Where Have all the Images Gone…
…or is it supporting a race by isolating a culture and removing it’s imagery
It just seems weird and unnatural. Just as society seemed to be heading for a Star Trek Utopian Federation, certain individuals in positions of power and influence, dynamited all the progress. Any sense of unity was destroyed with bizarre rationalizations that “kneeling” to a certain race brings healing, Joy and prosperity.
Removing the images and cultural behaviors of entire races of human beings, in the guise of elevating them to some exalted state where seeing mascots or advertisements is beneath them, doesn’t seem helpful. I have not been to a “Native American” Indian tribe reservation since maybe childhood, but the stereotype is of poverty, despair, illiteracy and having substance abuse epidemic just to manage their lives. This ISN’T the image of tribal lands with Casinos. Native Americans, much like Black Americans, actually come from different tribes and Nations.
Is there really a monolithic African American culture or history. Even the sad history of Global slavery is manipulated, as Caucasians are now the only race responsible, rather than the complete history. The same people who demanded “African American” as approved terminology, now embraces “Black Americans” as the approved moniker. Black Americans come from many diverse Countries, as it was a political convenience and calculation to initially label them “African” Americans.
Who benefits by isolating a culture, it’s images and symbolism in the “narrative” of caring more. Individual trial lawyers and politicians are “liberal” in the use of this technique. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe symbolic gestures of caring outweighs the educational and entrepreneurial benefits from cultural integration.
All the while, just as Black American unemployment had reached historic lows and entrepreneurial advancements historic highs, their supposed heroes and leaders initiated an Country wide separation narrative. At the same time Black National Leadership in Dr. Ben Carson was guiding empowerment zones for Black Americans with great success, they demonized and denigrated Carson to stop this Black American advancement.
Imagine, twisting with propaganda, obfuscation and absolute lies, the Socialist Democrat leadership initiated and supported BLM and Critical Race Theory in the illusion of healing. The theory is that there is only one race to be critical of and so discriminate against. Feel good phony empowerment is replacing low unemployment and high business ownership. They went so far as being encouraged by National Democrat leadership to burn down those very communities and businesses owned by Black Americans.
Seemed that Black Live Matter is really Black Clad “woke” White Leftist’s Antifa Lives matter more.
My favorite team, obviously in the early 70’s like many Ohio boys of all races was, as they were World Champions and REAL heroes, The Cincinnati Reds. Men that broke barriers. Barriers that I didn’t even understand existed. I will admit that as being born in Cleveland, I later realized I should have been supporting the Indians.
When Frank Robinson played for the Reds I wasn’t even born, so when he switched to the American League it would have meant little to me. I found out a short time later how historic Frank Robinson would come to be. The Big Red Machine was running on ALL cylinders, races from all over the World seemed represented in every starting position. Joe Morgan at first, the World’s greatest shortstop Davie Concepcion and Bernie Carbo, who was clutch with a breakout year during one World Series run. He exceeded my expectations on my Stratomatic Baseball team.
I’m almost positive I didn’t think, crap a Black player at first or that a Venezuelan from a “third world” country was on my team at shortstop. OK, I did like Jonnie Bench at catcher, sure who wouldn’t, but he wasn’t my favorite player on the team. He probably wasn’t many of the pitcher’s favorites either, although I imagine close.
Davie at short SHUT THEM DOWN. Spectacular game saving double plays, inning after inning. Bobbie Tolan. Tony Perez, Frank Morgan were all stars to name a few. They were exceptional. They were my heroes and lots of them were Black and Brown, some not even American citizens, but immigrants.
When I became older and the Big Red Machine got a little rusty, I finally started supporting my home team, the Cleveland Indians. They were improving, albeit still never quite reliving their past glories. I’m sure this team was also very “inclusive” and everyone knew that Frank Robinson broke down a major Wall being named the Player/Head Coach of the Indians. I actually didn’t remember the first incarnations of Chief Wahoo, but he is a caricature. His early images were primative, like early Disney cartoons, but that doesn’t mean we ban or censor ANY of them, as they are HISTORICAL records of the time.
