Black people can't hold watermelons. It's offensive.
- Thread starter MMike
- Start date
wtf? "based on a formula provided"???
what kind of math test is that????????
It IS the US educational system.....ALEXIS_DH said:
How was that question 'racially offensive'?
They say the question was originally written with the comedian, Gallegar(sp?), who used to smash watermelons. Probably no one remembers him, so they changed the name to someone else. Besides, who cares if it was referring to Condoleezza Rice and she was standing on a federal building? So she throws a watermelon up in the air, what's 'offensive' about that?
People need to start worrying about real problems and stop trying to find racism where it doesn't really exist.
"Peter's standing on top of porcupine rim. He throws a baseball in air. Based on the formula included, when will the baseball hit the ground?" - What? You saying I like baseball because I'm white? Please.
They say the question was originally written with the comedian, Gallegar(sp?), who used to smash watermelons. Probably no one remembers him, so they changed the name to someone else. Besides, who cares if it was referring to Condoleezza Rice and she was standing on a federal building? So she throws a watermelon up in the air, what's 'offensive' about that?
People need to start worrying about real problems and stop trying to find racism where it doesn't really exist.
"Peter's standing on top of porcupine rim. He throws a baseball in air. Based on the formula included, when will the baseball hit the ground?" - What? You saying I like baseball because I'm white? Please.
lol.MMike said:
i remember i had a couple friends majoring in business in a small christian college in the same town as mine.
they had tests like that PLUS ti-89s allowed. and even then, they had to curve the grades...
Dude you're one of my boys and all, but for a college to have a reference to a prominent black female member of the current adminstration holding a watermelon on a test is just asking for trouble. Anyone with a brain knows what was going on there. Some teacher thought he (or she) was being funny, and didn't think about the consequences.peter6061 said:
Whoever wrote that question needs their arse kicked. It doesn't take an Einstein to see that some people are gonna make the connection. Over-sensitive? Sure, and I'd reckon a majority of black people probably would not have been offended. But some obviously were and it's not really that hard to have predicted that.
Edit- what Echo said
Edit- what Echo said
What a waste of energy. I don't even know where the watermelon thing comes from. Would a coconut be less offensive?
They should just have Michael Jackson dropping his baby off the balcony of a hotel instead. That way we can all have a good laugh, and learn at the same time.
They should just have Michael Jackson dropping his baby off the balcony of a hotel instead. That way we can all have a good laugh, and learn at the same time.
So now it's 'racist' for a black person to hold a watermelon? What am I missing here?
Remind me not to buy any watermelon this summer. I don't want to offend any of my friends.
Remind me not to buy any watermelon this summer. I don't want to offend any of my friends.
It should have been a bell pepper.....
Da Peach said:
Echo said:
yup yup. poor judgement for sure.
Sorry...I don't get it either. Is it just watermelons that are offensive, or does this apply to all fruit?
I have a dream that one day people of all colours can hold fruit and drop it off buildings without raising racial references.
I have a dream that one day people of all colours can hold fruit and drop it off buildings without raising racial references.
I can't believe there are people in the USA who don't know the stereotype about black people and watermelon. What if the test said "basketball" or "collard greens" instead of watermelon?
Changleen said:
WHY is it always about colour????????
I think its more prominently offensive in the south. Someone putting it on a test was either totally oblivious (doubtful) or just being a smartass.
Edit: Beat to it by sanjuro.
Edit: Beat to it by sanjuro.
sanjuro said:
Me. 45
Ah, I see. I did not know that.sanjuro said:
I wonder if attention like this helps the issue, or perpetuates it. I didn't even know of this stereotype...and now I do. I mean at some point, maybe it's too soon, don't we all just have to see this for what it is - a person holding fruit?
Don't get me wrong, the watermelon is a funny fruit, and perpetuating a 19th century stereotype is ridiculous.
However, there would be some people who might offended by the reference, and I know I would not be making watermelon jokes to random black people.
