supposed ethnic humor

[P3D Gavin Stokes <gstokes@xxxxxxx>]

Chuck Field chastised Earl Keyser for this remark,

"If you think Arabs or Jews are tough bargainers, you ought see what a
Scandinavian can do.  And, I thought they were such nice people, too. :<)>"

with:

"I feel that his type of humor only strengthens many peoples' prejudices
through acceptance of stereotypes."

Consider that Earl's remark is really an observation of the kind of cultures
that these people come from, cultures where bargaining skills are held in
esteem and relied upon.  Stereotypes do not arise on a whim; they have basis
in fact.  Everyone has prejudices, which may be strengthened by personal
experience.  Many are not at all negative.  Prejudice is not racism, or
ethnicism.

Legions of citizens seem to be standing around waiting for the opportunity
to jump all over the slightest possible transgression of "political
correctness."  They're perched on their high horses, watching all media for
words like "Jew", "Hispanic" or "Black".  I guess we can no longer refer to
a person's ancestry at all.  A few misguided people won't even say "black",
but instead use "African-American", overlooking the fact that some
"African-Americans" are WHITE.  Dave Matthews, for example.

Included in our world are white people, black people, secretaries,
stewardesses, pro-abortion people, anti-abortion people, manhole covers,
used cars and a whole lot of other things that have had their names changed
because someone was afraid to call something what it is.  These people are
HIDING from the truth and attempting to hide the truth, and you know what?
It doesn't work.  Give it a rest.

Gavin Stokes
Simian-American, just like everyone else in this country.


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