By the time I became a fan in the early 80’s Chief Wahoo had his current appearance. I didn’t know anything about Louis Francis Sockalexis, a Native American baseball player with the Indians in the late 1800’s (yep, read that right, the Cleveland “Spiders” had an Indian on their team that long ago.) Some argue, mostly trial Attorneys, that this is myth, but I can tell you that the Indians WERE named after Native Americans. “Indians”, Duh…
Chief Wahoo…
So now Chief Wahoo is gone. The #1 mascot cherished Worldwide. When I went to Mexico on mission trip I gave my Chief Wahoo t-shirt to the local pastor. He said he would cherish it. I don’t know. By removing cultural images and Native American Heritage from the market place, who benefits. Seems to me only the trial lawyers with their temporary fix of monetary gain and politicians with their divisive rhetoric. One day I would like to see an honest survey of Native Americans on Chief Wahoo, but honest surveys, like news, is found mostly in the past.
When the Jeffersons moved next door to Archie Bunker, the World changed for many people. This show should always be praised. The worst character was the old stereotyped racist white union guy. Every episode after when Stanley entered the room, it was that second of fake live audience consciousness, before thunderous extended applause, just like the Fonz, until The Jefferson got their own HIT show.
Maybe Sanford and Sons was a stereotype, but people of ALL races were glued to every episode, it will always be one of the funniest shows made for TV. “Racists”, “stereotypes” or “unfair” contracts between race and gender. None of that brings better television. We’ve all been Mr. Roper-ed. Hilarious hit series revolving entirely around a gay theme. Now that Joy would be stolen with politically correct narratives.
Don’t even talk about music. My Brother’s 50’s revival band played all the music. My Dingaling. My first album I purchased was a present for one brother, Jimi Hendrix “Band of Gypsies”. Innovators and leaders in music throughout the ages. Where would we be without America’s history of Black culture in music. It doesn’t feel the same anymore. I don’t feel welcome.
Alas, grey food…
So now I kneel, while Black neighborhoods and businesses burn, to make me BE guilty, NOT feel guilty. I’m sorry. I won’t and will not. In my childhood I wasn’t exposed to the Black Leaders I hear nowadays. Many of the “African Americans” were the stars and heroes of my Junior High and High School teams. Historically, until recently “African American” was a term required to be used, regardless of actual heritage. In 30 YEARS of medical Practice I never met a Black person as they are being stereotyped now, as an angry oppressed race.
Actually, in my day to day living, I’ve never met anyone as unhappy and angry as Black American National leadership and the Socialist leaning Party they are forced to support. I believe they are doing NO Americans favors by trampling the Constitution that protects those very individual races.
If you haven’t noticed, advertisements now have odd combinations of “family” statuses. That’s OK with me, because I’m not that affected by “whites” being portrayed as in mixed race relationships or gay marriage. I would imagine though, that based on these new stereotypes, I don’t see any of this as being an advancement of Black American culture or heritage. Rather it appears to be a destruction of the nuclear families that historically Black American cultural heritage embraces.
I don’t understand why now large corporations started marketing to a more diverse customer base. I don’t know why Tech Corporations are highlighting new minority hiring and education opportunities they are providing at places like Amazon. I don’t know why or understand any of this, but I do know I HAD NOTHING to do with it. They could have marketed this way and provided opportunities without MY influence.
I don’t know why since Biden was elected there’s a whole shift in media and advertising, but I imagine it’s for profit and not an altruistic motives at all in reality. Just a “disruptive” change that can be monetarily utilized for person gain.
Are these actors real Romulens…
There you have it. I’m confused. Do I support a culture by embracing it, wearing it’s clothes, dancing to it’s music and learning it’s heritage…
…or by supporting the removal of images and language from the public square and not appropriating another culture with my commerce as it is considered voyeurism and “racist”?
Anyways, I have to run. Got to catch up with Speedy Gonzales and Pepè LéPew…
Waving LeBron goodbye…
When I was that age, we lived outside of the Cincinnati area. Anyways, only a few games were televised compared to today. Most of my memories were listening to Reds on the radio at night, under the covers