054r.htm
Our society at large get more politically correct everyday. At least, we ought to appreciate about someone speaking out from hir heart what is really on his mind.
“Following the wind” is really the dangerous precedent like people follow the wind what they are supposed to think.
I am kinda enlighted at Allen’s misfumblings with the use of word what he really was not intentionally using it as a racial slur. I am not trying to excuse his behavior. Everyone have a Freudian slip.
No question about George Allen being a cocky a–h—e by hurling “put down” ethipets at someone foreigner in front of mass crowd at expense of someone.
Republicans are not the only ones with racial insensitivity. William Donald Schaefer, the former successful state governor of Maryland and excellent state comptroller, also have been guilty of racial slurs and inapproiate remarks.
We ought to be blessed that we would know what someone REALLY think! Or we never will know how and what others think.
I once was dumbfounded when someone said “N”. Ever this person was speaking about his fellow racial group. I asked him why he used that etpithet. I understood what he really meant. I jokingly asked if I could use “N” to describe his own race. Why not!
I could say “white trash”. Ever the African-Americans say such words - “white trash” or “cracker” without raising such fuss. How hyprocritical of society at large!
I also urge you, all to read the “Language of the Oppression” nonfiction book how people use language to describe and control such the particular group.
Many deaf people are guilty of reverse discrimination against hearies and get away with them.
Why can’t we simply see everyone as a different individual and not put them in the same “sardine” can.
Deaf people in general tend to describe someone according to hir racial identification - “You know that black deaf guy with Afro hair??” and body description - “You know the fatty one??” Are we really practicing racism and lookism or what?
Of course, we ought to use someone’s name, instead of describing them visually. Everyone have hir own name. Not everyone deaf could remember the name of that particular individual until visual description.
Anyone went to the mixed-race schools or live in the mixed-race neighborhoods tend to use more racial epthitets than others in their non-racially balanced society.
I was once called “whitey” by deaf grassroot African American. I suddenly turned to this person - “HEY, I never call you anything. Understand?” In the end, deaf grassroot African Americans from that area, respect me all the way.
Several deaf people and I discussed openly why black or gay people could say “Black Pride” or “Gay Pride”, not white people or hetro people. Why???
Every racial and ethnic group marginalize other groups differently. Is that part of empowerment or systematic discrimination and prejudice?
One hearing college professor himself asked me if he could tell me the offensive joke about deaf people. I said “Sure thing, go ahead!” He told me his joke which I already seen it before. The college professor laughed so hard. I kinda grinned. I replied “Why not?” Not everyone deaf do that kind of stuff. Whose fault? The society at large!
Many deaf people went to the residential school of the deaf which they were systematically taken care of. That’s how we accustomed to “freebies” and anything on the silver platter.
The people at the residential schools of the deaf and parents of deaf youngsters usually fail to educate their own students and offsprings about the reality of life itself.
No one slur at the celebrities for taking in free goodies at many special events. They can afford the given stuff. Why pigeonhole deaf people like that?
This hearing college professor is no better himself which he cunningly persuade me not to eat too much macadamia nuts from my friend’s packaged bag. He end up eating all the nuts. *stratch my head* How hyprocritical of hearing people making such assumption about us, deaf people without finding out WHY and HOW.
George Allen did size up Sidarath before calling him that so-called racial slur.
Bill Clinton have been guilty of ra
I meant to say that Bill Clinton called Mario Cumo “mafiso” in his private talks and apologized later. Why Democrats and Republicans are treated differently come to the use of racial slurs?
We are no better than ourselves when come to the racial preference.
My former college roomate once called me “racist” because I never have sex with the African American. So I couldn’t argued with him about his views on African Americans which he grew up with them in the Deep South.
I still laugh at George Jefferson from the “Jeffersons” 70-80s CBS-TV programming called the racially mixed couple - “zebra”. Not because of the slur itself. I just admire the creative use of animal symbol to describe people.
Too bad, the nowaday society could not engage in “Norman Lears” dialogues.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
So, let’s try it on for size: imagine he really didn’t know what he was saying, that he genuinely thought he was refering to a mullet.
If he’s not sure about a word, why use it? Will he be “that” sure about anything else he intends to do in office? Dumb.
Going back to the hairstyle defense: “Hey, Mullethead.” Okay, still a derogatory comment from a politician who’s supposed to be on his best behavior. Dumb.
Calling the only person of color present a nickname? Dumb.
There’s only so many layers of dumb before you realize there’s really nothing else there.
I’m so glad you’re letting us discuss this here, Swetha. But in the end of your letter, you write, “Try to rise above it and do something useful for the society.” I’m curious: other than resigning and becoming a hermit, what would you suggest he do at this point?
Discrimination, wow! Guess what everyone? you do it, I do it…it is very very rare if a person does not do it. For myself, yes I have judgements about people, but I refuse to let it change my behavior in the treatment of the person. I treat them just as I would wish to be treated. I have dealt with discrimination for as long as I can think…its horrible to think of how people have treated me as early as I can remember. Just imagine what that does to a 5 year old when they already see that who you are, DOES determine if you are treated with respect or as some idiot or circus freak. I have written poetry and rants about this…check it out at poetry.com and maybe it will give you a “Tool” on how to fix your bias. So everyone please understand that we are all different and just need to embrace our difference so that we may learn from each other. “NOW! NOW! EQUAL RIGHTS/PRIVLEDGES FOR ALL PEOPLE! INCLUDE ALL!, EXCLUDE NONE!
