Friday, August 24, 2007
Here We Go Again
This caption was printed in last Friday’s edition of the local paper here, The Florida-Times Union, and has generated enough controversy that the local chapter of the NAACP has gotten involved.
With that being said, let’s think about this for awhile, especially those who live in or around the Jacksonville area. That caption is tasteless and very misleading, to say the least. The editor explained that this caption’s intent was to draw attention to the “no-snitch” policy that is perpetuated by hip-hop and that is alive and well in Jacksonville. For those of you who don’t know, the crime in Jacksonville is a huge problem. It’s exceeded the rates of all of the major cities in Florida, including Miami.
But let’s dig a little deeper. Why exactly are the citizens in Jacksonville’s Black community upset by this caption when it truthfully depicts street policy that even the most non-gangster person knows and understand? And what prompted the President of the local chapter of the NAACP to contact the paper?
Gotcha! You thought I was going to say opportunity, or publicity didn’t you? Well, no. I thought about this long and hard and then it dawned on me. It’s the same issue as we see with those who try to solve a problem that they are not familiar with, the broad perception that the Black community is a monolith. So they see this as basic “stereotyping”, but it’s not. Think I’m reaching here? Read what was said by the President of the NAACP.
Huh? There goes that broad generalization of Black America again. No, this caption, as tasteless as it is, speaks directly to those who live a culture of hip-hop.
So what now? The NAACP has “called the Times-Union to complain and set up a meeting with the paper’s management”. I can hardly wait for the outcome. I’m interested to know what is expected to come of this meeting. Maybe a pledge from The Florida Times-Union to help inner city youth. Maybe a donation to the NAACP itself. I don’t know, but that seems to be the way when ever civil rights groups have meeting with opposing parties.
What I think should happen? The NAACP should go back to “collecting donations and fighting racial discrimination”. And concerned citizens who read The Florida Times-Union should contact them with their opinions concerning the caption. The Florida-Times Union should make an effort to fully analyze certain items that are known to be sensitive issues in the public. And make more of an effort to have a staff that is as diverse as the community that it serves, from Black to White to Hispanic to Indian.
Oh and yes, I contacted them. Not with a complaint or a threat, but with my own opinion.
This caption was printed in last Friday’s edition of the local paper here, The Florida-Times Union, and has generated enough controversy that the local chapter of the NAACP has gotten involved.
With that being said, let’s think about this for awhile, especially those who live in or around the Jacksonville area. That caption is tasteless and very misleading, to say the least. The editor explained that this caption’s intent was to draw attention to the “no-snitch” policy that is perpetuated by hip-hop and that is alive and well in Jacksonville. For those of you who don’t know, the crime in Jacksonville is a huge problem. It’s exceeded the rates of all of the major cities in Florida, including Miami.
But let’s dig a little deeper. Why exactly are the citizens in Jacksonville’s Black community upset by this caption when it truthfully depicts street policy that even the most non-gangster person knows and understand? And what prompted the President of the local chapter of the NAACP to contact the paper?
Gotcha! You thought I was going to say opportunity, or publicity didn’t you? Well, no. I thought about this long and hard and then it dawned on me. It’s the same issue as we see with those who try to solve a problem that they are not familiar with, the broad perception that the Black community is a monolith. So they see this as basic “stereotyping”, but it’s not. Think I’m reaching here? Read what was said by the President of the NAACP.
"There was very little sensitivity used," Rumlin said about the cartoon.
Rumlin says describing the girls as "hoes" went beyond good taste in the
editorial.
"When you use it in that type of setting, you are talking
about my wife, you are talking about my daughter."
Huh? There goes that broad generalization of Black America again. No, this caption, as tasteless as it is, speaks directly to those who live a culture of hip-hop.
So what now? The NAACP has “called the Times-Union to complain and set up a meeting with the paper’s management”. I can hardly wait for the outcome. I’m interested to know what is expected to come of this meeting. Maybe a pledge from The Florida Times-Union to help inner city youth. Maybe a donation to the NAACP itself. I don’t know, but that seems to be the way when ever civil rights groups have meeting with opposing parties.
What I think should happen? The NAACP should go back to “collecting donations and fighting racial discrimination”. And concerned citizens who read The Florida Times-Union should contact them with their opinions concerning the caption. The Florida-Times Union should make an effort to fully analyze certain items that are known to be sensitive issues in the public. And make more of an effort to have a staff that is as diverse as the community that it serves, from Black to White to Hispanic to Indian.
Oh and yes, I contacted them. Not with a complaint or a threat, but with my own opinion.
// posted by Distracted @ 8:32 AM 
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]