Why would an avatar that is racist or offensive to a certain group of orgers be approved?

If an avatar that is offensive is being used by an orger, and the orger knows that it will cause controversy, how is this situation handled?

more specifically speaking..

http://prince.org/msg/100/260234

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[Edited 2/5/08 12:00pm]

Just like there should be a uniform set of rules by which we are governed, there should be one regarding avatars.

Just to get the academic truth behind the whole issue. THe reason why it is and was so hurtful..

The Blackface Stereotype

by Manthia Diawara

In the blackface myth, there is a white fantasy which posits whiteness as the norm. What is absent in the blackface stereotype is as important as what is present: every black face is a statement of social imperfection, inferiority, and mimicry that is placed in isolation with an absent whiteness as its ideal opposite.

I am amazed at the casual element in the kids that do it to be "funny", when is perpetuates the notion of inferiority.

I've schooled, and now I must return to my own studies.

If an avatar that is offensive is being used by an orger, and the orger knows that it will cause controversy, how is this situation handled?

more specifically speaking..

http://prince.org/msg/100/260234

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[Edited 2/5/08 12:00pm]
[/quote]

Well...if someone is doing something like this--as orgers of all races we should absolutely band together as one angry mob---we should then surround the offender, pull off the offender's white hood, and tie them up with their own noose to the very cross that they have themselves set on fire.

StillGotIt said:

Well...if someone is doing something like this--as orgers of all races we should absolutely band together as one angry mob---we should then surround the offender, pull off the offender's white hood, and tie them up with their own noose to the very cross that they have themselves set on fire.

[/quote]I was wondering how long it would be before someone came along to make of this.

I am so disgusted that someone would think this is funny, what's next... avies of lynched men or avies of burning crosses?

Where do we draw the line? And why are we not all angry and speaking on this?

StillGotIt said:

Well...if someone is doing something like this--as orgers of all races we should absolutely band together as one angry mob---we should then surround the offender, pull off the offender's white hood, and tie them up with their own noose to the very cross that they have themselves set on fire.

[/quote]

I seriously just don't think that the person in question realized how offensive it is/was. A lot of young White kids do it because they do not understand the history or what it truly implies. I wouldn't burn them up, just have them do some stupidness like that again and throw them into a Black Panther party march, then see how it is.

It's Black History month, Obama may take office, and some stupid young kid does stuff like this and I realize that some folk just will never understand.

Oh, and the namesake of the site for Pete's sake! HELLO! We are on the site because we enjoy the music of a Black man.

THat Avatar was all kinds of wrong in so many ways; in so many angles.

her avie was removed, but this should still be discussed.

Why wasn't this avie caught beforehand?

Thanks to the mods that removed it quickly BTW. This action is much appreciated.


could others please edit posts to remove orgers name. TY.
[Edited 2/6/08 2:49am]

paintedlady said:

I think the mods did a good job handling the situation. Yay Carrie!

But you know, I didn't catch it until I took a few more looks at it. For some reason it looked like ski masks as first. So in that respect, I can see if it were missed.

It's over now. I think the thing that is upseting is that the person in question was very defiant about it.

Better yet, why would anyone have an avatar that was racist? what type of message is that...Oh look I have a controversial avie!

KatSkrizzle said:

The avie being there is an issue that was just probably a mistake, but this orger was very purposeful and combative in her response, this is why I didn't ask her about her avie on her thread but started this to make sure that something like this is openly discussed and never repeated, for all the people involved.

No one should be allowed to attack any group on this site without having to answer for it.

paintedlady said:

I think we've seen it before. It's just a TROLL and if we all get noticably angry then the TROLL gets what they wanted...a RISE. I think if it's simply handled as a " Mods Lock this up" then the person gets removed without heated battle. I am sure that those that did see it were upset.

The person in question was obvioulsy creating a thread with wording knowing that it would attract those to see the avatar. It really wasn't about any kids breaking things. All they were out for was to shock and offend.

