2197: Transrachel

[Los]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

even if it's repugnant, individuals have the right to express themselves.

There are always limits on free speech and epxression. This should be one of them. Georgia changed its flag, and still managed to recognize its heritage. There's no reason that others can't do the same.

Originally Posted by Sparrow

we aren't allowed to feel nice things about where we come from

I disagree with this. I have a lot of family in the South, mostly in Maryland and West Virginia, and I love it there. Our entire country has a past with elements that we should be ashamed of, and that we should celebrate. It's not hard to do both.

There's still a racist component to embracing that symbol that reasonable people either don't recognize, or aren't willing to acknowledge.

Originally Posted by Kultcher

My question, though, is what percentage of black ancestry entitles you to "blackness." I am definitely black at 50%. Is my daughter at a light-skinned 25%? If not, what if she was darker?

Times are changing. It's not universal yet, but identifying as either black or biracial is a choice that your daughter could make. Obama talked publicly about choosing to identify as black. A lot of people have issues with the term African-American, but it's actually an accurate description of American citizens with black African ancestry.

[Sparrow]

Originally Posted by Los

There are always limits on free speech and epxression. This should be one of them. Georgia changed its flag, and still managed to recognize its heritage. There's no reason that others can't do the same.

I disagree with this. I have a lot of family in the South, mostly in Maryland and West Virginia, and I love it there. Our entire country has a past with elements that we should be ashamed of, and that we should celebrate. It's not hard to do both.

There's still a racist component to embracing that symbol that reasonable people either don't recognize, or aren't willing to acknowledge.

i agree wholeheartedly it should be taken down from government everything. i won't, however, legislate some jackoff from attaching it to his truck.

saying out loud that one is proud to be Southern conjures up instant images of ignorance, blind racism, religious fanatasism, and extreme conservatism for outsiders. people don't feel weird asking me with complete sincerity if i've ever fucked my brother then laugh openly at my face at how stupid we are. or make pig noises and hum dueling banjos. these things are rude, aren't funny, but are entirely allowable socially. you can degrade my people for laughs and we can't say anything about it.

yeah. i also find it a weird hill to want to die on.