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October 1994

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Subject:
From:
J Roberson <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Film and TV Studies Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 28 Oct 1994 08:41:15 -0500
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>In a perfect world race issues would be as J. Roberson wishes they were.
 
And only by trying to make this world perfect can one race issues
like that.
 
>Sadly, as Roberson knows,
 
Gotta love that mind-reading trick you have there.
 
>perfect world expropriation and exploitation of racially tinged issues
 
What is Tarantino "exploiting"?
 
>is a legitimate matter for discussion. That some blacks call each
>other "nigger" does not privilege outsiders to use this language for
>their own purposes.
 
No. . .but it does call into question what is wrong with that word. It seems
to upset some people and not bother others - and it is context-sensitive.
Looks like Taratino's "exploitation" is that same way.
 
 
>What these purposes are is worth considering: One
>may hope to ingratiate oneself, demonstrate their own "lack of
>prejudice," or exploit the symbols for self-aggrandizement, or . . . .
 
Or, maybe, just *maybe*, adequately represent the characters in dialogue?
 
>again as J. Roberson knows,
 
You've got to tell me where you learned this fantastic mind-reading trick.
 
>whites can shed these
>symbols, they can turn the peak of their caps to face front, as it
 
Depends on the environment. In a predominantly black areas, being
white can be just as much a negative feature as being black in other
areas.
 
>were. Most blacks, even very light complected ones, cannot. The color
>of their skin, the shape of their physiognomy, and other physical
>characteristics are permanent indelible marks of their existence.
 
And in some environments it really doesn't matter. I won't say that it doesn't
matter anywhere (though it shouldn't) but there are places where one can
be an individual, not part of some herd of cattle.
 
>Even Roberson's computer nerd friend is a black before he is a computer
>nerd, even if he doesn't make a point of it to outsiders.
 
Really? When was the last time you spoke to him? I won't tell you what
he was first, except from my own perspective. . .if you really really
want, I could always ask him to reply directly on the subject.
 
 
 
J Roberson

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