How should racist comments best be policed?
CY (a new MMW guest contributor!)
Surprise, surprise! The racist musings of yet another public figure have made headlines. The culprit: Arnold Schwarzenegger. On Friday, he publicly apologized for making statements that were recorded on a six minute tape made during one of his speechwriting sessions. Chief of staff Susan Kennedy and Arnold Schwarzenegger engaged in a “what is she” chat, referring to state assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia. Schwarzenegger made comments such as, “I mean Cuban, Puerto Rican, they are all very hot…They have the, you know, part of the black blood in them and part of the Latino blood in them that together makes it”.
This is only the latest incident in a long line of racial bigotry that has made headlines over the past couple of months. But perhaps what makes this recent addition to the list more disturbing is the reinforcement of this remark by Bonnie Garcia herself. Not at all offended by his remarks, she replied that she refers to herself as a “hot blooded Latina”. The New York Times reports that Richard Stapler, a spokesperson for Democratic Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, though not speaking directly on the comment itself, stated that Arnold has “always been very respectful towards Latinos” and that “These are hardly Nixon’s Watergate tapes”. To add insult to injury, Schwarzenegger resounded that he has spoken with leaders from “ethnic groups” who stated that they were not offended, saying that they understood that it was a private conversation, that was “off the record” and “not meant to be in any negative way”.
Not only was Schwarzenegger’s comment outrageously inappropriate conversation (i.e. playing a racial guessing game with his chief of staff) but the buttressing of his racially charged statements through either validation or dismissal by people of color is especially troubling. Racial essentialism is indeed the essence of the stereotype, grouping a group of people into two-dimensional, flat, cartoonish representations of their true selves. The fact that Arnold Schwarzenegger is governor of California is even more disturbing given that he can and does put forth policies that directly affect Latinos (who are a significant part of the population in California).
The reason racism is so entrenched in American society is the fact that it is rarely addressed and when it is, the issue is only superficially skirted over. What is the appropriate way to respond to a racist comment? I believe through swift and direct action. How else can a space for racial equality and the language needed to speak about racial issues be formulated if the public sphere is bombarded by racial prejudice that goes un-challenged. The fact that Garcia re-engages Schwarzenegger’s stereotypical engagement of her is indicative of her complicity in his objectification of her into an exotic stereotype. Schwarzenegger probably thinks he is absolved against his crime of decency since he’s gotten the pat on the back from minorities but if things are going to change, it time for people to step up and show the Terminator who’s boss.
Lyonside wrote:
As I wrote over at Rachel’s Tavern, it’s amazing how obnoxious “positive” stereotypes are.
Quoting myself, “minorities may embrace a “positive” stereotype because at least it’s positive, because it smooths the way in interactions with others of the dominant culture (in this case, White or European Americans), because it’s easier to go with the flow; sometime a minority may embrace a neutral or negative stereotype because it seems to confer some warped sense of power… i.e. Oh yeah, I’m XXX, so you KNOW you better watch out! Of course, it’s only “power” if the real people in charge LET you have that power.”
While I know the timing of this particular complaint is because of the elections in November (and the fact that the Governator is actually unpopular… for once), I also heard that this was recorded as part of a recorded speech-writing meeting in March? (source was I believe NPR). If so, it hardly counts as a private conversation.
Political WannaBe 101: The mike, recorder, and camera is always on, unless you yourself pull the plug and remove all batteries. And even then, I’m sure the CIA could find a way to keep recording. Please, maintain the fiction that as an elected official (or one campaigning) that you have 2 brain cells to rub together to make a spark, and MIND YOUR TONGUE.
Posted 11 Sep 2006 at 6:23 am ¶
John wrote:
So what swift and direct action do you recommend?
Posted 11 Sep 2006 at 9:52 am ¶
Lyonside wrote:
John:
How about one term in office?
Posted 11 Sep 2006 at 12:41 pm ¶
Ajax wrote:
They are hot, what’s the big deal???
Posted 11 Sep 2006 at 2:18 pm ¶
Lyonside wrote:
Ajax:
*eyeroll* sorry if the conversation is above your level, but really, look up the words if they’re too big for you. It is a big deal, particularly when it pertains to people making public policy that affects minorities. Holding stereotypes about any group and then making policy or political decisions based on them is not only unscientific and illogical, but damn insulting and dangerous as well.
Posted 11 Sep 2006 at 2:44 pm ¶
Anthony Yuen wrote:
This isn’t Arnold’s first observations on hot mixed blood women…check out the website above.
Posted 11 Sep 2006 at 9:11 pm ¶
Ajax wrote:
*eyeroll* whatever, might as well say nothing about race anymore, good or bad because someone somewhere is going to take offence
Posted 12 Sep 2006 at 8:59 am ¶
Lyonside wrote:
Ajax.. there’s plenty to say about race and race relations. Sorry, but the history books and modern life tell me more often that not that it can be more than offensive, but freaking hazardous to one’s health, wealth, security, and well being… not to mention civil and human rights.
Your comment? Um, implied either a lack of thought entirely, or (giving you the benefit of the doubt, since you chose to write a longer sentence this time) an acceptance that every single person who originates from a Spanish-speaking nation is 1) identical in behavior, personality, ethnicity, language, and temperament, and 2) fits the stereotype of the fiery seductor/seductress…
If the latter is what you’re saying, then oh YES will I take offence, along with a few MILLION other people.
Posted 12 Sep 2006 at 10:20 am ¶
Ajax wrote:
Aside from living in almost every Spanish speaking country (including Spain) for the past 19 years I think I can say the majority, to me, are “hot” don’t read more in to it then there is. I don’t sterotype, never. and there are things identical all all the Spanish speaking places I’ve been. And if you don’t like it then we can agree to disagree because there is nothing else you or I can do about what/why/how I think what I think
have a great day
Posted 13 Sep 2006 at 9:17 am ¶
Lyonside wrote:
OK, fine, Ajax. If by “hot” you mean hot-tempered, fiery, whatever… which really means, to me, emotionally expressive, physically demonstrative, and exuberant in dress, use of color, etc…..
Ask yourself WHY… is it really, as the Governor suggests, because of the “black” and “Latino” “blood” (which I’m assuming he meant African and Native Peoples lineage common to many people in Spanish-speaking nations (but not necessarily all parts of Spain)?
Or is it a factor of multigeneration cross-CULTURAL mixing? I.e., the Native traditions, mixed with African traditions, mixed with Roman Catholicism (traditionally into ornate garb and rituals, physical demonstrations, and the like), with some southern European traditions to boot? Including the immgrants and transient populations of many Spanish-speaking nations…
If we’re talking cultures, then fine, there are definite trends and aspects from western Africa and native Tribal cultures that have influenced many Latino/Central/South American cultures.
Somehow, though, I don’t think that’s what the Governer meant.
Posted 13 Sep 2006 at 2:27 pm ¶
Ajax wrote:
I see your point
Posted 14 Sep 2006 at 9:05 am ¶