Comments

1
Jen, I don't mind not visiting Yosemite National park. Yosemite Sam was one of my least favorite Looney Tunes. I preferred the wise-cracking smart-ass Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny. Ya MORON!
2
That Onion article was funny. But, thing is, if I knew anybody as cute as Andy Porter, he could sleep on my couch and eat my food, no problem. That is, if he wore only his underwear around the house.
3
There are white rap stars to you know. Given the pop culture and the associated depravity of those that identify that that awful noise, that greeting care is an astute sociological observation.
4
"disturbingly" racist? That's some of the most innocuous racism I've seen.
5
@3, Bullshit.

The overwhelming majority of Rap is performed by black artists, and Rap is still perceived as black music by a vast majority of Americans (Macklemore notwithstanding). And you know it.

The racism in that card is mild, as racism goes, but it is racist nevertheless.
6
Change "rap song" to "country song". Works better, and no controversy.
7
Q: What type of things are mentioned in Rap songs?
A: Drugs, violence, gangs, guns, and prostitution.

Card isn't racist at all. Chances are good, if your neighborhood is mentioned, it is in conjunction with the above listed subjects.
8
This greeting card is disturbingly racist.

I disagree.
9
@1-8 - Republicans shut down the government for no reason that in this or any other dimension could possibly be conceived as 'logical,' and your panties are in a twist over the degree of racism in an obviously racist card.

You people disgust me. This country disgusts me. We definitely have the government we deserve.

No more internet for me today - if I have any more rage strokes I'm definitely going to lose the last traces of feeling on the left side of my body.
11
It looks like the pastor of Crown Hill Church posted a couple of times on yesterday's item "Txt Msg Gd" (about the sign). She seems very nice.

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Comme…

12
Grynch - "My Volvo" reps Ballard hard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKOVF1qwP…
13
@10 Someone's off his meds...
14
@11: That's great that she responded--and wow! A car crash changed the sign! Thank you lots for the link. I lose my place in comment threads often and it's cool when folks close the loop.
15
"Look at this thing - I call it racist. If you disagree, bling!: you're racist too."

It's racist trolling. Trolling for racists and itself, a racist activity.
So, F you.
16
@7,
You forgot money.

I don't listen to a ton of rap, but "making money" is far and away the most common subject.
17
@ 9, I hope your spleen was thoroughly vented by that. Otherwise, what a fucking waste of keystrokes. You should note that this thread was about many things, while there are other threads devoted to the shutdown. I have commented on them, so I hope that what I say next doesn't make you sick, too. (Although if you do read this, you have broken your own promise to stay off, which would disgust me. [j/k])

The racism of the card would appear to be relative. I can see it being seen as such if purchased by a white person, for a white person's amusement; but I can picture some African Americans nodding knowingly at this card, and even laugh. Would that make them racist? If it was produced by someone black, would that make them racist?

As usual, I think racism is being called in a case where classism is probably the sin actually being committed. After all, poor neighborhoods come in a diverse cross-section of races, and it's not like white rappers haven't brought up the streets they (allegedly) grew up on in their songs. The presence of a card like this in a well-to-do neighborhood like Ballard would allow well-to-do people to buy this and enjoy it at the expense of people from any poor neighborhood.

That said, @ 5 is absolutely correct in that hip hop is still a genre dominated by African American artists, who rap about the African American experience. So is this card racist?... Just barely, I think. It's more classist IMO.
19
That leaders of one of the most powerful nations on earth willingly provoked a crisis that suspends public services and decreases economic growth is astonishing to many."

It's astonishing to me! WTF, "government"? You're losing your cred as an actual, you know, government.
20
Q: What type of things are mentioned in Rap songs?

The same response would fit a question about songs in general. The issue with the t-shirt is more than just the t-shirt itself; it's about the singling out of a particular aspect of a particular culture for the larger culture to consume and, in this case, mock. In other words, stereotyping.

And also, if you're saying that sure it's kind of a little racist, but it's not horrifically racist, sure. And mild racism is generally not as bad a virulent racism. But are you saying that you're fine with mild racism? Where do you draw the line? Are you one of those people who tell others to get over it?
22

I bet Mark Cuban is happy.

24
[implying that alll rappers, trashy or otherwise, are in a racial minority]

that's way more racist than implying that a rapper (generally, no race/religion/sexual orientation/gender identity specified or implied,) referencing your neighborhood in a song means your neighborhood is in the gutter.

there are many rappers who reference many neighborhoods without implying that any of them were a ghetto that they managed to get away from. it's a negative stereotype to apply to the hip-hop/rap community, sure. I can agree with that.

but calling it racist is more racist than the original joke. for shame, Jen. I expected better.
26
@7: You're nuts.
Here is a rap song about the societal pressure for black people to look whiter. Here is a rap song encouraging young black men to be responsible, productive, and self-fulfilled. And there's plenty more benign and even downright positive rap out there. There's good music and shitty music in any genre.
Criminality isn't the center of rap; bravado and power are.
27
It seems like the claim that you're racist if you don't appreciate violence and gangsterism is a bit racist itself, isn't it? Examine your assumptions, Jen.
28
Guess no matter the 'hood or the color, RAP MUSIC is generically racist.....not all, but much rap has some element of racism in the lyrics..Guess no matter who uses the word "nigger", it is still a racist term. Rap also tends toward the misogynist in lyrical style, but hey, some folks live that way so it is real, eh????
29
I don't know whether or not it's racist. I think it's potentially pretty offensive and I really didn't think it funny at all. But I really enjoy Jen's tangential & opinionated commentary at the end of the news as a recurring feature. Hope it sticks.
30
@20 Seatackled- No, the CARD (it is not a t-shirt) is not racist. Sorry if I wasn't more clear on that point.

@26 Venomlash- Nope, not nuts at all. It's pretty fancy of you to find and copy links to songs that prove your point. Um, I could do the same, but I think you know that I am right. Jen and probably you, are the racist if you both see the words Hip Hop and immediately jump to race. Why would you do that? I see Hip Hop and think of music and lyrical content. Race doesn't even come to mind. I guess I'm just a better person that you both.
31
@7, @16, @28, you're wrong. Rap music is about a lot of stuff. Sometimes it's about dealing dope and shooting nines, but there is a wide variety of subject matter. Sometimes it's about nothing more than Bonita Applebum.
32
There is nothing Christian about Christmas trees. They're a pagan seasonal decoration enjoyed by anyone who wants one. I always veto my cat's request for one, because I am the boss of her. She could wear a crucifix if she really insisted though, I'd be OK with that.

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