On the other hand, this would be like Ridemonkey banning me because I said, "You're from Canada? Why don't you eat a Tim Horton's donut?"
However, there would be some people who might offended by the reference, and I know I would not be making watermelon jokes to random black people.
On the other hand, this would be like Ridemonkey banning me because I said, "You're from Canada? Why don't you eat a Tim Horton's donut?"
I agree. Again, not knowing all the details behind the stereotype, so pleading a little bit of ignorance here, I don't understand why asserting a fondness of watermelon is derogatory. I happen to love watermelons, they're delicious and refreshing. Ask anyone in the world what a Canadian's favourite food is and they'll say pancakes and maple syrup. Have you ever had real maple syrup? It's amazing! Would I take offense to someone assuming I like maple syrup because I'm Canadian? Um no...why would I?sanjuro said:
The main difference being that, as far as I know, Canadians were never imported to the southern USA and forced to be slaves. Yet.Ridemonkey said:
Let's see,... a white guy stands on the roof of a saltine factory and throws a cracker in the air. Given the supplied formula, when will it hit his jacked up 4x4 pickup truck?
sorry so small but here is an example of watermelons and the derogatory portrayal of african americans as the "picaninny" or whatever you'd prefer.
Come on now, I'm not suggesting that African Americans have had an easy past, or that they haven't faced extraordinary discrimination...I just don't understand the food link up.Echo said:
That was pretty poor judgement on the professor's part. Most people with half a brain can see that racial sterotype being played up.
Then again...
Then again...
...so I guess I'd cut the teacher some slack.the Inbred said:
J
JRB
Guest
People ran out of other crap to point at black people about so they used fried chicken, watermelon and pig's feet. They should throw the dumb ass that had the idea off of the building just for stirring up another unneeded controversy. It's just stupid. As much as I make fun of you Canadians, I am more than frequently jealous of your culture. Dumb ass Americans. :nonono:Ridemonkey said:
http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/news/jimcrow/picaninny/more/homepage.htm
notice also the crazy (psychotic, untamed) appearance.
notice also the crazy (psychotic, untamed) appearance.
the Inbred said:
exhibit a
Man, that picture sure is offensive. Two kids enjoying a slice. More power to anyone who was smart enough to know that watermelon tastes great.
Let's see, watermelon is grown mostly in warmer climates, so the south makes a great place. Slavery was predominent in the South. So a picture or statuette(sp?) of two black kids enjoying a slice is offensive?
If anything, I would hope they have an extra slice for when I get there.
edit: I'm done. People need to get over themselves on some of this stuff if we ever expect to move forward on issues like this. If it's offensive, fine. But let's find out why and address it there. Educate people so that people know. At this point it seems people are just waiting for something to be remotely offensive so they can take note and blow the situation out of proportion. At this rate, we are headed towards a race war and I don't know which side to play for.
Let's see, watermelon is grown mostly in warmer climates, so the south makes a great place. Slavery was predominent in the South. So a picture or statuette(sp?) of two black kids enjoying a slice is offensive?
If anything, I would hope they have an extra slice for when I get there.
edit: I'm done. People need to get over themselves on some of this stuff if we ever expect to move forward on issues like this. If it's offensive, fine. But let's find out why and address it there. Educate people so that people know. At this point it seems people are just waiting for something to be remotely offensive so they can take note and blow the situation out of proportion. At this rate, we are headed towards a race war and I don't know which side to play for.
peter6061 said:
oh puhlease, your arguement is bunk ok. Their features are exagerated, their skin is black as night lips are huge and red. If you'll look at some of the other stereotype photos in the links you'll see that they aren't all children, there are acults as well. It goes back to a time when blacks were thought of and portrayed as savages that were half brain dead and needed to be controlled and tamed by the christian white man. Its offensive to many people not just a few. If you feel it shouldn't be, stage a protest.