Yes, it's been handled. (thanks, Carrie!)

How was it was approved in the first place? This is easy to explain... we see the avies as you see them. small. When they are being approved, they are tiny pictures that cannot be enlarged. At least, I haven't figured out how to do it...

Sometimes we approve a slew of them in one sweep! As someone mentioned earlier, we could have mistaken them for ski-masks or something to that effect. Looking at it more closely, it NEVER would have been approved.

We are sensitive to all orgers concerns of discrimination, and frankly, if one has to ask why that would be considered racist, then... we've got more to work on than an avatar.

superspaceboy said:

I agree, that is why discussion is important, so that the people that tirelessly patrol this site get the support they need when enough orgers rally to stop stupid behavior in its tracks.

We do need more mods on these forums.

June7 said:

And thanks, June7.

I don't know how it was approved in the first place, but I can only assume it was an honest mistake. It was likely skimmed over. But it has been dealt with.

CarrieMpls said:

Thank you again, a million times.

June7 said:

Note to self....FedEX huge magnifying glasses to all mods.

okay...I'm confused here

since we're being redirected to this thread, I have to ask: why the drama?

You've basically called for a mob to go after whatshername because of her avatar. There is a reporting system that the admins are VERY attentive to.

I'm not asking why blackface is offensive. I KNOW that. I'm asking why all the drama?

Dauphin said:

agreed.

Dauphin said:

No drama really, but this is my way to take a stand to let certain people like her know that certain things should be tolerated.

I would hope that if you witnessed a wrong here that it would not go unknown to those who could help the mods put an end to behavior that will take a toll on the entire org community here.

If questions go unanswered, the mods will see no end to the fights that could occur (real drama, if you will).

I respect the reporting system here, but I believe this is an unusual case, concerning something that slipped through proper channels.

It is not over an avatar but , the hate behind the avatar, please do not try to reduce this issue that affects everyone here in this community. This is about racism, and yes, as much discussion is needed on this topic as possible, since some people don't seem to get that.

Again this is about racism, and what blackface and other proverbial things like a noose, and a burning cross etc. can imply, and cause hostility to occur.

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[Edited 2/6/08 2:51am]

Dauphin said:

Because for some, the imagery of that could be that strong within that person to where they get up in arms about it. No one can't discount another person's experiences, especially if hurt and pain came along with those experiences.

MuthaFunka said:

[Edited 2/5/08 22:40pm]

MuthaFunka said:

Exactly!!

paintedlady said:

Stay true to YOU. If it pisses you off and others feel you're overreacting - Oh well, that's on them.

MuthaFunka said:

hold on, nobody is saying she is overreacting...just pointing out that there is a proper channel to place that venting...

first option should be to report the occurrence to the mods for managing. if we don't respond then create a thread...supper.

furthermore, i gotta say, i don't feel comfortable with bringing up the offenders name...that seems more like retaliation then constructive criticism about this site or its moderation.

sosgemini said:

She knew exactly what she was doing when she had her own children dress up in blackface, take the photo, and use it as an avie. She should have thought about any consequence to her actions before she went ahead and did what she did.

For the sake of peace I will edit my posts. The orgers that were offended are victims, not troublemakers, and I do not want anyone to see the people that agree with this as such.

This action I took is providing a public voice for those who were publicly offended. I did not do this to insult any mod or insinuate that the mods don't know what they are doing, this is not what this is about.

I will not be nice or quiet to any blatant racism, to ask that of me is simply unfair and unjust. Forums are for discussion, and I am talking about something that has effected me on a site. This should not have happened but it did, this is unfortunate for every one that is involved and I choose to involve myself this way. I believe this was reported and handled in the proper channels. I also believe that we can learn from this in open discussion.
[Edited 2/6/08 2:45am]

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[Edited 2/6/08 3:22am]

All questions have been answered...