That would be really impossible for the society at large being the racially and ethnically and sexually equal.
We would be at the real mercy of Latino rules in next 20 years. We will became the minority ourselves - white people. Latinos in power would treat us like a piece of s…t
You ought to watch “Planet of the Apes” 60s classic film. You would undy the reverse societal control.
We would be demanded to speak Spanish or Chinese in the United States. Who knows?
RLM
One reader from the local newspaper - Fairfax County newspaper BLASTED the journalists for referring that particular county (VA) as “rednecks”.
I absolutely agree with this reader about such a wide stereotype about the rural areas within the Appachalian area to be “redneck”.
I raised in West Virginia. I was much different from other deaf West Virginians. Not all the deaf West Virginians being the redneck. The handful of those people dress pretty well for their limited income.
I often put up with “rednecks” comments when I mentioned of my West Virginia School of the Deaf. Many people told me - “You don’t look like a redneck!” Or “YOU WV (WVA) with eyebrow raised??” I used to mock myself - “You see that I am no hillbilly!”. I never seen any shacks in WV when I grew up.
Yes, the handful of deaf male WVSD students consumed the smokeless tobacco in their mouth. I found those habits to be replusive and unbelievable disgusting. I was frequently pressured to use smokeless tobacco - “SKOAL” brand. I never bent down myself to their demands. So I could be part of the “in groups”. Aha!
Some of them already lost their teeths ever oral cancer - jaw removal.
I also used to look down on deaf WVSD male students for wearing the baseball caps everywhere, ever in the classroom. I never wore baseball caps til later in life. Baseball caps became very common in the general public.
Not many people realize that the majority of West Virginians tend not to make a big deal out of racially offensive comments and go on with life. We probably laugh and wonder later what we did.
Many people pointed out that George Allen is a representative of all the people, then he should know better what to say.
I encountered the handful of people saying “I am really sorry that you are DEAF!”. I tried to be nice to those people, but they keep pushing the button. I resorted to the smart-aleck comments - “Get a life! I feel very sorry for you, not ME!” Ever happened in DC.
One gas attendant - Indian male in 50s few blocks from the Union Station and U.S Captiol last six years ago. He repeated and repeated “Oh, YOU DEAF! He made the hand gesture in the Lord’s prayers. This guy refused to give me the monterary change til he wanted me to say something. I had to say “Thank You!” with rolling eyes in disbelief. I got my monterary change and gave him a piece of mind with extended arm resembled the middle finger. Of course, he was silenced. Good for him! I was in real hurry anyway.
RLM
I get the ‘Oh, sorry you’re deaf’ reply/comment at least 4 times daily…I’ve come to expect that now. I was born hearing,but I still had problems with discrimination and small mind people, but most of the attitudes people have I’ve never actualy had those. My mother & grandmother raised me together and they made sure that I look at everyone as individual and this means I need to “get to know” everyone first before judging. Planet of Apes is excellent lesson in discrimination and oppression. Ethnocentric behavior/thinking is everywhere but it is an epidemic so as its contagious. Ethnocentrism is learned and absorbed, just as tolerance &understanding. In regards to Latinos being in control….well just like “Planet” it shows that the masters teach the slaves. This shows us that when the position is switch/change the slave(new master) will only do what has been taught(if not from revenge). Some person wrote once that the true measure of a society is how we treat our prisoners (and minorities). From this statement, I take it that we may be more technology advanced than apes/monkeys, but in other ways we have regressed to a point that may be lower than the apes/monkeys. The “Planet of the Apes” should be shown to all students from elementary school to college as a lesson in prejudice and ethics.
What’s even scarier is Allen was playing to the crowd (Virginia - Kentucky border). That’s why I like the movie Bulworth so much. We all gotta f*ck each other until we’re all the same color… sounds fun!
let’s see it is ok for blacks to use the n word but not ok for white to use it. It is ok for deaf to use you’re deaf and dumb but not hearing people. there is the closed world and the open world.
Deaf and dumb is making a come back, actually. Especially in reference to 800 florida ave, NE… where ya got a whole bunch of dumb deaf people.
“DUMB” should maybe be applied to people who don’t understand deafness either culturally or physiologically. For myself the main problem I have is trying to make people understand that yes I wear hearing aids but they don’t “fix” my hearing. They only help me with enviromental sounds. I so far have been saved from being hit by car at least 4 times. Most people say well you heard me call you, or something like that…and I explain to them that if I threw a rock at a trash can they would also look to see what the noise/sound is about. This situation is the same for lipreading too. My skills for this are very limited but I still have people who think I can lipread. Some of my friends have the same problem. We will come across someone and they ask this question, ‘ Do you lipread?’. Now I don’t know about you but this question is asked so much of me I know what it looks like (kind of like the dirty words..I can lipread those too). Now the problem arises when I say ” No, I cannot lipread”. Someone finally wrote down after their dirty look and said “then how did you know I asked this question if you can’t lipread. Dealing with hearing people and their stupidity is just very frustrating. So maybe the term “Deaf and Dumb” should still be used when you take a Deaf person and a hearing person and put them together, because most time the hearing person acts dumb